ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did you first encounter Darwyn and his work?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI:I met Darwyn way before I ever saw his work.
A few times, in fact, in social surroundings.
Credit: DC Comics
After that I picked up everything he did, becoming a fan of his as well in the process.
FRANK TIERI:Well, I knew of Darwyns work.
Who didnt know of Darwyns work?
The first time I encountered him was actually through Jimmy.
I believe it was the first New York Comic Con.
I was supposed to have dinner with Jimmy, and Jimmys like, Yeah Darwyn Cooke joined us.
You heard a couple things, lets say about Darwyn.
I can be a bit combustible myself at times.
I was skeptical, lets say.
Im glad I didnt miss that dinner.
What do you like about Darwyns writing and art?
His work reflected the joy of superheroes and in doing that made them timeless.
His work stands out because of his easy to read narrative and storytelling.
He also jumped genres with ease, from crime, to western to Sci-fi without missing a beat.
His audience was widespread because of this.
Darwyn could write, he could edit, and obviously there was his artwork.
I was always amazed at that.
He was able to go back and forth from different genres.
It was always amazing to me how he was able to do that.
DC had a Darwyn cover month.
Its not easy to do.
Darwyn had a simplistic style, but thats more often harder to do than a more detailed style.
He was able to pull it off very well.
What are you favorite books of Darwyns?
What would you recommend, especially to people unfamiliar with his work?
TIERI:Obviously,DC: The New Frontier.
I think it was just revolutionary stuff what he did there.
I have a fondness for the Parker books in particular, because Im in them.
One thing Darwyn would do is he would draw his friends into comics.
Im in The Score, and I make it throughThe Scorebut I dont think I make it throughSlayground.
I think he kills me in that one.
He would always do stuff like that.
Its always flattering and fun at the same time.
What do you like about doing these panels?
PALMIOTTI:I like remembering my friend.
TIERI:Theyre very emotional.
The one in Long Beach will probably be my last one, and I think Darwyn agrees with me.
We did one of these in Baltimore, and it got interrupted by a fire alarm.
Im telling you, its that bastard, man.
Hes having a good laugh at us.
What do you think Darwyns legacy will be in comics?
He made his mark and it is a mark that will live on forever.
Sometimes youre like whos that?
Youd see Darwyns work and that was distinctively Darwyn.
He was a legend in the industry.
But for me and people like me, I just wish the guy was still around.
I miss my friend.
