In Part 1 of this in-depth conversation, writer B. Clay Moore reflects on his early years as the marketing director at Image Comics during the early 2000s — a pivotal era when the company was reinventing itself around a new wave of creator-owned talent.

Moore discusses working behind the scenes with emerging voices like Rick Remender and Jonathan Hickman, and how Image’s independent spirit encouraged creators to take bold storytelling risks that reshaped the comics landscape. Moore also dives into the creation of his breakout series Hawaiian Dick, co-created with artist Steven Griffin — a genre-blending mix of crime noir, tiki-era cool, and supernatural mystery that became a critical and cult favorite for Image. He shares how the concept was born, how he and Griffin developed its striking visual tone, and how the book stood out in an industry dominated by superhero titles.

The discussion rounds out with Moore recalling his collaboration with Tony Harris at DC Comics on the acclaimed JSA: The Liberty Files — a gritty espionage reimagining of the Justice Society set during World War II — and their later follow-up project, The Whistling Skull, a pulpy, post-war adventure that expanded their unique corner of the DC Universe.

Part 2 airs tomorrow, covering more on Moore’s creative process, later volumes of Hawaiian Dick, and his perspective on the modern state of creator-owned comics.