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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET BOB MILLER
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| Bob Miller |
The Bible has been, and still is, my primary influence. It's provided the moral basis for my life, and proven to be an invaluable guide in times of trouble as well as times of joy. In grade school, my teachers read popular literature to the class. This included THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE by C.S. Lewis, THE BOXCAR CHILDREN by Gertrude Chandler, BRISTLE FACEby Zachary Ball, WILLIE WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY by Roald Dahl and ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS by Scott O'Dell. I was delighted to read these works—and their sequels—on my own. I also thrilled to read Homer's IlIAD and THE ODYSSEY, and enjoyed the works of Greek mythology. THE MAKING OF STAR TREK by Stephen E. Whitfield and Gene Roddenberry, and THE STAR TREK CONCORDANCE by Bjo Trimble prompted my interest in the entertainment industry. Of works of fiction, the most profound influence came from MARVEL COMICS' FANTASTIC FOUR by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Stan's humorous, compelling, never-condescending prose and Jack's power-packed illustrations fired my imagination. It really was "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine."
Did you write stories when you were growing up? at school? Or at home as a hobby? As a young child, or as a teenager, or both?
Inspired by Marvel Comics, I wrote and illustrated my own comics using their characters, or my own. They were never published, of course. I just circulated a copy among my friends, who gave me valuable feedback. It was a great learning experience.
What audience did you have in mind for your career as a writer - adult or children?
I write, and illustrate, to entertain both adults and children, just as Warner Bros. did with its classic Looney Tunes, or C.S. Lewis with his CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, or George Lucas with the original STAR WARS. I like to stimulate the imagination.
Do you do other types of writing - for example, educational, nonfiction, magazine work?
I've written nonfiction articles mostly for Starlog magazine beginning in 1985, and my articles have been published in Comics Buyer's Guide, Comics Scene, Animation Magazine, Animato, Animation Planet and the online Animation World Magazine. I was a contributing author to Jerry Beck's Animated Movie Guide and The Hanna-Barbera Treasury.
My primary occupation—my "day job"—has been storyboard work on shows like The Simpsons, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Megas XLR and Garfield & Friends.
What gave you the idea for the JUSTICE DRAGON?
I've always had a soft spot for dragons. They're magnificent creatures. They represent great power, they can fly, and some can breathe fire. Cultures all over the world have reported encounters with them in lore and literature. So I asked a question that led to other questions. What if dragons were sentient? What if they knew right from wrong? What if one dragon, concerned for the welfare of others and recognizing his great power, took upon himself the responsibility to protect others from harm? What if that dragon dedicated his life in service to the Almighty, to save lives and battle monsters and other evil forces that threatened mankind? My answer was THE JUSTICE DRAGON. And that led to more questions. How does he save people who are terrified of him because he's a dragon? What happens when he flies into a land where he doesn't know the language or culture? What does he do when he faces opponents with greater power? What happens when his own foibles jeopardize his mission? How does he succeed? Such is the dilemma for THE JUSTICE DRAGON. He does have a website: www.justicedragon.com.
Have any of your works earned special recognition?
I've won two Emmy certificates for my storyboard work on The Simpsons, for the episodes "Behind the Laughter" and "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind."
Do you work on more than one book at a time?
Yes. I can't help myself. My mind is bursting with stories. I write down outlines before I can forget them.
What are you working on now? When do you expect to start submitting it to publishers?
In addition to the Justice Dragon stories, I'm compiling a massive annotated Star Wars Bibliography, covering the years 1971 to 1990. It catalogues everything that's been published on Star Wars and its spinoffs during that time in chronological order, with many fascinating behind-the-scenes anecdotes. It's been in the works for over 30 years. I hope to finish it this fall for publication in time for the live-action Star Wars TV series. For details please see http://www.starwars.com/fans/profiles/20090211.html.
Do you like to include humor in your stories? Or adventure? Or mystery?
Yes, to all three. Part of the fun is having people wonder what's going to happen next.