In the world of the superheroes, everything had value, potential, mystery. Any person, thing, or object could be drafted into service in the struggle against darkness and evil - remade as a weapon or a warrior or a superhero. Even a little bee named Michael - after God's own avenging angel - could pitch in to win the battle against wickedness.

I tend to only read comics written by friends or people I've known. And I'm not a great comic reader.

And when it's all done, when there's no one left you'll come back for me. And tell me who I am and why I have to do what I do. And explain 'Eternity.' You'll come back

And that's why people read comics, to get away from the way life works, which is quite cruel and unheroic and ends in death.

If this book has made any point clear, I hope it's that things don't have to be real to be true. Or vice versa.

I just wanted all the wars to be over so that we could spend the money on starships and Mars colonies.

I'm at a stage in my career where I don't expect or get too much editorial input into what I'm doing. I have a proven track record of success, so my editors are willing to cut me some slack even when a particular approach is not to their personal taste.