Tom - in regards to licences comics - can you talk a bit about Marvel's recent stint with Conan and other REH titles? I loved the new titles (including the mingling with the Avengers and rest of MCU), and especially the gorgeous reprints (Epic, Omnibus, etc.).
How did it come about? Was someone in editorial a fan? Did the licensors approach Marvel? What was the overall goal? Was it considered a success?
I would like to know more about that as well. Is there any chance Marvel will get the license back at some point? Is Fredrik Malmberg kind of a schmuck? Because from what I've read he seems to not be the best custodian of the Conan properties this last decade or so.
Great post Tom, thought I’d just reply on a few points.
Us fans are often I can assure you wishing that Marvel would buy or licence the bits of Rom and Micronauts that they don’t already own. Omnibuses of both would I believe be very well received by fans (particularly a remastered hardcover of that wonderful Mantlo/Golden run).
It’s a great shame the upcoming Nova omnibus seems to be missing the Rom issue which wrapped up the character at the time, you could definitely lift some panels from it (Particularly at the comics end) and replace other bits with some text, to round it out.
We all miss Mark, his work was very popular with readers, which reminds me, Quasar needs an omnibus!
Intrigued by that Deathlok reveal. Savage Avengers is something I’d been getting in trades, and will continue to do so with the new volume. Hopefully it can continue without Conan, there’s certainly plenty more characters you could hook in (Skull the Slayer, last seen in Weirdworld would be a good one).
Have only read what’s been happening so far with Frank Castle, but again am intrigued enough to pick up the trade, or catch-up soon on Marvel Unlimited.
And Jeremy Adams on an Avengers digital book sounds worth a look too, so you’ve done a good job on selling me this week!
One more question in regards to Mark Gruenwald - I was a big fan of his (born in '75 so 80s Marvel was my sweet spot) - loved his Cap and Quasar run as well as his Mark's remarks column which pre internet offered a great look behind the curtain.
My question pertains to his link to another Marvel fav of mine - Roger Stern- and the truncated Avengers run which seemed to stem from a difference of opinion in regards to Cap Marvel (Monica Rambeau) and the return of Cap Steve Rogers as the leader - why was this acrimonious enough to cause Stern to leave?
Not looking for controversy just sincerly saddened that run was truncated and it seemed like Stern then moved to DC full time for years. Didn't Stern have a good relationship with Mark Gruenwald and editorial?
"I long for the days when there were decent comic book news sites"
I would recommend Popverse, which features the work of Chris Arrant and Graeme McMillan, among others. But your point is taken about the diffusion of fan opinion amidst social media, and the dissolution of the communities that used to exist around news sites. I would submit that part of the reason for that is that the major publishers made a concerted effort to give access only to sites that presented favorable coverage-- making those sites less interesting for fan discussions, and giving the sites themselves less reason to maintain fan communities where negative opinions may circulate.
The fist one is about Chip Zdarsky, in a way, so you can use this as an excuse to have more Zdarsky content next week! A win-win situation.
So, he writes Daredevil, but he is also writing Batman now. How do you manage that from an editorial point of view? I mean, he is writing what's arguably the Top 1 title for the rival company. Does it weigh on what projects do you assign him? Is there any fear that he goes the DC-exclusive way? In the last few years it seems like DC has hired more exclusive talent than Marvel, and from a fan-perspective it doesn't sound crazy to me that the trend may continue.
As for the second question, you said this. "I long for the days when there were decent comic book news sites, as there really isn’t anywhere to get a solid sense of the reaction to a project anymore." I wonder if you could go into more detail about this. To be totally honest, I write and do podcast for an spanish comic-book website, so I'm really interested on what someone from the inside looks into in comic-book websites. What do you miss? What is lacking these days?
I do have my own opinion on the subject, and I definitely feel the situation is worse than a few years ago. I don't know if it's because of websites being bought by bigger media groups or if there is anything more to take into account. I also feel there is too much focus on TV, cinema and listicles.
Anyway, thanks for the weekly newsletter and thanks beforehand in case you answer these questions. Have a nice week!
Hi Tom! I've been greatly enjoying the newsletter in recent weeks, and yes, I found it thanks to Chip.
One comment on the Everett page that might be of interest to your readers; it is currently displayed at the Columbus Center of Science and Industry (COSI) museum through Labor Day as part of the wonderful Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes exhibit. Looking at the page up close, you can definitely appreciate the wash-like effect of the grays that you mentioned. The whole exhibit is wonderful, with so much original art, but it was truly a privilege to be able to look at that page up close.
On a different topic, while unsure if I was interested in following AXE, I picked up the first issue because I'm an Avengers and X-Men reader and a Kieron Gillan fan, and I've got to say that it was spectacular. I'm onboard for the ride and talking the book up as much as I can. The Eternals have always interested me but been a tough nut for me to crack, and so I can't comment on their recent title beyond the first issue, which seemed to be quite a different portrayal than what I've read from prior works. However, as an avid Avengers and X-Men reader, I do enjoy seeing how the threads in those titles are being woven into this story in a way I didn't expect and that makes a lot of sense.
Keep up the great work! As a longtime Marvel reader for 40+ years (I learned to read from issues of Star Wars and episodes of Sesame Street at age 3) I enjoy the trips down memory lane, and always learn some new fun behind the scenes info that makes your newsletter a must read every week. Thanks!
The newsletter continues to be a pleasure like always. I love hearing stories/insider info about the past days of Marvel!
In relation to the passage about Spider-Girl, have you worked on any books that surprised you with better sales numbers than you hoped? Is this always a welcome situation, or can organizing the adequate time/resources to suddenly keep a series going prove difficult?
Tom - in regards to licences comics - can you talk a bit about Marvel's recent stint with Conan and other REH titles? I loved the new titles (including the mingling with the Avengers and rest of MCU), and especially the gorgeous reprints (Epic, Omnibus, etc.).
How did it come about? Was someone in editorial a fan? Did the licensors approach Marvel? What was the overall goal? Was it considered a success?
I would like to know more about that as well. Is there any chance Marvel will get the license back at some point? Is Fredrik Malmberg kind of a schmuck? Because from what I've read he seems to not be the best custodian of the Conan properties this last decade or so.
Great post Tom, thought I’d just reply on a few points.
Us fans are often I can assure you wishing that Marvel would buy or licence the bits of Rom and Micronauts that they don’t already own. Omnibuses of both would I believe be very well received by fans (particularly a remastered hardcover of that wonderful Mantlo/Golden run).
It’s a great shame the upcoming Nova omnibus seems to be missing the Rom issue which wrapped up the character at the time, you could definitely lift some panels from it (Particularly at the comics end) and replace other bits with some text, to round it out.
We all miss Mark, his work was very popular with readers, which reminds me, Quasar needs an omnibus!
Intrigued by that Deathlok reveal. Savage Avengers is something I’d been getting in trades, and will continue to do so with the new volume. Hopefully it can continue without Conan, there’s certainly plenty more characters you could hook in (Skull the Slayer, last seen in Weirdworld would be a good one).
Have only read what’s been happening so far with Frank Castle, but again am intrigued enough to pick up the trade, or catch-up soon on Marvel Unlimited.
And Jeremy Adams on an Avengers digital book sounds worth a look too, so you’ve done a good job on selling me this week!
One more question in regards to Mark Gruenwald - I was a big fan of his (born in '75 so 80s Marvel was my sweet spot) - loved his Cap and Quasar run as well as his Mark's remarks column which pre internet offered a great look behind the curtain.
My question pertains to his link to another Marvel fav of mine - Roger Stern- and the truncated Avengers run which seemed to stem from a difference of opinion in regards to Cap Marvel (Monica Rambeau) and the return of Cap Steve Rogers as the leader - why was this acrimonious enough to cause Stern to leave?
Not looking for controversy just sincerly saddened that run was truncated and it seemed like Stern then moved to DC full time for years. Didn't Stern have a good relationship with Mark Gruenwald and editorial?
Any insights you can share?
"I long for the days when there were decent comic book news sites"
I would recommend Popverse, which features the work of Chris Arrant and Graeme McMillan, among others. But your point is taken about the diffusion of fan opinion amidst social media, and the dissolution of the communities that used to exist around news sites. I would submit that part of the reason for that is that the major publishers made a concerted effort to give access only to sites that presented favorable coverage-- making those sites less interesting for fan discussions, and giving the sites themselves less reason to maintain fan communities where negative opinions may circulate.
A couple questions surrounding this new entry.
The fist one is about Chip Zdarsky, in a way, so you can use this as an excuse to have more Zdarsky content next week! A win-win situation.
So, he writes Daredevil, but he is also writing Batman now. How do you manage that from an editorial point of view? I mean, he is writing what's arguably the Top 1 title for the rival company. Does it weigh on what projects do you assign him? Is there any fear that he goes the DC-exclusive way? In the last few years it seems like DC has hired more exclusive talent than Marvel, and from a fan-perspective it doesn't sound crazy to me that the trend may continue.
As for the second question, you said this. "I long for the days when there were decent comic book news sites, as there really isn’t anywhere to get a solid sense of the reaction to a project anymore." I wonder if you could go into more detail about this. To be totally honest, I write and do podcast for an spanish comic-book website, so I'm really interested on what someone from the inside looks into in comic-book websites. What do you miss? What is lacking these days?
I do have my own opinion on the subject, and I definitely feel the situation is worse than a few years ago. I don't know if it's because of websites being bought by bigger media groups or if there is anything more to take into account. I also feel there is too much focus on TV, cinema and listicles.
Anyway, thanks for the weekly newsletter and thanks beforehand in case you answer these questions. Have a nice week!
I can't wait to eventually pay 100 dollars for the book that these should definitely be compiled into.
This is an absolutely terrific newsletter - I enjoyed it very much and thank you for putting it together!
Hi Tom! I've been greatly enjoying the newsletter in recent weeks, and yes, I found it thanks to Chip.
One comment on the Everett page that might be of interest to your readers; it is currently displayed at the Columbus Center of Science and Industry (COSI) museum through Labor Day as part of the wonderful Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes exhibit. Looking at the page up close, you can definitely appreciate the wash-like effect of the grays that you mentioned. The whole exhibit is wonderful, with so much original art, but it was truly a privilege to be able to look at that page up close.
On a different topic, while unsure if I was interested in following AXE, I picked up the first issue because I'm an Avengers and X-Men reader and a Kieron Gillan fan, and I've got to say that it was spectacular. I'm onboard for the ride and talking the book up as much as I can. The Eternals have always interested me but been a tough nut for me to crack, and so I can't comment on their recent title beyond the first issue, which seemed to be quite a different portrayal than what I've read from prior works. However, as an avid Avengers and X-Men reader, I do enjoy seeing how the threads in those titles are being woven into this story in a way I didn't expect and that makes a lot of sense.
Keep up the great work! As a longtime Marvel reader for 40+ years (I learned to read from issues of Star Wars and episodes of Sesame Street at age 3) I enjoy the trips down memory lane, and always learn some new fun behind the scenes info that makes your newsletter a must read every week. Thanks!
The newsletter continues to be a pleasure like always. I love hearing stories/insider info about the past days of Marvel!
In relation to the passage about Spider-Girl, have you worked on any books that surprised you with better sales numbers than you hoped? Is this always a welcome situation, or can organizing the adequate time/resources to suddenly keep a series going prove difficult?