Along with some rare original art, Silverwolf artist Dane McCart shared with me a typed transcript of an interview he had done with none other than fellow Silverwolf artist Tim Foster (The Dungeoneers).
Dane gives us a really good, honest, refreshing insight into the uncertainty that artists working for Silverwolf faced; a recurring theme in the conversations I have had with other former Silverwolf artists.
I have made a couple typographical corrections for clarity, as the transcript was a rough copy. The interview was conducted on May 27, 1986, and is shared here with permission.
I don’t think Silverwolf will be a lasting company.“ – Dane McCart – May 27, 1986
Tim Foster- So. Dane, how does it feel to be working on Silverwolf Comics’ #1 book, The Eradicators?
Dane McCart- Next Question. (Laughter) Well, considering I’m only 3 pages into it, I don’t really have much of a feel for it yet. But the fact that I’m working, as opposed to not working, is definitely a positive feeling. The idea that I’ve got my own 30 page book is exciting.
T- How did you become interested in comic books, and superheroes in particular?
DM- It started with being bored with television. I liked the character Spider-Man. He started in television when I was about 8 years old, and from the time I was 13 I discovered that I could draw the human figure with some semblance of accuracy and decided that I would pursue that. I never had any idea that I’d get so far…not that I’m far…
T- You’re farther than the average fan. Anyway, so Spider-Man it is for you, eh?
DM- No. As far as drawing him goes, I don’t think I could carry the character, and it would destroy my childhood illusions…actually I don’t have much interest in superheroes.
T- So what takes the place of that?
DM- I think when I actually develop a name for myself I’ll get into the anthology type books… science fiction, horror…
T- Like E.C.
DM-…a little more mature…more direct. Something in a more mature vein, for a more mature audience. I think the superhero idea, as far as adult readership goes, is kind of a
minimal audience. I don’t want (my target audience to be) either children or individuals with 3-inch thick glasses and 45-inch waistlines with lint building up in their bellybuttons. (Laughter) No ability to see beyond their own make believe worlds.
T- To get back to the Eradicators, which you…
DM- I hate…the Eradicators are a copy off of characters already developed by other, bigger companies. The individual that I’m working for is more of a fan than a professional, but he’s wiling to pay me money, so I’m willing to draw his fantasies out.
T- So how do you justify this…there’s a thin line between plagiarism and copying?
DM- It’s varied enough to avoid plagiarism, but it’s very unoriginal. It’s not original enough for me to feel that I’d want to pursue it anywhere beyond just making a name for myself.
T- So, in other words, The Eradicators is just a stepping stone.
DM- Yes! The first stepping stone in, hopefully, a prosperous and, if I can help it, short lived career in comic books. I hope to go beyond comic books.
T- What did you think of Ron Lim’s work, the artist whom you will be replacing on The Eradicators?
DM- In terms of his actual work…well, the direction of his work…I think Lim is going in a different direction…the opposite direction that I am. He’s trying to develop his style in the commercial superhero style, and he’s probably gone as far in his direction as I have in other directions. I don’t think we’re compatible; I think that I can do as well on the book as Lim could have in his direction. I think I’ll give the book a more alternative feel. Not so much mainstream.
T- So, what are your plans for The Eradicators?
DM- Right now I’m just gonna see if I can meet the deadline…get the book out…hopefully get paid for the book. If I don’t get paid for the book, that’s as far as plans go. (Laughter) Long range plans go as far as the second issue, when I hope to establish better working conditions.
T- Obviously, Kris Silver’s terms for the artists are pretty bad in comparison to other publishers, but he is admittedly poorer, and…
DM- I don’t think his terms are bad in terms of paying us on a certain date, but the idea that he is gonna keep possession of 2/3 of the art I don’t think has any relevance to the financial situation. I think there’s a little bit of his fan showing up. He’s looking for his own gain in that sense. I don’t think it has anything to do with keeping the book alive. I don’t think there is any reason for that, other than his own personal whims…by keeping the original art he’s not going to sell more comics. I don’t think it will sell for anywhere near what he’s charging…except my work. (Laughter) Actually, I’m very unhappy with the terms, but at my position in the field, I don’t think I can dispute it. I don’t think Silverwolf will be a lasting company. I don’t see any loyalty among the artists to the writer, and I don’t feel that the writer is good enough to carry it. If Silver was unable to gather a good bullpen of artists…I don’t think his writing could save the company.
It’s interesting to note that Dane did in fact do a wee bit of Spider-Man work, just 3 years later. Dane did the artwork (penciling and inking) for a story in Marvel’s What If…? (V2 #53, 1989), a story titled “What If Spider-Man Killed the Lizard?”.
Here is the splash page for that story, including the credits. There is no word on whether or not his childhood illusions are intact (but I suspect they are just fine). Congrats, Dane!
I was privileged to know Dane in 1993, and the guy helped me through a really tough year. I loved the dude’s sense of humor. After passing an Ahern equipment rental yard in Sacramento, he remarked how the line of extended lifts looked like (the new movie at the time) Jurassic Park. “Rawwwr!” he said. Lol He was also nice enough to let me use a pencil drawing of his for a local magazine (of which, I was an occasional contributor). If you knew Dane, you really couldn’t help but like the guy. He was especially fond of folk music- go figure.