Men of Steel: An Interview with JM DeMatteis

This week on Men of Steel, Case and Jmike sit down with legendary comics writer J.M. DeMatteis to talk about his incredible career and his thoughts on the Man of Steel himself. From Kraven’s Last Hunt to Justice League International and beyond, we dive into storytelling, spirituality, and what makes Superman such an enduring symbol of hope.

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Men of Steel Full Episode

Originally aired: October 24, 2025

Edited by Sophia Ricciardi

Scored by Geoff Moonen

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Outline
Introduction (00:00 - 00:10)
Introduction and discussion about J.M. DeMatteis' prolific career.
Discussion on writing styles (Marvel style vs. full script) and collaborative relationships.
Creative Origins (00:10 - 00:20)
J.M. DeMatteis shares his creative origins and early career struggles.
Breakthrough into comics through short stories and TV writing with The Twilight Zone.
Justice League International (00:20 - 00:28)
His iconic Justice League International run with Keith Giffen.
Creative chemistry with collaborators and evolution of their working relationship.
️ Marvel Runs (00:28 - 00:38)
Discussion of Marvel runs including Maximum Carnage and Clone Saga.
Perspectives on long crossovers and storytelling challenges.
‍️ Lesser-Known Characters (00:38 - 00:47)
Work with less-known characters like Booster Gold and Blue Beetle in Justice League International.
Character development freedom with lesser-known heroes and influence on DC Universe.
‍️ Superman Focus (00:47 - 00:57)
Focus on Superman-related work, especially Speeding Bullets Elseworlds story.
Discussion on Superman’s character, symbolism, and challenges in keeping him human.
Current Projects (00:57 - 01:07)
Current and upcoming projects including the DeMultiverse Kickstarter series.
Discussion on Spider-Man 94, prose novellas, and Batman: Caped Crusader animated series.
️ Writing Techniques & Style (02:00 - 02:10)
J.M. DeMatteis adeptly switches between Marvel style (detailed plotting first) and full scripting based on collaborators and creative needs, emphasizing writer-artist synergy.
Career Path & Persistence (10:00 - 13:30)
His early career involved overcoming harsh rejections and learning from editors like Paul Levitz and Len Wein, highlighting the necessity of a 'hard head and thick skin' in freelancing.
Creative Collaboration (24:00 - 27:30)
The seminal Justice League International run was a product of rare chemistry and creative freedom between DeMatteis, Keith Giffen, and Kevin Maguire, elevating offbeat characters.
Classic Runs Reflections (22:00 - 30:00)
He described iconic runs like Kraven’s Last Hunt as successful but unplanned monumental works, and underscored the importance of the artist in storytelling and the emotional core of heroism in Maximum Carnage.
Character Development (34:00 - 38:00)
DeMatteis expresses deep intimacy with characters like Peter Parker and Ben Reilly, treating them like real people and always seeking fresh narrative insights in revisiting familiar characters.
‍️ Superman’s Core (48:00 - 54:40)
Defines writing Superman as being 'in his heart' rather than just his mind, focusing on his decency, charm, and symbolic importance as cultural moral paragon and hopeful figure.
Modern Work & Industry Shifts (01:00:00 - 01:02:00)
Embracing Kickstarter for creator-owned projects like DeMultiverse, balancing traditional publishing with creative independence and audience engagement. Discusses upcoming projects including a Spider-Man miniseries and involvement in animated shows.
Industry Insights (46:40 - 46:50)
Reflects on evolving trends such as Elseworlds and multiverse storytelling saturation, and the need to refresh narrative approaches.
Fan Community & Legacy (38:40 - 38:50)
Notes enthusiasm from younger generations discovering older works like Justice League International, reinforcing enduring appeal.