GEEK WORLD: You're living the independant's dream, Troy. The story of how COMMON GROUNDS came about is an interesting one. Why don't you share that with us? TROY HICKMAN: Well, it came about basically because I made a pact with Sata---uh, never mind. No, in actually, here's the scoop. I had been publishing my own digest-sized, photocopied mini-comics for about ten years, and among them was a book called Holey Crullers. By an amazing stroke of luck, Jim McLauchlin stopped by my table at the '97 ChicagoCon, and picked up copies of that title. He read 'em, loved 'em, passed them around the Wizard offices where they were equally well-received, and the next thing I knew, the magazine did a major article on my little mini-comic. Now flash forward to 2003. Jim started working for Top Cow, and one day, while I was egomanically doing a search for my name on the internet, I came across an interview he had just done with Dynamic Forces, in which he said I was one of the folks he most wanted to work with. After the paramedics resuscitated me, I got in touch with him and found out he wanted to bring Holey Crullers to Top Cow. And no, I don't believe it yet either; pinch me, man (Ouch! Literal son of a---)

GW: So, COMMON GROUNDS was originally entitled HOLEY CRULLERS. Given the Cofee Shop atmosphere, that rather makes sense. But how did that name come about? TH: The name Holey Crullers was kind of a play on words. A cruller is a fried pastry, so a "holey" cruller is a donut. It's obviously also an in-joke based on the old Batman TV show, where Robin would say "holy this" and "holy that" all the time. The book plays around with the conventions of superhero comics, so it seemed appropriate. With the new incarnation, though, we weren't sure if everyone would know what a cruller was, and we wanted something just a touch more serious. Common Grounds is a great title for the book because, besides being a pun on coffee, it's also what the comic is really about: a place where heroes and villains can find a common ground to be themselves and talk things over. GW: What inspired you to start a comic like COMMON GROUNDS? TH: When I created Crullers, I wanted to write a superhero comic that was sort of the Bizarro-World version of what such comics normally are. Rather than focussing on the action, I wanted to make it almost all dialogue, just characters talking, letting us into their heads and hearts. It's rare that we've ever gotten that kind of story in this medium (that wonderful Marvel Two-In-One story with Sandman is one of the few examples), and when we did, I just loved them. The challenge then was going to be if I could make that concept work on a regular basis without getting static. Hopefully I have.

GW: You've got a lot of great artistic talent lined up for the book; Michael Avon Oeming, Ethan Van Sciver, Dan Jurgens and Chris Bachalo just to name a few. If you could get any current artist on the book, who would it be? TH: Oh, I could never just name one. Truth be told, I'd like to work with just about any artist in this medium, especially given the format of Common Grounds. This book is perfect to encompass the different styles of individual artists, and to give them free reign with their stuff. One of the biggest thrills for me has been seeing these fantastic artists, guys I've respected and admired for years, drawing something I've written. What in the world is cooler than that? And we have a few artists already lined up that haven't been announced yet, but when they are, it'll boggle you. I'm soooo jazzed...ha.

GW: Who's been your inspiration as far as your writing? TH: Everyone. I know that's a copout, but I pay close attention to everything I read, and make mental notes. If you want some specific folks, well, in comics it would be people like Alan Moore, Harvey Pekar, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Arnold Drake, Steve Englehart, Mark Gruenwald, Kurt Busiek, and on and on. In other kinds of fiction, just about everyone, as well, including Flannery O'Connor, Richard Ford, Tobias Wolff, John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, Ray Bradbury, etc.

GW: What comics do you read on a regular basis? TH: Y'know, the ironic thing is that I probably write more comics than I read these days! I've gone through tough financial times in recent years, so I had to put my comic buying on hold. I've tried to keep up on everything Alan Moore does, and I've bought a few other comics, such as Busiek's wonderful Avengers stuff, but not too much. Luckily I have a lot of pals doing indy comics who aren't stingy with the gratis copies...ha...I'm so cheap.

GW: And finally, do you have a random quote or piece of advice to share with us? TH: Oh, never let a guy like me pontificate. OK, first a couple of quotes: Gunter Eich said "Be uncomfortable; be sand, not oil, in the machinery of the world." I like that. And Pogo said "Don't take life so serious; it ain't nowhow permanent." I like that too. And that wiseguy Troy Hickman says "Sure, the world has gone to hell, but it doesn't have to be a one-way trip." Of course, he's a dork. I guess the one thing I'd tell folks is to keep their chin up, keep working at it, and never let anyone tell you it can't be done. I may sound like an ABC Afterschool Special, but I honestly believe that if you have confidence in yourself, you can see your dreams become real. And how cool is that?