THE SOURCE: How do you write the first line of a new series? KEITH GIFFEN: One word at a time, over and over until it feels right. How do you draw a first panel of a first issue? I usually work out of order so I aim for the panel I'm least looking forward to, and there's one in every book. Get that out of the way and the rest comes that much easier. With Omac, it's usually a pile-on fight scene. How do you introduce a new hero? Shoot for maximum impact, and that doesn't always mean an action beat. How do you introduce characters? As naturally as the story will allow. No shoe horns need apply. How do you draw a first appearance? Fatalistically. Nine times out of ten, the first drawing of a character is the worst drawing of that character. It takes a bit of time to grow comfortable with him, her or it. What was the first comic you ever worked on? Huh... That's a memory stretch. I think it was an inside front cover pin-up of the Sons of the Tiger. First whole story... The Sword in the Star for a now defunct marvel b&w mag. I really sucked. Who was the first artist you followed? Gene Colan. What was the first convention you attended as a fan? Some NYC Con way back when. What was the first comic book you read? An old Worlds Finest. The one with Batwoman and a green creature wearing Mickey Mouse gloves. A fan actually sent me a copy of the book. It's the only individual comicbook I own, my own stuff included.