First Comics News: Why do you enjoy creating comic books?
Bill Williams: Growing up in the 1970s, I devoured cheap paperbacks like Doc Savage and Tarzan, which introduced me to a few of the hero archetypes and led me to comics during a golden age of pop culture. Creating comics taps into that nostalgia, scratches my creative itch, and helps me feel productive. On a good day, I’ll spend hours crafting stories, and even an hour on a tough day feels as fulfilling as binge-watching a gripping Korean action series. It’s a lifestyle that adds character to my days. I also love connecting with fans—like at this year’s Bell County Comic Con, where I met Punchline enthusiasts, sold books, and chatted with creators like Eric July, Tim Lim, Mark Pellegrini, and Doug Ernst. Making new friends and seeing reactions to my work keeps me hooked on being creative.
1st: How did you find Lone Star Press?
Bill: After earning my UT art degree in 1991, I penciled and inked one of Rick Klaw’s short comic book stories. The are was pretty rough, but this werewolf story was a terrible but proud first step. At a local comic convention, I met Keith Wilson, a former DC Comics editor, who hired me to draw backgrounds for Hammerlock. I later inked backgrounds on an issue or two of Vengeance of Vampirella and worked solo on a Janis Joplin comic and a Dave Winfield comic, though I learned the hard way about non-paying gigs in indie comics. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities for new talent, I decided to self-publish. I teamed up with penciler Robb Phipps, recommended by my friend Philip Anderson, and wrote short chapters for Heroic Tales, with a cover by studio mate Bill Willingham. Despite no advertising and only word-of-mouth buzz, we published 10 issues through Diamond, featuring a character called Amazon as the lead. Later, with some extra funds, I bankrolled Bill’s Pantheon. Today, my comics are distributed through Antarctic Press, but Lone Star Press lingers for a few random business purposes.
1st: In “Punchline”, who exactly is Mel?
Bill: Punchline, co-created with Matthew Weldon, follows Mel, a fired Daughter of Hercules, mentoring her optimistic replacement, Jessie (Versema), in a superhero world. On page one, Mel’s wounded in a black-ops mission, her powers cut off by her extra-dimensional overseers. Expecting death, she meets Jessie, a teenager escaping family drama, who inherits the Hercules mantle to save her. Mel, left powerless but not friendless, mirrors my own battle-scarred creator’s journey, while Jessie, Matthew’s creation, reflects his eternal optimism. I love writing Mel’s gritty edge—it’s like crafting a knife-wielding Punisher in high heels.
1st: What’s the relationship between Jessie and Mel?
Bill: Mel is Jessie’s meddling mentor, like an aunt who’s sometimes helpful, often annoying. Jessie, a super-strong, flying optimist who craves independence, creates tension akin to step-siblings forced together. Mel’s short-tempered veteran vibe clashes with Jessie’s daffy, Supergirl-like charm, especially in personal relationships, which I find fun to explore for their emotional depth and comedy potential.
1st: Will we be seeing more of Mister January, and just who is he?
Bill: Mister January, the villain who nearly kills Mel in the moments before Punchline #1 starts, competes with her for a mystic artifact. In issue two, Mel repays the favor, stabbing him repeatedly in a filthy alley. In Punchline #16, he’s revealed as a government-controlled agent, a one-man Suicide Squad, returning to his masters when his leash is pulled.
1st: Which other superheroes and villains will be making appearances in upcoming issues of “Punchline”?
Bill: Punchline’s flexibility lets us focus on Mel, Jessie, or others. In Punchline #16 (pre-orders are still open for an October 2025 release), Mel races to cancel a contract on Jessie’s life before an assassin can kill her. Punchline #17 sees Jessie and Atomic Butterfly stop a mystical threat at a heavy metal festival, with a Gridlock backup story. In Punchline #18 (spring/summer 2026, penciled by Stephen Cummings), Jessie time-travels forward ten years, meeting a bitter future self—a story I love for its Ghost of Christmas Future vibe. Punchline #19 has Jessie confronting Mel over her timeline meddling while battling killer robots, and Punchline #20 flashes back to Mel’s failed WWII mission to kill Emperor Hirohito to bring a quick end to the war.
1st: What does having the power of Hercules mean?
Bill: Being a Daughter of Hercules makes you a demigod with a customizable power pool, like an RPG. Mel’s knife skills get deadlier; Jessie gains flight and strength but stays a little goofy. It’s an elite club for heroes with monstrous enemies I’m excited to unleash in future issues.
1st: Will Amazon or Ace of Diamonds return?
Bill: I recently found an unpublished Amazon story by Robb Phipps and Sam De La Rosa, which I plan to weave into Punchline’s universe. Ace of Diamonds belongs to another creator, so she’s off-limits. I love revisiting old work—it’s like unearthing buried treasure.
1st: Would you like to do more writing for DC comics?
Bill: I’d love to, but I’d need to catch up since I stopped reading at New 52. I’d like to pitch a few fun, timeless stories, like a Blue Beetle buddy comedy, inspired by Punchline’s Lethal Weapon dynamic. Writing Justice League Unlimited was a highlight, especially an Aquaman/Superman team-up where an editor’s note—Superman doesn’t use sarcasm—made me laugh and taught me more about tone.
1st: Which character did you most enjoy working on at DC?
Bill: I loved writing Speedy (Mia Dearden) in a couple of issues of Robin where he teams up with that iteration of the Teen Titans. Her youthful outlook felt authentic, never corny, and let me balance light and dark tones, a technique I use in Punchline.
1st: If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
Bill: Time travel—for storytelling, not just stock-picking. In Punchline #18, Jessie’s future trip and timeline tweaks with Mel are fun because Mel’s risky choices make the path of the story unpredictable.
1st: What are you currently working on and what do you have planned in the future?
Bill: Punchline #17 is done, with Jessie and Atomic Butterfly at a music festival and a Gridlock backup. I’m launching its crowdfunder soon. Punchline #18 (31 pages) has the pencils and letters finished, and #19, also with finished pencils, is set for 2026, with #20 exploring Mel’s WWII mission. I’m also planning a jam book with indie character crossovers, hopefully with Matthew Weldon illustrating a fun story.
1st: What has been your best experience in the comic book industry?
Bill: Sharing a studio with Keith Wilson and Bill Willingham was formative—I miss that mentorship vibe. A standout moment was at San Diego Comic Con, where Bill and I, writing for Angel, sat in the audience as Chris Ryall asked who wanted to write the series next. Half the hands shot up, and revealing our roles felt like a rock-star moment.
1st: What would you like to say to all the fans of your work?
Bill: Matthew and I are grateful for your support and love reading your notes on social media. We’re working hard to deliver more awesome Punchline stories!
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