*Interview: Dan Green*
	a self portrait with his mom.
This interview was done through emails in June and July 2004
(All illustrations By Dan Green except the "Mekon" and the "Dr doom" by Jack Kirby .the cover of Uncanny x-men 236 is penciled by Mark Silvestri , the cover of Uncanny X-men 197 is penciled by John Romita Jr. And the two images from "the Taylor" ( girls in subway and Batman ) are pencilled by Jean-Jacques Dzialowski )

Matthieu-David: Who influenced you the most ? and what are your influences in general ? Dan Green: In comic strips, Foster, of course, Raymond, McKay. In comic books, Kurtzman, Williamson, Wood, Davis and the whole EC comics crew. Eisner, of course…Toth…Gene Colan. Wrightson, Kaluta, Jones -- So many creative people at both DC & Marvel I couldn't possibly name them all! Then there were all the incredible people in the comics Underground! Influences can be so subtle and hard to explain that I think it's more of an amalgam… As an illustrator and painter my early loves were NC Wyeth, Pyle and the Brandywine school. Outside of comics and illustration, my most recent influences are probably Gerhard Richter, William Kentridge and Andy Goldsworthy.	The Pellucidar drawing was part of a ERB portfolio with J. Jones, Kaluta, Wrightson & Al Williamson around 1974.
M-D: Is there an artist you would you love to work with ? D.G.: As an inker or finishing artist, I've been fortunate to work with many of the greatest pencilers in comics. I won't attempt to list them all. I'm afraid that I'm not up to speed with all the new folks in comics, so it's hard to say whom I'd most like to work with. I guess I'd really enjoy working with Silvestri again… and Romita JR. Presently, I'm working on JLA with Ron Garney, who's great! I'm also inking a new book for Vertigo, over pencils by a really good new Brit, by the name of Leigh Gallagher.

M-D: is there a penciller whose work is easier for you to ink ? D.G.: Everyone is different with various strengths & weaknesses and require various interpretations or approaches. I attempt to adjust my style to accommodate the pencilers intention. So, while someone's work may look daunting at the outset, by the time I figure out the approach I need to take, it becomes easy!
M-D: You worked with Jean-Jacques Dzialowski on the “Taylor” back ups ( Detective comics #789 to #794), can you tell us more on this collaboration ? Can we expect more from you two ? D.G.: I enjoyed JJ's work very much, and think the finished product was excellent! I hope we'll be working together again soon!

M-D: What material do you use for inking ? D.G.:Pelican ink, any brush that will hold a point (increasingly difficult to find), Gillott & Hunt nibs, Sharpies & Pigma Micron pens.

M-D: On which comic book would you like to work or is there a specific character that you would like to work on ( can even be a dream project )?

D.G.: I'd like to pencil & ink a Batman arc. Or, something meaningful.

M-D: If you hadn’t worked in comics, what would you have done for a living ?

D.G: Deep sea diver -- or maybe, Astronaut, or Rock star.

M-D: If you were a comic book character, who would you be ? and why ?

D.G.: The Mekon. Because my favourite band is named after him.

M-D: What’s your favourite movie ?

D.G.: Too hard to answer! My favorite American director might be John Sayles… or Woody Allen…

M-D: do you listen to music when you ink ?

D.G.: Yes. All types. Also, books on tape.

M-D: By the way, I thank you again for letting me know about Joli Holland ! I had a great time at the concert !

M-D: Did you have some hard times in your career ?

D.G. : Yes. I'd rather not go into the gory details.

M-D: What is your best achievement so far ?

D.G.: A show (in 2003) of my paintings entitled "Simulacrum". In 2001, I supplied 20 B&W illustrations for a collection of Edgar Allen Poe entitled: The Raven & Other Poems & Tales (Bulfinch Press) -- but in comics, I'd say my short run as penciler on Doctor Strange & the painted Graphic novel 'Into Shamballa'. Also, the very obscure; Beach Bunnies From Outer Space.

M-D: Do you miss pencilling on a monthly series sometimes ? Or do you prefer to ink anyway ?

D.G.: I do miss it, and would like to get back to it someday. I've always been a slow penciler, which is why I started taking work as an inker/finisher.

M-D: how do you look back at your past work ? do you critizise your work a lot ?

D.G.: I don't really look at it much. When things are collected, I'll thumb through -- I like the B&W collections that Marvel puts out. It's nice to see the art without color.

M-D: Is there something in particular you would like to accomplish that you haven't had the chance to do so far ?

D.G.: Spend a long time travelling in France & Italy.

M-D: What’s the weirdest drawing a fan asked you at a signing or the weirdest thing you witnessed at a con ?

D.G.: I promised not to tell!

M-D: Is there a question no one ever asked you in interview and what would be the answer ?

D.G.: Yes, and yes!

M-D: LOL , nice one ;)

M-D: Have you ever been to Paris and if so what surprised you the most when you arrived in Paris ?

D.G.: I was in Paris in 1985 with the rest of the creative team for the X-MEN. That was to celebrate and promote the 200^th issue.

M-D: And since my website is focused on Dr Doom How would you describe this character ?

D.G.: A nasty piece of work -- not unlike Dick Cheney, come to think of it! (Sorry Doc!) .

M-D: Who do you think wrote Dr Doom the best ?

D.G.: Mr Lee, of course.

M-D: Who draw Dr DOOM the best in your opinion ?

D.G.: Mr. Kirby!

M-D: Thank you very much Dan and thanks for providing all those great illustrations !

The Ship is from a book called " The Revenge of Dracula."