Bob Heske looks to the Secret Identity Podcast, no not Brian LeTendre again, this time it's Matman! Join Bob Heske with the newest member of the InvestComics™ team!

This is a series of bi-weekly columns by Bob Heske @ Heske Horror, creator of
The Night Projectionist, Cold Blooded Chillers, and 2012: Final Prayer, featuring interviews and insights from indie comic artists, writers, creators, distributors and visionaries.

Secret Identity is a weekly podcast focused on the world of comic books, sci-fi, gaming and other areas of geekery. A comic aficionado who hasn’t checked out SIP is akin to a couch potato who hasn’t tasted Fritos.

You’re missing out on some serious comic carbs, people!

SIP co anchors are Brian Letendre (interviewed previously in this column) and Matt "Matman” Herring. A self proclaimed publicity whore, the personable Matman is a real guy's guy. He's an avid sports fan, plays hockey and softball (that’s him leaning off first base), slurps Mountain Dew with his wife and his children, and works for UPS. In fact, the only thing you'd have to question about Matman's persona is why he's a fan of the Washington Nationals and not the Boston Red Sox (dude lives in Massachusetts – part of Red Sox Nation).

Oh well, even Superman has his kryptonite.

We recently caught up with Matt and asked him to dish on SIP and all things comic-related.

Here's what the Matman had to say ...

1) When I interviewed your partner in crime (Brian LeTendre), he mentioned that Battlestar Gallactica indirectly motivated you to start Secret Identity Podcast (SIP). You used to get together on Fridays to watch the shows and, when Season 1 ended, you needed an excuse to keep hanging out. What show has caught your attention now?

(MATT:) The show that has blown me away this season is by far The Human Target. It’s a one-hour show that gets right to the action and has a killer cast that seems to enjoy making the show. It makes me feel good watching it because it's just so much fun. It definitely has that 80's feel to it; A Team, MacGyver with a little bit of Vega$ thrown in for coolness. My other can't miss show is Doctor Who. This is the only show my wife and kids agree on. We all sit around on the couch on Saturday night and enjoy. Sad there aren't enough shows like that anymore, a fun family show. We were all a bit worried about Matt Smith replacing David Tennant, but two episodes in and the episodes are spectacular!

2) You recently started a new column on InvestComics™ called “Review from the Basement” (Wouldn't a better title be: "Review from My MOTHER's Basement"?). You stated on SIP that you get at least 70 comics a month; how do you choose the single comic you review each month? And what is your greatest discovery thus far from the thousands (millions?) of indie comics out there?

(MATT:) Since Secret Identity is all about celebrating the good in comics and geek culture, we pick books we really enjoy. Our goal is never to rip someone or a book, and when we do we still keep it kinda positive.

"Gee Brian, the book was horrible but, boy, those staples are in good and tight!"

We have a lot of friends in the industry and we know how much work they put into something. My opinion is just an opinion and I was taught if you don't have anything nice to say...shut it! My opinion means no more than the next comic fan.

It's great when Brian and I both read the same book and have two completely different views. As far as that great indie find, I have to go with my latest pick up which was Billy Hazelnuts and the Crazy Bird! by Tony Millionaire. That guy is bloody genius!

3) You also review video games & toys. What do you enjoy more – the comics or the toys? Why?

(MATT:) Even when I played with toys, it was still more about the comics. If it wasn't for the comics, I never would have wanted Mego superhero figures. I still love toys but I'm not as much a fiend about them like I used to be. I will always buy anything Captain America and, if the Jonah Hex movie has a line of figures, I'll be all over them. But give me a good Kiss figure or McFarlane Mario Lemieux white jersey variant and I'm quite happy.

4) You've been to a few conferences recently – tell us about them, and what swag were you able to bring back?

(MATT:) At our last show (MoccA Festival 2010) I picked up a couple trades from Fantagraphics; the above mentioned Billy Hazelnuts and It Was The War Of The Trenches. That one is a very detailed story about the French soldiers during World War I. I love World War I and II, so anything involving those will always get my money. And let me explain that I don't love the death and suffering of war, I just love the stories that come out of those two conflicts. As Sgt. Rock would always tell us, “Make War No More".

5) If you could land an interview with anyone in the industry, who would it be and why?

(MATT:) Brian and I have been very lucky with interviews. I got excited when Brian first interviewed Dan Slott because I know what a fan he is of his writing.

On the top of my list for people I'd like to interview is Mr. T! Man, I bet he's the coolest. In comics, probably Alex Ross. I'm such a huge fan and spoke to him pre-Secret Identity, but would love to sit down and chat comics, art and Battle of the Planets.

On the subject of interviews, we have been so fortunate! Our list of people we have interviewed is quite impressive and satisfying. But that list is impressive because everyone listed are classy professionals, many whom we consider as friends. I met and got to interview my favorite James Bond, George Lazenby and at last years New York Comic Con, got to chat with one of my favorite Doctors from Doctor Who, Colin Baker (see pic on right).

6) Jay Katz (creator of InvestComics™) informs me that your collection exceeds 24,000 comics. Since InvestComics™ has an investing bent, what is you most valuable piece? (By the way, if anyone would like to see a picture of this collection go to the InvestComics™ Staff page and click on Matman).

(MATT:) When people first see my collection, they always ask “how much is your collection worth?” … and it drives me nuts. This is from people who only see the volume of books, because it's so much more than that to me and to collectors. Its memories; time spent with my dad reading comics together or what was going on in my life when Barry Allen sacrificed himself in the original Crisis.

But to answer your question, from an investment side my most valuable books are Avengers # 4 and Daredevil # 1. I don't like to spend tons of money on one particular book; however, I'm in the market for an All-Star Western # 10 which is the first appearance of Jonah Hex. I like books a little worn and chewed. No slabbin' for me!

7) With so much inventory on hand, have you ever thought about starting your own comic book store?

(MATT:) Store ownership seems to kill the love of comics. I work at a store one night a week and that is enough. I never want to hate the hobby. But if I wasn't 19 years into my career at UPS, who knows? But what I do know is I would never use my collection for bin fodder! If I saw a customer laugh at Kamandi # 1 and say how stupid it was, I’d monkey punch him.

8) Tell us about Secret Identity Podcast – what’s your mission with the site and how do you and Brian divvy up the workload? What are your plans going forward?

(MATT:) Secret Identity is a podcast for geeks, by geeks. We are not professionals who do this for money. The show is our way of giving back and supporting the hobbies we love so much! Chris Giarrusso (G-Man and Mini Marvels) told us listening to the show is like hanging out with his friends, and I love that description.

We record two shows each week and have a website with forums. Brian and I take turns updating the site daily, so there is always new content. We like to think the website compliments the show. I sometimes feel like Brian does so much more than me, and that always pushes and motivates me to do more. When you listen to the show you hear a quality program and that is due to Brian's editing and production work. We love where the show is now and our goal is always to expand our listening base. If people don't listen, it's because they haven't discovered us yet; not because we're terrible. That's what I keep telling myself!

9) Unfortunately, many comic websites are more labors of love than cash cows. What's been the most rewarding aspect of doing the website and the podcast? Have you interviewed any comic celebs who you know call friends?

(MATT:) I think if we got paid for doing the show, it wouldn't mean as much to us. The most rewarding thing for us, and I think I speak for Brian, is our reputation within the community. People know we are upbeat, positive and carry ourselves in a professional manner. When we interview people, we are there to talk about them, not us. This has led to a lot of incredible friendships and relationships in the geek world. I'd be afraid to mention some and leave out others, but if you listen to the show you'll know who they are. Because of these relationships we were drawn into comics like Jonah Hex # 34 and G-Man Cape Crisis # 3.

10) Big finish – Reveal any secrets or upcoming news and events we should be privy too. And, plug your website and any other things you'd care to share!

(MATT:) Any secrets? Like Xanadu is one of my favorite movies? We don't plan too much so we are never disappointed. Things just seem to fall into our laps and that makes things much enjoyable and spontaneous! And as far as plugs for the show, I would just ask that anyone who read this interview and doesn't know me or the show, give us a try. We have a great listening base and a core group of message boarders who have become like family to us and to each other. We're always there to support one another in times of real life crisis or to just talk comics. We have a great community that we feel privileged and proud to have. And we thank you all at InvestComics™ for not only supporting us, but giving me a forum to review books and hopefully make more friends.

Thank you, Matt. We feel fortunate to have you and Brian on board. Keep it coming!

Bob Heske is creator of The Night Projectionist, a vampire horror series by publisher Studio 407 with film rights optioned by Myriad Pictures. Through his Heske Horror shingle, Bob self-published his critically acclaimed horror series Cold Blooded Chillers. Bob's trade paperback Bone Chiller (a "best of" CBC anthology) won a Bronze medal in the horror category at the 2009 Independent Publisher Book Awards. His "end times" anthology 2012: Final Prayer was released on November 13, 2009. Bob's works are available online at Amazon.com Zaldiva.com, ComixPress, IndyPlanet, HeavyInk, SmallZone, DriveThruComics,YuDu.com and WOWIO.
You can email Bob at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .