Dan Didio NYCC interview 2022 10/6/22

Q1. You’ve been known for your prolific tenure as publisher at DC Comics. How did Frank Miller Presents imprint come Into existence?

DD: It actually started really funny. Ya know, Frank and I, we knew each other so when I left DC, we were trying to find a way to work together. Frank actually asked me if I was interested in being an editor for a book that he was doing at Dc, which I said, probably wouldn’t feel right. So instead, I’ll edit your book, I’ll work with you, but let’s do our own imprint. Let’s create our own thing. Let’s do the types of books that we’re interested In, the types of books that we enjoy, and more importantly, put some of the craft that has been lost in comics back in the books and in some ways lead by example. Frank has been spectacular about this and what’s been fun about using Ronin as our lead book, Ronin came out over thirty years ago, and it’s never been exploited past that, and people who know it and remember it really well, so Frank has had this idea for a sequel since the first book ended. The fact that we’re about to do this now, and work with so many talented people has been spectacular.

Q2. What’s something that you would advise for a lot of creators who are trying to break into the business, what should they be practicing? What should they be doing?

DD: It’s an interesting question because that’s what it’s all about, it’s first of all understanding and fully realizing your idea. Don’t put something out because it’s half thought but fully think it through, develop it out so that it can stand alone but also be expanded upon from that. And then on the other side, push the boundaries. Start to look at something that work in the medium of comics that work graphically and visually. Don’t try to think that you’re doing a screenplay or some sort of stage play, do something that works in the medium that you’re in. And enjoy what you’re doing, the passion that you put into your material will come alive and people react really well to it. 

Thank you for your time, Dan Didio.