Dark Horse Comics is publishing the new KISS series, having signed a deal with KISS frontman Gene Simmons after the annual Wizard World convention in Chicago last summer.
KISS fans have previously seen the otherworldly exploits of their favorite band in past comic-book series published by Marvel Comics in the late 1970s and '80s, and by MacFarlane Comics during the late 1990s.
Now Dark Horse brings you an exclusive interview with KISS frontman Gene Simmons as he reflects on his long career, tells why he's a fanboy just like you, and gives his personal insight into the creation of the new KISS comics, coming from Dark Horse in July.
Gene Simmons: Before we start, may I say everyone's welcome to log on to Kissonline.com.
Shawna Ervin-Gore: Of course. So, Gene -- what first attracted you to comics and why do you want yourself and KISS to be a part of comics history?
GS: When I first came to America from Israel, my baptism of fire into American culture was almost exclusively comic books. First, it was Superman and Batman. And then it was in the early Atlas Marvel days, and I discovered the notion that superheroes had problems just like real human beings do. And, then, my dream to be a part of comics history finally came true in the `70s when KISS became superheroes in the first of two Marvel Super Specials -- the most expensive comic books and the biggest successes Marvel ever had up until that point were those first two KISS comics.
Thereafter we parted company with Marvel, but not before I got a chance to launch the KISS Meets the X-Men $10 comic book special written by Stan Lee. A while after that, I called Todd MacFarlane, who I thought was doing some very good work in the Spawn books. I told him that we should do a KISS book together, and so KISS Psycho Circus was born with a decidedly darker edge to it. That lasted 31 or 32 issues.
After that, to put it bluntly, I tracked down (Dark Horse publisher) Mike Richardson because I think he does fine work, and I am all about doing fine stuff. And the reason I wanted to do a KISS book with Mike and with Dark Horse was because I wanted it good. The word "good" is often thrown around, but it's easier said than done, and Mike is one of those guys who gets it done. Dark Horse puts out some of the best comic books being published today, certainly by anybody's standards.
SE-G: I know you have been very involved in the creative process with these comics -- could you describe your role a little bit, in terms of how you work with the editor and the writer and in helping craft the stories?
GS: Well, initially, with the MacFarlane books, I pitched the notion of KISS as elemental sort of entities -- "The Four Who Are One," the earth wind and fire of it all. The notion is that together, we are these sort of spiritual forces, if you will, that don't really get involved with human beings, but are important to humans in some ways. They are called watcher-types. Each one is dependent on the other. Mike and I had a heart-to- heart about how we wanted to make the new KISS book a much more in-your-face superhero book -- lots of fun, over-the-top supervillains. And so, once we agreed on that, I wanted to make sure that - "The Four Who Are One" was a notion that pervaded, that each individual has its own life, but they are all dependent on the others. In some ways perhaps, this is the Fantastic Four of the 21st Century -- there is bickering and Ace is a celestial who is from "out there," and I'm the bounty hunter who is "down here." But in some ways we have all lost our way. And it takes one of us to bring us all together.
SE-G: Do you think the characterizations in the new comics fit each group member's personality pretty well?
GS: Oh, very much so.
SE-G: So the image of you as a tough guy bounty hunter is pretty accurate?
GS: Oh, yes. I'm all about drawing the line in the sand. I would never flinch in a tough situation, and animals are like that pretty much. Lions aren't really interested in human beings. But if you cross the line into a lion's territory, you're going to have hell to pay.
I think good fences make very good neighbors, so everybody knows exactly how far they can push me and how far they can't. And bounty hunters are likewise. They're not really interested in going out there and just killing for the sport of it, like sportsmen. I mean, I find sportsmen vile. It's not a sport unless the animal can shoot back at you. What they are doing is they are slaughtering. Bounty hunters are after people who really shouldn't be around, and they get paid for it certainly, but they're not interested in causing any mayhem. Do I think a bounty hunter is like who I am? Sure. Do I think Paul is surrounded by beautiful women? Oh, yeah. Do I think the Cat Man has this sort of bestial thing? He certainly has nine lives -- he could have been dead in any of those, and still he survives. Do I think Ace is off his rocker and has a problem with equilibrium and other big words, like gymnasium? You bet.
SE-G: And what's it like for you working with Joe Casey? Do you like his writing style?
GS: He's fabulous.
SE-G: Have you read his X-Men books?
GS: Well, obviously, X-Men is one of my favorite books and continues to be. I think we have got a team that is going to rival anything that's out there, and if we're lucky, we may actually have the best book that is out there. So I intend to put my face right in front of it. I intend to stand right up next to the KISS book and say, "I am proud of this. Kiss is proud of this." And I will physically appear at ComiCon in San Diego in August to make sure people know it is real.
SE-G: Fantastic. From what I understand you, have been attending ComiCon for a long time.
GS: Oh, it goes back to 1968, when I first appeared in New York City.
SE-G: Do you attend as a fan or a businessman, or both?
GS: Always as a fan. Business takes care of itself. It's interesting how being fan boy -- or in my case, a fan man -- if you take care of the fan, the business takes care of itself. In other words, if you are just going into this to make the quick buck -- and by the way, there is nothing wrong with that; I support anybody's right to make a dollar or two -- but if you actually do good, if you do good stuff (and that means different things to different people), somehow the business takes care of itself. So my main motivation in this, and I am sure Mike Richardson's is too, is to do a "good book." And the business will take care of itself. They will buy it if it is good. You can't make people eat food they don't like.
SE-G: Sure. So, when you are at Comicon and wandering around ...
GS: I have a feeling I won't be able to wander around this year. I have a feeling that they will put me at a stationary place and people will tend to come to me --- sort of like ants to a picnic.
SE-G: Probably. You're known for being good to your fans. Do you like it when your fans come up and say hello?
GS: Without them I am nothing. Without them I would be asking you if you want fries with that. In a very real way fans are my bosses. There are just no ifs, ands, or buts about it. It is why when I hear other celebrities who say they don't do autographs, or "Don't bother me!" -- I think they have forgotten who is the boss.
SE-G: And what about the collecting side of things. Do you collect original comic art?
GS: Oh, sure. Especially KISS comic art. I have all the pages. You bet. Going all the way back to the Marvel days.
SE-G: What about other creators? Were you a Kirby fan? Did you follow any other creators avidly?
GS: Oh, very much so. You know, Kirby, Toth, all those guys. But I also think some of the new guys, I think the Kubert brothers are very good, I collected some of their father's stuff, Joe Kubert. You know, there is an awful lot of good stuff. There are lots of Lees -- Jae Lee, Jim Lee, Stan Lee ... There should be the Lee family, almost like the Jackson Family. Michael Jackson, Jeffrey Jackson, Rita Jackson, all the Jacksons.
SE-G: Before I let you go, how have you enjoyed such a long career in the spotlight? Most stars seem to shine for a few years at most.
GS: Because KISS is many-headed, KISS is like Hydra from the old Nick Fury Shield Marvel book. You cut off one head and two more take its place. You cut off one arm and two more take its place. Because KISS isn't just a band. As a "Rock Band" we toured and make records. The Recording Industry Association of America has dubbed KISS the "Number One America Band Gold Record Champions of All Time." That means no other band has more gold records in America, period. In the world, only The Beatles and The Stones have a few more. And in terms of touring, when we toured, it was usually the number one tour. So the records and the tours do very well. But there are also 2000 licenses out there we are very proud of. Everything from KISS Visa cards to you name it.
But, the thing about KISS is that we always try to make sure that we are flexible in terms of the concept. In other words, if KISS is going to be a superhero book, we have to be superheroes, not musicians. And likewise, when we get up on stage. You know, even though we look like Dark Horse superhero characters on stage, the truth is we are playing music. But, as I see it, there is no reason why you can't be Clark Kent and Superman at the same time.
SE-G: One last question before I let you go -- In your opinion, what is the greatest form of entertainment?
GS: Me. I can go out there and do the show on stage, and I take care of the encores in the hotel room after the show.
The all-new ongoing KISS series, written by Joe Casey, with art by Mel Rubi and fantastic covers by J. Scott Campbell and Leinil Francis Yu, hits your favorite comic store starting July 24. Lick it up!