Mark Evanier has been a prominent figure in the comic industry since the mid to late 1960s. In 1969, he made his first professional sale, and also gained the job as production assistant to the King himself, Jack Kirby. Later in his career he would garner attention for his work in television and animation. In 2008, Mark published a biography of Jack Kirby entitled “Kirby: King of Comics.” This would earn him a 2009 Eisner for Best Comics-Related Book.
In 1970, Mark attended the Golden State Comic Con in San Diego, which later evolved into the San Diego Comic Con. He is among the few who can proudly claim to have attended every San Diego Comic Con since its inception. Along the way, he has continued to write and contribute to the history of comics. His latest project helps to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Charles Schultz’s beloved Peanuts comic strip. Abram Comic Arts “The Essential Peanuts, by Charles M. Schultz,” written by Mark.
We were honored recently to catch up to the award winning writer to discuss his career and this exciting new homage to the work of Charles M. Schultz. So, let’s welcome Mark Evanier to GVN Talking Comics.
Creative Origins
GVN: Thank you for sharing a bit of your time, Mark. I am very excited to talk to you as I have been a fan since reading your book, Kirby: King of Comics. However, since this is our first opportunity to chat, let’s start with your creative beginnings. When did you first take an interest in writing, and whose work inspired that pursuit?
MARK: I decided I wanted to be a professional writer around the age of seven. My father hated the job he had so he said to me, “Be whatever you want as long as you love it.” When I told him I wanted to be a writer, he said, “Do you have a second choice?” But I didn’t. I didn’t know what I wanted to be a writer of but I loved cartoons and comic books and comic strips and sitcoms and variety shows and funny movies and I was inspired along the way by all my faves in those areas. I’ll name ten particular influences: MAD magazine, Stan Freberg, Warner Brothers cartoons, Jay Ward cartoons, the early Hanna-Barbera cartoons, Beanie & Cecil, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Sgt. Bilko, most comic books and Peanuts.
Comics vs Animation
GVN: You have been involved in comics and animation for a substantial part of your career. How similar or how different are the two media, and did you have a preference between them?
MARK: The main difference is that in animation, you write for characters who have specific voices and in comic books, the reader usually makes up their own voice to hear in their heads. There is no one right voice for Spider-Man or Superman, but Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck sound like Mel Blanc. Also in animation, you can write jokes and scenes that move.
The Golden Years of SDCC
GVN: The 2025 San Diego Comic Con recently was held, and you have been involved since its inception in 1970. If you were pinned down, what would you call the “Golden Years” of the Con? It has certainly evolved over its over 50-year history.
MARK: The best years are when it’s all new to you and in my case, when I could go and meet the folks who did the comic books I read in my youth. Sadly, none of it is new to me these days and there’s no one left to meet who created comics I read as a kid. But I still find ways to enjoy the convention. This year when I was on nineteen (that’s 19!) panels, I had a wonderful time.
The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schultz
GVN: I mentioned your great book, “Kirby: King of Comics” (which he was), but now you have another iconic creator that you are sharing with your readers with Abrams ComicArts, “The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.” How did this project originate, and what amount of research was conducted for its compilation?
MARK: Doing the book was not my idea and when they asked me to do it, it took me a long time to say yes – around two seconds. I think everyone involved with Peanuts just felt the 75th anniversary needed to be celebrated with a $75 book and I was fortunate to be asked. Loads of research went into it but it was simple because of this wonderful place in Santa Rosa, California called the Charles M. Schulz Museum. I could call those people and ask what Schulz had for supper on August 7, 1958 and they’d tell me it was chicken and dumplings…or whatever it was. I didn’t ask that particular question.
Work is Easiest When Someone Else Does It
GVN: You have over 16 different commentators in this book. I imagine finding creators who wanted to contribute to this project was not a problem. Deciding who to include and who not to might have been a bigger challenge…was it?
MARK: It was the easiest thing in the world for me. I just let somebody else do it. In fact, most of those people were selected before I came aboard…which happened, by the way, at the 2024 Comic-Con International. They caught me between panels and asked me.
What Would You Hope Readers Gain
GVN: Once fans pick up this book on October 7th, what would you hope fans both old and new would come away with after reading it?
MARK: Most people who buy the book are, I assume, folks who at one point in their lives were (and maybe still are) avid Peanuts readers. My main hope is that we remind them of what they loved about Mr. Schulz’s creations when they first encountered them…and also what an amazing man he was. Other cartoonists – especially the ones who have money – hire assistants so they can do increasingly less of the heavy lifting. Schulz wouldn’t let someone else draw the whiskers on Frieda’s cat. It’s one of the things that made the strip so special.
Other Projects
GVN: Thank you once again, Mark, for sharing a bit of your day. Before we wrap up, I’d like to give you one last opportunity to discuss this exciting book or any other projects you have in the works.
MARK: If you have room in your life to love another comic strip, I love (and now edit) the reprints of Walt Kelly’s Pogo. I also did this silly comic book called Groo the Wanderer with a silly man named Sergio Aragones. Thanks for asking me.

Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.