As I gear up for the start of my 35th year in this business, I’ve taken what I think is the longest amount of time off in a row that I’ve ever done, beginning four workdays prior to Christmas weekend and continuing through to after New Year’s.
Let me just take a moment ahead of the new year to say a thank you to you for this newsletter, Tom. It's been a real source of insight and enjoyment (which, I don't have to tell you, you're under no legal obligation to produce), and I appreciate your being willing to stand on the front lines in front of comic book readers, heaven help you.
So, I'm going to ask your forgiveness ahead of my question this week. It's malicious of me to do it, I know, but you were going to get this query sooner or later, and no matter what answer you gave it was going to be the *wrong* one, so it's better that we peel off the band-aid and get it over with now: In 2024, you're going to be the editor of X-Men. Mr. Brevoort, what does the mutant metaphor mean to you?
Nice to see appreciations for Sim's Cerebus. Despite the bizarre direction his thinking took later, the series really is remarkable for both its writing and illustration.
You mentioned Cerebus, where you stuck with the book despite have misgivings about artist Dave Sim. Was there an artist for whom you couldn't separate their beliefs from their output, and had to walk away?
You might have less of a bumpy year if you took the time off that you've earn. Don't make the rest of us look bad by being a workaholic. We Americans get so little time off compared to the rest of the world and so many of us don't take it all. You've earned it, so enjoy it!
The S.H.I.E.L.D. book gave us Sue Storm, Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D, for the first time if I'm not mistaken. It amazes me how many times it's been Mister Waid who adds a bit to a long established character or series that becomes an important part of them going forward. Sue as a spy, Reed's real motivation for making the F4 public heroes, and the Speed Force sire the tip of the iceberg.
Happy New Year Tom ! a recent post on your blog made me think of this question: which hero do you think works well as a married person?
Growing up I liked the Spidey/MJ marriage (I also like Spidey single so either way works with me) - but I was thinking of how a bunch of DC heroes were married or at least long term couples. Superman and Lois work for me as a couple (again maybe because based on when I grew up they were married on TV and in comics). I guess some old school heroes work in an old school marriage. Superman, Flash, the Hawks, Vision and Scarlet Witch, etc.
Or do you think it detracts from younger readers connecting with them?
I really enjoyed that S.H.I.E.L.D. series as it was coming out. Thanks for that.
And, I really should finish really Cerebus one of these days. I read about half of it as it was coming out and then, for reasons I've forgotten, I got interrupted. I own the entire series, so I'll have to find time now that I'm retired to finally read it from beginning to end.
Thanks again for your fantastic newsletter each and every week. Thanks as well for once again gracing the Comic Shenanigans podcast with your presence, as it's always great to hear your stories and historical nuggets I didn't know before.
A question I forgot to include in the podcast that I will instead ask here:
What was the process like in the late '90s and early '90s when Marvel would collaborate on #1/2 issues and #0 issues with Wizard Magazine? How were titles selected that would be part of this collaboration. I can't recall now, but was there any particular differentiation between a #1/2 or #0 being used? It's interesting looking back, as a book like Slingers #0 had a different art team than the regular title, although still written by Joseph Harris. But in the case of Captain Marvel #0, you had the entire creative team of the regular book doing this story, same as with Thunderbolts #0 (both of these titles you were editing).
Any perspective into the goings on behind the scenes is as always greatly appreciated!
This week the comic-oriented news outlets are highlighting Mickey Mouse's new status in the public domain. This reminded me of the unauthorized comic tributes that have occasionally surfaced, usually online.
It's something that, as you know, has been done officially. I quite enjoyed Marvel's Fantastic Four Anniversary Tribute and the Captain America Tribute, too. It was fun to have a classic story recreated by a number of artists, each doing a page in their own style. Marvel published an X-Men tribute along the same lines. I thought all three comics were fun and interesting. (Were there any others? I don't think so...)
At some point, I came across information about Jason Young's Fantastic Four Number Nine Project, which was very similar - except that it was not approved by Marvel. And not ever sold anywhere, but given away at comic conventions. Otherwise, though, it was the same idea - a different artist recreating each page but keeping to the previously-published script. I have never read the entire comic, just parts that have been posted on the internet.
I also read about Ron Regé, Jr.'s Diana comic, where he retold Wonder Woman's origin story in his own unique style. And then I actually came across that issue, and read it, and enjoyed it. I think there is an unapproved and notorious Batman story floating around somewhere, too.
What do you think of these unauthorized works? I know that this is a grey area, ethically and legally - but artistically? I must say that the Fantastic Four Number Nine Project looks good to me, at least in what I have seen so far. It would perhaps not be out of place next to Marvel's own tribute issues, or next to the two humorous Strange Tales volumes. In fact, I think Dash Shaw's Dr. Strange story in Strange Tales Volume 1 was initially another grey-area artifact, produced just for his own enjoyment.
Happy New Year, Tom! Thanks for your work on Marvel and on this newsletter.
To add a question, what's your favorite Marvel Christmas story?
Let me just take a moment ahead of the new year to say a thank you to you for this newsletter, Tom. It's been a real source of insight and enjoyment (which, I don't have to tell you, you're under no legal obligation to produce), and I appreciate your being willing to stand on the front lines in front of comic book readers, heaven help you.
So, I'm going to ask your forgiveness ahead of my question this week. It's malicious of me to do it, I know, but you were going to get this query sooner or later, and no matter what answer you gave it was going to be the *wrong* one, so it's better that we peel off the band-aid and get it over with now: In 2024, you're going to be the editor of X-Men. Mr. Brevoort, what does the mutant metaphor mean to you?
Nice to see appreciations for Sim's Cerebus. Despite the bizarre direction his thinking took later, the series really is remarkable for both its writing and illustration.
Happy New Year!
You mentioned Cerebus, where you stuck with the book despite have misgivings about artist Dave Sim. Was there an artist for whom you couldn't separate their beliefs from their output, and had to walk away?
You might have less of a bumpy year if you took the time off that you've earn. Don't make the rest of us look bad by being a workaholic. We Americans get so little time off compared to the rest of the world and so many of us don't take it all. You've earned it, so enjoy it!
The S.H.I.E.L.D. book gave us Sue Storm, Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D, for the first time if I'm not mistaken. It amazes me how many times it's been Mister Waid who adds a bit to a long established character or series that becomes an important part of them going forward. Sue as a spy, Reed's real motivation for making the F4 public heroes, and the Speed Force sire the tip of the iceberg.
Happy New Year Tom! I can’t wait to see what wonders your newsletter will contain in 2024!
Happy New Year Tom ! a recent post on your blog made me think of this question: which hero do you think works well as a married person?
Growing up I liked the Spidey/MJ marriage (I also like Spidey single so either way works with me) - but I was thinking of how a bunch of DC heroes were married or at least long term couples. Superman and Lois work for me as a couple (again maybe because based on when I grew up they were married on TV and in comics). I guess some old school heroes work in an old school marriage. Superman, Flash, the Hawks, Vision and Scarlet Witch, etc.
Or do you think it detracts from younger readers connecting with them?
Happy New Year!
I really enjoyed that S.H.I.E.L.D. series as it was coming out. Thanks for that.
And, I really should finish really Cerebus one of these days. I read about half of it as it was coming out and then, for reasons I've forgotten, I got interrupted. I own the entire series, so I'll have to find time now that I'm retired to finally read it from beginning to end.
Happy New Year Tom!
Thanks again for your fantastic newsletter each and every week. Thanks as well for once again gracing the Comic Shenanigans podcast with your presence, as it's always great to hear your stories and historical nuggets I didn't know before.
A question I forgot to include in the podcast that I will instead ask here:
What was the process like in the late '90s and early '90s when Marvel would collaborate on #1/2 issues and #0 issues with Wizard Magazine? How were titles selected that would be part of this collaboration. I can't recall now, but was there any particular differentiation between a #1/2 or #0 being used? It's interesting looking back, as a book like Slingers #0 had a different art team than the regular title, although still written by Joseph Harris. But in the case of Captain Marvel #0, you had the entire creative team of the regular book doing this story, same as with Thunderbolts #0 (both of these titles you were editing).
Any perspective into the goings on behind the scenes is as always greatly appreciated!
Dear Tom,
This week the comic-oriented news outlets are highlighting Mickey Mouse's new status in the public domain. This reminded me of the unauthorized comic tributes that have occasionally surfaced, usually online.
It's something that, as you know, has been done officially. I quite enjoyed Marvel's Fantastic Four Anniversary Tribute and the Captain America Tribute, too. It was fun to have a classic story recreated by a number of artists, each doing a page in their own style. Marvel published an X-Men tribute along the same lines. I thought all three comics were fun and interesting. (Were there any others? I don't think so...)
At some point, I came across information about Jason Young's Fantastic Four Number Nine Project, which was very similar - except that it was not approved by Marvel. And not ever sold anywhere, but given away at comic conventions. Otherwise, though, it was the same idea - a different artist recreating each page but keeping to the previously-published script. I have never read the entire comic, just parts that have been posted on the internet.
I also read about Ron Regé, Jr.'s Diana comic, where he retold Wonder Woman's origin story in his own unique style. And then I actually came across that issue, and read it, and enjoyed it. I think there is an unapproved and notorious Batman story floating around somewhere, too.
What do you think of these unauthorized works? I know that this is a grey area, ethically and legally - but artistically? I must say that the Fantastic Four Number Nine Project looks good to me, at least in what I have seen so far. It would perhaps not be out of place next to Marvel's own tribute issues, or next to the two humorous Strange Tales volumes. In fact, I think Dash Shaw's Dr. Strange story in Strange Tales Volume 1 was initially another grey-area artifact, produced just for his own enjoyment.
Thanks,
Steve