Richard: What can you tell us about your part in creating "Iconic"?

Chris: Well, when Phil Clark began the project, I originally submitted a pitch to be one of the writers on the book and was subsequently rejected. Phil later asked me to be one of the editors on the book, along with Vincent Moore, Brett Nance, Denis Faye and Mike DeLepine. When Phil had to step down for personal reasons and our president Keith Murphey took over, my role became a lot more active and I ended up being one of the last original participants behind the scenes until Phil eventually returned.

But, despite the title I worked under and was given in the book, the titles all became academic because between Keith, Liam Webb, Sue Soares and myself, we all did what had to be done in order to ensure not only the book's completion, but that it was the most awesome thing you could ever hope to read. When the idea arose to have a unifying story connect all the others, I volunteered to write it. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Richard: How do you feel Grandpa comes across personality wise?

Chris: I hope likeable. The inspiration for the story came from The Princess Bride and was intended to be an homage to that (who doesn't like Peter Falk?) while maintaining it's own voice. I tried to make him someone YOU would want reading to you, be it when you were a kid or if you're a kid now. I also tried to keep him from being a stuffy grownup by injecting some of my sarcastic sense of humor into his dialogue. So, hopefully, the readers are wishing he was their grandpa by the time they finish the book.

Richard: How do you bring across the awe the two children feel for reading?

Chris: Basically, I tapped into what we've all felt at some time. You know, like in school; unless you were a super brain, you didn't like going. So you sat there, all hum drum, bored, waiting to go home. But then, you get this great teacher and subject that just sparks an interest in you. And then you're hooked. That's the same effect other things, like books or movies, can have. That describes the boy. For the girl, I showed that she was the other side of that coin that the interest was always there. Something just strikes that right chord, and after the first time, you're hooked and looking for more.

Richard: How does one become a good writer?

Chris: Read books, watch TV, pay attention to your surroundings, and practice every chance you get. Also, don't be afraid to go outside of your comfort zones and take risks. The only way you can grow is if you not make it easy for yourself all the time. Like if you like superhero stuff, like I do, don't just write superhero stuff. Expand into horror, slice of life, mystery, sci-fi. It's also a good idea, if you wanna write comics, to have a good visual sense so you can "see" how the page will look in your head as you're writing it. It'll make life a heck of a lot easier for your artist. Again, that takes practice unless you have an artistic background.

Richard: Do you have any ideas for a comic of your own?

Chris: Heh you can say that. I have an entire universe waiting to see the light of day. I've been creating my own comics and characters since I was 4 years old--maybe sooner, can't quite remember that far back. One of my oldest superhero teams, the New York Heroes, I used as an entry in Small Press Idol at Dimestore Productions.com last year. I won the chance to be a cover feature to one of their anthologies, but I've had problems keeping an artist on the project long enough to get it done. I do have the cover finished though, by Keith Murphey with inks by Alex Rivera, who will also be inking the pages should they ever get done. I'll be tapping one of our newest CAG members, Willie Jimenez, to color it and tone the pages. I'm also working on two scripts for my first venture into self-publishing. My goal with them is to offer a lot of pages for very little money in order to encourage people, especially curious on-lookers, to buy comics. One will be targeted towards kids, since they are the future of the industry.

Richard: How did you become involved with CAG?

Chris: I joined Spiderfan.org, a Spider-Man website dedicated to all things Spidey, to do some reviews for the various Spider-books that I have in my collection. It was suggested at one point to try and converse outside of the E-Mail list we usually talk on, and a few of us exchanged screen names to chat now and again. Robert J. Sodaro told me about CAG through there, and it sounded like a great way to break in and finally give my career a kick-start. Plus, I also though it'd be a good way to actually make some friends who like comics as much as I do; something I was lacking until then.

Richard: Why stay a member of CAG?

Chris: Why not? I've made friends, I've made contacts, and I've made books. Anywhere I go from here in comics I owe to CAG, so I intend to be a member for as long as it's around. My personal goal is helping others get the opportunities I was afforded. The only feeling better than seeing your name in print is helping someone else get theirs. It's hard to break into comics, and CAG is a great gateway so long as a person utilizes every tool offered them.

Richard: Are you a fan of the Ghostbusters?

Chris: I'm one of the originals. I grew up with the cartoon, I've watched the movies well over a thousand times to the point I can recite them line-by-line, I had BOTH soundtracks memorized at one time, I had most of the toys... I was in there, that was my thing. In fact, I just finished playing the new video game for the first time before doing this interview. I'm currently a member of several message boards out there (though I don't get the time to post often), and I also started two websites dedicated to the filming locations and the comics that I currently need to relaunch thanks to my web provider shutting down. Back in 2004 when 88MPH was slowly churning out their book, I started an initiative to do our own online comic to fill in the long gaps. Had a great artist in Rolando Munoz, Adam Bestler on colors, Dan Liberg and Ben King doing edits, and Fritz Baugh on covers. Unfortunately, the first issue was only almost completed before Rolando landed some legitimate work and had to bail. But, I took all the ideas I had plotted out and turned it into a story series on fanfiction.net for 12 issues before it was my turn to become busy. Had we managed to keep on going, I think it might've been something good. Little fun fact: I had scripted the comic adaptation to the internet sensation Freddy vs. Ghostbusters.

Richard: Did you enjoy your work on "Official Index to the Marvel Universe"?

Chris: My life-long dream was to one day work for Marvel (whose isn't?) and I was able to achieve that, so that right there starting things off on a good note for me. Working on the Index can be challenging, though; especially when it comes to X-Men character chronologies. There are just so many characters in each issue that it becomes a juggling game in order to make sure every next appearance falls into proper place. But, overall, it's been fun and I'm working with some great guys, which always helps.

Richard: Do you have any other work lined up at Marvel?

Chris: If you mean writing, then no. I did do some work for some trade paperbacks due out next year, as well as helped out some on a couple coming this summer, but other than that the Index is pretty much it for now.

Richard: Besides writing comics do you have another job?

Chris: Sadly, I have to be a FedEx courier to help pay the bills.

Richard: If you could have one super power what would it be and why?

Chris: Heh I've asked this in several interviews I've conducted, and to have it asked to me is kinda funny. Well, despite my affinity for and people most associating me with Wolverine for various reasons, I'd have to say the ability to fly. There's just this freedom you get when you're in the air and above everything. Nothing but you and open sky. It's peaceful, and will save a hell of a lot in transportation funds!

Richard: How can someone contact you?

Chris: My E-Mail's always open at atomic_comics@hotmail.com .

Richard: Any last words of advice?

Chris: Dream big and dream often, and then go out and make those dreams a reality. It may take a while, but as long as you keep on trying and seize opportunities, it can happen.