Diversions of the Groovy Kind: An Interview With Lloyd Smith

Comic books are one of those mediums that, I *believe* people saw as extremely geeky. Like… one of the geekiest things that a person could spend their time on. But Hollywood seems to have changed all that with an endless wave of Marvel and comic book movies, and I suspect that reading a comic book isn’t so strange these days at all.

But I’m no expert, so I asked Lloyd Smith – the owner of Blue Moon Comics Group and Diversions of the Groovy Kind if he would be so kind to answer some of my questions about himself, comic books, and his projects.

Here’s our conversation:

An Interview With Lloyd Smith…

Geek Extreme: Hey Lloyd, let’s start with the basics. What’s your story?

Lloyd Smith: I’m a teacher (retiring next year), family man, and life-long comic book fiend. I love to write about comics, and I love even more to write my own. That’s why I started publishing my own stuff through Blue Moon Comics Group.

How would you describe Diversions of the Groovy Kind? I’m having trouble coming up with a succinct explanation, which is a big part of the reason I reached out to you.

Diversions of the Groovy Kind is just me reminiscing about my favorite comics and creators of the 1970s. It actually started out as an idea to write a kind of an online history book for 1970s comics but evolved into whatever it actually is—which, I suppose, is a place to get away from today and enjoy the comics of yesterday.

What led you to start your blog?

When I started the blog in 2008, 1970s comics weren’t getting a lot of love. They were being put down a lot, and not many were being reprinted in TPB collections. After feeling my way along for a few weeks, I came upon the notion to share those comics to show just how great they were. Now, almost every 1970s comic you can think of has been collected and guys like Sal Buscema and Frank Robbins are getting the love they deserve. I’ve backed off from the blog for two reasons: I feel like my mission has been accomplished and I want to devote more time to making my own comics (with a Groovy Age vibe).

When did you start getting interested in comic books?

The Batman TV show hit the airwaves right after I turned 3 years old. I remember going to my neighbors’ house to watch it in color. I fell head-over-heels for the Caped Crusader, which led to my interest in comics. By the time I was 7 years old (and was able to read comics on my own), I became a maniac, getting my hands on anything and everything. Marvel, DC, and Archie were my favorites, but Charlton, Gold Key, and Harvey put out stuff I enjoyed, too. I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t love comics.

What are some of your favorite comic books?

Batman, Detective Comics, Brave and the Bold, Warlord, Swamp Thing, Avengers, Captain America, Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Warlock, Deathlok, Killraven, Conan, Marvel Two-In-One, E-Man, Doomsday +1, Life with Archie, Betty and Me… there’s more, but that’s off the top of my head!

What do you think makes a good comic book?

The story and art have to work together to pull you in. You’ve got to care about the characters. Roy Thomas and John Buscema, Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema, Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, Jim Starlin, Mike Grell, and their like knew how to merge the script and art into something unlike any other medium. Good comics aren’t movies, they’re words and pictures that tell a story in their own unique way.

Can you think of any examples of comics that have been particularly influential to you?

Starlin’s Warlock, Grell’s Warlord, Thomas and Englehart’s Avengers, Claremont/Cockrum/Byrne X-Men, O’Neil’s Batman, Thomas’ Conan, and Cuti and Staton’s E-Man for sure, but everything I’ve ever read influences me in one way or another.

What do you think is the most important aspect of comic book writing?

Communicating with the artist. Sharing your vision with the artist in such a way that they can see what you see and– this is very important– you can see what they see. And then all of that has to come together to share the fun and energy (via the creative process) with the reader.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the comic book industry?

I like the Marvel movies so far, but their comics (as well as DC’s) are too far from my sensibilities for me to get into anymore. Not casting aspersions on them or anything, just not my cuppa. What DOES excite me about the current comics offerings are the Indie comics coming from folks like Will Lill, Big Bang, Oniric, Gallant, Lenovation, Duo, Mineo, Artblazer, and Atomic Action.

What made the 1970’s such a special time in terms of comic books?

I know part of it is nostalgia. I was a kid and could get my hands on most every comic coming out. They were my “friends” when I’d move to a new town or state. They were magical things that transported me to cool places. Also, there was such a variety of comics and styles back then! So many genres along with superheroes. But also, there was a freedom and honesty in those comics that is hard to beat.

At Marvel and Charlton, creators were pretty much given free reign to make the comics they wanted to make. That gave those books an energy and sense of wonder that’s hard to beat. DC was finally breaking out and experimenting with new types of characters, too. They even attempted to “Marvel-ize” some of their characters to varying degrees of success.

It all paid off in comics that I love and will always love. Comics that inspire me to make my own in an effort to capture that fun. (Shameless plug: visit www.bluemooncomics.org and see if we’re accomplishing that mission!)