Web Comics: First off, I want to thank you for agreeing to do this interview. Growing up You, Ross Andru & Gene Colan were my all-time favorite artists. So, it's an honor to be able to have you as Web Comic's first interview.

Herb Trimpe: I'm happy to do it. Thanks for the opportunity.

Herb Trimpe: As a little kid, I was exposed to newspaper comics before I was to do comic books. They had a huge influence on me. Just after I separated from the USAF in 1966, Sol Brodosky hired me at Marvel to ink Westerns.

Herb Trimpe: I don't. I never came up to the qualitative level of the artists at EC. Very few have. I, like you, was a, huge EC fan, although I rarely bought one. I usually read my friend's collection.

Web Comics: Most of the Artists who've made a name for themselves are remembered for one key book; Berni Wrightson is remembered for Swamp Thing, with you it seems to be your Incredible Hulk run. How do you feel about that legacy?

Herb Trimpe: I'll take it, although in my case, a lot of people were involved in creating the character long before I became involved. We did work hard on the character development during the time I was on the book. Maybe that's the distinction.

Web Comics: In the 80's and 90's when Marvel seemed to be making the bulk of their money off of The Punisher & Wolverine it bothered me that you & Ross Andru weren't credited the way . . .. Say, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko were. Did this ever think about this?

Herb Trimpe: Never. No, not at all. The artists you mentioned were innovative creators - the best, especially Jack. I did the assignment and took the check. It never occurred to me to think of myself in the same league.

Web Comics: Initially your rendition of the Hulk wasn't approved. What was Stan Lee's take on this?

Herb Trimpe: There was no approval system. I drew it the way I drew it, and that was that. Stan's main concern was in the story telling. That's the only input I got from Stan.

Web Comics: In the credits of one of your old books there is an Alex Trimpe credited. Who is this?

Herb Trimpe: Alex is our son. He's an excellent artist and musician. On occasion he did layouts which I thought were very good. He was around 20 at the time, but had no interest in drawing comics; though he still reads one now and again.

Herb Trimpe: I don't know anything about this.

Herb Trimpe: That's like asking a mother which one of her kids she loves best. There are some people I stay in touch with.

Herb Trimpe: I didn't pay that much attention to either. I usually liked the ones best that I had actually met. John Severin was, somewhat of an idol, and Dan Green is a good friend. Jack Abel (1927-1996) was a dear dude and a good inker. Colorists? Who knows?

Herb Trimpe: Of course not. Why would they? You can't prove ageism, but it was there, I believe. In all fairness, they did not shut the door. I was free to seek freelance work from individual editors. Fat chance.