Tom DeFalco Joins the Back To Pop Podcast Family

A Conversation About Legacy, Craft, and Leadership

In this episode, we sit down for a warm, in-depth, hour-long conversation built around the script below—exploring the moments, mentors, and decisions that forged Tom’s career.

From clipping Dick Tracy and Prince Valiant strips in Queens…

to navigating the chaos and creativity of Marvel in the ’80s and ’90s…

to crafting one of the most important father–daughter superhero stories ever told…

Tom’s journey is both deeply personal and historically significant.

What We Cover in This Episode

Origins & Early Career

Growing up as the oldest of seven in Queens.

Finding storytelling through newspaper strips.

Breaking in at Archie and DC.

That moment he realized: “I’m a professional writer now.”

Joining Marvel

Launching Dazzler.

Finding his voice on Spider-Man and Thor.

Putting his own spin on legends while honoring their history.

Storytelling Philosophy

Why legacy matters.

How he builds characters.

What makes a great writer–artist partnership.

Editor-in-Chief era

Taking the reins after Jim Shooter.

Guiding Marvel through explosive growth.

Balancing creativity, business, and vision.

The Clone Saga—The Truth

What really happened behind the scenes.

What he learned.

What the fans still get wrong.

The Birth of Spider-Girl

How a What If? backup became a movement.

Why May Parker resonated so deeply.

How she broke records and built a devoted fan base.

Legacy & Industry Evolution

Comics from newsstands to blockbusters.

Advice for today’s aspiring creators.

What he hopes fans remember about his contribution.

Why This Episode Matters

Tom DeFalco isn’t just a writer.

He’s a historian of the medium.

A maker of eras.

A guardian of character-driven storytelling.

This episode is a time capsule of comic book history told by someone who helped write it.

Tune in to the Full Episode - Drops Thursday, 11/20/25

Subscribe now so you don’t miss this conversation with a true comics legend.

Back To Pop Podcast — where pop culture lives, breathes, and tells its stories.