Billy\u2019s fave song: \u2018It\u2019s Rainin\u2019 Men\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJP:<\/b> Carvel Comics<\/i>?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Again, Extreme probably.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> What\u2019s the worst\/dumbest thing you\u2019ve ever said to a professional?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Every time I meet someone I admire, I usually wind up saying something stupid.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Did you sleep your way to the top?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> You tell me.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Yes. Is it true you\u2019ve slept with all the Friends of Lulu?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Yes, but not the men.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Have you ever dealt with reality?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Is-sn\u2019t th-this r-r-reality?<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> What\u2019s the worst part about getting old?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> When you\u2019re invisible to teenage girls\u2014you have to learn other methods to get their attention.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Besides your mom, has anyone worked for you for more than two weeks?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> No.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Have you ever killed anyone?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> I\u2019d rather not say.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Besides broken hearts, what else do you collect?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Laserdiscs, motorcycles, guns, and Star Wars <\/i>toys.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> How do you really feel about our president?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> I think everybody was high on dope to vote for that guy.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b>\u2008Is it true about you and the incident at ASPCA?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> It was a rooster show, not a cock \ufb01ght. Jeez\u2026<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> What do you and Elvis have in common?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Both our mommas have big boils on the backs of their necks.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Where did you get the nickname \u201cRooster Boy\u201d and what does it mean?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Ask Amanda Conner, that little minx.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b>\u2008Who is your dream woman?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Christy Turlington.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Have you ever used one of your guns in your vast collection on someone who works for you?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Not yet.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Do you eat meat?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b>\u2008Every day.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Coke or Pepsi?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b>\u2008Diet Pepsi.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b>\u2008What\u2019s the coolest thing you own?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> God\u2026I guess the Harley.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Is it true the only person you trust is Gypsy?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Damn right. Well, she\u2019s a person to me, you know. Yeah, my dog is my best friend.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Why does she walk funny?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b>\u2008That\u2019s really messed up. She\u2019s got a herniated disk in her neck.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> What was that thing with the watermelons?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Remember, Jimmy, I want to run for of\ufb01ce in the future. What are you trying to do to me?<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Do you carry a megaphone to bed? [Note: He always has it at conventions.]<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> No, but I do use it in other people\u2019s beds.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Does your brother the cop ever bring home prisoners for you to slap around?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> That\u2019s a really good idea. I\u2019ll ask him (he\u2019ll do it), and I\u2019ll call you so we can \ufb01lm it.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> What\u2019s your favorite reference book?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Comics Joe Quesada penciled.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b>\u2008Whom do you look up to in this industry?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> Lots. Mike Richard\u00adson, Marc Silvestri, and anyone else over 5‘<\/i>9“<\/i>.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Why the fruity fringe jacket?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> I knew that I should never have bought it. I\u2008guess I was feeling like Elvis-meets-Johnny Bravo.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Have you ever performed a sexual act on a retailer?<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> I know I\u2019ve been accused of screwing a few of them.<\/p>\n
JP:<\/b> Tell us one thing we should know about Billy Tucci.<\/p>\n
BT:<\/b> That I love Elvis and Sinatra, scream throughout Brave\u00adheart<\/i>, and cry at the end of Break\u00adfast at Tiffany\u2019s<\/i>\u2014and Jimmy Pal\u00admiotti is one of my best friends.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When you hear Billy Tucci\u2019s, name you think of his super-smash comic book Shi. When I hear Billy\u2019s name, I smile and ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s that freak up to now?\u201d I say this lovingly, because Billy is one of my closest friends (who doesn\u2019t owe me money). He still amazes me with the barrage of insane ideas he comes up with. The funny thing is that out of all those ideas comes one or two that can actually work! His brain is constantly working on his next scheme, whether it be a convention on the aircraft carrier Intrepid in New York\u2008Harbor or starting a nature park for American buffalo. The thing I admire most is the love and energy he puts into everything he does, no matter how insane it may be. You\u2019ve got to give him credit\u2014in the past year he published a bunch of creator-owned black-and-white titles, launched new characters in his company cross\u00adovers, and he\u2019s the only guy I know who can wear a fringe leather jacket and not get the crap beat out of him. This interview should give you some insight into what Billy\u2019s about\u2026or not! JIMMY PALMIOTTI: When I \ufb01rst met you, you were this hyperactive, adrenaline-\ufb01lled nutjob who was going to launch this title called Shi all by yourself. Now it\u2019s a couple of years later and you\u2019re enjoying all this success, but things have changed in a big way. What part do you miss from the days when you \ufb01rst started out? BILLY TUCCI: I guess all of that. It\u2019s almost as if you\u2019re all ready to \ufb01ght a war, but after a while reality hits. The battles harden you, but you always have to hold on to the reason why you \ufb01ght. You get a little lost along the way, and sometimes you wonder what it\u2019s all about. It was always to create, to better yourself, and to share all those crazy ideas you have in your head. I guess it\u2019s a \ufb01re\u2026I just had to put some more wood on it. JP: I know you\u2019re going to Japan next month. Is it for chicks or the food? BT: What\u2019s the difference? It\u2019s all sushi, right? JP: How many people work for you? BT:\u2008Not including freelancers, I guess eight. JP:\u2008Your mother is a key part in your success. Is she on the books? BT: She writes out the checks. She used to be a bookie, so she\u2019s a natural at it. She works out of her house, you know, because of that beeper thing. JP: Is it true you\u2019re colorblind? BT:\u2008What the hell is that supposed to mean\u2026I\u2019m not a racist. JP: Other than your mom and Nanci Dakesian, what other women do you fear? BT: Her name is Lauren Steffans, and she\u2019s pretty sore at me now. JP: Have you ever kissed Demi Moore? BT:\u2008Yes\u2026hugged her, too. JP: Bruce Willis? BT: Not yet, but I\u2019d probably trade stories with him about her\u2026 JP: What happens after Shi #12\u2014back to one or what? BT: Yes. Shi:\u2008Heaven and Earth, a whole new mini-series, three issues, bimonthly, and on time!\u2008All drawn by me! Really! JP: You have a large collection of motorcycles. Did you ever wipe out on one? BT: Plenty, but not in a long time. Usually smashing into trees and running over small, furry animals. JP:\u2008Why do you think your books sell? BT: I\u2019ve often asked myself that, but when I go back and read the \ufb01rst issue I think I know. Combining two very different cultures, almost clashing with one another, a believable character you can feel for. Being in the right place at the right time\u2026and also because so many retailers under-ordered Lady Death #1 and they didn\u2019t want to make the same mistake twice. JP: What tips do you have for people who are starting publishing right now? BT: Take a good look in the mirror, then take a close look at pictures of me, you, Brian Pulido, and Jeff Smith before we started, and then in the few years after publishing comics. JP: Why do you think people want your autograph over Jack Kirby\u2019s? BT: Insanity. JP: Do you feel guilty? BT: No comment. JP: What does Jim Lee have that you don\u2019t? BT: Feet. JP: What do you think your biggest \ufb02aw is? BT: My annoying, high-pitched cackle and my feet, or lack thereof. JP: If you were in a band, what instrument would you play? BT: The backup bongos and the telephone. JP: What\u2019s your least favorite food? BT: Cooked asparagus. JP: What\u2019s your favorite thing about men? BT: That there are so many of them. JP: Have you ever played with a beach ball? BT: I\u2019ve played with two. JP: What\u2019s your favorite micro\u00adwave food? BT: Kitten Pot Pie. JP: Where do you vacation? BT: At Palmiotti\u2019s playground. JP: Is it true about you and all those little Catholic school girls? BT: Which Catholic school? Our Lady of Tucci? Yes. JP: Is it true your mom writes and draws your books? BT: Who told you that? JP: Do you like women who smoke? BT: Lit\u00aderally? No, I like women who smoke cigars. JP: What\u2019s your favorite sport? BT: Hockey. JP: Do you ever go in your garage and sit on your motorcycle while it\u2019s doing nothing just for fun? BT: Every morning. It helps the creative juices \ufb02ow. JP: Do you wear women\u2019s underwear because it\u2019s fun or because it\u2019s practical? BT: It\u2019s practical. When I run out of mine, I have to borrow from my mom. JP: What\u2019s your favorite kind of person to abuse? BT: Fanboy. JP: What could you improve about Crusade Comics? BT: Books out more frequently. JP: What\u2019s the best part about White Castle burgers? BT: The ride home. JP: Why does Ian Feller hate you so much? BT: Because he was born on the same day as me, but no one knows his birthday. JP: Have you ever been caught fondling hot dogs at the supermarket? BT: No. JP: What\u2019s the worst part about being a millionaire? BT: I don\u2019t know. You tell me. JP: Lack of cash and these interviews. Why do you live in Queens? BT: The thought of someone stealing my car keeps me on edge 24 hours a day. JP: Have you ever gone to jail? BT: Yes. JP: Why? BT: Field trip in the 11th grade. JP: What comics do you read? BT: Ash, Gen13, Witchblade. Anything by Geof Darrow, Frank Miller, or Dave Stevens. And Lone Wolf & Cub. JP: Who\u2019s the best-looking man in comics? BT: Joe Jusko. JP: Why? BT: I feel all mushy when I\u2019m around him. JP: Have you ever slapped a fan? BT: Would you consider my girlfriend a fan? JP: Depends how you met her. What\u2019s your real hair color? BT: This is my real hair color. JP: Who does your nails? BT: My teeth. JP: Do you sell your original artwork? BT: No. JP: Why? BT: Because I don\u2019t have to! JP: What\u2019s the most evil thing you\u2019ve ever done? BT: This interview. JP: How many women have you dated at once? BT: I guess three, if that includes taking my mom to dinner; I\u2019m pretty monogamous with men. JP: Is it true you\u2019re putting out the Sea Monkey comic? BT: No, but I think Extreme\u2019s doing that. JP: Carvel Comics? BT: Again, Extreme probably. JP: What\u2019s the worst\/dumbest thing you\u2019ve ever said to a professional? BT: Every time I meet someone I admire, I usually wind up saying something stupid. JP: Did you sleep your way to the top? BT: You tell me. JP: Yes. Is it true you\u2019ve slept with all the Friends of Lulu? BT: Yes, but not the men. JP: Have you ever dealt with reality? BT: Is-sn\u2019t th-this r-r-reality? JP: What\u2019s the worst part about getting old? BT: When you\u2019re invisible to teenage girls\u2014you have to learn other methods to get their attention. JP: Besides your mom, has anyone worked for you for more than two weeks? BT: No. JP: Have you ever killed anyone? BT: I\u2019d rather not say. JP: Besides broken hearts, what else do you collect? BT: Laserdiscs, motorcycles, guns, and Star Wars toys. JP: How do you really feel about our president? BT: I think everybody was high on dope to vote for that guy. JP:\u2008Is it true about you and the incident at ASPCA? BT: It was a rooster show, not a cock \ufb01ght. Jeez\u2026 JP: What do you and Elvis have in common? BT: Both our mommas have big boils on the backs of their necks. JP: Where did you get the nickname \u201cRooster Boy\u201d and what does it mean? BT: Ask Amanda Conner, that little minx. JP:\u2008Who is your dream woman? BT: Christy Turlington. JP: Have you ever used one of your guns in your vast collection on someone who works for you? BT: Not yet. JP: Do you eat meat? BT:\u2008Every day. JP: Coke or Pepsi? BT:\u2008Diet Pepsi. JP:\u2008What\u2019s the coolest thing you own? BT: God\u2026I guess the Harley. JP: Is it true the only person you trust is Gypsy? BT: Damn right. Well, she\u2019s a person to me, you know. Yeah, my dog is my best friend. JP: Why does she walk funny? BT:\u2008That\u2019s really messed up. She\u2019s got a herniated disk in her neck. JP: What was that thing with the watermelons? BT: Remember, Jimmy, I want to run for of\ufb01ce in the future. What are you trying to do to me? JP: Do you carry a megaphone to bed? [Note: He always has it at conventions.] BT: No, but I do use it in other people\u2019s beds. JP: Does your brother the cop ever bring home prisoners for you to slap around? BT: That\u2019s a really good idea. I\u2019ll ask him (he\u2019ll do it), and I\u2019ll call you so we can \ufb01lm it. JP: What\u2019s your favorite reference book? BT: Comics Joe Quesada penciled. JP:\u2008Whom do you look up to in this industry? BT: Lots. Mike Richard\u00adson, Marc Silvestri, and anyone else over 5‘9“. JP: Why the fruity fringe jacket? BT: I knew that I should never have bought it. I\u2008guess I was feeling like Elvis-meets-Johnny Bravo. JP: Have you ever performed a sexual act on a retailer? BT: I know I\u2019ve been accused of screwing a few of them. JP: Tell us one thing we should know about Billy Tucci. BT: That I love Elvis and Sinatra, scream throughout Brave\u00adheart, and cry at the end of Break\u00adfast at Tiffany\u2019s\u2014and Jimmy Pal\u00admiotti is one of my best friends.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[23,20,9,19],"class_list":["post-92","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-palmiottis-playground","tag-billy-tucci","tag-issue-26","tag-jimmy-palmiotti","tag-march-1997"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":457,"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92\/revisions\/457"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"Shi\u2019s](\"http:\/\/eacottdesign.com\/combo\/wp-content\/uploads\/1997\/03\/PALSHI.jpg\")
<\/a>