(U-WIRE) MORGANTOWN, W.V. — “First you take a run at LaFours with a sock full of quarters. I’d do it myself, but I threw my back out humping your mom last night. Noontch.”Kevin Smith, writer/director of the cult films Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and the forthcoming Dogma, has been quoted as saying that he saw movies as a way to break into comic books. Well, he’s done it.Smith is comics’ new golden boy. By using his director’s eye, a unique storytelling style of deep plot combined with comic relief and a fan-boy’s love of the genre, he has taken the medium by storm.One need only watch Smith’s films to see his love of comic books. Mallrats was replete with references to superheroes and even featured a cameo appearance by legendary writer Stan Lee. Chasing Amy showed the bizarre love affair between two comic creators.Smith even owns and operates his own Jersey based comic shop, Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash. Putting out his own books only seems like the next logical step.Oni Double Feature #1 was Kevin Smith’s comics debut. It featured a story of Jay & Silent Bob versus the menace that is Walt Flanagan’s dog. The issue created an immediate buzz and sold out in many stores.

Moving on, he created stories featuring the characters from his films. Clerks: the Comic Book and the Clerks Holiday Special continue the adventures of Dante Hicks and Randal Graves, employees of Quick Stop and RST Video, respectively. The cash-register jockeys encounter Santa Claus, become involved with an underground ring of Star Wars toys distributors and Dante revives comatose ex-girlfriend Kaitlin Bree from her psychosis with a very unusual sexual aid.Jay & Silent Bob chronicles the adventures of Red Banks’ infamous pair of dope dealers/loiterers. The four-issue series bridges the gap between Mallrats and Chasing Amy as the degenerate duo head out on an off-the-wall road trip to Shmermer, Ill., along the way encountering Mr. Rogers, making a porno flick and meeting Suzanne, the orangutan seen during the credits after Mallrats. Issue #3 of the series features a hilarious parody of The Fugitive.Beginning in Oni Double Feature #12, are the serial adventures of Bluntman and Chronic, the comic book heroes featured in Chasing Amy. The story, with art by Mike Allred (of Madman fame) was created under the surnames Banky Edwards and Holden McNeil, characters from the movie. Witness as the somnambulist duo battle the evil that is Rick Derris!

Kevin Smith is no stranger to mainstream comics, either. Marvel Comics recently revamped several of their classic characters under the Marvel Knights imprint. Smith, along with popular artists Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palimiotti, were instrumental in the line’s success with their work on Daredevil: the Man Without Fear.Smith’s work on Daredevil brought the title back to the forefront of the Marvel line. Focusing on the hero’s devilish nature, while weaving an intricate tale of self-introspection and biblical prophecy, Smith challenged the character to the base level. He even went so far as to kill off a supporting role, one which had been around since the title’s inception in the late ’60s.Smith’s run on Daredevil ended with issue #8, but he is rumored to be returning for the character’s anniversary.

Also in the rumor mill, is Smith’s take over of DC Comics’ Green Arrow, bringing back Oliver Queen, the original wisecracking, emerald archer (YES!!). Currently in the planning stages is a Clerks animated series for ABC to begin this fall.Oni Double Feature, Jay & Silent Bob and the Clerks specials are available from Oni Press. Smith’s run on Daredevil is available from Marvel Comics. The first four hard-to-find issues have recently been rereleased as a trade paperback and the later issues should still be available at a reasonable price. For more Kevin Smith info on his movies, comic, merchandise and other goodies visit Smith’s studio, View Askew Productions on the web at www.viewaskew.com.

Until next time, true believers. Snootchie Bootchies!