19 Comments

"Things like the THE END books we published a year or so back, or the recent 2099 titles will likely be among the first to go, simply because they’re less likely to be something I’ll need to know about."

Do you ever have concerns, regarding the publishing line as a whole, that if certain books don't feel like an urgent read to you, the readership at large may regard them the same way?

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I got my comics start at a hole-in-the-wall used books store, before Direct Sales was a thing. Man, I picked up everything in there, from Kirby's Kamandi to the entire original Thanos/Avengers/Cap Marvel/Warlock saga by Jim "Psychedelicosmic" Starlin. Like a damn fool, I eventually sold or gave away most of those 70's comics, because they weren't worth Big Money like X-Men or whatever. I'd really like to slap younger me a few times.

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Miracleman blew my mind as a kid and still holds a very special place in my heart. I have to say, I'm excited but also VERY apprehensive about the new stuff, particularly after his emblem showed up at the end of Timeless. I can't wait for the continued saga but I'm nervous about Miracleman possibly interacting with the larger Marvel universe. I'd have preferred that the Watchmen characters not interact with DC superheroes and this feels similar, although I'm also of the mind that if you don't like something then you can just not read it! And I'm sure the Watchmen/DC stuff made a lot of money. I'm not sure exactly what my question is, I guess I'd just like to hear your thoughts.

On another note, Waid/Wieringo FF is loads of fun and definitely a comic I enjoy rereading, but I want to double down on your high praise for Slott/Allred Silver Surfer. What an absolutely wonderful book.

Finally, this: "...it turns out that I’ve had more longevity than most would have thought, so it wound up being a bad bet for those folks." made me LOL. Take a hike bozos, you just got Brevoorted!!

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On the subject of creators Tom, was just wondering about this point recently. How much nowadays do trade paperback sales factor into a series continuing or being cancelled? Obviously some books are likely down the line to have healthier sales in collected format vs single issues. But how much leeway is given now to see trade sales figures, as some books get canned really quickly now.

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I wanted to say how much I appreciate and look forward to each newsletter. Thank you so much for all your efforts in putting them together!

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I’m curious about the comp comics system. If I remember correctly, didn’t Marvel and DC used to send comp copies to each other for a while? How and when did this whole system begin, and when did the comps between companies stop?

Also, I’m curious about licensed characters. How do you weigh the decision of adding a licensed character into the broader Marvel Universe, in-continuity, knowing that there’s a possibility that reprints may be an issue down the road?

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I asked this in the comments on the FF 102 book, but figured it'd be a fun one to see you chew on.

What’s the best “last issue” of someone leaving a significant Marvel run? It has to be Peter David’s last Hulk book (at least before he came back a few years later), doesn’t it? As a more recent example, Dan Slott’s last FF book was really good- I think he nailed the ending with the intro to Reed’s other brothers and sisters.

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As a longtime fan of yours, I've greatly enjoyed this newsletter! I'd hate for you to "shut up" about anything, as you have consistently interesting things to say. However, if the "Comics that came out on..."; "Comics I worked on"; and "Monofocus" sections became monthly or biweekly features I think that might strike a good balance

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god I love this newsletter

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I also pine for comic stores of my youth - although my time frame is about 10-15 years later than you. I live in the Chicago area and there are literally a couple of dozen fantastic shops - clean, organized, brightly lit, cool stuff, welcoming to new customers and kids... and they hold virtually no interest for me. I have a great LCS that covers my weekly habit, but I need that shop that is stacked with the brim with long-boxes, dimly lit, with stuff on the shelf 10+ years old... finding those in whatever city I'm visiting is the holy grail.

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Also questions for for a future newsletter:

Was there a great project, for whatever reason you or you/Marvel passed on that went on to be a huge hit somewhere else?

Has there been a title you worked on that went on to be a huge hit, that you weren't sure was going to find initial success? Or one that others doubted, that you were convinced was going to be success and it was? or wasn't?

Are you still "collecting" any particular comic titles or series - I'm working back Amazing Spider-Man and Avengers (40 to go!) for example.

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"I know that those of us who grew up in a different era have a nostalgic pull towards those always-increasing issue numbers, but at the end of the day, he issue number isn’t really all that important."

I gotta disagree with that for every time I've recommended a comic-book to a friend who is new to the medium. When I have to specify that one number #1 is not the same that another #1, things starts to get chaotic, to say the least. Nowadays, the Legacy numbering is a fantastic idea that I wish had been implemented before (it was like that in the early 2000s, but not in the every-year-a-new-relaunch Marvel Now era) like it is today. It's very useful and I hope it never goes away. Also, Batman has basically had only 3 volumes in his entire history, both for Detective and the main series. Sure, it's Batman, but I think it can be done.

"Things like the THE END books we published a year or so back, or the recent 2099 titles will likely be among the first to go, simply because they’re less likely to be something I’ll need to know about."

Question: what kind of resources do editors have to keep track of continuity, apart from receiving the monthly books to read what isn't under their umbrella? Is there any kind of big excel spreadsheet or word document that has loose-ends, plot-points or anything like that?

I can't wait for the new Thunderbolts series. Zub & Izaakse are a favorite creative-team for me. Their work is amazing, full of charisma and fun team interactions. I will read any book they work on together. I'm also really interested in this upcoming new era of Miracleman, as the reprints will allow me to actually read this historic series.

In regards to Marvel Comics #1000, it was an interesting beast. I would had loved to have Bendis in that book. He introduced me to the modern Marvel Universe and it would had been fitting. I think he is mostly gonna go do indie and creator-owned work now, but I hope he returns one day to do some more fun stuff at Marvel.

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I remember a comic/book shop called MARS (in Quebec in the 80s) that was dark and dingy and just had stacks and stacks of comics, magazines, porn, and god knows what else in a giant warehouse like store. I remember a column of comics tipping over and falling on the floor - i was terrified - the dude behind the counter barely looked up from what he was reading lol.

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Loved Marvel 1000 and 1001 - Tom any plans to follow up on the Roger Stern machine Man story ?- seems Roger has been wanting to tell a Machine Man story for a while now. Would be fun to revisit.

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I’d been thinking of questions for you, Tom, and then two hit me at once. (One of which you touched on with this post.)

You made mention in your post a few weeks ago during a heads up about the new issue of Moon Knight being on sale of your “small crew of comics-reading friends” calling the character different names. I’d love to hear about your comics-reading friends growing up. Seems like it might be easier these days to find a peer who has read a comic than it used to be. I know I tended to be the comic guy in my groups aside from one cherished exception.

The other topic was your personal interaction with the development of the direct market as a fan. It always fascinated me. And I’d love to go to Koch’s Warehouse with you in Brooklyn one day. :)

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Long ago in New Jersey (near Medford) there was a guy who took over his father's dryc leaning business and turned half of it into Gelatinous Comics.

On the Kirby side, has anyone ever suggested a mini continuing the story of the Eternals if they hadn't been shoehorned into the MU and you could play out the entire long number of years between Celestial arrival and judgement? It's one of my favorite comic related thought experiments. I can't see it ever seeing print so I'm just curious if anyone else had their brain go that way too.

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