Hey Silver Surfer fans, This week I have a very special post for you. I have a Michael Allred interview about his experience so far on the Silver Surfer franchise since starting with issue #1 in Volume 7.

Michael Allred took time out of his very busy schedule of making sure we are all kept in constant supply with Silver Surfer greatness to answer a few questions I fired over to him via email. All of which started after a cheeky little tweet I fired over to him asking if he would be willing to answer some. Michael is an active Twitter user and replied very quickly and made one of this guys dreams come true.

When I received the reply I was like a nervous kid, but Michael’s tone and friendly approach immediately put me at ease, he even threw in a curve ball with one of the answers that has left me wanting to know more. Can you see what answer I mean. Before we move onto the Interview here is some preview images from the upcoming volume. For a full preview head over to here

The Michael Allred Interview

SSC : What made you want to pursue a career in drawing comics?

Comics were a part of my earliest memories and I began drawing before I could walk. But it wasn’t until the “Indy Boom” in the late eighties that I saw a path to making them professionally. Seeing LOVE & ROCKETS, for instance, showed me there were no rules and that you could tell any kind of comic you wanted.

SSC : What was your first comic love? Is it still there?

All the classic icons: Batman, Spidey, X-Men, they are all still kicking around. First actual crush were like Medusa and Gwen Stacy. I was thrilled to be able to draw Medusa in FF.

SSC : How did you get involved with the Silver Surfer?

Well we were wrapping up FF, which I started with Matt Fraction and then finished up with my genius big brother Lee. Our editor Tom Brevoort called me up and told me that Marvel wanted to launch a new Surfer series and that Dan Slott had a fresh pitch that everyone loved. and everyone was hoping I’d draw it. Of course I jumped at it! Silver Surfer is one of my most favorite lifelong characters. And it’s been pure bliss ever since.

SSC : Where do you draw you inspiration from?

Everything and everyone. I drink in Pop culture which energizes me. And of course the stories simply pop images into my head. It’s just a matter of getting them to the page after that.

SSC : Does Madman influence your design of the Silver Surfer?

If I’m being honest I’d have to admit that it’s the other way around. Frank “Madman” Einstein is my Frankenstein’s comic book monster stitched up from the different body parts of all my favorite things. He’s a little bit David Bowie, a little bit Silver Surfer, a little bit of The Spirit, The Jam, Daredevil. Just shake, stir, throw in huge chunks of yours truly and you get a weird wacky original creation. They share the thick black around the eyes which I love making expressive and as alive as blank eyes can be.

SSC : What was your favourite issue to draw in volume 7?

Any time I can inject a personal passion into a book I’m alive with it. Issue 11 is in the top five of anything I’ve ever done. Just one big love song to Jean Giraud Moebius.

SSC : Anything you can say about volume 8, Anything special like the moebius strip in volume 7 issue 11?

I do my best to avoid spilling details if I can. Hopefully folks know by now that they can trust that we’re spilling our hearts and souls into what we’re doing and follow us blind into the void. But I WILL say that, YES, we have more wonky fun stuff planned to turn brains inside out.

SSC : How is the collaboration with Dan Slott?

Pure joy. Wonderful exciting ideas spill nonstop from that fella. Love him!

SSC : What does 2016 have in store for you?

More Surfer, more Batman, more Art Ops, more iZombie, at least on the Tee Vee, and hopefully more Madman. But, realistically, probably looking at 2017 for the next Madman Special. So 2017 will be all about Madman and the next Star Wars movie. Wink.

SSC : Where can we find you in the next few months?

I’m always within a bike ride to and from the ol’ drawing board.

SSC : Is there anything you would like to say! Even what is your favorite fruit?

Given the chance I like to encourage people to only be kind to each other and themselves. Negativity will chew you up and spit you out. Might even help remind me to follow my own advise. So much more fun to look for the good and common ground in life. And strawberries.

Before I sign this post off I would like to thank Michael Allred for taking the time to answer a small blog and Silver Surfer fanatics interview questions. I can not wait for the release of Volume 8 , Issue 1 this Wednesday and if my post arrives on time I will have a review up on Thursday so please head back then.

Do you feel there was something I should have asked? Are you ready for Volume 8? Leave your comments below.

You can find Michael Allred via the following links.