Wuau, a big one this week! Once again, thanks for answering my question.
Regarding the "What’s the best “last issue” of someone leaving a significant Marvel run?" topic: Dan Slott on Amazing Spider-Man. He could had gone out with #800 and already be absolutely fantastic. But then along comes #801 with Marcos Martin and they delivered one of the best single issues in the entire Spider-Man history. It's absurd how good that issue is, I simply love it.
Another recent one: Immortal Hulk #50. I loved the entire run and the last entry felt like an all-encompassing, all-out take on its themes and purposes. A beautiful issue that, emotionally, felt compassionate and hopeful. "Hulks should forgive Hulks. Someone has to". The fact that the creative team lasted all the 50 issues (regardless of what I nowadays think about the artist) makes it even better, closing a complete package and a true modern-classic.
I have to mention another one. Spider-Man #240, Bendis' last issue with Miles - and the end of what was originally the Ultimate Spider-Man book as we knew it. I know a lot of people probably won't agree with me, but I do think it deserves to be recognized as one of the best made by the guy during his run. That last page says it all. I basically grew up in comics with this series. Ultimate Spider-Man and Bendis work is always close to my heart. So, yeah, amazing last issue of a legendary run.
A specific question that leads to a more general one Tom: I heard that Mark Gruenwald had written a plot for a Squadron Supreme series that would follow up on their return to their Earth after their OGN and appearances in Quasar - big fan of those characters - can you share any details on what Mark had planned?
On a more general note: are there a lot of old plots/pencils/half finished issues in the Marvel vaults? Any gems you would like to share? I liked the Tales from the Marvel vaults that printed a bunch years ago..any interest in reviving some of the contents of the 'vault' if there are any?
Perfect finish - I would say Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's final issue of Captain America - a done in one tale that recalls their first issue and sums up the entire series (and ties up a loose end with a recurring villain). A seminal run that i loved and really stuck to the landing with Cap.
Wow, what an epic! Speaking of "chasing the dragon", you mentioned in passing Master of Kung Fu, which was THE comic book for me during the 70's. I chased back issues of that back to Doug Moench's first issue, and collected it up until Moench left in the early 80's. The new Shang Chi didn't come close, and it wasn't just the lack of Gene Day or Paul Gulacy. So my question is-- Why, when the Rohmer estate lowered the boom, didn't Marvel just carry on with a "just-different-enough-to-avoid-legal-action" version? Change Black Jack Tarr to, I dunno, Black Tom MacAdam, Sir Denis to Sir Bob, Fu Manchu to Mu Fanchu, etc? OK, it's hokey, but you probably could have gotten away with it. Actually, you DID sorta name-change Fu Manchu and make him the evil emperor of another dimension, so why not the rest? Like I said, the new Shang-Chi just isn't doing it for me.
Another fun read! I appreciate all the questions you answer, and then I appreciate all the askers for asking!
Here’s a Q: Do you think that Marvel and DC not being their own companies, but owned by larger corporations, can be compromising to their goals/publishing outlooks? Or rather, is it good, in which the financial backings from the these larger corporations keeps the books propped up? I’ll admit this stems from some of the recent unfortunate happenings within WarnerBros, as some comic fans are concerned if any of it will effect the DC Comics side of things😬
But speaking of large companies owning a lot, yet on a lighter note, have you gotten a chance to watch Amazon’s new “Rings of Power?” What did you think? I’ll admit I’ve not made through all the Lord of the Rings books, but I have fond memories of my dad reading the Hobbit to me, and I quite enjoy all the movies. I appreciate the show as a way of providing a less daunting look into Tolkien’s world than the density of the Silmarillion.
I love Greg Land's work and was thrilled to hear he is back! I don't visit comic sites often anymore due to lack of eithre real news or professionalism so I might have missed this.
Thanks so much, Tom, that was exactly the kind of answer I was hoping you’d have and I’m gonna cherish it. I have a few follow-ups, but I’ll stitch them in during work calls. :)
And I do hope one day I am remembered for having conversations with people who felt like they “don’t know that this was useful, so much as a litany of stuff that doesn’t mean anything to anybody else — but if nothing else, it was fun talking to Rickey.” :)
So, I'm a year late to this party, but I've somehow only just discovered this newsletter and am working my way through. For my money, the best "last issue" would be Thor 382. Walt Simonson wrapped everything up - Hela's overreach, the frost giant invasion, and did it all in highly entertaining style. Thor breaking Loki's arm at the end was a perfect cherry on top. I certainly haven't read every run of every superhero comic (although I have read quite a few), but of the ones I have read, I think Walt's run on Thor was the best.
Wuau, a big one this week! Once again, thanks for answering my question.
Regarding the "What’s the best “last issue” of someone leaving a significant Marvel run?" topic: Dan Slott on Amazing Spider-Man. He could had gone out with #800 and already be absolutely fantastic. But then along comes #801 with Marcos Martin and they delivered one of the best single issues in the entire Spider-Man history. It's absurd how good that issue is, I simply love it.
Another recent one: Immortal Hulk #50. I loved the entire run and the last entry felt like an all-encompassing, all-out take on its themes and purposes. A beautiful issue that, emotionally, felt compassionate and hopeful. "Hulks should forgive Hulks. Someone has to". The fact that the creative team lasted all the 50 issues (regardless of what I nowadays think about the artist) makes it even better, closing a complete package and a true modern-classic.
I have to mention another one. Spider-Man #240, Bendis' last issue with Miles - and the end of what was originally the Ultimate Spider-Man book as we knew it. I know a lot of people probably won't agree with me, but I do think it deserves to be recognized as one of the best made by the guy during his run. That last page says it all. I basically grew up in comics with this series. Ultimate Spider-Man and Bendis work is always close to my heart. So, yeah, amazing last issue of a legendary run.
A specific question that leads to a more general one Tom: I heard that Mark Gruenwald had written a plot for a Squadron Supreme series that would follow up on their return to their Earth after their OGN and appearances in Quasar - big fan of those characters - can you share any details on what Mark had planned?
On a more general note: are there a lot of old plots/pencils/half finished issues in the Marvel vaults? Any gems you would like to share? I liked the Tales from the Marvel vaults that printed a bunch years ago..any interest in reviving some of the contents of the 'vault' if there are any?
Perfect finish - I would say Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's final issue of Captain America - a done in one tale that recalls their first issue and sums up the entire series (and ties up a loose end with a recurring villain). A seminal run that i loved and really stuck to the landing with Cap.
Wow, what an epic! Speaking of "chasing the dragon", you mentioned in passing Master of Kung Fu, which was THE comic book for me during the 70's. I chased back issues of that back to Doug Moench's first issue, and collected it up until Moench left in the early 80's. The new Shang Chi didn't come close, and it wasn't just the lack of Gene Day or Paul Gulacy. So my question is-- Why, when the Rohmer estate lowered the boom, didn't Marvel just carry on with a "just-different-enough-to-avoid-legal-action" version? Change Black Jack Tarr to, I dunno, Black Tom MacAdam, Sir Denis to Sir Bob, Fu Manchu to Mu Fanchu, etc? OK, it's hokey, but you probably could have gotten away with it. Actually, you DID sorta name-change Fu Manchu and make him the evil emperor of another dimension, so why not the rest? Like I said, the new Shang-Chi just isn't doing it for me.
Another fun read! I appreciate all the questions you answer, and then I appreciate all the askers for asking!
Here’s a Q: Do you think that Marvel and DC not being their own companies, but owned by larger corporations, can be compromising to their goals/publishing outlooks? Or rather, is it good, in which the financial backings from the these larger corporations keeps the books propped up? I’ll admit this stems from some of the recent unfortunate happenings within WarnerBros, as some comic fans are concerned if any of it will effect the DC Comics side of things😬
But speaking of large companies owning a lot, yet on a lighter note, have you gotten a chance to watch Amazon’s new “Rings of Power?” What did you think? I’ll admit I’ve not made through all the Lord of the Rings books, but I have fond memories of my dad reading the Hobbit to me, and I quite enjoy all the movies. I appreciate the show as a way of providing a less daunting look into Tolkien’s world than the density of the Silmarillion.
I love Greg Land's work and was thrilled to hear he is back! I don't visit comic sites often anymore due to lack of eithre real news or professionalism so I might have missed this.
Thanks so much, Tom, that was exactly the kind of answer I was hoping you’d have and I’m gonna cherish it. I have a few follow-ups, but I’ll stitch them in during work calls. :)
And I do hope one day I am remembered for having conversations with people who felt like they “don’t know that this was useful, so much as a litany of stuff that doesn’t mean anything to anybody else — but if nothing else, it was fun talking to Rickey.” :)
Thanks for sharing the link to that FF post. That First issue is the dragon I chase. Thank you and all involved for putting it out into the world.
So, I'm a year late to this party, but I've somehow only just discovered this newsletter and am working my way through. For my money, the best "last issue" would be Thor 382. Walt Simonson wrapped everything up - Hela's overreach, the frost giant invasion, and did it all in highly entertaining style. Thor breaking Loki's arm at the end was a perfect cherry on top. I certainly haven't read every run of every superhero comic (although I have read quite a few), but of the ones I have read, I think Walt's run on Thor was the best.