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Just now released in Italy (by Einaudi), The Drive-in: The Bus Tour is a crazy tour of a crazy world. Is that really our world?
Yes, The Drive In really is our world, and its inspired, unfortunately, by events on the ground. Crooked politicians, people who see nothing but the negative and will do anything to get ahead and could care less about the rest of humanity.
Is the reality a source of inspiration for you? If yes as I guess, in which sense?
Reality is always a source, even if you don't intent for it to be. You're always writing about your time, no matter what you're writing about.
As being the 3 rd fragment of the Drive-in saga, it seems The Bus Tour particularly follows the part #2. How did it come at your mind?
I had it in mind for years, but it took me awhile to get to it. I had to have the real love and the real urge to do it, and finally, I did.
Do you think you could be just an American writer and, if yes, how come?
I'm not sure what you mean by just an American writer. I guess since I'm from America and Texas, I can't help but be an American writer.
Do you still write comics? What about writing screenplays --never thought about that?
I've written a number of screenplays and sold them all, but none have yet been filmed. I've also continued to write comics, did a FANTASTIC FOUR story, well The Thing, for MARVEL ADVENTURES 32 recently. I did CONAN comics last year, and there are other comics forthcoming, including a zombie story in BOOM COMICS. I also write for TV for BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES many years ago.
Do you know “Italian cannibals”, a stream of Italian writers who love pulp, horror, hard-boiled, and shaking narrative genres?
I don't know about the cannibals, but I think they're doing the same thing I'm doing. Devouring all there is to devour and regurgitating something different...I hope.
It seems you love Italy as you were here a numberous of times. Never thought about a book of yours set in our country?
I have thought of setting a book in Italy, and may some day.
Is the horrendous King of the Pop-corn a possible representation of politicians, generally and particularly?
The Popcorn King is representative of all that is evil and doesn't see itself as evil. He represents justification of evil.
Shall we expect a Drive-in part #4? There's some mysteries left at the end of part #3...
I don't know about a part four. It's possible, I guess.
Who's your favourite writer/book and director/film?
I have many favorites. I'm especially fond of Flannery O'Conner's stories. I don't have a favorite director, but John Ford is one. I love TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD, my favorite novel and film.
May you spoil us some hints of upcoming hits from you, please?
Doing the screenplay for THE BOTTOMS shortly if all goes well, and a new Hap and Leonard book called VANILLA RIDE.
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