Where did Sif and Carol go in the second arc of Phoenix? Nova and Rocket stick around to provide exposition as Jean metamorphosizes, but I don’t recall the other two members of her assembled team showing back up
Just read Giant Size Dark Phoenix Saga # 1 and the bonus story by Steve Foxe and artwork by Lucas Werneck. I remember you mention about Scott Summers and Jean Grey theory in an interview before. I presume this is the June surprise you spoke about?
Hi Tom. Will Jonathan Hickman be in charge of a post-Imperial title? Or will his sole mission be to bring the cosmic aspect back into focus with this event? Thanks
I love Kirby’s Forever People. The designs, of course, and the sense of “People Screaming Ideas and Emotions at You” that permeates all of the Fourth World books, but it also strikes me as the most optimistic; a middle-aged, working class populist’s hopeful view of the counterculture.
All of which is to say: I’m looking forward to your essay!
I'm also really looking forward to your Forever People essay, Tom! You can bet I’ll be picking up Jack of All Comics the moment it’s out—I'm a huge fan of anything tied to Kirby’s incredible body of work, especially his Fourth World titles. The Forever People spoke to 15-year-old me on so many levels—the designs, the countercultural vibes, and that title! Only Jack Kirby could dream up a name so bold and layered.
For some reason, I could have sworn that the Trapster finally went back to his old nickname of Paste Pot Pete. I personally thought this was a great move! But now upon doing some research, I think maybe it didn't actually happen after all. Do you know why I thought it did?! Or did I completely make this up. If I did, I still think it should happen! Everyone talks about it whenever he shows up anyway, and I think at this point it has a certain retro charm.
As an avowed Pete fan, you might be thinking of the times some of the more snarky heroes call him “Paste pot Pete” to rile him up. Off the top of my head, I don’t remember any instances.
It is a wonder to see how far the reputation of Sim and Cerebus has fallen from its peak in the late 80s and early 90s when I first discovered it. More out of luck then anything else, my comic book habit ended in the late 90s for about 15 years so I didn't see the tail end where Sim and his belief system had changes in such drastic and repellent ways. I agree that the High Society and Church and State are remarkable works that now become hard to separate from those last ~100 issues.
The Spider-Man people are supposed to check with the X-office before using an X character, and vice versa. Has an editor been turned down for using a character in a story but then gone forward and used the character anyway?
If the Captain Britain role isn't the best for Betsy's long-term, wouldn't it be better to allow a 5-issue mini (or one-shot) freeing her from the mantle?
Sorry, I don't agree with what you said about why Cyclops couldn't have an ongoing solo series. But anyway, something tells me that yes, we will get a miniseries soon. And I hope Cyclops fans can speak with their wallets, and maybe the miniseries will become an ongoing series. Thank you, Tom. I think I get the message. ;-))
I remember at one point (around the X-Treme Xmen era) Claremont wrote about a proposed story where the Summers family opens a rival school (Scott, Cable, Rachel, etc) - and it turns out Stryfe (illegitimate clone/son) was controlling them. Could have been cool (a bit too continuity heavy but there is something there to that story IMO).
A clone of his son gone bad - perfect Cyclops enemy. Also mirror Maddy Pryor during Inferno. Maybe a bit too continuity heavy but it works on a few levels.
I have been revisiting the Spidey Brand New day era (Tom I believe you oversaw it in an editorial capacity) - lots of fun.
Given its 3 times a month schedule - how far ahead were the various creative teams on issues vs publication? Did you have 'fill in ' issues ready as well? Must have been a hectic schedule - bit it paid off!
Any word on when we can expect Kamala back in the present day?
Where did Sif and Carol go in the second arc of Phoenix? Nova and Rocket stick around to provide exposition as Jean metamorphosizes, but I don’t recall the other two members of her assembled team showing back up
Tom Brevoort,
Just read Giant Size Dark Phoenix Saga # 1 and the bonus story by Steve Foxe and artwork by Lucas Werneck. I remember you mention about Scott Summers and Jean Grey theory in an interview before. I presume this is the June surprise you spoke about?
Thank for your time,
Yours Respectfully,
Emmanuel A. Cabahug
Just a thought, but if we have two people called Wolverine and two people called Spider-Man, I believe both Betsy and Kwannon can be called Psylocke.
I wish I could agree with you, but I don’t think this would work. Psylocke is certainly popular, but not THAT popular.
I didn't say they both needed to have their own series!
Hi Tom. Will Jonathan Hickman be in charge of a post-Imperial title? Or will his sole mission be to bring the cosmic aspect back into focus with this event? Thanks
I love Kirby’s Forever People. The designs, of course, and the sense of “People Screaming Ideas and Emotions at You” that permeates all of the Fourth World books, but it also strikes me as the most optimistic; a middle-aged, working class populist’s hopeful view of the counterculture.
All of which is to say: I’m looking forward to your essay!
I'm also really looking forward to your Forever People essay, Tom! You can bet I’ll be picking up Jack of All Comics the moment it’s out—I'm a huge fan of anything tied to Kirby’s incredible body of work, especially his Fourth World titles. The Forever People spoke to 15-year-old me on so many levels—the designs, the countercultural vibes, and that title! Only Jack Kirby could dream up a name so bold and layered.
Hi Tom!
For some reason, I could have sworn that the Trapster finally went back to his old nickname of Paste Pot Pete. I personally thought this was a great move! But now upon doing some research, I think maybe it didn't actually happen after all. Do you know why I thought it did?! Or did I completely make this up. If I did, I still think it should happen! Everyone talks about it whenever he shows up anyway, and I think at this point it has a certain retro charm.
As an avowed Pete fan, you might be thinking of the times some of the more snarky heroes call him “Paste pot Pete” to rile him up. Off the top of my head, I don’t remember any instances.
Thank you for the response. Although disheartening it’s also understandable. I do hope you all crack that nut though. Happy Sunday.
It is a wonder to see how far the reputation of Sim and Cerebus has fallen from its peak in the late 80s and early 90s when I first discovered it. More out of luck then anything else, my comic book habit ended in the late 90s for about 15 years so I didn't see the tail end where Sim and his belief system had changes in such drastic and repellent ways. I agree that the High Society and Church and State are remarkable works that now become hard to separate from those last ~100 issues.
The Spider-Man people are supposed to check with the X-office before using an X character, and vice versa. Has an editor been turned down for using a character in a story but then gone forward and used the character anyway?
If the Captain Britain role isn't the best for Betsy's long-term, wouldn't it be better to allow a 5-issue mini (or one-shot) freeing her from the mantle?
Sorry, I don't agree with what you said about why Cyclops couldn't have an ongoing solo series. But anyway, something tells me that yes, we will get a miniseries soon. And I hope Cyclops fans can speak with their wallets, and maybe the miniseries will become an ongoing series. Thank you, Tom. I think I get the message. ;-))
I remember at one point (around the X-Treme Xmen era) Claremont wrote about a proposed story where the Summers family opens a rival school (Scott, Cable, Rachel, etc) - and it turns out Stryfe (illegitimate clone/son) was controlling them. Could have been cool (a bit too continuity heavy but there is something there to that story IMO).
Claremont writing Cyclops? No thanks.
I feel like Stryfe should be used a bit more. Cyclops could use a nemesis.
A clone of his son gone bad - perfect Cyclops enemy. Also mirror Maddy Pryor during Inferno. Maybe a bit too continuity heavy but it works on a few levels.
It sounds like a fun story too.
Thanks for the answer Tom. Just read the novel, ‘Kavalier and Clay’ by Micheal Chabon. Have you read it Tom and if so what did you think?
So I’ve been dancing around with Roy Thomas of late re this:
Glasgow Looking Glass (1825) (https://henryjenkins.org/blog/2020/2/2/tracing-scottish-comics-history-1-of-3-by-chris-murray)
Two questions are raised by this book and the related claim.
The books were of cartoons — think New Yorker cartoons.
Some questions were: Could a book like this qualify as a comic book and, if it does, was it really the first such?
I’m inclined to think there are cartoons and then there are comic strips and the narratives of what comic books have looked like since Day 1.
So. Thoughts? (I left Roy pondering.)
As for Dave Sim… it’s one hell of a complicated life with a number of life lessons. I’ll leave it at that.
I always enjoy reading your newsletter. And your appearance on the Graymalkin Lane podcast about Marvel Team Up was fun!
I have been revisiting the Spidey Brand New day era (Tom I believe you oversaw it in an editorial capacity) - lots of fun.
Given its 3 times a month schedule - how far ahead were the various creative teams on issues vs publication? Did you have 'fill in ' issues ready as well? Must have been a hectic schedule - bit it paid off!