
I don't think I was actually there to write the article, that year, as I had been promoted and shifted that year to work on the Standard Catalog of Comic Books line — but for whatever reason, I was in the office to take a call from Marvel's Michael Doran — a colleague previously (and again now) at Newsarama. He conveyed an invite to pitch for Marvel's "new talent" line under the revived Epic brand. After getting permission from my superiors, I began work that night. By the end of the weekend, I'd finished the script for what would become (after many revisions) my first professional comics project: Crimson Dynamo #1. (Read the detailed story behind the story here.)
The comic book would release in early September 2003, and the entire line would fold almost immediately after our storyline concluded — but I had been bitten by the bug. I had already moved on to Iron Man, which led to Simpsons and Star Wars work. I continued moonlighting for several years, until I finally began writing full time in 2007.
With a release-filled 2012 of comics and prose work ending — and a busy 2013 on the horizon with Star Wars: Kenobi as well as some announcements to come — I am again working this week between Christmas and New Year's. But I have no complaints — and am glad I was in the office to take the call years earlier, on the Friday before New Year's. If I'd gone to Vegas, I might still be scribbling in sketchbooks. For this happenstance, I am thankful — and I am looking forward to more years writing for you fine folks. You are all appreciated!