Newsarama: Steve, in preparing for this Q&A we obviously took a look at the August solicitation copy for The Creeper #1, and unless we’re misreading it, it seems like the Creeper is being “rebooted” (“He’s back for the first time”) to some degree.

Can you explain the extent of the reboot?

Steve Niles: I’m retelling the origin, but it is very close to the original so that The Creeper still fits into the DC Universe in the same way he has for years…as one of the strangest characters in the comic world!

NRAMA: Are you making any dramatic changes to the character as created by Steve Ditko and Denny O’Neil?

SN: Yes. I’ve made it much more intense hopefully and with Justiniano’s art, I think it will be. There’s more to Dr. Yatz in this version. He isn’t such a black and white character. And yeah, gangsters don’t have costume parties so that part is g - o - n - e GONE!

NRAMA: And how about “continuity” wise? In the “One Year Later”/post-Infinite Crisis DC Universe, has TV reporter/pundit Jack Ryder even been, have adventures, and met other superheroes as the Creeper. Or is his Creeper “career” just starting?

SN: The Creeper’s career is just starting when we begin, but Jack Ryder is a well-established liberal TV personality who is always on the attack. Jack doesn’t know what to make of the Creeper at first ... but they talk.

NRAMA: Why did you decide to restart the character in that sense?

SN: I was never asked to do it any other way. DC asked for my take and I pitched and here we are.

NRAMA: Let’s go back before we go forward, while arranging this Q&A with you, you mentioned this Creeper being pretty close to the original character, what for you is the appeal of the character for you? What do you think makes the Creeper cool and unique in the DCU?

SN: The appeal is the potential for weirdness. The Creeper also has the coolest name in the world, but somehow never lived up to the title. I think we got a little more Creep in there.

NRAMA: Now you probably don’t want to give any details this early, but like a lot comic book characters who have been subjects of revamps and updates over the years, the Creeper that existed prior to OYL had some inconsistent elements in his past, including whether his odd behavior as the Creeper was just an act to frighten criminals, or a genuine part of the transformation process. And even his erratic behavior was depicted in extreme degrees, from slightly off balanced, to full-on off his rocker.

Can you ballpark where your version Creeper falls on this map? Is he going to be funny/wacky crazy, or dark-disturbed crazy?

SN: No wacky, but a lot of crazy. The Creeper is pure energy, he craves action and to some extent violence, and is in constant battle with Jack Ryder for…um…screen time.

NRAMA: You’re of course well known for your horror comics. Would you consider The Creeper more of a horror-themed title with superhero elements, or vice-versa? Or something else entirely?

SN: Oh, there will be some flesh-eating and the Creeper’s new look is a lot more demonic, almost impish and evil. There will be horror elements, and there will be superhero elements. Personally, I’d love to see the Creeper become a horror-themed series. I think the potential is there for a high action horror comic.

NRAMA: Another noteworthy part of the solicitation copy describes Jack Ryder as a “TV pundit” as opposed to reporter, and “whose successful show ‘You Are Wrong’ continues to aggravate the nation.” Despite your “liberal” label a few moments ago, one can’t help by think of the similarities between “Ryder” and “O’Reilly”… would it be fair to say personalities and programs like Bill O’Reilly’s is a target here. Are you going to mix in a little contemporary social parody/criticism in with this series?

SN: You nailed it. I just made Jack and obnoxious liberal instead of an obnoxious conservative. I plan on letting Jack do a little spouting, but I have no intention of slipping in too much social criticism…

…well, maybe just a little.

NRAMA: Why did you decide to set the series in Gotham? Can you assume a meeting with Batman is in order?

SN: I like Gotham. It’s the darkest city on earth. It just seemed to fit. And there is a tiny, little Batman interaction.

NRAMA: Have you been giving any editorial marching orders in terms of setting up the character for future adventures or a role in the Gotham/DCU landscape? Or is this just an opportunity to write your Creeper story and to see what the reader response is?

SN: I think DC just wanted to see what I’d do with the characters. Dan and Joey have been great and giving me lots of breathing room, to play and have fun.

NRAMA: Can you broad strokes your story here? Is this a detailed origin story, or do you set that up quickly and set him off on an adventure straight away?

SN: The origin is dealt with in the first issue and the story plays off the controversy surrounding the events that created the Creeper. Beyond that, I’d be giving away too much.

NRAMA: Finally, any parting thoughts?

SN: I hope people enjoy The Creeper series because I’d love to keep writing him.

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