BEN LAI: That's what makes it challenging.

THE PULSE: How difficult is it to work with a family member? If you ever argue over artistic direction or have differences of opinion about career opportunities, how do you solve those problems?

RAY LAI: It's all about teamwork. Of course we have our differences, and we do argue. But it forces the other to improve, and that's why we work so well together.

THE PULSE: Speaking of challenges and problems, what's some of the toughest parts about working on Thor? How is this series different from your previous work?

BEN LAI: Thor must be the most difficult book to draw. So much stuff, so many characters, and all that facial hair!

RAY LAI: Can't get more different than Thor. We moved from Sci-fi to fantasy. Swords and shields instead of guns and armors. Not to mention all the facial hair.

THE PULSE: When you think about Thor and imagine the character in your mind ... what elements come to mind? Who is Thor? What makes him tick?

RAY LAI: Thor is a very unique hero compared to the rest of Marvel's big name superheroes, because he is a god. That right there should intimidate anyone who comes in contact with him. His godly presence is one of the main elements we try to convey. He is also a warrior who has been given the role of king. When he makes up his mind he is going to do something he just does it. There isn't much room for debate with him.

THE PULSE: What other members of the cast and villains are you looking forward to the chance to draw in this series?

BEN LAI: There are just so many to choose from. I think the characters we are most looking forward to other than Thor himself is Enchantress, Loki, and Thor Girl.

THE PULSE: What's coming up in your first Thor story arc?

RAY LAI: Our first arc is called "Spiral" and it focuses in on how Thor's efforts to better the world are affecting people. It should run to about issue #66. We'll also be taking our first crack at Loki in the middle #63-64.

THE PULSE: What was it like drawing Loki? He's almost the polar opposite of Thor .. what influenced your take on that character?

BEN LAI: The cool thing with Loki is that he IS the total opposite of Thor (no facial hair). He's a character that I can play with a wide range of facial expressions

THE PULSE: What's going on with your creator-owned series, Radix?

RAY LAI: Radix is on hold for the moment. In the mean time, we're exploring other possibilities for Radix as a videogame, toys and movie. And when the time is right, Radix will be back.

THE PULSE: How did it feel to learn your drawing was used by M.I.T. - besides the anger over the image being used without permission - What was it like to see something you created utilized as an example by the big brains?

RAY LAI: The problem was never that they used the image, rather the way they did it and the manner they handled the situation. We never would dream of having to argue with the so-called BIG BRAINS at MIT about the definition of plagiarism. The sad thing is that we got e-mails from some people, and students at MIT saying that they full right in doing what they did and that they too do this all the time. So MIT by defending their actions, they're actually promoting it.

BEN LAI: At least they won the grant with Radix's art. They claimed that the art had no influence in the army's decision, but if they didn't win the grant, I 'm sure it would have all been our fault.

THE PULSE: Why did you stop working at CrossGen?

RAY LAI: Oh! As our ex-employer puts it, we were TERMINATED. But it was NOT because of artistic differences. At the time, we were asked to sign a legal document. To our knowledge four of us chose not to sign and soon after that, those four were terminated.

THE PULSE: What did the legal document concern? Why didn't you want to sign it?

RAY LAI: As I remember, it was a nonsense contract with the sole purpose that allows them to sue you if they wish. Ironically we didn't sign it to avoid a possible lawsuit, but we got sued anyway. Let's just say we've learned more about law than about art with our involvement with CG

THE PULSE: What were the pros and cons to your working with them in the early days?

RAY LAI: 1-The money was good but after the legal fees needed for our defense, I'm not so sure if it was worth it.

2-I don't think with all the efforts and money CG put in their promotion help get their talents more known. I mean MIT did more in getting us known widespread than CG could ever do.

3-I don't think CG can hurt our careers, ultimately we're judged on our abilities.

THE PULSE: What other projects are you working on?