J.M. DeMatteis Talks Spider-Man, Comic Writing & Creative Purpose

What makes a great comic book story timeless?

Welcome to Mad Props. Today, host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary comic writer J. M. DeMatteis to talk about storytelling, creativity, spirituality, comics, and the emotional depth behind some of the most iconic comic book runs ever created.

Known for legendary works like Kraven's Last Hunt, Moonshadow, and his unforgettable runs on Spider-Man, Batman, and the Justice League, DeMatteis dives deep into the philosophy behind writing emotionally grounded stories that connect with readers across generations.

The conversation explores:
* The emotional core of Spider-Man stories
* Writing Kraven’s Last Hunt and darker comic themes
* Creativity, spirituality, and artistic purpose
* The evolution of comic books and fandom culture
* Storytelling beyond superheroes
* How personal experiences shape writing
* Convention experiences and meeting comic fans
* Advice for aspiring writers and creators

If you love Marvel, DC Comics, Spider-Man, comic book writing, storytelling, creativity, or behind-the-scenes conversations with legendary creators, this episode is packed with insight.
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Website: https://www.jmdematteis.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jm.dematteis
Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jmdematteis.bsky.social

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Episode produced by Joe Brown
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production
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Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
02:14 – Comicpalooza, conventions & connecting with fans
05:37 – How J.M. first got into comic writing
09:12 – Early storytelling influences & creative inspiration
13:46 – Writing Spider-Man and iconic Marvel characters
18:03 – The emotional psychology behind superheroes
22:41 – Creating Kraven's Last Hunt
27:18 – Why darker comic stories resonate so deeply
31:52 – Storytelling as emotional therapy & self-discovery
36:07 – Spirituality, creativity & artistic purpose
40:26 – Writing outside of superheroes & personal storytelling
44:51 – The creative process and finding inspiration
49:08 – Character depth vs spectacle in modern storytelling
53:24 – Why Spider-Man connects across generations
57:33 – Fan interactions, conventions & comic culture
01:01:47 – Advice for aspiring writers & creators
01:06:18 – The future of comics and storytelling
01:10:42 – Final thoughts

Видео J.M. DeMatteis Talks Spider-Man, Comic Writing & Creative Purpose канала Mad Props With Chris Schnabel