Dan Jurgens is clearly a guy who likes to rub elbows with powerhouses. For years, he's been known as one of the top Superman writers and artists at DC. It doesn't get much bigger than the Big Blue Cheese. Recently, he's taken on writing duties for one of Marvel's biggest guns, Thor, and is starting up runs on both Marvel's Captain America and DC's Aquaman. We fired off some questions at Dan on his latest projects, and he was kind enough to fire back some answers, even though (as you'll read in the interview) we're an internet publication and probably sponsored by the devil. (That's a joke.)

How did you get your start in comics?

Back in 1982, I showed my samples to Mike Grell, who was the creator and current writer of Warlord. He liked what he saw, suggested me to the editor, and DC gave me the book to draw on a monthly basis in April of that year. I've been around ever since.

As an artist and a writer, which is your first love--visuals or story?

I don't think of them as independent of one another. For me, it's all part of a unified process. What jazzes me is the idea of a good story that is eventually communicated to readers.

How do you begin to create a comic, in a visual way or with the words?

Sometimes it starts with a cool visual, a scene that excites because it looks dramatic. Other times it starts with nice character or plot development. Ideas come from anywhere and everywhere.

What attracted you to taking up the character Thor?

The scope and breadth of the book and its cast.

Why did you decide to return Thor's earthly alterego?

Balance. If Thor is always hanging out in Asgard, the idea of him being special, because he's a god, is lost because all the reader sees are gods. If he's on earth and never in Asgard, he becomes much more like any other hero.

The uniqueness of being a god is best contrasted with earthly problems and that's what we strive to do. Thor must always have his Asgardian heritage and earthly commitments in conflict.

How would you describe Thor's role in the current Marvel Universe?

As one of the core Marvel characters who, when truly needed, is there to do the heavy lifting. Hey, someone's gotta carry the piano into the Avengers mansion!

You've written both Thor and the big powerhouse character at DC, Superman. What are the similarities and differences to writing for characters of such massive powers and abilities?

For me, they're vastly different. Superman is very much alone...freed of his past, a human through and through because he was raised that way. Thor's relatives tend to interfere, somewhat like a Bewitched episode.

Superman is more calm, more of a thinker. Thor's a warrior, a basher...someone who asks the questions after he hits first.

You've commented that you believe the internet is helping to kill the industry. Do you still feel that way, and how is this taking place?

Very much so. I can't think of one blessed, positive contribution the internet has made to comics. Sure, news travels faster, and that might or might not be a good thing. But rumor, gossip, inuendo and comments that border on the absurd travel faster as well, rarely, if ever, resulting in a positive outcome. Junior munchkins who desperately hope to get work in the industry spend massive amounts of time writing reviews of comics or ranting about comics, the state of the industry, and perceived injustices fostered by the publishers.

All of this makes me wonder where the simple enjoyment of reading comics as a hobby, and not an obsession, has gone.

For those who say the 'net has helped comics, I ask only for proof.

The 'net had the potential to work as a promotional tool, if not a delivery method, for the medium. Instead, sales continue their downward spiral, and the 'net continues to foster anger, misguided conclusions and further evidence that we are a gutter profession with a disenfranchised, rather than mainstream, reader base.

What can we expect from your take on Captain America? How will you be building on what's already been done?

Mark Waid did a spectacular job with the book so, rather than making many changes, I'll just continue in much the same direction, perhaps with a bit more "ground level" action.

You're also gearing up Aquaman. Can we expect Aquaman to return to his orange shirt/green pants wardrobe? What are your plans for that title?

We'll be dealing with all that in our first 6 issues. Stay tuned! It's the best looking Aquaman to be published in 20 years.

Who are some of your major influences in the comics industry?

Anyone and everyone whose work I ever read. Sometimes to learn what to do and others, to learn what not to do.

What's your favorite single comics issue ever?

The final Batman/Manhunter chapter by Archie Goodwing and Walter Simonson which was, I think, Detective 337.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not working on comics?

Internet bashing! :) Just kidding.

Seriously? Family time, sports stuff and getting outside! Writers tend to sit too much and it shows!