A short interview with Bob Bolling.
By Chance Fiveash
Conducted through the mail in
early 2000.
When I sent a letter to Bob Bolling back in 2000 I never really thought anything would come of it. I had never seen an interview with him nor had much information been published about him in any comic news magazines that I was aware of (Since then, Comic Book Artist has published a lengthy and interesting interview with Mr. Bolling). So, on a lark, I sent a letter of appreciation and a few “interview” questions to Archie Comics hoping they were still in touch with him and could place it in his possession. After a few weeks had passed and I had forgotten about it, I received a package in the mail from Bob Bolling himself. I anxiously tore open the package and was elated to see that he had answered my questions and, best of all, he sent me an inked drawing of Little Archie with Mad Doctor Doom and his assistant Chester (which can be seen above). I wish I could say this sparked a correspondence between us, but alas, it did not. I am grateful that Mr. Bolling took time out of his schedule to answer my rather amateurish questions and draw that fantastic picture for me.
(Note: I’ve edited the interview slightly so that it would read a little bit easier and not feel too much like a clunky mail interview)
Thank you for your kind letter, which was forwarded to me about a month ago by the good people at Archie. Please excuse the pencil on the answer sheet but it’s easier to write that way. All I can add is that I always thought of my characters as real people. I’m glad you like my work, as my late uncle used to say, “Appreciation is better than bucks”.
Sincerely,
Bob Bolling
Chance: Where were you born, and what year?
Bob Bolling: I was born in Brockton, MA on June 9th but I was too young to remember the year.
C: Were you interested in drawing as a child?
BB: Yes
C: Who or what were some of your influences?
BB: Other comics at first, then I read a lot, usually short stories, i.e. P.G. Wodehouse, James Thurber et al.
C: Did you have any formal art training?
BB: I graduated from a commercial art school in Boston thanks to the G.I. Bill.
C: What year did you enter the comic book field? Who did
you work for?
BB: I was an assistant on a sea adventure strip (Post-Hall Syndicate) in Atlanta, Ed Dodd (Mark Trail) edited.
C: When did your association with Archie comics begin?
BB: In the Mid-fifties.
C: What features did you start off drawing?
BB: Joke book pages.
C: In 1956 you began a 10 year tenure on Little Archie, who’s idea was it to create younger versions of the Archie character’s?
BB: It was a given that Archie would be a little boy and I was asked to create him as such.
C: Was it because of the success of Dennis the Menace
and Peanuts?
BB: Yes, it was a response to the popularity of Dennis and Peanuts.
C: Were you the only artist at Archie allowed to sign
his name?
BB: No. Off and on over the years everyone signed their name as per edict. I began signing Little Archie with #2.
C: On Little Archie, you created some of the most memorable and best loved stories of the time (and now, for that matter), did you you enjoy working on the title or was it just another job to you?
BB: It was a natural for me as I recall being a kid quite vividly and everyday then was an adventure for me.
C: With Little Archie, you had a wonderful knack for writing stories that tugged at the reader’s heart, were full of adventure and very humorous at the same time. There seemed to be more to them than a lot of comics at the time (like, say, characterization). Were you aware of this?
BB: I was at first probably not aware because I just wrote the way I wanted things to come out.
C: Early into the run of Little Archie you began adding adventure stories, was this because that’s the way the comic book industry was heading at the time or was it something that just interested you?
BB: I was asked to consider doing adventure, which suited me just fine.
C: You created some wonderful characters that never appeared in the adult version of Archie, like Ambrose, Polly (Betty’s sister), Fangs Fogarty and Caramel (Betty’s cat). Did you have a lot of freedom to create different characters or did you have to consult an editor first?
BB: No. I just created them. There was never any consultation.
C: Mad Doctor Doom and Chester were such wonderful characters, where did you get the idea for them?
BB: Chester was a perfect companion for M.D.D, as he was amoral and got his KIX out of the mad doctor’s continual attempts at world conquest…always thwarted by this redheaded kid that providence placed in his path.
BB: No I didn’t know that Marvel had a Doctor Doom or anyone else for that matter. But it didn’t surprise me as the name was too easy so I called him Mad Doctor Doom. They are two of my favorite characters.
C: Toward the end of your run, your stories became fewer and fewer until your last cover and story appeared in 1966. Were you getting burned out on the title and ready to move on, or was it the publisher’s decision to take you off of the title?
BB: I do what I’m told.
BB: I guess just about all except Katy Keen and Superduck. Thankfully.
BB: Yes, I still write and draw for them, but I try to find time to paint (oil) and have sold through a gallery.
