David Anthony Kraft’s Comics Interview #22 (1985)

In this issue of David Anthony Kraft’s Comics Interview, Swamp Thing series two artist Tom Yeates is featured and interviewed. The interview focused on  Yeates’ career and his experiences in comics. I was thrilled to read his Swamp Thing related responses. He talks a bit about working with Martin Pasko during series two as well as why he quit working on the title. In this post I’ve isolated portions of the interview pertaining to Swamp Thing but I recommend finding a copy of his issue and reading the entire interview. It’s  very insightful and a fun read.

Various Swamp Thing related articles and interviews have referenced Martin Pasko’s busy schedule, taking on too many projects while working on the title. The highlighted excerpt below calls out Yeates’ challenges while working on the title.

Below is Yeates’ entire answer regarding what it was like working with Pasko on the second series.

Later in the interview, Tom is asked why he stopped working on Swamp Thing. I highlighted a few key points that jumped out at me. Yeates again mentions Pasko’s busy schedule and then touches upon how his interest wained upon getting into Pasko’s story. As you’ll read below, Pasko’s agenda conflicted with Yeates’.

This bit below was my favorite portion of the interview. Yeates talks about Totleben and Bissette being the perfect fit for the series. Afterward, Tom discusses feeling conflicted by the morals conveyed in the story.
I wasn’t aware -until this book- that Yeates was not a fan of or comfortable with the subject matter.