BILL JEMAS

With Marvel Enterprises currently experiencing both critical success and financial failure, one man has been noticeably at the forefront. Bill Jemas, the company’s President of Publishing, is the man behind the managerial steering wheel of the embattled "House of Ideas." While Joe Quesada directs the editorial operations, it is Jemas who oversees the Publishing division as a whole.

While Jemas has been reported in controversy, he has also presided over such notable achievements as Marvel’s Ultimate line, and at a period when many of the top 10 comics feature the Marvel logo. While fan and retailer opinions of Jemas have been mixed, one thing is for certain: Bill Jemas sits at the top of the mountain and has a lot of fun doing it.

Interview Conducted By
Brian Jacks

Bill, everyone is so concerned how Marvel is doing. But nobody takes the time to ask how you are doing. So how are ya?

I'm having a lot of fun, thanks for asking.

While Joe and yourself are deservedly credited with a lot of the changes that Marvel has undergone in the past year, some of the other names at Marvel fall to the wayside. What other individuals at "The House" really have a big impact on the positive road that Marvel
Comics is traveling?

Overall, the editors are doing a great job - and they are also pretty high profile - because their names are on every book. The most under-rated player is Bob Greenberger, our managing editor. He gets runs every division that has to run right get the books printed and shipped in good shape and on time.

Both of us have somewhat of a reputation of being outspoken, albeit yours is more talked about. I'll throw out your "bad girls for fan boys" comment as an example, which some people went up in arms over. You inferred that fans like to look at those type of comics for the obvious reasons. I mean, that's basically true what you said, isn't it? I doubt Elektra would be as popular if she was built like Macaulay Culkin.

So that leads into my next question. Why is it that some people get so pissed off over things that you say? Do they use you to direct their anger at something tangible in the comic book industry?

A couple of months into this job, I received a very angry e-mail from a very prominent "industry insider." We did the reply-reply-reply Internet thing and the guy just kept getting madder and madder. And then it struck me like a vision and I did my last reply, "I think I understand your problem – and it definitely isn't comic books."

There are people who build their day around being unhappy.

When I visited the Marvel offices in December, Joe and I got around to the topic of the company's old Star line, which published many children's comics such as Heathcliff and Care Bears. We both agreed how important it was to attract the younger generation and he inferred that gaining the younger audience was of great importance. What are your thoughts on this subject?

I think that you and Joe are right - and I'm helping the Publishing group navigate the wild world of character licensing to find the right properties to license at the right price.

That said, can you comment on the story regarding Harry Potter being turned into a Marvel comic book?

Sorry, Joe Q. says I can't comment either way on this.

Many people don't understand that you and Joe cannot discuss many financial matters at Marvel because you are officers of the company. What exactly does "Officer of the Company" mean and what limitations does it place on you in regard to answering questions?

The Securities Exchange Commission carefully monitors public announcements by publicly traded companies to make sure that all current and prospective investors have fair access to accurate information. It would be improper for me or Joe to express our personal pessimism or optimism about the company’s prospects, because as members of senior management and investor would have every right to interpret our individual opinions as disclosures from the company. Similarly, we are obliged to release financial information through a set of procedures that assure even-handed distribution to investors.

You've said that if something tragic happens to Marvel Enterprises, the publishing side will go on because it's profitable. However, as some have pointed out, part of the reason that it's profitable is because some costs incurred by the publishing side are charged to the parent company, thus relieving Marvel Comics of many common costs that normal companies pay.

That is nonsense.

Straightforward enough answer, I suppose. Is it possible for Marvel Comics to be a standalone company and continue to operate at a profit?

Absolutely.

On a broader scope, is it feasible for a large comic book publishing company to operate independently in this environment? For instance, is an independent company such as Dark Horse restricted to putting out, compared to Marvel or DC, a small number of monthly titles? Is there any chance to grow in this market without folding into a larger parent corporation?

There is no spoon. . . . there are no limits to the growth potential for a comic publisher large or small. Joe Michael Straczynski proved that single-handedly. On man (very, very, very smart man, but just one man) has two huge sellers that he thought up with his very big brain and has turned Amazing Spider-Man into an Amazing hit.

The Ultimates line has obviously been very successful for the company. What are your feelings on the performance of that line?

You know that line "I'll tell you 'bout the magic that will free your soul, but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock & roll."

You want the world to know about comics, to love them the way we do, to laugh and cry and cheer and scream. But the world wasn't listening, and we didn't know how to talk to them. What are we supposed to show them - "Death of Gwen Stacy" with high school kids in wearing sport-jackets, penny loafers and skinny ties? Age of Apocalypse - sure if you are going to sit next to them and explain every page.

But Marvel hands them Ultimate Spider-Man issue number one - and they feel the same way about comics that Peter does when he hangs from the ceiling of his room - "whoa cool".

You did some creative work on Ultimate Spider-Man. Do you have any aspirations of writing a book?

Yahuh.

The Mature Audiences line is shaping up nicely. What are your thoughts on its development and what do you ultimately (no pun intended) see it achieving?

This is a brilliantly creative and diverse line designed to grab new readers by the collar and drag them into the industry.

Where do you see Marvel Comics in a year?

Joe Quesada will be running one of the best flat-out creative shops in the world.

Why is Marvel moving to a new location? And, more importantly, will Joe have room for all his action figures in his new office?

Our lease expired in the old place, and we didn't want to renew. Joe does have [quite] the comic stuff collection.

The relatively new Marvel.com message boards are thriving. How important is fan interaction for a company such as Marvel. And will we be seeing an "Ask Bill Jemas" forum?

Joe is a true believer in day-to-day fan interaction, he does a great job, and I expect to leave that to him.

Are there any comics of other publishers that you try to read regularly?

Joe has Marvel's editors constantly scouting out new talent - and they are kind enough to pass the best stuff along to me.

Well, that about does it, Bill, Do you have any closing comments for the readers?

To the loyal readers who kept the faith in Marvel comics, when the books were not all-that good - a heartfelt thank you. Without your support through the past five very thin years, Marvel comics might not exist.

And with that, we thank Bill Jemas for allowing us to turn his brain to Slush.