First comic you read that made you want to work in comics?

2000AD prog 210, when I was 10 years old. It was the first time I'd seen comics writers and artists acknowledged by name. Although I already read comics and enjoyed writing stories, I'd never really thought about the guys "behind the scenes" in comics before, and it made me wonder if I could maybe give it a go myself one day. Apparently we have Kevin O'Neill to thank for putting credits in 2000AD.

Last person you spoke to on the phone?

My brothers. We've just been helping our mum move house, so we've been lugging furniture and navigating around country lanes all weekend.

First time you met one of your heroes?

Carlos Ezquerra, at a UKCAC convention back in the 80s. He didn't have time to do me a sketch, but he asked for my address and posted me one a couple of weeks later. What a gentleman. And that was actually the last time I met him, depsite working with him on 2000AD for four years. Ain't the internet wonderful?

Last time you cooked a meal?

Last night. Pasta with tomato and garlic sauce - out of a jar, sadly. Although I do a mean stir-fry.

First crush?

Miranda Sim, All Saints Primary School, Upper Norwood. I don't think she ever knew.

Last time you spent $100 on clothes?

Last July - I bought some new shirts and trousers to try and look vaguely respectable for San Diego. I tend to wear the same old stuff until it falls apart, at which point I go crazy buying new stuff and then wait for that to fall apart too. I'm about due for another binge, actually.

First thing you do when you book into a hotel?

Find the bar.

Last time you cried?

The birth of my daughter. That was something.

First teacher to make a difference to you?

Jack Griffin, my old English teacher. He was this avuncular, rotund old guy, always wore a brown three-piece suit and threatened you with a rusty sickle if you couldn't spell a word right. But he gave us such a good grounding in creative writing, I still remember his lessons when I'm working. He taught me to have the courage of my convictions, even when writing the most outrageous, fantastical stuff.

Last time you told a lie?

I'm lying right now.

First time you feared for your life?

Probably climbing down the side of a sea-cliff to get to an abandoned tin mine on the Isle of Man. Crawling over this slippery sheet of sloping rock, overhanging the sea... and I couldn't swim. I'd had this dread of the sea ever since seeing JAWS.

Last comic you read that reminded you why you love comics?

I just bought the WATCHMEN hardcover slipcase edition off Andy Lanning. That book totally inspires me, while making me acutely aware of my own limitations as a writer.

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