First Comics News: How did you first start your career in comics?
Mike Gustovich: A fellow by the name of Val Maverik went to the same high school, but he was a year ahead of me. He started working for MARVEL COMICS basically right after graduation. He was that good. I studied under him for a couple of years, helping out on a couple of his MARVEL projects, such as the HOWARD THE DUCK ANNUAL #1 and his SHERLOCK HOLMES story for one of the B&W titles.
Anyway, I started going to conventions and bugging editors until they gave me a break.
1st: You created “Justice Machine” and drew. Did you come up with the idea for it?
Mike: I had started working for POWER COMICS. They had produced several titles but went out of business, having smoked up most of their investment capital. The name “JUSTICE MACHINE” originated their but with all of their other characters as members. They went under, not having paid for all of my services, so they gave me the title of the JUSTICE MACHINE and ownership of COBALT BLUE. Of course, I reinvented the JM with my own characters and story lines, and thus was born the legend.
My first wife, Susan Fillmore, and I pulled our funds together and started publishing it, which lasted for 5 issues. Stories arecharacter-basedd and so I came up with what I considered those that would work together with a variety of superpowers. I no longer own them, but they will always be my babies. My favorite character is TALISMAN, but my favorite one to draw is DEMON.
CHALLENGER is the leader and divorced from DIVINER. BLAZER is their daughter. 
Challenger has no superpowers but is a strategist and combatant with various types of shells (bullets, etc.) for his two guns. DIVINER has no sight or hearing except for what her sensory web cloa provides.) can provide. Her web also provides her with other sensory capabilities that are not available to normal humans, such as electromagnetic emanations and such. She and CHALLENGER usually get along, but sometimes have issues in raising BLAZER.
TALISMAN is an enigma; his power is good luck, though nobody except BLAZER likes him much, especially DEMON. TALISMAN is rather stiff in his interactions with others, but he has a good heart that can be seen when others are in need. He dresses conservatively and is so in his personality. BLAZER’s power is flame, and her suit controls it. She has had to wear it since puberty when her powers became apparent. She can fly, but still has to deal with her hormones and a teenager. Even-tempered and sweet.
DEMON is addicted to the drug edge, which greatly increases his reaction time. He is the greatest martial artist on GEORWELL, but is very insecure and has to experience validation regularly. He can be obnoxious and overly competitive. He’s in his late 20s but still feels the need to prove himself to others.
TITAN is a tragic character who can grow up to 30 feet, and his strength increases accordingly. He is a rule-follower and a team player, but is pretty easy-going until provoked.
1st: How have you found teaching compared to working on comic books?
Mike: I love teaching, but no longer do so, so that I can spend more time writing and drawing. Teaching has its own highs and lows, but nothing beats completing a story and its art.
1st: With the “Sgt. Flag” covers, how did they turn out?
Mike: Rik Offenberger contacted me about doing a cover for G-MAN comics. Sgt. Flag is a great character that inspired me to produce a cover reminiscent of Rich Buckler’s style, with a lot of action. The colors made it really stand out. Sometimes, a new character can lead to a lot of artistic energy, so it definitely showed up in the final product.
1st: Will you be doing more work for G-Man Comics?
Mike: I’d be very happy to do more work for Rik. A great guy AND he pays sufficiently and on time.
1st: You have worked oseveralof Marvel comics. Would you like to do more for them?
Mike: I would certainly love to work for MARVEL and DC again, but it seems that, for the most part, old names are old news. I haven’t gotten any inquiries in many years from them. I would actually prefer to ink other good pencilers.
1st: What is the Kendal School of Design?
Mike: The KENDAL SCHOOL OF DESIGN was a school for graphic and fine artists. I had already been working in the comics industry for a couple of years before I decided to spruce up my skills with new ideas and direction, so I signed up there as a student, but also taught comic art in their continuing ed program while I studied there. It winkin Grand Rapids, Michigan,n where I lived for 6 years.
1st: What are you currently working on?
Mike: I work mostly on my own projects now, not bothering with publishers for now. Much more rewarding. I do some work for small publishers, usually covers, pinups, or short stories. One project I cannot comment on at the moment, though. We’ll see how things turn out with that publisher.
1st: If you could have any one super power,r what would it be and why?
Mike: Onsuperpowerer I’d like is to read minds. There are some drawbacks to this power, but it could give me a heads up on how I act and relate.
1st: What would you like to say to the fans of your art?
Mike: To my fans, “Thank you. I wouldn’t still be doing comics without you. You inspire me to do better. and be better.”
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