Have you ever worked on a book where something similar to Smallville's 'No Tights, No Flights' policy was considered? Reading what you said about Exceptional X-Men, I realized it'd feel pretty natural for an X-Men book about Kate trying to avoid being an X-Men again for her to never officially adopt a costume, though obviously we've seen what it will look like when she eventually does.
For instance, I believe the original NYX had no 'superheroes' of any sort, in the sense that it was just about mutants who had nothing to do with the X-Men (Laura Kinney notwithstanding but she wasn't involved with them yet). Do you think a book like that would sell worse, a book about people with powers instead of superheroes with capes and bright colors? I mean, yeah it might sell worse than something like a flagship X-Book, but next to a separate original book/concept?
In general with this question, I'm just interested to know how you think about costumes and their significance in comics
Marvel UK's reprints of The Thing comic books for the UK newstand were published under the title Big Ben to prevent Skinn using Big Ben as a title character in the future as well. It all got very personal.
I disagree that everybody on the Avengers squad has leadership qualifications, and they definitely do not have the experience that Ororo has. I think putting her on the Avengers without spotlighting her skillset as a natural born leader and not only a power house is a missed opportunity for the development of the character.
Hi Tom, thanks for the answer. I would also like to ask if we are going to see Jean interacting with Earth teams like X-men and Avengers, or she will be on her own in space and occasionally interacting with others cosmic heroes?
As much as I like Jean Grey as a character, her in space worrying about space things and having very little interaction with Earth and X-Characters makes this new Phoenix series have the appeal of Guardians Of The Galaxy or Nova and no X-Line vibe. The subplot with the alien girl and that generic space bad guy feels like space that could have featured Jean having more Earth contact. TBH, I'm not a reader who tends to follow space comics focused so little on Earth so I'm probably done unless a solicit interests me more than what's been released.
Hi Mr. Brevoort! I hope you're having a lovely Sunday.
I have been readily anticipating Phoenix for as long as its been announced but I'm bouncing off it a bit in a way that frustrates me as a huge fan of the Phoenix and Marvel cosmic in general.
I'm a little confused on your conception of the Corsair-Cyclops relationship. From my viewpoint as a reader, the way in which Cyclops and Jean are depicted talking about Corsair feels ahistorical and baffling. It doesn't feel reflective of the ways in which their relationship was touched on in Claremont's work, nor does it make sense with what the wonderful Greg Rucka worked on in his Cyclops mini, nor does it really track with the way Scott and his father related to each other in the pages of Hickman's X-Men.
I understand that drama makes a story juicy, but if the drama feels fabricated it pulls the reader out of the story because it makes them feel like they missed something. Can you direct me to an issue of Marvel comics that would make the feelings between Scott and Corsair make a little more sense?
"This was, I believe, the last piece of Marvelman material published on the character’s home soil." - not quite. The Marvelman Special #1 was published on the 1st of May 1984 I think. Thereabouts. Marvelman continued in Warrior until #21 published on August 10th, in the UK at least... according to my notes.
I actually think Miracleman is a better title for the comic and character!
Anyway, X-Men #2 saw the return of our old friend Vanisher, the teleporter with the wonderfully named alter ego Telford Porter. Now, I always figured that his middle initial was "E" but looking online I can't seem to confirm that fact anywhere! If it hasn't been established, don't you think Tel Porter's middle name should definitely start with E, maybe something like... Evan?
As the man (with a hat) with the longest tenure as Avengers editor, did you ever feel the need/desire to work on something else? Were there years where it started to feel stale to you? Or is the logistical and creative challenge of shipping new comics every month satisfying enough to never get bored? I ask because it seemed like you'd still be there if the powers that be hadn't asked you to take on the X-office challenege.
Here's an announcement of a Thunderbolts series from 2 years ago. It features a poster with character designs that... are clearly created in HeroMachine. At least the character body models are easily recognisable by anyone who ever played around with it. At it's the one that got first released as silhouettes for fans to guess the characters! Is there a story about how this came to be?
Hi Tom. I believe Allan Heinberg once alluded that there was some audience skepticism to Young Avengers initially before its release in 2005 (which informed the framing of the first issue). Do you recall if Young Avengers was anticipated or dreaded by audiences before it came out? Thankfully at the end of the day it was a beautiful success!
I ask because it reminds me of a lot of online derision over the Young Avengers potentially appearing in live action these days -- I suppose it's hard to sell something audiences just assume is a "kiddie" or "side" version of the thing they know and like.
And by the way their 20th anniversary is coming up... I will never stop hoping for a "Young Avengers Vol 3" with Billy, Teddy, Eli, Nate, Cassie, Kate, Tommy and friends (even though yes, I know that's not your office now!)
You mentioned you wrote a 1990s Punisher story, and that it found print in a Back to School special. How often do editors commission stories without knowing where or how they'll run?
Have you ever worked on a book where something similar to Smallville's 'No Tights, No Flights' policy was considered? Reading what you said about Exceptional X-Men, I realized it'd feel pretty natural for an X-Men book about Kate trying to avoid being an X-Men again for her to never officially adopt a costume, though obviously we've seen what it will look like when she eventually does.
For instance, I believe the original NYX had no 'superheroes' of any sort, in the sense that it was just about mutants who had nothing to do with the X-Men (Laura Kinney notwithstanding but she wasn't involved with them yet). Do you think a book like that would sell worse, a book about people with powers instead of superheroes with capes and bright colors? I mean, yeah it might sell worse than something like a flagship X-Book, but next to a separate original book/concept?
In general with this question, I'm just interested to know how you think about costumes and their significance in comics
Marvel UK's reprints of The Thing comic books for the UK newstand were published under the title Big Ben to prevent Skinn using Big Ben as a title character in the future as well. It all got very personal.
That makes sense. I'd wondered why Marvel UK had used that title.
I disagree that everybody on the Avengers squad has leadership qualifications, and they definitely do not have the experience that Ororo has. I think putting her on the Avengers without spotlighting her skillset as a natural born leader and not only a power house is a missed opportunity for the development of the character.
Hi Tom, thanks for the answer. I would also like to ask if we are going to see Jean interacting with Earth teams like X-men and Avengers, or she will be on her own in space and occasionally interacting with others cosmic heroes?
As much as I like Jean Grey as a character, her in space worrying about space things and having very little interaction with Earth and X-Characters makes this new Phoenix series have the appeal of Guardians Of The Galaxy or Nova and no X-Line vibe. The subplot with the alien girl and that generic space bad guy feels like space that could have featured Jean having more Earth contact. TBH, I'm not a reader who tends to follow space comics focused so little on Earth so I'm probably done unless a solicit interests me more than what's been released.
During your tenure as Avengers editor, did anyone consider retconning Avengers #200?
Hi Mr. Brevoort! I hope you're having a lovely Sunday.
I have been readily anticipating Phoenix for as long as its been announced but I'm bouncing off it a bit in a way that frustrates me as a huge fan of the Phoenix and Marvel cosmic in general.
I'm a little confused on your conception of the Corsair-Cyclops relationship. From my viewpoint as a reader, the way in which Cyclops and Jean are depicted talking about Corsair feels ahistorical and baffling. It doesn't feel reflective of the ways in which their relationship was touched on in Claremont's work, nor does it make sense with what the wonderful Greg Rucka worked on in his Cyclops mini, nor does it really track with the way Scott and his father related to each other in the pages of Hickman's X-Men.
I understand that drama makes a story juicy, but if the drama feels fabricated it pulls the reader out of the story because it makes them feel like they missed something. Can you direct me to an issue of Marvel comics that would make the feelings between Scott and Corsair make a little more sense?
"This was, I believe, the last piece of Marvelman material published on the character’s home soil." - not quite. The Marvelman Special #1 was published on the 1st of May 1984 I think. Thereabouts. Marvelman continued in Warrior until #21 published on August 10th, in the UK at least... according to my notes.
I actually think Miracleman is a better title for the comic and character!
Anyway, X-Men #2 saw the return of our old friend Vanisher, the teleporter with the wonderfully named alter ego Telford Porter. Now, I always figured that his middle initial was "E" but looking online I can't seem to confirm that fact anywhere! If it hasn't been established, don't you think Tel Porter's middle name should definitely start with E, maybe something like... Evan?
Hey Tom-
As the man (with a hat) with the longest tenure as Avengers editor, did you ever feel the need/desire to work on something else? Were there years where it started to feel stale to you? Or is the logistical and creative challenge of shipping new comics every month satisfying enough to never get bored? I ask because it seemed like you'd still be there if the powers that be hadn't asked you to take on the X-office challenege.
https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/redeeming-justice-like-lightning-the-all-new-thunderbolts
Here's an announcement of a Thunderbolts series from 2 years ago. It features a poster with character designs that... are clearly created in HeroMachine. At least the character body models are easily recognisable by anyone who ever played around with it. At it's the one that got first released as silhouettes for fans to guess the characters! Is there a story about how this came to be?
Zot! ZOT!!! As far as I’m concerned, the best series of the 80s. I’ve got those two collections as well as all of the original single issues.
Will there be any more solo's in the pipeline? Or even just mini/maxi series spotlighting X-characters?
Hi Tom. I believe Allan Heinberg once alluded that there was some audience skepticism to Young Avengers initially before its release in 2005 (which informed the framing of the first issue). Do you recall if Young Avengers was anticipated or dreaded by audiences before it came out? Thankfully at the end of the day it was a beautiful success!
I ask because it reminds me of a lot of online derision over the Young Avengers potentially appearing in live action these days -- I suppose it's hard to sell something audiences just assume is a "kiddie" or "side" version of the thing they know and like.
And by the way their 20th anniversary is coming up... I will never stop hoping for a "Young Avengers Vol 3" with Billy, Teddy, Eli, Nate, Cassie, Kate, Tommy and friends (even though yes, I know that's not your office now!)
I remember thinking it sounded like the stupidest idea ever before it came out....and I then I read it and quickly changed my mind.
You mentioned you wrote a 1990s Punisher story, and that it found print in a Back to School special. How often do editors commission stories without knowing where or how they'll run?
Curious when you watch anime do you prefer English dub or sub?