These are the young women [in Stand by Me] that we grew up knowing and hopefully they feel a little rough around the edges, because it's true to life.

Fans of my books have just been supremely nice.

Your own creations are your own children; you gave life to them, so you'll always have, if not more passion to them, more connections to them.

Every issue, the characters and I duke it out. They usually win.

It's just people who grew up in that time are suddenly old enough to be creators themselves, but I think they have a little perspective. I'm 40 now, and I have children of my own. Before I forget my own childhood completely, I want to take some time to take a look at the '80s and think back.

Sure, this will probably end up being another in a long line of emotionally crippling misadventures...but let's try to have some fun along the way.

Reef aquariums are definitely the pinnacle of the hobby.