In this exclusive Back to Pop interview, we sit down with Jim Valentino, co-founder of Image Comics, creator of ShadowHawk, and the visionary who reimagined Guardians of the Galaxy for a new era. From his roots, to helping launch one of the most influential independent publishing movements in comic book history, Jim brings the receipts on four decades of boundary-pushing storytelling.
Inside the episode:
• How Guardians of the Galaxy became a cult classic under his pen
• The raw, behind-the-scenes energy of Image Comics, while everything around was chaotic during the early days, the guys were in stride!
• ShadowHawk and the darker themes that made it stand out in the ’90s
• The indie imprint Shadowline and its philosophy on creator-owned work
• The triumphant return of normalman in a 40th Anniversary Omnibus
• Reflections on creator rights, the digital comics frontier, and what’s next
Whether you’re a lifelong comics fan or just discovering the indie legends, this is a must-listen deep dive into one of the architects of modern comics.
Grab a copy of Normal Man here: https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/normalman-40-th-anniversary-omnibus-hc
Subscribe, share, and don’t forget to rate the show if you believe in the power of creator-owned stories.
Hit play, rate the show, and subscribe for more deep dives into pop culture legends.
📱 Instagram: @backtopopmedia
🌐 Website: https://www.backtopopmedia.com
Audio by: Gabe Fletcher
Sound Design, Composition & Engineering
Editor, Back to Pop Podcast
If you’re looking for comics then stop by Sean’s shop here’s the link.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1700957263/custom-listing-mc-the-last-will-and?click_key=10e3b2dbec164f3e4e3998d180f71c4828a47e9c%3A1700957263&click_sum=732fa5f1&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1&sts=1
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