(Well done everyone, really doing well out there, uh-oh, it's the ill-thought-out decimal point index marks coming up.)

JOE: (24) Believe me, Rich, I wish we could just be a catchers mitt for every story, I wish that they all would come in perfect and require no editorial work whatsoever, that would make life infinitely easier. But that being said, I just can't think of any creator who likes to have their work blindly accepted as well. I remember coming up hating that some editors were afraid to ask me to change things because they feared I would never work for them again. Then I came across a few that actually did and I swore I would always work for them given the opportunity.

(25) Are you pirouetting the issue here? Look, Rich, a guy with your gray matter should be using it for more than rumors. You're the kind of guy who should be doing investigative reporting in our industry, write something that shows the brilliance of what happens in comics, how we are a much more creative world than Hollywood or TV could ever be. Do something that moves us forward, not 'who kissed who,' it doesn't matter? I see you were at the peace rallies in London, let me ask you, do you get sick of seeing J-Lo and Ben on the front page? Why perpetuate that in comics?

(26) Judge what? See, isn't that a silly attitude? You're interviewing for people to judge while I thought we were trying to inform. Oh well. If you need an accurate transcript I've been keeping one. (26.5)

MARVEL KNIGHTS CONVENTION BOOK! - SIGNED VERSION

RICHARD: Essential Tomb Of Dracula, one of your higher ordered trades (above New X-Men and G.I. Joe) was cancelled due to low expectations, then not resolicited due to expected costs of putting the archive material together. Marvel Spain have done so for their own reprints. Any chance of the volume making it out now? JOE: Possibly, if you're a member of my website which I know you are, you know that I don't involve myself with the TPB division as much as I possibly can. I helped launch it and now it's almost as big as regular editorial. I honestly can't keep up with the day-to-day of what's going on over there. If I wasn't snowed in and in the office I could give you a more accurate answer but at this moment it's a simple, I don't know?(27)

RICHARD: Epic. Anything worth talking about yet?

JOE: You tell me. There are some interesting things brewing in editorial that we'll be announcing soon, all as part of our search for great talent.

RICHARD: You believe I'd give up my current job for a cushy career in comics. Would you give up yours for a cushy career in movies?

JOE: Wow, that's a really tough and great question, we could have used more of these. Anyone who tells you that they wouldn't take the Hollywood career is full of it. Even Frank [Miller] who tore up Wizard and gave Hollywood a verbal beating and warned every comic artist about the evils of Tinsel Town at the Harvey Awards of 2001 was conspicuously missing during 2002's presentation due to all of his recent Hollywood work. If someday the right gig presented itself I would certainly be tempted, however, it would depend when that offer was made. I still feel like I have a lot to do in this industry and a lot to do for Marvel. I've got major things planned that take us up until 2005, that's how far out we are and I would like to see them through. If you ask me when I imagine my life going forward, after Marvel, the honest answer is that Hollywood or TV play no part in my future in my imagination, all I see is more comics and then a nice beach somewhere. I've done the Hollywood pursuit thing and I think it's best when it pursues you, that's why I would consider it under your scenario. If you were to ask me whether I would pursue a gig in Hollywood after Marvel, that answer would be a most likely no at this point in my life. I'm really so incredibly happy doing what I do, I love going to work every morning and I love who I work for and those that work for me. I get to see some of the most incredible creative stuff on planet earth come through the door and I'm energized every day because of it.

RICHARD: Who is the new writer on Marville?

JOE: Rich Johnston. (28)

RICHARD: Who'd win in a fist fight, Bill Jemas or Avi Arad?

JOE: Avi. I beat Bill in a simple arm wrestle one night so I know how strong he isn't. Avi I believe has some military training so my money is on him.

Hey, let's talk about Teresa Focarile who is our new talent scout at Marvel! (28.5)

Continued Here...