Joe Quesada, artist of Ninjak, Sword of Azrael, X-Factor, Ash and many other titles talks about the Event deal with Marvel and his views of Daredevil.

Kuljit Mithra: How did you get your start in comics?

Joe Quesada: I was working as a colorist at Valiant Comics

Mithra: When did you first meet Jimmy Palmiotti, and why did you form your own company?

Quesada: We met in line for free food at the San Diego Comicon 7 years ago. Forming Event was the next step in our creative growth.

Mithra: Can you give the specifics of the deal with Marvel? How did it happen and why did you choose to enter into this deal?

Quesada: It's a packaging deal, in which we put together several Marvel titles and give them our whacky editorial spin.

Mithra: Can Marvel revoke the contract due to sales levels not being high enough (like Rob Liefeld in the Heroes Reborn deal)?

Quesada: It's not quite like that. We have office space in the Marvel building and we're working hand-in-hand with editorial. I think what they'll be looking at is if these books are good!

Mithra: Were you given a choice of characters from Marvel or did you ask for certain characters? Why Daredevil?

Quesada: We asked for all these characters, with the knowledge that characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men were out of the question.

Mithra: From what I've read, you are a fan of the 'Miller Daredevil'. Why? Do you think the character needs to return to that version? What do you think has been 'wrong' with DD all these years after Frank Miller?

Quesada: DD is a very human character. I think Frank [Miller] did him justice along with Ann Nocenti and D.G. Chichester. I'm not quite sure how to define Frank's version, but let's just say [that] when it's all said and done, I want people to refer to [it] as the 'Smith/Quesada/Palmiotti' run.

Mithra: How did Kevin Smith get involved with the deal and was his name important enough to make or break the deal with Marvel?

Quesada: His name had nothing to do with the deal. Bring him to Marvel is what they were hoping we would do through our relationships with the creative community.

Mithra: I know you've been keeping the Smith story under wraps, but what can you say about it? You seem to be very impressed with what has been written so far.

Quesada: And that's all I can say.

Mithra: Will Kevin Smith write more than 6 issues?

Quesada: It's looking more like seven right now.

Mithra: Will the Marvel Knights books be edited by Marvel? Will they cost $1.99 or $2.95?

Quesada: I'm not sure just yet.

Mithra: Did anyone else send in proposals to write Daredevil? I know David Mack's name has been mentioned as the next writer following Kevin Smith.

Quesada: David is the next writer on deck to follow Kevin. I think he's a magnificent talent.

Mithra: Will the Marvel Knights books cross over with any other Marvel books? with Event books? Do you have final say if any of the Marvel Knights characters can be used elsewhere?

Quesada: Yes, we have a say, but we're not doing any crossovers at the moment.

Mithra: Will your Event characters be published during the deal with Marvel?

Quesada: Yes, starting in August with Painkiller Jane/Hellboy.

Mithra: With Kevin Smith's name attached to DD, there has been a lot of promotion through TV, magazines etc.. There's a sketchbook in Wizard, a tourbook in August... what other things do you have planned to promote Marvel Knights? Anything special for the cons you're appearing at?

Quesada: Marvel is still in the process of working that out.

Mithra: So, how bad is it on the 13th floor of Marvel?

Quesada: It's wonderful. We have a view!

Mithra: Are you appearing in Kevin Smith's new movie, Dogma?

Quesada: No, we walked on the set, but missed the day that we could've gotten cameos.

Mithra: What is the official date of release of Daredevil Vol. 2 #1?

Quesada: September 9th.