Comic Writer Venditti Talks Breaking In, X-O Manowar, Bad Idea, More

Comic writer Robert Venditti is the best creator in comic books today. Robert talks about breaking into comics and his time writing for DC Comics, X-O Manowar and Bad Idea. Comic writer Robert Venditti's very first comic story was adapted into movie string Bruce Willis. His X-O Manowar was the flagship for Valiant Comics for years. He helmed two of the most successful crossover events in Valiant Comics history. Robert Venditti also revolutionized how DC Comics fans see Hawkman, one of the oldest characters in all of comics. He's also a part of Bad Idea Comics, one of the most innovative comic publishers in history. Not only is Robert Venditti an amazing comic writer, he remains gracious and humble to this day. What are his secrets to being a successful comic writer on the indie scene and at DC Comics?
Robert Venditti Bio
Robert Venditti is a New York Times best-selling author whose characters and concepts have been adapted to film and television. He has written the monthly comic book series "Justice League", "Green Lantern", and "The Flash" for DC Comics, "X-O Manowar" and "Wrath of the Eternal Warrior" for Valiant Entertainment, and the children's novel series "Miles Taylor and the Golden Cape" for Simon & Schuster. His nonfiction graphic novel "Six Days" is inspired by the story of his uncle’s participation in D-Day.
The Surrogates Info
www.amazon.com/Surrogates-Graphic-Novels/dp/1891830872
X-O Manowar Info
www.amazon.com/X-Manowar-1-Robert-Venditti/dp/193934610X
Armor Hunters Info
www.amazon.com/Armor-Hunters-1-Robert-Venditti/dp/1939346452
Hal Jordan and the Green Lanter Corps Info
www.amazon.com/Jordan-Green-Lantern-Corps-Vol/dp/1401268005
Hawkman Info
www.amazon.com/Hawkman-Vol-Awakening-Graphic-Novels/dp/1401291449
Bad Idea Comics Info
www.badideacorp.com/
Superman '78 Info
www.amazon.com/Superman-78-Robert-Venditti/dp/1779512651
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[@zachryder3150]

DC, give Venditti the main Green Lantern series again!

[@DefNotTy2]

"I want you to know what my characters think about things, I don't ever want you to know what I think about things." Wow, if only there were more writers like Robert, comics would be in a much better place.

[@egonnn244]

Agreed, that is a very good approach.

[@neiana]

*the world would be in a much better place.

[@ericbreen4340]

Great interview . Robert Venditti is one of the few Modern Writers who would have stood out in any of the eras of the 45 plus years I've been reading Comics , as well as the eras I've gone back and read. That he's also a nice guy ( not to mention humble ) is no surprise . Very enjoyable way to spend an hour .

[@doommega]

I agree

[@Wes_From_TC]

A great experience getting to talk comics with Robert for an hour. Still kinda surreal.

[@doommega]

@@Wes_From_TC if anyone its you brother, Congrats and Lets Keep Bringing Balance in a Crazy Kooky Comic World LOL

[@31altair]

His Green Lantern was great. Great interview really likeable guy.

[@ngaro-po9yu]

Great interview! I miss Venditti on Green Lantern

[@keng.2468]

He's a solid writer. I really enjoyed his runs on Green Lantern and Hawkman. I really wish he could write a JSA book!

[@davelowther2499]

I'm hoping that's his next DC title too, Freedom Fighters shows he would handle the WWII era well.

[@Avarn388]

I look forward to this. I loved Venditi's Hawkman run.

[@adamquenano8563]

The dream came true,I’m happy you got to make this happen.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks 👊

[@hawkworld]

When they announced the Hawkman series, I was terrified! But in a good way! Great interview, Wes!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks Tim!

[@KamenAmerica]

THIS GUY, this guy is the type of professional we need more of. Blue collar, humble, no ego, and paints his creativity with a craftsmanship you can just tell us there from the way he speaks.

[@Wes_From_TC]

There's a reason he's my favorite comic writer!

[@Spiderweb444]

I am surprised you didn't talk to him more about Hal Jordan the character he wrote like 85+ issues of but then again I loved the whole interview and I know how much his writing me and to you so congrats man!

[@Wes_From_TC]

I wish we could've talked for another hour.

[@Spiderweb444]

@@Wes_From_TC I hope you do another interview and talk more, i have watched it multiple times and loved the whole convo.

[@Mako2401]

Surrogates feels like a Phillip K Dick story, in fact when i watched the movie i thought it was an adaptation of one of his books. Imagine my surprise when i found out it was a comic. Good job mr Venditti !

[@rodneysandersii6997]

I fucking love this channel. This is what it means to be a fan.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks Rodney 👊

[@xIBarrelRoll]

Finally, the interview we've all been waiting for.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Such an honor to talk comics with Robert.

[@EvandroACruz]

This guy makes a great job with X-O Manowar and Hawkman.Great interview Wes.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks 👊

[@Blogofoa]

Nice interview Wes, glad you had the chance to talk with him. Venditti is a great guy and sorely missed on Green Lantern. He came on my GL podcast a number of times and was always very generous with his time. When he ended his run he actually sent me the pen he wrote his final notes and plots with and autographed it. An incredible class act!

[@fishin4bass2002]

That’s awesome. Sounds like a good guy. I wish DC would give him more work although I have to wonder if it isn’t actually his decision not to write much for DC and instead write indies.

[@Wes_From_TC]

That's amazing!

[@abps9947]

@@fishin4bass2002 actually I think he just wrote a DC work

[@fishin4bass2002]

@@abps9947 yeah a miniseries

[@fatbastard51]

my first introduction with vendetti was his man of tomorrow hero of metropolis. was so refreshing during that bendis run of superman. so i always pay attention whenever his name gets mentioned, because i missed out on reading the superman 78 when it first came out i kicked myself mentally for missing out on it . that i pre-ordered when it comes out in HC edition

[@Wes_From_TC]

Your gonna love Superman '78.

[@timkretzer]

I simply say amen to everything The Breen said. Venditti is not only a master story-teller, he has, in my opinion, something sorely lacking in many creators today -- class.

[@AL-ws5yi]

I’ve been waiting for this ever since you announced it. Not disappointed at all. Venditti’s my new favorite writer.

[@Wes_From_TC]

He's very easy to talk to. You can tell he genuinely loves comics!

[@incubustimelord5947]

The great, legendary Robert Venditti. Good interview Wes. My favorite story of his is the science-fiction story of the Surrogates. That to me, in my personal, honest opinion, is one of Robert Venditti's best works. The live action movie version of the story is a rare example of a film adaptation that is just as good as the original source material. I wish that there was a second movie because the sci-fi story was just way too big for it to only be one film.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Surrogates is very prophetic.

[@MS-lk2sk]

Love your runs on XO, valiant forever and enjoyed your Green Lantern run

[@simonbarnett8668]

Been waiting to watch this when I knew I wouldn't be distracted and have to pause throughout. I have to say Wes, this is one of the best interviews I've ever seen. Highly enjoyable, informative and wonderful to get to learn more about Mr Venditti and his process. Cheers!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks Simon. It was a great way to spend an hour.

[@bryanrickard7712]

Love Venditti. I was super bummed when Hawkman ended.

[@abps9947]

I'm a big fan of Robert venditti's works Especially he wrote a lot for DC comics Like his GL, JL run etc superman too

[@atomichound1868]

Wes, finally got a chance to watch this tonight! Superb interview with a great writer! I've enjoyed Robert's work for many years, now. Those Valiant Comics from 2012-17 were the absolute best of any line at the time. They will be mined for story ideas and adaptations for many years to come - as long as Valiant can stay out of their own way. Freedom Fighters is another favorite and should be a candidate for an HBOMax miniseries. Thanks to both of you for taking the time to do this!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Glad you liked it!

[@paulmoldovan8658]

Legend! His run of XO Manowar was the best comic series I've ever read. I own all of them!

[@RyenFreaky]

I'd never heard of Venditti until his GL run. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it bc nothing will ever beat the Geoff Johns run, which Venditti even mentions. But I was pleasantly surprised. It blows my mind that: A) there is no ongoing Hal Jordan title and B) that Venditti isn't writing it. Im gona have to pick up that Hawkman TPB.

[@Wes_From_TC]

You're gonna love Hawkman!

[@stevemichaels1386]

Terrific interview, this guy is absolutely my favorite writer of today. One of the few writers I will buy any book he writes simply because his name is on it. It’s truly refreshing to hear a creator say I want people to know what my characters think and not me. In other words he wants his characters to be in the spotlight and not himself, I absolutely wish more riders of today felt that way. I hope and pray he continues to do DC characters because he’s one of the few writers that does them correctly. And I’d love to see him do an ongoing Superman. Have a great day Wes this was a terrific interview.

[@jds3k_616]

his era at valiant was amazing

[@Zsswimmer1]

His Hawkman is one of the best series that came out at that time and one of my favorites period. I also started reading comics later, but I knew just enough to know how convoluted his continuity background was. The fact that he took so many of those individual threads and managed to weave it into a not only a readable tapestry but a beautiful one as well. Super impressive. Also really loved his Freedom Fighters. I've never read XO Manowar but it sounds like i absolutely should. It would be so awesome to write comics, and I grew up a big reader and have heard from all sorts of people from all walks of life mentioning "you should write something". I never have thoifh so it makes that very intimidating but maybe I should be picking up some how to write comics types of books and just practice

[@Wes_From_TC]

Glad you like the interview. Robert was very open, made it a great experience.

[@southerncomicgeek1626]

Robert's XO work should be a case study in how you do character development.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Agreed

[@cmleibenguth]

Loved his X0 Manowar and Hawkman series! Favorite characters at Valiant are Ninjak, X0 Man-o-War, Rai, and Shadowman.

[@eddietorres1242]

Venditti seems humble and kind. Probably a gentleman to work with. I'll definitely pick up any book he's attached to.

[@Wes_From_TC]

He's a very humble, gracious person. Sometimes it's good to meet your heroes.

[@TevyaSmolka]

Awesome

[@kaspercole7]

Amazing interview Wes! I believe Venditti's run on Green Lantern is another underrated gem. It sounds to me like Bad Idea rebooting as an all-new all-different publisher sometime in the next year or so is a thing (if I am reading between the lines). It's too bad that Warren Simons and Dinesh can't easily re-acquire the rights to the characters and concepts in the Valiant Universe and reboot everything except Shadowman. I also am not a fan of World of Krypton, but usually enjoy much of what Venditti puts out on the LCS shelves.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks 👊

[@tazzahmed511]

Now that's a real artist!😎 He's one of my favourite writers, read most of his comics. One of the last veterans left amongst nowadays shit fest of writers! Good interview Wes!!👍🙏

[@maxmazzotti6651]

Just started reading his run on XO Manowar this weekend. Great stuff!

[@Wes_From_TC]

It's sooo good!

[@paulbowler5345]

Great interview! Venditi one if my favourite comic writers, really enjoyed his work on GL & the GL Corps Really miss that series.

[@moxiemowers3851]

So glad you are getting to interview some of your favorite writers in the game! So cool!

[@davelowther2499]

Top interview that! One of the best writers in the biz.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks 👊

[@renzomonero]

Man, this is a GOOD Comic book Writer! NOW I want to know and read all the comics written by Mr. Venditti! THANKS Wes for this interview, I was not aware of the work of this great writer, now Im in Shock!!

[@Wes_From_TC]

You won't be disappointed!!! Venditti is great.

[@renzomonero]

@@Wes_From_TC I just start with XO manowar Vol. 1, maaan its so GREAT, next Hawkman!!! Thank you very much for your recomendation, Wes, you Rocks!!!

[@Negi2468]

Great interview!

[@ianavegnon856]

Awesome interview kabayan! I'm so happy to see your channel thrive so much. Mabuhay ka kapatid!

[@sergioortega5584]

Wow! Thanks for This video. Love venditti's work. Love the channel. Keep up the good work

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks Sergio 👊

[@juuso7792]

Great interview! Keep up the good work Wes! 👍

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks 👊

[@andymartin3957]

Wow Wes, your best episode ever. My favorite comic KZbinr interviews the man who’s my favorite comic writer too. I heard you mention when you were in the states still, you would visit Heroes and Fantasies. I buy my comics from the location on Pat Booker Rd. I wish you were here, I could talk comics, especially Venditti’s work all day. It’s crazy he mentioned Confession from Astro City. That’s one of my favorites. I’m currently trying to write some stories myself. I don’t know if they’ll be successful or not, but I hope it can bring heroism back, like what Robert’s work does.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Glad you liked it. It was a dream cone true.

[@lordd794]

Now you just need to interview Jeff Lemire, and Geoff Johns!

[@Wes_From_TC]

I would love to talk comics with Geoff Johns!

[@petermanetas5162]

Great interview Wes. After you and or Perch raved about Mr. Venditti's Hawkman series I read it and loved it (even though I don't read any DC, much less Hawkman). He seems humble and a class act as a writer. I would love to see him have a long run writing the FF.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Glad I helped you find Hawkman!

[@wraithx7]

Venditti's HAWKMAN series is awesome and is the first Hawkman series that I have enjoyed.

[@patman34]

Great interview Wes!

[@Burneye31]

Fantastic interview Wes, really dig Venditti and he comes across as a top guy! PS Guy is #1 when it comes to Earth Lanterns 😂

[@EricLucero]

Robert Venditti is just the best. The only times I’ve ever seen him stumble was during year of the villain, and it’s obvious that was due to the doofuses at DC interfering with his work. Even then he still managed to churn out stuff that’s better than most of the hacks that remain on a good day. Solid interview. This is a writer worth being a fan of.

[@Wes_From_TC]

It was a real pleasure interviewing Robert. A true gentleman.

[@dwaynemuth8775]

Great interview! Hawkman is excellent series that I didn’t expect to be half as great as it was! I met Robert and his son this past October in Baltimore! These daze I get kinda jaded and just don’t expect a lot! This inverview really fleshed out for me what a real versatile writer Robert is! I’m gonna in the months ahead be looking forward to this guys stuff! Gotta dig hard to find anything worthwhile! Thanks,Wes! Very much appreciated!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Venditti is a true master storyteller. Few are better at developing characters.

[@RoshNesbeth]

I haven't read Superman 78 as of yet but absolutely looking forward into diving into that book. Great interview!! I'm a huge fan of Robert Venditti writing and love how he writes Superman. I'm hoping one day DC put him on Action Comics as a ongoing writer because his Man of Tomorrow book 📖 is stellar!! 👌🏾👌🏾

[@Wes_From_TC]

Superman '78 is definitely worth your time. Great comic.

[@jeremysoffler4582]

Congratulations on the interview

[@theunfinishedauthor6467]

I’ve been reading a lot of Valiant lately and started with XO! Him, Ninjak, and Quantum/Woody are my favorite characters! Just got to Armour Hunters! It’s been great to hear from the author!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Armor Hunters is dope!

[@twentytonne9097]

Thank you for this interview. I love almost everything Robert has done, my favourite being Hawkman. Its amazing. I haven't read XO though.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Give X-O a shot, it's really good.

[@thehumancomet]

Great interview, Wes. Makes me want to track down X-O Manowar vol 1...which I'm still trying to find!!!

[@Wes_From_TC]

You won't regret it!

[@stephen8805]

I wish Robert had a big book like Justice League or Superman at DC. He deserves it other Bendis and Tom King. I loved his Green Lantern run.

[@HenT8991]

20 mins in and its awesome. LOVE where Mr. Venditti says he wants to be forgotten by the reader and how he wants the reader to know what the characters are thinking, not him. Brilliant way to go about writing and catching the voice of a character and not yourself seems like a lost art to many writers today.

[@Wes_From_TC]

This was a ton of fun to do. Hopefully we can talk again.

[@willstrong1979]

Congrats on the interview Wes. Hoping you can get tomasi on the show next. Love vendetti work.

[@Wes_From_TC]

I would love to talk to Peter Tomasi!

[@chubbyteddymonsterproducti1320]

Man he gave us in my opinion the best run of GLC! I tell yeah all DC needed to do during the Rebirth era is just keep it on autopilot and none of these problems would be taking place. Then came "Bendis is Coming".

[@Mike-mx4ll]

I have read his Hawkman and yes it's not the greatest of all time or smth like that but I had never thought I would have been interested in reading Hawkman before. It was so much fun in my opinion. I dont know other stuff besides GL by him but GL was great too and the interview - amazing.

[@matthewmuldoon3221]

You have worked very hard too get where you are Thanks 😊 for unreal comic's Manowar unreal.😎

[@liorpapismedov2519]

Rob V has been excellent for many years now hope he gets to write green lantern again or a jsa book since his hawkman run was really great.

[@lordd794]

I would be curious to know, to what extent good editors have had, on his writing over the years. Also, which DC characters he would love to write in the future? I would love to see what he would do with Aquaman, if given enough time, and also maybe a long run on Legion of Superheroes.

[@MS-lk2sk]

Thats amazing that XO was his first on going, i give that first valiant hardcover with his 1st 15 issues and always people who are anti comics are always drawn in. Those issues should be a movie

[@Wes_From_TC]

John Carter probably ruined any hopes of an X-O movie.

[@MS-lk2sk]

@@Wes_From_TC haha, i guess i am one of the few who actually liked that movie

[@Lord0x]

Nice!

[@carrion_man3700]

I need a Venditti Hawkman omnibus! Also, I used to live in Winter Park. My mom and brother went to high school there, and I went to elementary school there.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Yes!!!!

[@southpawgrammer448]

V-Ditti is a Valiant legend!

[@Darthvegeta8000]

I actually went deep into Valiant Comics when they relaunched. Especially loving X-O Manowar and Ninjak. After the reboot I fell off. A shame how low Valiant fell. Glad you got to do this interview! And kudos for Mister Venditti to come on! :)

[@fishin4bass2002]

I thought about reading valiant but there are just so many books that I’m just not ready to jump into another universe until I catch up on older marvel books.

[@southerncomicgeek1626]

It's crazy that Valiant's story almost repeated itself with the ousting of Shooter and then Dinesh

[@southerncomicgeek1626]

@@fishin4bass2002 I would focus on the 2011/2012 reboot and you could leave off the new new stuff. Great connected universe

[@Wes_From_TC]

The perfect shared comic universe.

[@palaniuki]

What a great guest, we're lucky.

[@jprocha1570]

Great interview. Cannot wait for that next DC announcement.

[@fishin4bass2002]

I predict JSA. He’s said he’s going to be writing a comic that is his dream job and I don’t think that would be Superman 78

[@jprocha1570]

@@fishin4bass2002 it would be nice but they recently announced a JSA by Johns that was canceled. Have to wait to see what Flashpoint Beyond brings relative to that.

[@lukejohnson3715]

@@fishin4bass2002 he said it was Superman 78. In the initial marketing for the book, he talked about Christopher Reeve’s Superman being THE Superman to him as a kid and how doing this book, which he thought could never happen, was a dream come true. It’s admittedly an unusual dream job but considering other “dream jobs” (see the X office) it’s relatively admirable.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Hell yeah!

[@Benm701]

The legend!

[@Baleandor]

Bring Robert back on GL!

[@tejayschwartz7681]

I so want a Superman 78 cross over with Batman 89

[@capicityforgood258]

I need him on more Superman.

[@stephen8805]

True pain is not having Robert Venditti on Green Lantern after growing up with his run.

[@Wes_From_TC]

It's tight going from a near perfect Green Lantern run to what we have now.

[@cicolasnage5684]

Wes, you’ve finally caught your white whale.

[@Black_Fish99]

I love R. Venditti I wish more work from him in DC comics instead of the shit Twitter writers they have now.. Good interview also Wes.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks

[@chubbyteddymonsterproducti1320]

Anyways well done Wes!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks 👊

[@doommega]

Roberts GLC is Never Appludaed Enough Blessings to Him. shout out to Wes

[@Wes_From_TC]

His GLC run is epic!

[@chazkhaira4690]

I want the Hawkman oversized hardcover

[@Wes_From_TC]

Yes!

[@fishin4bass2002]

Hey Wes I was wondering what your process is of getting to interview these creators? I noticed you been getting a lot of popular writers lately. Do you just contact them online or do you know people who help set up a interview with them? Congrats on your interview with your favorite writer.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Mostly I find contact info online and send in a request. I usually don't get a response...but every once in a while they respond.

[@Deceptionking420]

Holy shit it’s bad idea holy fuck balls much respect

[@sketchasaurrex4087]

Looking to collect more comics I've not read (outside marvel/dc) and need more suggestions. Wes, what comics from Valiant would you suggest? You say it's such a well done universe and have peaked my interest.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Start with the Valiant relaunch in 2012; X-O Manowar, Ninja-K, Bloodshot will get you going.

[@sketchasaurrex4087]

@@Wes_From_TC I've been looking for the X-O Manowar because of your rave reviews. I'll look for those other titles too, thanks.

[@MS-lk2sk]

Wes this interview made me sad, i miss valiant

[@timgonzales2891]

Venditti should write the jsa.

[@fishin4bass2002]

Rumor is he is but it’s only speculation right now

[@Wes_From_TC]

Yes!!

[@tomcruisenukedmyaccount5388]

2012 X-O Manowar and Valiant were very awesome, way better than Marvel and DC.

[@kyleweaver9830]

I really wish Hawkman sold better.

[@Wes_From_TC]

It deserved much better sales.

[@spaceknight793]

Met him years ago at a convention. Spoke with him about Green Lantern and Flash. I think he's a good writer and good guy. But he said something that bothered me. He told me there was a new Kid Flash coming that would piss off the fans. He didn't tell me any details. I did not understand this. Why would he or DC create content that might upset their customers? We all know how that turned out. That was a pivotal moment for me. I saw for the first time a blatant disdain for me and my money. So I no longer trusted the creators on the books. That was the beginning of my divorce from new Marvel and DC.

[@fishin4bass2002]

So Venditti was just warning you? Not saying he liked the kid flash but just that he knew it sucked and would piss off the fans? I’m not sure who made the new kid flash but I don’t think it was Robert Venditti.

[@thegoddamnedbatman2138]

That character was from editorial cause the flash tv show had a black Wally west they did it with green arrow in the new 52 bringing in the tv show characters to the comics like diggle and felicity smoke

[@spaceknight793]

@@fishin4bass2002 It wasn't a warning. He was okay with it and seemed to enjoy the shitstorm that was coming.

[@spaceknight793]

@warwik Xio that's an assumption that does not fit my conversation.

[@spaceknight793]

@@thegoddamnedbatman2138 okay, but Venditti didn't have an ounce of lament or sympathy in his voice. He didn't mind what was coming. Didn't bother him at all that all those Wally West fans were about to have their hearts broken. It stunned me.

[@destro47]

Great interview! Like the last couple of interviews, could listen to Robert talk all day about these books and characters and his experiences.

[@Wes_From_TC]

I'm still in shock I got to talk to him about comics for an hour.

[@destro47]

@@Wes_From_TC yeah that's awesome. It's great when you get to talk to somebody you respect and they're awesome. I've never read it, but I'll be checking out his X-O Manowar run.

[@bc4315]

Nice!