COMICS & POLITICS: Kiss Bassist Gene Simmons Talks Marvel Comics and Endorses Mitt Romney

COMICS & POLITICS: Kiss Bassist Gene Simmons Talks Marvel Comics and Endorses Mitt Romney

CBM got a chance to meet Gene Simmons at the Sundance Film Festival after he did an interview with the legendary Stan Lee. He had some deep thoughts to share about comic books and thinks Mitt Romney is the guy to beat President Obama.

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By ComicBookMovie - Jan 27, 2012 08:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Other

After a controversial Ron Paul article got our users talking politics, I couldn't help myself from fanning the flames by posting this interview with the demonic bassist and "Family Jewels" star Gene Simmons. A lot of people don't realize how much he is into comic books. But first, his endorsement of Mitt...



We just thought that after nailbiter's heartfelt endorsement of Ron Paul, we'd bring a little unbiased balance back to CBM. Any Gingrich or Santorum supporters can do the same as long as there is a comic book connection somewhere. Speaking of which, before our regular whiners complain, "This has nothing to do with comics or CBMS!" Here is the connection Gene Simmons has with Marvel comics (see Kiss Comics cover pic).

Apart from that, the guy has been a comics reader all his life and has amazing knowledge of the genre. Gene was there promoting Ortsbo at Sundance, a streaming translator app, and brought Stan Lee with him to talk comics--which was what made us go to the event in the first place, hoping to talk to "the man". Unfortunately, Stan wasn't doing interviews, but we got to sit down with Gene, and it was almost as awesome. The guy really knows his stuff. Listen to him wax eloquent in the below clip:

If you are interested in seeing his long interview with Stan, CLICK HERE.




Nate Update! I thought you guys would get a kick out of this picture of Jim and I with Gene Simmons (after our interview). Special thanks to Bryan at 8747 Productions for snapping it (8747Productions.com)!

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Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 1/27/2012, 8:39 AM
Fantastic stuff Galactus! I had no clue he was anywhere near as knowledgeable on comics and their history as he is.
StuckInPanels
StuckInPanels - 1/27/2012, 8:48 AM
@Hawk....I remember when Superman Returns was coming out and they did a special retrospect on Superman's life in pop culture and Gene Simmons was on their talking about Superman and that the story is an allegory for Moses. Thats what surprises too, that Simmons is quite knowledgeable about an industry he is not typically associated with.
Denn1s
Denn1s - 1/27/2012, 9:04 AM
i love KISS...all-time favorite band. i have read all their comics..gene simmons can be an asshole sometimes, though...
Blagyver
Blagyver - 1/27/2012, 9:05 AM
My buddy is touring with them right now. He's working with the costume crew and says it's incredible. He looks a lot like Adam Levine and says that every day Gene walks by and goes "Josh! I heard you on the radio earlier. That "Moves like Jagger" song is great."
nuck82
nuck82 - 1/27/2012, 9:06 AM
WOW, great stuff big g!! dont get me wrong simmons is a complete dick bag, but I had no clue he knew so much about comics my respect went up alittle for him, wish the video was longer, would have liked to hear more
BlackSun77
BlackSun77 - 1/27/2012, 9:30 AM
He 100% right. I knew the whole story about Stan lee meeting Kiss in the 70's but I never knew that Gene Simmons knew so much about comic book history lore and was genuinely a comic book fan. And by the way Bob Kane wasn't Bob Cohen is was Bob Kahn or Robert Kahn.
He's actually quite eloquent and well informed on his explanation of comic books.
flashthompson3
flashthompson3 - 1/27/2012, 9:37 AM
we are screwed if Obomney wins
TheCapelessCrusader
TheCapelessCrusader - 1/27/2012, 9:39 AM
I prefer it when public figures support issues and causes, rather than political candidates. That way, no matter who wins, they can still partner up to do good work without bad blood.
TheDorkKnight
TheDorkKnight - 1/27/2012, 9:44 AM
Out of the Republican party, Ron Paul is the only person that makes any kind of sense.. That's why everyone ignores him lol. It's a damn shame Obama will get re-elected.
er101
er101 - 1/27/2012, 9:47 AM
No idea Simmons like comics.
SpideyQuad
SpideyQuad - 1/27/2012, 9:57 AM
Gene definitely knows his stuff. Marvel is it!

Something for you DC fans to chew on, it's called reality. A pretty neat concept.

He did throw DC a bone though, when he mentioned how Kirby and others brought a little of the Marvel magic over when they migrated shortly to DC.

I always looked at Kizz as a bit of a joke. This article makes me look at Simmons in a different light, one that I actually respect.
SpideyQuad
SpideyQuad - 1/27/2012, 10:01 AM
Shooting someone in the face is a little extreme for me. But I could go for “Pissing" in their faces. :-)
SamWinchester
SamWinchester - 1/27/2012, 10:08 AM
[frick] this [frick]ing sellout.... and [frick] Mitt Romney and the Republican party too.

Is he that far out of touch with the masses?
PapaEmeritus
PapaEmeritus - 1/27/2012, 10:26 AM
I like his performance and Kiss, but i don't give a [frick] to what he thinks about politics or comics. Sionist son of a bitch!

Republicans or democrats, they're into the same pile of shit. Thieves and liars.

I'm with @CigSour.
razor
razor - 1/27/2012, 10:31 AM
That's my band! I watched the live press conference with him and Stan Lee the other day and so many people were surprised at how much he knew about comic books. Even Stan was amazed.
rorstiel
rorstiel - 1/27/2012, 10:37 AM
kiss & simmons can suck it. friggin greedy merchandising sellout bastards... oh and to hell with romney, gingrich, bachmann, cain & ron paul too.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 1/27/2012, 10:50 AM
@rorstiel, if you had as many followers as they do and people bought anything because of your image, you would put your face on everything just like they do. They are marketing geniuses
jessepostal
jessepostal - 1/27/2012, 11:01 AM
Kiss has a CBM too! Kiss meets the phantom of the park was based off there comics, cheesy movie but great for a laugh and great if your a kiss fan
headlopper
headlopper - 1/27/2012, 11:22 AM
Romney's a tool.

At least Gingrich has balls!
rorstiel
rorstiel - 1/27/2012, 11:24 AM
@jessepostal

I get what you mean, but i think theres a line of moderation that has to be taken into consideration. kiss are way overboard with it and the only thing that defeats their bank accounts are their egos and thats a problem, especially when their music suffers because of it.
rorstiel
rorstiel - 1/27/2012, 11:25 AM
lol "kiss" coffins. give me a [frick]ing break.
TheJoker52
TheJoker52 - 1/27/2012, 11:31 AM
NO MORE POLITICS !!!!!!!!! THANK YOU AND DONT FORGET TO TIP YOUR WAITER !!!!!!
jessepostal
jessepostal - 1/27/2012, 12:22 PM
@ror, I understand where ur comin from but people put them on the map n make them into who they are, atleast they've accomplished something, I get pissed that these jersy shore tools are making millions and putting there image on everything n what have they accomplished besides getting hammerd and acting like drama queens. As for the egos I think it's just gene with the ego, I opened for ace two years ago n he was humble and just your average hippie type. Some people no matter where they've been or what they've done if it be nowhere or nothing have that ego
mgauge
mgauge - 1/27/2012, 12:24 PM
Gene and KISS are awesome!!!!!
TheBatman938865
TheBatman938865 - 1/27/2012, 12:26 PM
Gene is so [frick]ing awesome for so many reasons...for Kiss, being a comic book lover, a successful business man,...and most of all marrying Shannon Tweed..he is the luckiest man in the world lol
skullboy
skullboy - 1/27/2012, 1:00 PM
What a tool

@Spideyquad, get a life.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 1/27/2012, 1:04 PM
@monkeyballs I'll beg to differ big time, kiss influenced almost every rock n roll act since, not just with there music but there stage shows and antics. I could name a billion bands they're influenced including sonic youth and nirvana, especially with there show antics and makeup, they paved the way along with Alice cooper ,the tubes and others.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 1/27/2012, 1:07 PM
Kiss and ny dolls are not comparable, different music and kiss didnt dress like women
SpideyQuad
SpideyQuad - 1/27/2012, 1:50 PM
Look what's talking, Halloween boy. Truth hurts, chew on it, reflect look in the mirror, then come back to me in state any untruths I put forth.
razor
razor - 1/27/2012, 2:22 PM
KISS has gone beyond just music. Liking their music is not the issue anymore. I happen to, BTW. They are now an entertainment brand like WWE, Harlem Globetrotters, and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Original members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley have said that it's part of the reason they are no longer in the band. Not all the members agreed with the mission of marketing outside of music. The act will live well past Gene Simmons when others step into their roles, and your grandchildren will be aware of who KISS is.
skullboy
skullboy - 1/27/2012, 2:26 PM
@Spideyquad, Whatever you wanna believe Mr. Instigator, but I don't think anybody else is in the mood for another pointless Marvel vs DC debate.
mgeoff88
mgeoff88 - 1/27/2012, 3:10 PM
I had no idea Gene Simmons was interested in comic books.

I'm even more surprised he was so knowledgeable about the industries and important people.

This guy is a rock star, and the fact that he likes this stuff makes him that much cooler in my eyes.
gunner
gunner - 1/27/2012, 4:44 PM
This guy is a TOOL !'
Must be a slow day for Gene and the Kiss Empire .
Did you know he tradmarked the term AX and O.J , did you ever wonder why those terms are never said on T.V .?
Because whomever uses them has to pay him a royalty.
He's old and washed up and the last time KISS played in Seattle they Gave away 1/3 of the house tickets to the city just to fill the place.
Of course he'll dispute it, but i expect no less from a carpetbager like himself.
He aint all that , Take it from one who knows.
AUSSYACE
AUSSYACE - 1/27/2012, 6:51 PM
KISS are still Proudly Touring and bringing out a new album in the next few months called MONSTER...I know it's not the original line up which I grew up with but they are still around giving a new generation of fans the opportunity to experience the KISSperince...

LONG LIVE KISS !!!
jessepostal
jessepostal - 1/27/2012, 7:04 PM
@monkeyballs i wouldnt give the ny dolls credit for birthing punk rock, there were many greats before them like mc5, i think kick out the jams alone destroyed on the scene and took over the whole punk scene,the stooges,alot of british bands like the kinks and so on,the list goes on and on. Also think about all the bands that didnt make it huge that all those bands got there style from. Just because there the ones that made it big doesn't mean there the ones who invented it.

Bonham was a one of a kind drummer,his time signatures are off the hook, check out fyfe ewing from a band called therapy? hes one of my favs, and danny schuler from biohazard has got some chops as well as morgan rose from sevendust!!

ps the clash is the best punk/protopunk/post punk band ever:)
RolandD
RolandD - 1/27/2012, 7:13 PM
Of course Simmons is a comic fine. He was the driving force behind the costumes, makeup and Kiss getting into Marvel's comics. I stil have their first appearance in comics in an issue or two of Howard the Duck. Then two magazine size comics that I wish that I still had.

That being said, aside from a few songs, their music was not all that good, although a few songs can still get me going.

Big surprise the millionaire wants to be taxed at a lower rate. Enough politics on CBM.
georgia49th
georgia49th - 1/27/2012, 8:32 PM
give it up for the Clash Rock in the casba
mctrinket
mctrinket - 1/27/2012, 8:41 PM
KISS is probably one of the worst bands ever. They were all about the spectacle, not music.
Skateanddestroy88
Skateanddestroy88 - 1/28/2012, 12:24 AM
Yeah no politics. Led Zeppelin were the true pioneers in my eyes and all those fools of glam rock just wanted to bite Jimmy Page's steez cuz he was truly awesome. What wait thats right you don't care what I think about Rock and Roll, or politics. . . . . Pink Floyd will slay all. The way I see it when it comes to politics when in doubt, just smoke some weed and everything will be ok. And it's whispered that soon if we all call a tune. Electric cars FTW
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