Jimmy Palmiotti has inked a fair number of comics, including Vampirella, Ash, Ghost Rider and the recently launched Marvel Knights DD title. Here he talks about the Event Comics deal and what he thinks about the character.

Kuljit Mithra: How did you get your start in comics and why did you choose inking?

Jimmy Palmiotti: I went to school for art and always had a love for it. My big break came while doing backgrounds for Mark Texeira on Ghost Rider and nagging an editor for work. I wanted to pencil, but I'm a better inker, so...

Mithra: What kind of inking training have you done and who or what has influenced your inking style?

Palmiotti: I learned by doing and reading up on the subject. I think Al Williamson, [Frank] Frazetta and Kevin Nowlan are key to my training.

Mithra: What is the hardest thing to master about inking?

Palmiotti: The brush. You need a lot of practice to make that baby sing.

Mithra: Can you describe how Event Comics came to be?

Palmiotti: Joe [Quesada] and I formed Event out of frustration of everybody screwing up our work.

Mithra: How did the deal with Marvel come about? Did you go to them, or did they come to you?

Palmiotti: They came to Event for help and we answered their call. It seemed like fun.

Mithra: Why did you choose the first four titles and why Daredevil in particular?

Palmiotti: We picked a bunch of titles and they came back with four. We had to have DD because we both love the character so much.

Mithra: What particular era of Daredevil are you the most impressed with?

Palmiotti: The [Frank] Miller and [Ann] Nocenti runs are my faves.

Mithra: What issues did you reference to get a feel of what you would be doing on DD?

Palmiotti: That's a Joe question. I only trace... lol.

Mithra: What is your take on the Daredevil character? Is there anything you would fix or change?

Palmiotti: Nothing's broken to fix. As for changes... well... read the books. I don't want to give anything away.

Mithra: How about the supporting cast? Foggy, Karen, Rosalind? Or how about Elektra, Kingpin and Bullseye?

Palmiotti: No Elektra. Kingpin and Bullseye... wellllllll...

Mithra: What type of story do you think works best for DD?

Palmiotti: A good solid one always works. Anything that makes Matt more human, and less super-human. I like when we get into the way he thinks.

Mithra: How did Kevin Smith get involved with the deal?

Palmiotti: We worked with Kevin on some of his films (art wise) and became friends and just asked. It's really much more than that, but I type 1 finger at a time...

Mithra: How did you convince him to stay after he said he was off the book because his story was similar to Scott Lobdell's Flying Blind theme (where DD can see)?

Palmiotti: [We] called him a pussy. Then he rose to the challenge.

Mithra: Is there a chance you will do more than 12 issues of DD? And will Kevin Smith be a part of it?

Palmiotti: It depends on Marvel and the fans. Kevin will be back on after David Mack.

Mithra: How do you find time to freelance and ink DD and edit the Marvel Knights books?

Palmiotti: I don't sleep much and I am great with managing time. This job is a dream come true and I don't want to wake up... so I'm cramming.

Mithra: Are you looking to expand the Marvel Knights line even further with other titles (besides Doctor Strange and Black Widow)?

Palmiotti: Again, that's up to the gang at Marvel and fan reaction.

Mithra: Will Daredevil make an appearance in the Black Widow series?

Palmiotti: Yes, in the first issue. It's only fair!

Mithra: Are there any plans by Marvel to celebrate DD's 35th birthday next year?

Palmiotti: We are already in the works with ideas if Marvel lets us.

Mithra: What do you have to say to the longtime fans who are upset about the renumbering at #1?

Palmiotti: We say 'sorry', but check our signature box on the cover for the continued numbers and ignore the top if you wish.

Mithra: Aside from the Marvel Knights line, what else do you have coming out soon?

Palmiotti: We have Painkiller Jane #0 that we wrote with Brian Augustyn and Amanda Conner drew it. It kicks major ass and it's Amanda's best work to date. We also have a new Ash series written by James Robinson, and drawn by Joe and I, as well as a new Crimson Plague book by George Perez.