Since superhero comics became popular during the 1940s, there has always been an emphasis on other genre types in the decades leading up to the modern age. From cowboys to science-fiction, to horror and fantasy, all of these have dominated the landscape as much as superhero tales have.
Mike Grell has dabbled in a variety of comics over the years, from superhero material to sword/sorcery and even spy works. His unique art style and storytelling ability have lead him to become beloved by fans everywhere.
PopCultHQ had a chance to chat with Mike about his Warlord and Green Arrow runs hitting major milestones, who would play Warlord in a movie, and the book he has enjoyed working on the most.
Mike Grell
PopCultHQ: You’ve worked on a lot of amazing books over the years as a writer and an artist. Two of your best known pieces, Warlord and Green Arrow are hitting major milestones this year. Warlord is going to be 44 years since his first appearance in 1st Issue Special #8 and it will have been 32 years since Longbow Hunters first came out. How does that make you feel?
Mike Grell: I feel old all of a sudden. I have no idea why that would be. It’s really great. It’s been a very satisfying extended period of time. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
PopCultHQ: Just to circle back to Warlord. If there was the possibility of a Warlord movie, who do you think would be the best fit to play Travis Morgan?
Mike Grell: Oh Lord. I’ve never actually thought about it. I would say Kirk Douglas, but Kirk’s 102 years old. He could still do it, but you’d have to adjust a little bit. I have honestly never given it any thought.
PopCultHQ: The final question. Looking back on your career spanning over the decades and all the different projects you’ve tackled, both for the big companies and stuff like Maggie the Cat and Jon Sable, what would you say is a book or character you’ve enjoyed working on the most?
Mike Grell: The most fun I ever had as a cartoonist was drawing the Tarzan comic strip in the Sunday papers. I was a huge fan of Tarzan when I was little kid, I wanted to be Tarzan. But after I learned the ape/English language and went to a circus that was going through town, they had a chimp. And that chimp never spoke one single word back to me. I was disappointed. But working on Green Arrow was a tremendous thrill for me. My favorite comic book character and the one that got me interested in doing this work in the first place.
Convention – Motor City Comic Con
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