Ralph Macchio (comics)

: "Not to be confused with actor Ralph Macchio"Infobox Comics creator

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caption = Ralph Macchio at the 2007 New York Comic-Con
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nationality = American
area = Editor, writer
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notable works = "Daredevil", "Thor", "Captain America", "Spider-Man", Ultimate Marvel
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Ralph Macchio is an American comic book editor and writer, who has held many positions at Marvel Comics, including executive editor. Macchio is commonly associated with "Daredevil", the Spider-Man line of comics and the popular Ultimate Marvel line. In Macchio's words, he "made probably the longest run on "Daredevil" of anyone."Webb, Liam. [http://www.comicavalanche.com/Interviews/ralphmacchio.htm "10 Questions with... Ralph Macchio," Comic Avalanche.] Retrieved August 18, 2008.]

Biography and early career

As a young man, Macchio was a comics fan and "letterhack," and had many letters printed in Marvel comic books. His background, however, was in English literature, and he considered teaching as a career. In no hurry to get such a job, Macchio happened to meet "Killraven" writer Don McGregor at a comic book convention.

Knowing Macchio from his many letters, McGregor asked Macchio if he wanted a tour of the Marvel offices. During the tour, Macchio was asked (by writer Chris Claremont) to interview editor-in-chief Roy Thomas for "FOOM" (Marvel's self-produced fanzine). During the course of doing the interview, Macchio met many more Marvel employees, and eventually was asked by writer/editor John Warner to join the staff and assist Warner with Curtis Magazines, Marvel's black-and-white magazine line, which included "Doc Savage", "Planet of the Apes", "Marvel Preview", and "The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu". Macchio agreed, and has been at Marvel ever since.Contino, Jennifer M. [http://www.mania.com/ralph-macchio-ultimate-editor_article_53898.html "Ralph Macchio: The Ultimate Editor," Mania: Beyond Entertainment (March 11, 2007).] Accessed July 1, 2008.]

Writing

Macchio's most consistent early credits were as writer of "Marvel Two-in-One", which he scripted from 1978 to 1981; and "Thor", which he wrote (with Mark Gruenwald) from 1980 to 1981. Macchio shifted to mostly editing in 1982, though he wrote the scripts for the 1985-1986 "The Sword of Solomon Kane" mini-series, based on Robert E. Howard's Puritan swordsman; and had a stint as writer for "The Avengers" in 1987 to 1988, and parts of 1989. He has also written for "Marvel Fanfare" and "X-Men Adventures", among others.

Editing

After working as an assistant editor for Warner on Curtis Magazines (Marvel's black-and-white magazine line), Macchio became Dennis O'Neil's assistant editor. Graduating to full editor in 1981, Macchio's first major editing job was "Master of Kung Fu", which he helmed from 1982–1983. His first line of books was "The Saga of Crystar" (which he co-created with John Romita, Jr. and Mark Gruenwald), "Dazzler", "ROM", "U.S. 1", and "Micronauts".

From 1984 through 1995, Macchio was "Daredevil" editor. He also spent close to ten-year stints on "Thor" and "Captain America", and shorter periods on "The Avengers" and "Fantastic Four". Along way he edited movie adaptations, "Star-Lord", and personal favorites like the barbarian book "Kull the Conqueror".

In 1996, Macchio took over the Spider-Man line, which he helmed into the early years of this century. Since 2000, he has edited the entire Marvel Ultimates line.

In 2007, Macchio oversaw the adaptation of Stephen King's Dark Tower novels into a comic book series. (Macchio is a long-time fan of King's work.)Hudson, Laura. [http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6490695.html "From Spidey to King: Comics vet to adapt Stephen King's Dark Tower series," "Publishers Weekly" (Oct. 15, 2007).] Retrieved August 18, 2008.]

Quotes

The satisfactions of being an editor:

The high points of his Marvel editing career:

And why he's stayed at Marvel so long:

"Karate Kid"

Macchio is not related to the actor Ralph Macchio, but is nicknamed "Karate Kid" after that actor's famous role.

Notes

Sources consulted

* Contino, Jennifer M. [http://www.mania.com/ralph-macchio-ultimate-editor_article_53898.html "Ralph Macchio: The Ultimate Editor," Mania: Beyond Entertainment (March 11, 2007).]
* Hudson, Laura. [http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6490695.html "From Spidey to King: Comics vet to adapt Stephen King's Dark Tower series," "Publishers Weekly" (Oct. 15, 2007).]
* Webb, Liam. [http://www.comicavalanche.com/Interviews/ralphmacchio.htm "10 Questions with... Ralph Macchio," Comic Avalanche.]
* [http://www.comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=50 Ralph Macchio at The Comic Book Database.]

External links

* Marvel Videos: Spider-Man Week in NYC: Ralph Macchio. [http://www.marvel.com/videos/144.Spider-Man_Week_in_NYC_4 Macchio details the comic making process at the New York Public Library during Spider-Man Week in NYC.]
* [http://joshcomix.home.mindspring.com/and/fanboypros/macchio.htm Sampling of Macchio's 1970s fan letters to comic books]