In this age of perpetual hyperbole, the word 'legend' gets thrown around a lot. If you last, you're a legend. If you've done great work over the years, you're a legend. If your name has been attached to big name projects, you're a legend. It can (and does) get old.

However, in a career spanning over thirty years, Marvel writer-editor Ralph Macchio has done all the things mentioned above and more. Without question, he has earned the title 'legend'.

Ralph as a part-time writer and on-staff editor has touched nearly every character in the Marvel Universe. He was in the Bullpen for all of Frank Miller's classic runs on Daredevil (including the Born Again series with artist David Mazzucchelli). He gave young talents like Bill Sienkiewicz, John Romita, Jr., and Greg Capullo their first big breaks in comics. In 2000, he was put in charge of the entire Ultimates line at the request of Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada. And he also oversaw the launch of Marvel's adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower and The Stand novels in 2007.

As a writer, Macchio crafted the Project: Pegasus Saga in Marvel Two-In-One, and also had stints putting his pen to titles like The Mighty Thor and The Avengers.

Our chat with Macchio is a long one, but it needed to be. We had plenty to ask and we didn't want to rush the man. As they say in his business, he had a story to tell. As a matter of fact, he had plenty.

Have fun listening in, 'Nation. 

- SWAiN

**A big super-sized thanks to our pal Skottie Young for hooking us up with Ralph!