As a small-time, indie comic creator, it's always great hearing Chuck's insight. Very few people are as qualified on the subject of comics as he is.

Great guest, you definitely do not disappoint Clifton.

I still don’t get why this podcast hasn’t exploded. Great content!

Terrific interview Clifton! Chuck Dixon is a legend. This was a discussion between colleagues with regular people getting to listen in. Keep up the great work!

Dixon is on my Batman mount Rushmore... He wrote the only noteworthy Nightwing run (surprising for such a beloved character) other than the brief Peter Tomasi run... Singlehandedly kept the Punisher alive during the 90s when Marvel didn't know what to do with him... Etc. Great interview.

Clifton’s point about South Park is spot on with current “creatives”. I’ve noticed that a lot of these people want to go meta with genre and then get upset when the joke bombs with the audience. Because what they don’t understand about parody is you actually have to understand the source material you are parodying and inevitably the only person who can do that is a guy who loves said source material. That’s the big difference between a Taika Watiti and a Mel Brooks.

@realistic_delinquent

Жыл бұрын

Jojo Rabbit and Spaceballs were both bangers.

I'm only halfway through and this is one of my favourites yet. Thank you for another wonderful conversation!

Great interview. It's a shame how DC and Marvel do not understand the craft of writing these days, especially when you consider how Chuck was encouraged to take Robert Mckee's story class. Chuck is definitely a fantastic writer and we need more types like him writing modern comics.

Perfect synergy You have the same initials

Great conversation!

Right around the 32:00 minute mark, I was reminded of a quote from the great movie "Bull Durham": . "Don't think. You can only hurt the team." . For context, the scene was a rookie baseball pitcher thinking he knew better than the experienced catcher calling the pitches.

Hey Clifton. Great podcast! It’s shocking that the algorithm doesn’t favour you more than it seems and I can’t believe you only have 20k subscribers. Praying for the success of your podcast and channel. Keep bringing the great guests!

Yeah. What made geek culture special was the fact that it was outsider, ostracized, and rejected. Now that mainstream people wear star trek shirts and argue over who was the best Spider-Man artist, its not as fun any more. What Clifton doesn't get (yet?) is that the narrative stuff is not about creating acceptance or tolerance. Its about destroying dissent and replacing the old culture with something new. Its not about acceptance, its about dominance. They want everyone to kneel.

Excellent way to end the week. You're a great host, Clifton. Not letting Chuck's wholesome introduction get by of his humble desire being inspired by a milkman talking to his mom. haha. Chuck Dixon is modest and so down to earth so as surprising as it was hear that he wanted to be a milk man, it shouldn't be! Also, your humility reflecting on childhood natural wonder over a game of tag in comparison to your professional acting. It was such a teaser at the end talking about the John Henry artist struggle going up against the soulless AI machine. The Batman '66 movie is my first memory of any piece of media, loved the 90s Batman the Animated Series, drew Batman as a 3 year old (and drew him with my eyes closed in elementary school), dressed as him for Halloween (and outside of it: drawing and cutting one out from a piece of paper haha), but didn't get into the comics like X-Men since I could start from the beginning with them thanks to library and coupons, but I still read what I could from I think early Bill Finger comics to the 2000s (and then later on skim/read almost 100 issues from the beginning and read pretty much everything from the 1970s to 2016), and while, at least from my fuzzy memory, it wasn't supposed to be an inspirational line since I remember it being part of Bruce's downfall in the Knightfall story, Chuck Dixon's Detective Comics 663 inner monologue "All men have limits. They learn what they are and learn not to exceed them. I ignore mine." inspired me when I was struggling as a kid. I got really into Chuck's Bane on a similar to the level of X-Men since he was the original creator so it was getting the most authentic characterization as opposed to an interpretation, and actually liked Bane right away when seeing him in the BTAS cartoon and got a figure, but I wasn't able to read the first appearance because the cheapest I could find was $50 calling and searching multiple comic stores, but I read Denny O'Neil's Knightfall novelization and bought every Bane comic I could in the dusty 50 cent back issue bins searching for so long, and because I liked him so much, I would even buy from the 1 dollar bins. No one would know, but I got steel toed boots and would wear a tank top at any opportunity thinking about Bane since he was an inspirational character for me with all he went through and for working out (later replaced by Dragon Ball as an adult when I got into that and now I associate the tank top/boots with the heroic DBZ character Future Trunks which I did think about back then but I didn't know who he was just that he looked cool). And Dark Knight Rises was the first midnight release movie I ever went to and the first live action superhero movie I ever bought thanks to Bane fandom when I didn't really like buying or re-watchings things (another movie that I made the exception for was Fight Club, and, imo, they're very similar movies reflecting on spiritual warfare, especially with envy). Chuck is actually kinda how I got here! Since I was a Bane fan, I followed Mr. Dixon on Twitter, and he mentioned the comic book reviewer Diversity and Comics/Comics Matter with Ya Boi Zack which lead me to Ethan Van Sciver (and RJ the Fourth Age), and through EVS, Nick Rekieta and then I think it was him, I discovered Friday Night Tights to discover Chrissie Mayr and then she's how I discovered you. So he's to blame! haha...or maybe it was Razorfist being on FNT, so if you like this comment, like the Joker remembering things in multiple choice, you can decide! Thanks again, Clifton! This was awesome!

It's been said before I'm sure but I liked his point on knowing your audiences expectations and trying to exceed them. All we get now is subverting expectations because they can't exceed them.

Clifton Duncan and Chuck Dixon. Nice.

Fantastic interview, Clifton. As a comic novice I’m just getting introduced to these amazing creatives behind these iconic characters. Chuck is amazing! Also, where did you get that sweet Sowell shirt?

The legendary Chuck Dixon. He’s the goat

Legendary Guest. Dixon is the man. Always has been. Great interview bro.

MORE freaking CHUCK!! 0:00 - The Rise and Fall of Geek Culture and the Comic Book Industry 4:09 - Connecting with KZreadrs and Comics Journey 7:52 - The Importance of Real People in Your Life 11:44 - The Impact of the Work and the Importance of Discipline 15:18 - The Importance of Consistency in Comics 18:52 - The Importance of Robin and Alfred in Batman's Life 22:22 - The Enduring Appeal of Batman 26:02 - The Intelligence of Fans Vs Creators in the Entertainment Industry 29:43 - The Super Mario Bros Movie Controversy and Honoring Source Material 33:10 - The Importance of Action in Comics 36:47 - The Arrogance of Generosity and the Strength of Conviction 40:17 - The Decline of Passion in the Comic Book Industry 43:58 - The Changing Culture of Comics 47:39 - The Shift from Toleration to Celebration 51:12 - The Obligatory Tolerance Scene 54:41 - The Role of Characters in Representation 58:25 - Projects and New Releases

@ComicsExposed

11 ай бұрын

More CHUCK Details! 0:00 In this section of the podcast, Clifton Duncan introduces his guest, Chuck Dixon, a veteran comic book writer known for his work on Batman and Marvel's The Punisher. They discuss the current state of the comic book industry and why modern comics are not connecting with audiences as they did in the past. They also touch on the rise of independent creators and the importance of creating timeless and engaging work. Duncan highlights Dixon's extensive experience and praises his ability to connect with a broader audience through platforms like podcasts and KZread. 5:00 In this section, Chuck Dixon discusses his fascination with comics and how he learned to think in terms of comics as a second language. He describes the creative impulse as advanced daydreaming and how his mind often wanders, thinking of stories all the time. He also mentions the importance of having real people around him to bring him back to reality when he gets too deep into his imaginary world. Dixon credits his wife for keeping him grounded and helping him manage his creative impulses. Additionally, he highlights the challenges of maintaining a romantic life as a creative person, as it can be difficult to balance the imaginative realm with the real world. 10:00 In this section, Chuck Dixon discusses his relationship with his wife and how she keeps him grounded. He also reflects on his success as a writer and attributes it to his versatility and reliability. Dixon emphasizes the importance of discipline and meeting deadlines, even in creative industries, which can be challenging for some artists to grasp. He acknowledges that while he deeply cares about his work, it ultimately boils down to making a living. 15:00 In this section, Chuck Dixon discusses the attitude of modern comic writers and artists towards compensation for their work. He emphasizes the importance of being paid for one's talent and contributions, rather than solely doing it for the love of the craft. Dixon also shares his experience working on Batman and highlights the guidance and mentorship he received from Denny O'Neill, who emphasized the significance of characters like Robin and Alfred in making Batman relatable to readers. He also mentions how sales would plummet whenever they tried to portray Batman as a loner, emphasizing the importance of a balanced and relatable character. 20:00 In this section, Chuck Dixon discusses the facade of Bruce Wayne and how Batman manipulates his public image to protect his secret identity. He mentions that writing Bruce Wayne sequences was enjoyable because it highlighted Batman's intelligence and ability to subtly influence the Wayne Corporation. Dixon explains that Batman's enduring appeal lies in his amalgamation of various successful literary creations and his iconic costume. He also emphasizes the importance of portraying Batman as the hero of the story and doing justice to his character, as some writers have failed in the past by sidelining or misrepresenting him. 25:00 In this section, Chuck Dixon discusses the concept of Batman as a wish fulfillment character and how adult fans often return to their childhood fantasies when reading Batman stories. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to the core characteristics of Batman as a character who never gives up and always remains strong. Chuck also criticizes the trend of creators and producers thinking they are smarter than the fans, and how this has led to a departure from the source material in both DC and Marvel cinematic adaptations. He stresses the importance of the raw creativity and fan input that has kept comics alive and successful over the years and suggests that there are still many untapped stories to be explored. 30:00 In this section, the speaker discusses how modern comics and movies often fail to honor the source material and instead prioritize ideological messages over good storytelling. They use the example of the Super Mario Bros movie, which received negative reviews from critics but was loved by audiences because it stayed true to the simple and beloved elements of the franchise. The speaker argues that action, engagement, and relatable characters are missing from many modern comics, which should prioritize delivering a compelling and immersive experience for readers. They also emphasize the importance of opening strong and keeping readers hooked with real drama and relatable characters. Overall, the speaker believes that modern comics lack the essential elements of a well-told story and prioritize imparting messages over engaging storytelling. 35:00 In this section, Chuck Dixon discusses his experience attending a seminar for writers organized by DC Comics. He explains that while he learned a lot from the seminar, there is also a level of intuition and instinct involved in storytelling. Dixon emphasizes the importance of trusting one's gut and having the conviction to believe in one's work, even when others may not understand or appreciate it. He mentions that in the current culture, there seems to be a devaluation of certain traits, such as masculinity, that were once associated with creative confidence and assertiveness. Dixon also notes the issue of comic companies not always recognizing the talent of aspiring writers, even when their scripts are superior to what is being published. 40:00 In this section, Chuck Dixon discusses the decline of modern comics and attributes it to a lack of passion and genuine interest from the new generation of writers. He believes that many writers view working in comics as a stepping stone to other careers, rather than a lifelong dedication. This lack of investment in the medium results in a cynical and indifferent approach to the characters and continuity, ultimately driving away readers. Chuck also notes that the current culture of conformism and mediocrity in institutions, such as academia and corporations, is stifling creativity and pushing out individuals who think outside the box. He reminisces about the old days of comics when it was filled with unique and passionate people who truly loved the medium. 45:00 In this section, Chuck Dixon discusses the changes in the comic book industry and how it has shifted from a sense of camaraderie to a lockstep mentality. He highlights the intolerance for differing beliefs and the pressure to conform to a particular set of beliefs. Dixon expresses concern about the coercion to celebrate everyone and how this can be both scary and counterproductive. He emphasizes the importance of valuing individuals based on their abilities and character rather than forcing others to conform to a specific ideology. Additionally, he discusses the potential negative consequences of this shift, particularly for racial minorities who may face tokenism in the entertainment industry. 50:00 In this section, the speaker discusses how the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in comics and streaming shows can sometimes feel forced, tiresome, and lacking depth. They argue that many of these characters are defined solely by their sexual identity, without any other personality traits or interests. The speaker believes that creating relatable characters with universal traits and motivations would go further in fostering acceptance and tolerance than simply imposing these identities on established characters like Robin or Superman. They cite examples from shows like The Wire, where LGBTQ+ characters were three-dimensional and their relationships were portrayed honestly, making them engaging and relatable to a wide range of audiences. 55:00 In this section of the conversation, Chuck Dixon discusses the role of artists in today's society, emphasizing the importance of providing moments of escape and entertainment for people. He believes that the role of the artist is not necessarily to create art, but rather to create engaging and thrilling content. If art and artists continue to be ignored, Dixon warns that it could lead to the end of our shared cultural experiences, especially with the rise of AI in the entertainment industry. He encourages artists to stand up and create unique and ambitious content to resist the potential takeover of artificial intelligence. Dixon also mentions some of his current projects and directs people to support and find his work on platforms like Amazon and Indiegogo.

The comment about his never missing a deadline is spot on and amazing especially in the mid-90s given the volume of stuff he was putting out. Contrast that with Kevin Smith who struggled to get issues out in time when he did his runs on Daredevil and Green Arrow

Hearing Chuck talk about his professionalism and how he doesn't take himself very seriously, but he takes his work very seriously, reminded me of what John Huston said about Humphrey Bogart: ‘He regarded the somewhat gaudy figure of Bogart, the star, with an amused cynicism; Bogart, the actor, he held in deep respect...’

The great Chuck Dixon! Excellent podcast, as always, my good man.

Seeing this just after _Alphacore #1_ 's premiere. It was truly a privilege to hear the living legend talk on creativity - inspiring in ways I can't properly put into words at the moment.

This was a fascinating interview with Chuck Dixon. He brought up some interesting outlooks such as Batman's success in stories where he has a partner (Dick Grayson/Nightwing is my favorite superhero) and becomes a father figure and mentor to each of the Robins. Balancing his detective work with the pampered playboy persona makes for a complex character, and how the best stories of the Dark Knight still resonate with audiences. Dixon's comics are great and I hope Clifton Duncan also has a chance to watch "Batman: the Animated Series" because Kevin Conroy's performance, the well-written stories, and film noir 40's atmosphere, all make it an outstanding version of the Dark Knight.

Hail Chuck!!✋🏾✋🏾✋🏾 Great Interview Clifton!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Excellent interview !

Your interviews help me make sense of what's happening around us. Thank you Clifton.

Great interview! Gives me some motivation to get back to work on my Star Wars fan fiction work. Hoping I can get enough practice and experience with these current projects to then move over into creating some original content

Lovely episode! Im not that much into a comic guy, but we should all agree on supporting each other in our franchise love whether it is about comics, movies, podcasts or soever.

Great interview Clifton 😊

Great conversation, as usual, Chuck is awesome :D

Great interview Clifton!

This is simply the best! Great interview. I always liked Chuck Dixon's writing but now I like Chuck Dixon the man even more.

Awesome conversation 🙌

Great show as usual Clifton! Where did you get that awesome Thomas Sowell t-shirt?

Life long fan of over 46 years of comics & i have left the hobby for good due to the comics being what they are now. Chuck Dixon is my al time Batman family writer.

Once again, excellent video

I can believe the highly intelligent debates about comics. I've both seen them and taken part. Because what was found recently is that reading trains smarts.

Awesome interview

great guest. great listen.

Chucks on fire this year. Maybe I should get a second copy of his book.

Great show!

Great opening edit.

Great podcast!

If we did the whole thing with comic book creators like we did with rappers (Top 5 Dead or Alive), Chuck would definitely be in my top 5, along with Garth Ennis, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka

I love this.

The Legend Chuck Dixon

I have a story writing compulsion. It's both a blessing and a curse. It's probably more of a blessing when you are in a creative field. It is interesting because I find that I can take a break from my more technical work to think on my stories and it kind of refreshes my mind to return to my other work with my full attention.

On Clifton's comment, "they're reading manga", he's on target. I have a 16 y.o. daughter who has taken an interest in comics. So I've bought her a bunch. Mostly that sit unread. Instead she's reading "One Punch Man", "My Hero Academia" & "Jujutsu Kaisen".

Chuck! Alien Legion! Air Boy! Great writer!

I did not notice the loud lawnmower at all.

Great conversation. You have a knack for asking the right quesitons and Mr. Dixon is always a good guest and Im not even a comic book fan. Don't have to be to appreciate what he has to say. I liked the parts about writing. I write (as a hobby, not professionally) and a lot resonated as a writer. It's not only limiting as a reader all that pea sea characters thrown in just to be that thing and that's all they are but it must be frustrating as a writer too. I've written characters that are ghey because it just seemed who they were to me but they and their role in the story wasn't about that but other things. It seems weird to only be identified by one's preference. There's so much more to people than that. It's like I find as a mother and grandmother this new birthing person highly offensive. Yes, those are two of my most important roles but they are not all I am and birthing person degrades me to all about having given birth once - just one time in all my 65 years. I am a mother and grandmother but I am so much more. A ghey person is ghey but they too are so much more than that. What Mr. Dixon said about celebrating them - it's so spot on. I often put it as civl rights groups were important when they were necessary for gaining equal rights but now they're not about obtaining and assuring continued equality but about demanding special rights. No, just no.

Great work ethic

‘Chuck, you magnificent bastard! I read your book! ’ Cheers.

Hell yes!

Detective Comics Robin Green Arrow All three Punisher titles Nightwing Birds Of Prey and Y’know…I think there was actually an overlapping point when he was writing all these titles at once

2 BIG C's 🍷🧐🎩 CLIFF & CHUCK 🖤💞🤍

Holy crow, I interviewed this guy in the aughts.

👏

Since I've gotten back into comics (8/22 after 20 years away), I did a complete inventory of my collection. Now when I come across a creator, my 1st impulse is to search the database to see if I have anything by that creator. Looks like I have Chuck Dixon's 1st Savage Sword, issue 133. Am I correct here?

Medal of Honor comics 👍🏻

I swear I never get notifications

I instinctively knew you were calling out the shot callers as holding themselves to be smugly intellectually superior to their audience. It comes across as a big inferiority sorry spot to them. Here you are, clever as can be: writing comics. Recently read a webcomic where The Big Guy is talking to a Smart Chick, and she asks him if the explanation should be short or long. "I already know you are very clever. The short answer, please."

I know it's a topic that people have gone on and on about, but I wish you'd both had discussed AI a bit more - especially given Clifton's profession as a comic book writer, as both areas are being effected (writing and visual art). Does he feel the artists will be replaced? How does he feel about writing and having the visuals done by AI? Would he be opposed, and refuse to work in such a system? Would he use AI to help with his writing, or is he absolutely opposed to the idea of it? Anyway, great interview otherwise.

I stopped buying comics after the Wolverine Origins series. Way before all the sjw woke stuff, but in an era of weaker storytelling. That over the top late 80s-early 90s balls to wall style is long gone. 😢

Algorithm 👍

Individualism is trash and what got us here. Goodness > liberty.

Comments

Michael K. Williams, Clifton. How dare you get his name wrong? Also, you didn't get into Frank Castle. As a Punisher fan, I wanted to hear that. 😕 Great interview, otherwise.

22:45 batman is a direct ripoff of The Shadow. From ratman's first story (including stolen artwork) the bat thing, the avenger detective, the joker, the gadgets, to the "he's really a hero pretending to be a rich playboy", you name it. Except being an emo mary sue waging a pretty uneffective fight against crime and hanging out with minors dressed as liberace. Those things are ratman's own thing.