The Rocket Countdown is a list of questions we send to each creator working on a Rocket Comic. We believe that the answers to these ten questions will tell you everything you need to know about both the creator and the comic on which they are working. In this installment, Sean Murphy (artist on Crush) shares with us how Crush writer Jason Hall makes his life difficult, how Batman the Animated Series puts him in the mood and when he got his sock stuck in his braces.

1. How long have you been in comics/What was your first work?

My first work was for Black Tide doing covers and a few concept things. My big break was working with Phil Hester on Noble Causes, and that was only a few months ago. I also did Star Wars at about the same time. So I'm still really green.

2. What are your influences?

Chris Ware, Kyle Baker, Mike Mignola, Winslow Homer, Bill Watterson, and a ton of others that I can't think of right now. But the major one is Bruce Timm and Batman the Animated Series. Whenever I'm not in the mood to draw, watching Batman puts me in the mood.

3. What project are you doing for Rocket?

It's called Crush (due in October). It's kind of The Crow meets the She-Hulk, but it?s got its own identity at the same time.

4. What makes it cool?

I HOPE that the unity of writing, artwork and coloring mixed together is what makes it cool. It's really hard to answer that even though I'm on the book. It's only until I actually see the end product when I'll know if we?ve done our job.

5. How did you come to work with Dark Horse/Rocket?

Somehow a packet of my stuff ended up on Dave Land's desk. He needed a rush job for Star Wars, so I did the best I could (as fast as I could). I guess he was pleased because then I got Crush. I also bribed him and threatened to key his car.

6. Besides your Rocket book, what else are you working on at the moment?

Depending on how well my work in Crush is received by readers and how much Dave is willing to work with me again, I'm considering pitching him an idea. I've also been flirting with Oni for the last year or so. Phil Hester and I get along well, so maybe something will eventually come of that again.

7. What comics are you reading now?

Powers and The Losers. I don't read a lot like I should. I definitely take more out of the industry than I put in.

8. What's your impression of the rest of your creative team? Please feel free to dish some dirt.

Jason Hall is the anti-Christ. Not only is he a horrible writer but a nasty person. Sometimes, for fun, he likes to send me fake scripts, let me draw them, and then tell me that he sent the wrong ones and make me do it all over. I'm kidding. He's actually really nice.

Dave Land seems pretty cool. The guy is about 7 feet tall. So there's always that fear that if I don't turn my work in on time, he'll come to my house and eat me.

And I also hate my inker. The guy is completely killing my work. I hope he's not tall.

9. If you were a hero in a Rocket comic, what would your power be?

Do Rocket Comic heroes have different abilities than regular Dark Horse heroes or DC heroes?

10. Do you have any amazing powers in real life?

No, but one time I got my braces stuck in my sock.

Crush #1 debuts in comic shops on October 22, 2003 for a retail price of $2.99.