I'm still amazed myself, but a very nice lady named Gail, from the Women In Refridgerators Website (see my links) helped score me the page's first interview! So, without any further ado, I give you the Quickstart Enterprises Mark Waid Interview!

Mark Waid is the writer of Flash for DC Comics. He's also responsible for many other successful comic runs, including stints on two Captain America titles, Legion of Super Heroes and the Kingdom series' from DC. Mark is also, in my opinion, for the higher role Jesse Quick plays in the DC Universe today.

Mark Waid: Intimately familiar. I began reading comics in 1966 at the tender age of four and never stopped gorging myself on DCs in particular. I joined the FLASH creative team in 1990 when editor Brian Augustyn gave me a shot at pitching for either that year's FLASH ANNUAL or for the FLASH TV SPECIAL. I came in with ideas for stories for both, and as luck would have it, he liked both well enough for me to walk out of his office with two assignments, not just one. Once I proved myself to him on FLASH, I was the natural heir to Bill Loebs when Bill ended his run.

Aeia: As a writer, what is it that appeals to you about Jesse Quick? As a fan?

MW: As a writer, I like the fact that she's a serious student of super-heroes, and I love the notion that she's a triple threat as a student, a CEO, and a super-hero; I identify with her overachiever tendencies. As a fan, I dig the formula, always have; anything that allows me to become a super-hero by saying a magic word or popping a Miraclo pill or what have you and thus avoid years of training was always aces in my book.

Aeia: Looking back, what are your thoughts on the success of your work to date? Is there anything you would have done differently?

MW: I would have capitalized better on the success of KINGDOM COME. Kurt Busiek used MARVELS to launch ASTRO CITY; I followed KC with such stellar works as X-O MANOWAR. Nothing WRONG with it, but I would have, in retrospect, been much better served to use that momentum to launch a creator-owned series.

Aeia: in the Chain Lightning storyline, we see many descendants of Wally and Barry, but the only Chambers to participate in the story is Jesse, will we be learning the reason for an absence of Chambers speedsters in the future?

MW: I have no plans to address it, though now that you mention it, it would have been cute to make a nod in that direction; I suppose on some level I felt like leaving the future of Jesse and her heirs completely open in contrast to the well-mapped West legacy.

Aeia: Of all the characters in comics you haven't written, which are the ones you'd most like to work with?

MW: Me, I've written damn near everyone, but I'd still like a crack someday at DC's Captain Marvel.

Aeia: What new projects, if any, can we look forward to seeing your work in?

MW: I'll be taking over JLA from Grant Morrison early next year, and following that with a slew of creator-owned projects (finally!) that have yet to be announced. Wish me luck.

Aeia: Will do, Mark, and thanks again for your time and for letting me bug you with these questions!

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