So as some people asked about, this past week Marvel held one of its regular Editorial Retreats, at which the editors and key creators meet over the course of a few days to brainstorm and work out plotlines and directions for the next couple of years.
Thanks as always for sharing these bits of comic history and behind the scenes with us. When you mentioned an editorial retreat, I got to wondering about the role of editors during team vs team events.
In a scenario where there is another Avengers vs X-Men event happening, is there ever any kind of slightly competitive instinct driving each set of editors? Would it be your job to "got to bat" so to speak for your "team"?
Very broadly, how does the production cost of a single issue shake out, percentage-wise? How much is going to creative talent, Vs printing cost, Vs in-house team, etc?
I read that certain SNL sketches get kicked around for years before the star align -- right host, right costume, right timeslot and zeitgeist. Are there any comic stories like that? "Oh, we've been trying to give Foggy Nelson the Phoenix Force for DECADES!"
Who's asking for stories to be erased? All I want is additional clarification on stories. Percy's X-Force said Beast was evil from the earliest X-Men stories, thus casting ALL of the stories he's appeared in a new light. Then, confusedly, introduces a new Beast who is good, but according to what's already stated by Percy, he's still evil. People are saying it's just a matter of time until you or some other editor give the green light for current Beast to become evil again. You don't think that's harmful to the character in general? The From the Ashes Infinity Comics explored this, but almost no one read them and I was reduced to spreading word-of-mouth about them. Why wasn't this in the main book? And I've seen people ask why he was in the new cartoon because he's evil now, as well as asking the same about the current X-Men book by MacKay. Public perception is important. If someone picks up the comics because they like Beast after seeing the upcoming X-Men movies, starts exploring back issues and sees Beast's history with little explanation beyond 'lol he's just naturally evil, maybe', they're going to drop the comics.
i read percy's x-force all the way through and i have no recollection of it saying anything like that. do you have an issue number where they said beast was 'always evil' or 'naturally evil'?
In issue #48 when Sage is about to bring back clone-Beast, Sage, after listing off his crimes, she mentions the back-up is from his Defenders' era, which Wolverine replies with: 'Back then he was what he is now'. Wolverine again says that Defender's Hank is the same as Krakoan Hank in issue #49. And earlier, in issue #41, the conversation between Domino and Colossus, Domino says 'It's been him all along. He's always been this person."
One shouldn't conflate the author's views with those expressed by their characters. Whatever perspectives Percy may have wrote Wolverine or Domino as having, I don't know how anyone could read the final three issues of that X-Force run and come away thinking Percy was unsympathetic to Beast. Original Beast is depicted there as being morally compromised, yes, but he is still given a grace note to go out on, by sacrificing himself to save Wonder Man. And Clone Beast is shown opposing Original's scheme the entire time, and at no point is he depicted as anything other than heroic and moral.
Regardless, the stories that have happened, have happened, and Marvel is in the business of trying to tell interesting stories, not in being PR managers for everybody's pet characters. So some fans on the internet have low opinions of Hank McCoy — that's okay! If your hypothetical MCU Beast fan doesn't like the comic books that don't reflect the character's current film status quo, he'll simply seek out the issues that do. As for us current Beast fans, all we can do is continue to support the books he appears in and trust that, in time, memories of his misdeeds will fade with time as more stories are told (and they virtually all do, Hank Pym's domestic abuse notwithstanding).
Wait, Mark Bowen? The former mayor of Lytle, south-east of San Antonio, Texas?
Anyway, I'm just stating the opinions of readers of the x-books over the last years. I'm puzzled by that reaction too because clone-Beast(I hate that term) in the last 3 issues of X-Force is unambiguously good.
I don't see how you can say that Percy was sympathetic to Beast when spent 5 years destroying every aspect of the character, humiliating him in-story, and committing vile acts. Percy himself said that anyone who said Beast is lovable has only read a few comics, which rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
I think Ben Percy has particular views about a lot of the characters he wrote, and to be honest, I don't see anyone else picking up on those same threads. He is just one author, his view on a character isn't law.
That's very true. But the fact he dragged out the villainy arc for Beast over 5 years, not to mention the long decline the character started before that, and it's lead to a large shift in the way a lot of readers think of him. I'm just afraid that will give future writers the green light to say 'well, if all the readers hate him or see him as a villain, we'll just write him that way or permanently kill him off'. I've seen before how public perception can change a character. There's also the fact that clone-Beast, if he was brought back specifically to bring back a 'fun' Beast, is not working very well. He's often sullen and morose, angsting over what Krakoan-Beast did. No joking, no fun, I don't know why they even brought back this version.
It will take time to heal the character, but I do think Jed McKay really actually likes the character. I think by the time his run on X-Men is up, Beast will have gotten a bunch of good moments that will change how people see him. And movies and TV will help too.
"But given my track record, I’d advise people to settle in. I had edited AVENGERS for 26 years when I stepped off, and have been doing FANTASTIC FOUR for 23"
You're pushing 60. I think it's a relatively safe bet that you will not continue at Marvel for anywhere near the length of those runs. For comparison's sake, Ralph Macchio was at Marvel for approximately 35 years before retiring/being forced out at age 61.
Tom, with some X-titles being canceled at issue #10, many fans are worried that Exceptional X-Men might face the same fate. Since, so far, it’s the slowest-paced book among the three main titles, some are also concerned that if it continues past issue #10, it might undergo a creative team overhaul. What can you say about this?
God I hope not. Exceptional has been the best book out of the new Era with solid (best we can tell) sales so I hope it isn’t in any danger. I didn’t know people were worried about a creative team switch, honestly never even considered that. I wonder why they would think that.
While the Q&A above does say we don't have the full sales picture, Exceptional X-Men looks like it's performing decently. I'm not sure if the expectation is for it to perform as well as the other two X-Men books. But then, I don't really know for sure. I'd be surprised though.
You've mentioned a few times the expenses that you weigh when cancelling a book. Other than creator's salaries, what are the other expenses that go into a book? Also, are you planning a cost increase for books currently costing $3.99 with the uncertainties on the tariff issue going on.
Since you mention the Rogue book selling well, I’d love to know if there was ever any question of turning it into an ongoing, or are the economics of limited series and ongoing just too different? I appreciate that this particular book fits into a continuity gap but you could easily do a second arc that leaps into the present or whatever.
Tom, when did Amy Chu come up with the pitch for an Emma Frost story?
Was there any talk of this story taking place in the present or did Chu strictly want to write a story about Emma's villainous past?
She has such a good track record writing powerful, multifaceted women. Red Sonja, Poison Ivy, Dejah Thoris, Carmilla... it would be amazing to see her work on a current Emma Frost. Anyway, I'm very excited that you chose her to write, I can't wait to buy and read this solo.
You had once mentioned at an editorial meeting the staff had agreed that Daredevil Born Again was the quintessential/best Marvel story out there that could be handed to anyone to read (I pretty much agree).
Any other more recent tales that you think measure up as much as DD Born Again?
To me it has to stand alone, offer a definitive satisfying end (of sorts), consistent art, no major continuity 'homework's do, have a timeless effect, and be accessible (not an easy task - lots of comics I love are good fro lifelong readers like me and not casual readers or are just cool runs with no real narrative arc (Simsonson's Thor - which I love but is just a great ongoing title).
My vote goes to the Brubaker/Epting initial Winter Soldier story (Cap 1-14) - it has a satisfying end (even though the saga continues after).
Anyone else can feel free to chime in as well with their thoughts.
Thanks as always for sharing these bits of comic history and behind the scenes with us. When you mentioned an editorial retreat, I got to wondering about the role of editors during team vs team events.
In a scenario where there is another Avengers vs X-Men event happening, is there ever any kind of slightly competitive instinct driving each set of editors? Would it be your job to "got to bat" so to speak for your "team"?
Very broadly, how does the production cost of a single issue shake out, percentage-wise? How much is going to creative talent, Vs printing cost, Vs in-house team, etc?
You mentioning Cain and Mockingbird got me thinking, what ever happened to her Vision series?
I read that certain SNL sketches get kicked around for years before the star align -- right host, right costume, right timeslot and zeitgeist. Are there any comic stories like that? "Oh, we've been trying to give Foggy Nelson the Phoenix Force for DECADES!"
Oh how I loved that Mockingbird series.
Me too! I didn't "discover" it until the trades came out, but man, what a breath of fresh air.
Hi Tom, Of the classic Lee/Kirby FF run which is your favourite issue and why?
Who's asking for stories to be erased? All I want is additional clarification on stories. Percy's X-Force said Beast was evil from the earliest X-Men stories, thus casting ALL of the stories he's appeared in a new light. Then, confusedly, introduces a new Beast who is good, but according to what's already stated by Percy, he's still evil. People are saying it's just a matter of time until you or some other editor give the green light for current Beast to become evil again. You don't think that's harmful to the character in general? The From the Ashes Infinity Comics explored this, but almost no one read them and I was reduced to spreading word-of-mouth about them. Why wasn't this in the main book? And I've seen people ask why he was in the new cartoon because he's evil now, as well as asking the same about the current X-Men book by MacKay. Public perception is important. If someone picks up the comics because they like Beast after seeing the upcoming X-Men movies, starts exploring back issues and sees Beast's history with little explanation beyond 'lol he's just naturally evil, maybe', they're going to drop the comics.
i read percy's x-force all the way through and i have no recollection of it saying anything like that. do you have an issue number where they said beast was 'always evil' or 'naturally evil'?
In issue #48 when Sage is about to bring back clone-Beast, Sage, after listing off his crimes, she mentions the back-up is from his Defenders' era, which Wolverine replies with: 'Back then he was what he is now'. Wolverine again says that Defender's Hank is the same as Krakoan Hank in issue #49. And earlier, in issue #41, the conversation between Domino and Colossus, Domino says 'It's been him all along. He's always been this person."
One shouldn't conflate the author's views with those expressed by their characters. Whatever perspectives Percy may have wrote Wolverine or Domino as having, I don't know how anyone could read the final three issues of that X-Force run and come away thinking Percy was unsympathetic to Beast. Original Beast is depicted there as being morally compromised, yes, but he is still given a grace note to go out on, by sacrificing himself to save Wonder Man. And Clone Beast is shown opposing Original's scheme the entire time, and at no point is he depicted as anything other than heroic and moral.
Regardless, the stories that have happened, have happened, and Marvel is in the business of trying to tell interesting stories, not in being PR managers for everybody's pet characters. So some fans on the internet have low opinions of Hank McCoy — that's okay! If your hypothetical MCU Beast fan doesn't like the comic books that don't reflect the character's current film status quo, he'll simply seek out the issues that do. As for us current Beast fans, all we can do is continue to support the books he appears in and trust that, in time, memories of his misdeeds will fade with time as more stories are told (and they virtually all do, Hank Pym's domestic abuse notwithstanding).
Wait, Mark Bowen? The former mayor of Lytle, south-east of San Antonio, Texas?
Anyway, I'm just stating the opinions of readers of the x-books over the last years. I'm puzzled by that reaction too because clone-Beast(I hate that term) in the last 3 issues of X-Force is unambiguously good.
I don't see how you can say that Percy was sympathetic to Beast when spent 5 years destroying every aspect of the character, humiliating him in-story, and committing vile acts. Percy himself said that anyone who said Beast is lovable has only read a few comics, which rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
I think Ben Percy has particular views about a lot of the characters he wrote, and to be honest, I don't see anyone else picking up on those same threads. He is just one author, his view on a character isn't law.
That's very true. But the fact he dragged out the villainy arc for Beast over 5 years, not to mention the long decline the character started before that, and it's lead to a large shift in the way a lot of readers think of him. I'm just afraid that will give future writers the green light to say 'well, if all the readers hate him or see him as a villain, we'll just write him that way or permanently kill him off'. I've seen before how public perception can change a character. There's also the fact that clone-Beast, if he was brought back specifically to bring back a 'fun' Beast, is not working very well. He's often sullen and morose, angsting over what Krakoan-Beast did. No joking, no fun, I don't know why they even brought back this version.
It will take time to heal the character, but I do think Jed McKay really actually likes the character. I think by the time his run on X-Men is up, Beast will have gotten a bunch of good moments that will change how people see him. And movies and TV will help too.
"But given my track record, I’d advise people to settle in. I had edited AVENGERS for 26 years when I stepped off, and have been doing FANTASTIC FOUR for 23"
You're pushing 60. I think it's a relatively safe bet that you will not continue at Marvel for anywhere near the length of those runs. For comparison's sake, Ralph Macchio was at Marvel for approximately 35 years before retiring/being forced out at age 61.
What you don’t know is Ewing’s big project after Immortal Thor is Immortal Brevoort.
Hey, the human spirit is an interesting thing. Comics are very different now, may Tom Brevoort be editing X-Men well into his 80s.
Tom, with some X-titles being canceled at issue #10, many fans are worried that Exceptional X-Men might face the same fate. Since, so far, it’s the slowest-paced book among the three main titles, some are also concerned that if it continues past issue #10, it might undergo a creative team overhaul. What can you say about this?
God I hope not. Exceptional has been the best book out of the new Era with solid (best we can tell) sales so I hope it isn’t in any danger. I didn’t know people were worried about a creative team switch, honestly never even considered that. I wonder why they would think that.
you can just say YOU are a little concerned. you can just say YOU are worried.
While the Q&A above does say we don't have the full sales picture, Exceptional X-Men looks like it's performing decently. I'm not sure if the expectation is for it to perform as well as the other two X-Men books. But then, I don't really know for sure. I'd be surprised though.
You've mentioned a few times the expenses that you weigh when cancelling a book. Other than creator's salaries, what are the other expenses that go into a book? Also, are you planning a cost increase for books currently costing $3.99 with the uncertainties on the tariff issue going on.
After the Last retreat Mr Brevoort, Are there any plans for Jessica Drew /Spider-woman in works? Thanks so much.
MOCKINGBIRD was a great series. The Joëlle Jones covers are stunning.
Since you mention the Rogue book selling well, I’d love to know if there was ever any question of turning it into an ongoing, or are the economics of limited series and ongoing just too different? I appreciate that this particular book fits into a continuity gap but you could easily do a second arc that leaps into the present or whatever.
Tom, when did Amy Chu come up with the pitch for an Emma Frost story?
Was there any talk of this story taking place in the present or did Chu strictly want to write a story about Emma's villainous past?
She has such a good track record writing powerful, multifaceted women. Red Sonja, Poison Ivy, Dejah Thoris, Carmilla... it would be amazing to see her work on a current Emma Frost. Anyway, I'm very excited that you chose her to write, I can't wait to buy and read this solo.
You had once mentioned at an editorial meeting the staff had agreed that Daredevil Born Again was the quintessential/best Marvel story out there that could be handed to anyone to read (I pretty much agree).
Any other more recent tales that you think measure up as much as DD Born Again?
To me it has to stand alone, offer a definitive satisfying end (of sorts), consistent art, no major continuity 'homework's do, have a timeless effect, and be accessible (not an easy task - lots of comics I love are good fro lifelong readers like me and not casual readers or are just cool runs with no real narrative arc (Simsonson's Thor - which I love but is just a great ongoing title).
My vote goes to the Brubaker/Epting initial Winter Soldier story (Cap 1-14) - it has a satisfying end (even though the saga continues after).
Anyone else can feel free to chime in as well with their thoughts.
"On the other hand, I did put Magneto into a hover-wheelchair."
D-did... did you break his legs tom?
Comics ain't beanbag. Sometimes you gotta show the characters who's in charge.