INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL AVON OEMING
From Wizard #157 in September 2004

Michael Avon Oeming managed to do what Loki, the Absorbing Man and the Destroyer have failed at for decades - kill Thor.

In November's Thor #85, Oeming chronicles the death of the Thunder God and the final fate of Asgard in "Ragnarok" part 6, the last issue of the regular series before Marvel puts the book on hiatus for retooling in 2005.  We gabbed with the Powers artist-cum-Thor writer to talk about Norse mythology, Brian Bendis and hot Powers sex!

Is there someplace I can send flowers or donations to the Thunder God?
Norway!

Where'd your interest in Norse mythology come from?
I was watching "Bewitched" - a black and white episode - when I was young and someone was acting out an opera in which Thor was part of.  Some part of me knew there was a Thor comic, and the idea that the Thor comic was based on real mythology got my interest up.  Much later, the music of Led Zeppelin became a big influence.  That's how Hammer of the Gods (Oeming's creator-owned Norse saga) got started, thank you Mr. Plant.

Now that Powers is at Marvel, so you swim in your money vault, drive a Benz, eat caviar by the pound, etc?
Wait, Powers is where?  No, really, I just buy all of Brian's books in bulk so he thinks he's a hot writer.

Why's the Powers letter column so funny?
Because I write all the letters Brian thinks are from "fans".

Do you know if anyone's made a love connection in the Personals column yet?  And would you attend their wedding?
My wife did.  Thanks, Bendis.

There used to be a lot of nudity and sex in Powers, but there hasn't been much recently.  When's it coming back?
In a big way bro.  Let's just say David Mack did some posing for issue #7.

Did you ever hurt your back carrying Bendis on Powers?
Are you calling me gay?  no that there's anything wrong with that...

Where'd your middle name of "Avon" come from?  Did you have a parent in the cosmetics business?
Sadly, that is my legal middle name.  It's worked out well for me though; all the MILF's let me in when I go prowling!