So this was by far the busiest, most event-filled week in recent memory, and even though I’ve spent the day to day removed from the action that’s still going on, my much more sedate body is still recovering from the additional strain placed upon it by the events of the past week.
Something I really enjoyed about the first issue of GODS - besides, of course, the actual comic - no ads! And likewise with Ultimate Invasion. Is this something that’ll be replicated across the rest of the series, or is it just for the bigger issues?
'Fraid you made a minor mistake. The publisher of the For Better Or For Worse hardcover collections isn't Fantagraphics as you wrote, but IDW. As I understand it, this is the penultimate volume of their collaboration on strip reprints with The Library of American Comics, the last being v.8 of FBOFW that I believe is scheduled for March and finishes the strip's run. LOAC is now working with Clover Press, with the current volumes being 1) Reprints of the first six volumes of the Complete Chester Gould Dick Tracy in the same size/format as the subsequent 20+ volumes of the first run 2) A new series of Terry And The Pirates volumes, this time reprinted from Milton Caniff’s personal set of color syndicate tabloid proofs and at 11"x14" size.
Yeah, I'm sorta shilling for them here, but LOAC's done, IMO, excellent work in reprinting many classic comic strips over the last decade or two and continue to do so.
Hi Tom! Long time "Man With a Hat" reader checking in, you have no shortage of questions so I don't comment as much plus life gets in the way sometimes, but I'm still here and loving your newsletter!
Interesting Tom. Thanks for the explanation on that infamous Avengers page in the Geoff Johns run. While I wasn’t offended in any way by it, I did always wonder what it was doing there and thought it very unlike Marvel to do that in a mainstream hero book. It always felt out of place to me.
Ps. Bring poor old Hank back (which I think may be about to happen)? Mark Waid wrote a terrific post Age of Ultron issue that perfectly set him up morning forward some years back.
A funny thing about that Avengers page is that every so often I will see it being shared on social media on Twitter or Reddit or whatever, and more often than not the person sharing it misattributes it to THE ULTIMATES. It definitely feels more like it belongs to the Ultimate Universe than the mainstream Marvel Universe!
Interesting to note that sequences in timeless was for the MM Silver age series (I also though it would lead to MM in the Marvel U) - do you think that would be appropriate? or does MM need to stand on its own (I'm LOVING the silver age series by the way)?
I think Watchmen is the best comparison - a singular work where the sequels/prequels left me cold - decent books (Watchmen is timeless and the sequels/prequels are of their time in my opinion). They do no detract from the original but also add nothing and maybe for some detract from the mystique of the original series.
That being said I also loved the HBO sequel series - a masterpiece that moves the world forward with a unique POV.
your thoughts on Miracleman mingling with the main Marvel U? Your thoughts on Watchmen prequel/sequels/adaptations?
Also would love to know more about that Starhawk issue? Was it the same character Gerber introduced into the Guardians in his Defenders run? or another creator/concept?
Has there ever been a temptation to print that Starhawk story somewhere (whatever exists of it)? Also, I seem to remember a Roy Thomas thing with Quicksilver and two other characters called The Protectors or something - I think some pages were drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith before he really hit it big and was still drawing like Kirby - any chance of that, either?
I always enjoy it when you "pull the curtain back" on some aspect of comics history. I had heard about the abandoned "Starhawk" story before, but not the explanation that Martin Goodman axed it simply because he didn't think it would sell. And looking back, it's hard to argue with his logic... with rare exceptions (e.g., Star Wars), sci-fi seems to be a tough sell to comics readers, at least from the 1970s on. Any theories as to why?
Hello, Tom! In regards to the cover of Avengers #71, along with Lysa Hawkins, I'm pretty sure the main figure (rolling the dice) is long-time DC Comics convention guru (with stints at Wizard and Marvel and currently Fletch Forward) Fletcher Chu-Fong!
I, myself, am lucky enough to have been in a few JG Jones-drawn books, and have always considered it a huge honor.
Since you mentioned MIRACLEMAN SILVER AGE this week, can you say if DARK AGE is still planned to be published? If so, is there a target release date for its release?
Hi Tom,
Something I really enjoyed about the first issue of GODS - besides, of course, the actual comic - no ads! And likewise with Ultimate Invasion. Is this something that’ll be replicated across the rest of the series, or is it just for the bigger issues?
All the best,
Cathal.
Just wanted to say: it was great getting to say hello in person as you quickly moved place to place at NYCC! Thanks for the time!
'Fraid you made a minor mistake. The publisher of the For Better Or For Worse hardcover collections isn't Fantagraphics as you wrote, but IDW. As I understand it, this is the penultimate volume of their collaboration on strip reprints with The Library of American Comics, the last being v.8 of FBOFW that I believe is scheduled for March and finishes the strip's run. LOAC is now working with Clover Press, with the current volumes being 1) Reprints of the first six volumes of the Complete Chester Gould Dick Tracy in the same size/format as the subsequent 20+ volumes of the first run 2) A new series of Terry And The Pirates volumes, this time reprinted from Milton Caniff’s personal set of color syndicate tabloid proofs and at 11"x14" size.
Yeah, I'm sorta shilling for them here, but LOAC's done, IMO, excellent work in reprinting many classic comic strips over the last decade or two and continue to do so.
Oh, and of course Fantagraphics is also doing an excellent job of reprinting a different set of comic strips, such as Peanuts and Pogo.
Hi Tom! Long time "Man With a Hat" reader checking in, you have no shortage of questions so I don't comment as much plus life gets in the way sometimes, but I'm still here and loving your newsletter!
Interesting Tom. Thanks for the explanation on that infamous Avengers page in the Geoff Johns run. While I wasn’t offended in any way by it, I did always wonder what it was doing there and thought it very unlike Marvel to do that in a mainstream hero book. It always felt out of place to me.
Ps. Bring poor old Hank back (which I think may be about to happen)? Mark Waid wrote a terrific post Age of Ultron issue that perfectly set him up morning forward some years back.
A funny thing about that Avengers page is that every so often I will see it being shared on social media on Twitter or Reddit or whatever, and more often than not the person sharing it misattributes it to THE ULTIMATES. It definitely feels more like it belongs to the Ultimate Universe than the mainstream Marvel Universe!
Another great edition this week Tom!
Interesting to note that sequences in timeless was for the MM Silver age series (I also though it would lead to MM in the Marvel U) - do you think that would be appropriate? or does MM need to stand on its own (I'm LOVING the silver age series by the way)?
I think Watchmen is the best comparison - a singular work where the sequels/prequels left me cold - decent books (Watchmen is timeless and the sequels/prequels are of their time in my opinion). They do no detract from the original but also add nothing and maybe for some detract from the mystique of the original series.
That being said I also loved the HBO sequel series - a masterpiece that moves the world forward with a unique POV.
your thoughts on Miracleman mingling with the main Marvel U? Your thoughts on Watchmen prequel/sequels/adaptations?
Also would love to know more about that Starhawk issue? Was it the same character Gerber introduced into the Guardians in his Defenders run? or another creator/concept?
Has there ever been a temptation to print that Starhawk story somewhere (whatever exists of it)? Also, I seem to remember a Roy Thomas thing with Quicksilver and two other characters called The Protectors or something - I think some pages were drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith before he really hit it big and was still drawing like Kirby - any chance of that, either?
Fairly sure I had a copy of that Avengers issue
I always enjoy it when you "pull the curtain back" on some aspect of comics history. I had heard about the abandoned "Starhawk" story before, but not the explanation that Martin Goodman axed it simply because he didn't think it would sell. And looking back, it's hard to argue with his logic... with rare exceptions (e.g., Star Wars), sci-fi seems to be a tough sell to comics readers, at least from the 1970s on. Any theories as to why?
Hello, Tom! In regards to the cover of Avengers #71, along with Lysa Hawkins, I'm pretty sure the main figure (rolling the dice) is long-time DC Comics convention guru (with stints at Wizard and Marvel and currently Fletch Forward) Fletcher Chu-Fong!
I, myself, am lucky enough to have been in a few JG Jones-drawn books, and have always considered it a huge honor.
Hats off to you,
Patrick Brower
Challengers Comics in Chicago
Since you mentioned MIRACLEMAN SILVER AGE this week, can you say if DARK AGE is still planned to be published? If so, is there a target release date for its release?
It's an interesting commentary; the page with Hank hitting Jan is reprinted without restriction-- but this one is a bridge too far!