Joe R. Lansdale has written countless works as novels, comic books, and screenplays spanning Western, Horror, Mystery, Suspense, and Science Fiction genres. With 50 novels and 400 shorter works he has proven to be one of the hardest working authors of our time. He has won 9 Bram Stoker Awards and been nominated for the World Fantasy Award 11 times. He is best known for the “Hap & Leonard” series which retired with the release of “Petrified Dreams” on October 6, 2026 and the novella “Bubba Ho-Tep.”  “Joe R. Lansdales’s Tales of the Razor” is a new deluxe comics anthology adapting the stories of Landale by 28 writers and artists worldwide that is slated for release in October 2026 with Volume 2 expected in 2027.

How have you changed most since we spoke last?

Mainly just age. My wife has Alzheimers and she has been put in care, and I had a stomach hernia operation that went wrong, and I had to learn to walk again, and over a year later, have the now worse hernia fixed. But physically I’m doing good, and can see my wife easily and take care of her via the care unit.

How does it feel to be wrapping up “Hap & Leonard” after nearly 40 years? What have you enjoyed most about creating these particular characters?

I think it’s the right choice. I wanted to go out on a high note, and did. They have been good to me, but I felt they had completed their arc.

How have your views on writing evolved most since you started your career?

Once I found my approach, I stuck to it as far as work methods go, but I’m constantly changing how I think about it, and I change through age and experience. The more I write, the more I know I don’t know.

What led you to write “Bubba Ho-Tep?” Why do you think the movie has become such an iconic classic over time? Were you ever a fan of Elvis yourself? Why do you think the characters in this piece seem to resonate with readers and viewers?

It was a personal story. My mother was in a bad accident and had to spend time in a nursing home. I was there a lot, and I had for years wanted to write a story about a mummy. I got asked to write a story for a cool anthology titled Elvis is Dead, and I’m a big Elvis fan. My brother who is seventeen years older than me, married a girl who graduated highschool with Elvis. So she knew Elvis and my brother met him. My brother wanted to record at Sun Studios, and gave it a run. Didn’t work out for him, but I had that in mind and the fact that JFK was assassinated during my youth, and it all blended together. Don always said I was giving a more hopeful ending to those guys than they got in real life, a more heroic ending. I wasn’t sure what I had there, but it turned out to be a tiger by the tail. It’s becoming more popular as the years roll by. I think it’s Bruce’s best work.

What are your feelings on aging? Has growing older changed your view on life?

Growing old isn’t wonderful by any means, but I think it puts a lot of things in perspective. I think I nailed a lot of how I feel now when I wrote Bubba in my forties. It’s like a window to the future opened up and let me know somewhat how it is as you age. I was raised by older parents, so my perspective was different early on. I feel good about my life, and I’m still moving forward, trying to create and enjoy life, even if it has thrown me a few cruel curve balls.

How has it felt to be writing your autobiography? What have you found to be the most challenging aspect of that?

It’s hard to tell the truth when the truth is suspect. Part of it was terrific fun, parts were not. It feels weird, but I’m glad I did it. Not sure when it will come out.

Looking back over life so far, what would you say has been the most memorable?

My family. My wife and our life together. The kids, and just the joy of making a living doing what I always wanted to do.

How did “Tales of the Razor” come about? Are you looking forward to Volume 2?

My friend Terril Lee Lankford wanted to do it, and I said, go for it if you like. He worked for several years to get the graphic novel he got. It’s beautiful and has some fun stories in it. I’m very proud of it, and of him.

How does it feel to see your works in illustrated form or adapted to screen?

It’s fun. It’s never as good as the stories themselves to me, with a few exceptions, but it’s another way of having our works expressed. Some I like better than others.

What projects are you looking forward to bringing your readers next?

I’m working on some screen work and producing, and hope to direct a film soon. We’ll see.

Is there anything you’d like to say in closing?

Just thanks for the interview, and it’s great to have readers,that’s for sure.