Longhaired wigs and clip-on ponytails
2007-07-20 12:21:50
Wazzup, everybody!
Just another lovely day in paradise for us here at Marvel.
These next few weeks are going to be killers for me personally. What makes it worse is thinking about how much I have to do and getting so freaked out that I actually end up doing less because I’m so darn freaked out by how much I have to do. Then, if in fact I do less, I freak out even more because now I’m falling behind and have even more to cram into a smaller amount of time, and then of course I just freak out even more because… ah, you get the picture.
So, what’s on the agenda, let’s see.
Tomorrow, I have my pal George and his family arriving from Florida. They’re staying with my family and me for a week. He’s got a little bit of business to take care of here in NYC that I’ll tell you about next week.
Tuesday, June 27, as the song goes, “The Boys Are Back In Town,” and we begin our creator summit in earnest. Three days of comicbook goodness.
Thursday afternoon, June 29, I fly out to North Carolina, Charlotte to be exactl, for Heroes Con. Can’t wait to get there, this is just a great show and I love the fans and people of Charlotte.
Sunday morning, July 2, I fly from Charlotte to Miami where I’ll meet up with my family and we’ll be seeing extended family in the area.
Wednesday, July 5, the family and I drive down to Key West where we’ll meet up with some friends and vacation for the week.
When I get back, I’ll have about a week and a half before I have to fly out to the West Coast for some meetings in LA and then the jaunt down to San Diego Comicon.
So, while all of this is well and good and in some cases will be a lot of fun, it sends my schedule into a tailspin. Currently I’m debating whether I’ll have time to do my next scheduled Wolverine: Origins cover. I’m having a blast with this assignment, but the deadline is right smack in the middle of my vacation. As some of you may or may not know, I’m currently working on a top secret Spidey, four issue series with JMS. I have a great head of steam on it which I would hate to have to break. I’m the type of artist that works well when I have momentum, if I get derailed, it takes me a little bit of time to get back in the saddle. The problem with drawing and being EIC is that there’s a lot of derailing happening for all the obvious reasons. So, as I write this, sipping on a Red Bull in order to keep my eyes open, I’m just trying to figure it all out.
By the way, shhhhhhh, Wolverine: Origins editor, Axel Alonso knows nothing of this yet.
See, that’s the cool thing about these blogs, I’ll end up giving you cats more inside information than you’ll ever need or perhaps even want ;-)
Now, let’s see, seems I might have time to get to some posts.
mre2u
Joe any chance Marvel can improve how they send out subscriptions? Really hated in the past where the books would be manhandled by the mail man. I'd consider subscribing if the issue is resolved.
Hey, mre2u, subscriptions aren’t my department, but let me pass the question along and I’ll see what the folks in charge have to say.
Shannon
Creator Summit equals more Marvel podcast goodness I hope! Say it IS so Joe! :)
Shannon, I suspect we may be doing them, but time will be tight at this summit. I’ll let you know if there’s anything to report.
Bearpod91
I still don't see what's good about JRJR's art. I don't get it, there are so many better artists than him. Can't believe he still has a job here.
Bearpod91, while I of course respect everyone’s opinions here, let me try to explain to you what makes Johnny brilliant and the World’s Greatest Comic Artist.
While stylistic approach and one’s preference of such is completely subjective, JR brings more to the game than just that. Ask any writer who has ever worked with Johnny and they’ll tell you how they would take him any day above all others. Let’s put aside that he’s a machine, he’s just one of those incredibly fast draftsmen, here is what makes Johnny the best in my mind.
JR does everything right! Sure, someone may draw the world’s best quiet, character moments, sure perhaps another artist can draw the world’s best action scenes, and yeah, perhaps yet another can draw the world’s best over the top, fight scenes, but what Johnny brings to the table is that he can do all of that, and he does it great. He’s what in baseball they call a five-tool-player, in entertainment he’s the triple threat. The artist that can draw the great fight scene may not be the best to draw a couple having a tender moment in a romantic restaurant and vise versa, JR can. Then add to that that he is one of the greatest storytellers of our generation and you know what that makes him?
The World’s Greatest Comic Artists!
Sure, like any artist, I know that there will be people who don’t dig his style, that’s cool. But, do me a favor, next time you look at his work, look at it through a more critical eye than just what’s on the surface and let me know if you see something different, I bet you will.
Meestercheeser
This is great! A truly important figurehead interacting with the fans! Really, this is why I love Marvel; they seem to get how human beings work!
Thanks for the kind words Meestercheeser. While I would argue that the jury is still out that I personally have any idea how human beings work, my wife would certainly argue the point, Marvel has a long standing tradition of being there for the fans. Lets face it, you kind folk pay our rent and make these characters what they are, so we owe it to you. Besides, that’s the beauty about being at Marvel, ever since the dawn of this universe there has been this sense of community never before seen in the history of comics. Many have tried to duplicate but it always feels forced. That’s because we all share one very special thing, we are like minded individuals drawn together with a common bond, the love for these characters and stories and that’s something that just can’t be replicated as simply as trying to get that “Marvel” feel. I mean it’s been tried for years, heck, folks are even trying as we speak. But it’s the equivalent of a bunch of suit and tie types putting on longhaired wigs and clip on ponytails and saying they’re a rock band, the fans can feel the difference, more importantly, they can hear it as well.
ninja123
Thats pretty cool. It's the first blog. Marvel heroe's need you. You know.
No, no, ninja123, Marvel’s heroes and we need you guys!
More to come later today, a contest to be exact!
See ya in the funnybooks,
JQ
EEK!
!!! Thats right Joe, you tell them about Johnny! A new Spidey series! Gotta love that. Hope you'll enjoy your time down here in Miami. Just don't let us crazy Heat fans scare you away.
Posted by offbeatblink on 2006-06-22 11:06:26
Seeing Beyond the Surface It's difficult for a lot of readers, particularly online fans who are by and large more predisposed to understanding words than pictures, to see beyond the surface form of comic book art to take in the underlying construction, composition, etc. Even many (if not most) comic book reviewers will inevitably concentrate on the "story" (i.e., the writing, plot, etc.) rather than discuss specifics of the art. Some of them just don't have the vocabulary. It takes time to teach yourself what to look for. My knowledge of what I was actually looking at increased exponentially when I married a comic book artist. Now I get frustrated whenever other people don't see what I see. :) But I agree about the dynamism in JRjr's art, and believe his construction and composition are extremely solid.
Posted by Elayne Riggs on 2006-06-22 11:16:57
thanks thanks for taking the time to interact with the fans. I think that you will be greatly rewarded for this effort. Cultivating a relationship with the street level will create situations where we will defend not only Marvel and the Marvel approach to story telling, but also support you in times of controversy. This is a great thing!
Posted by bigdaddyhub2 on 2006-06-22 11:33:57
Good blog Thanks for the idea in getting Eternals. Can't wait for more information on the Spider-man title your working on. You seem like your pretty busy but thanks for getting back to the fans.
Posted by spidey0402 on 2006-06-22 11:52:00
I'm so excited for the new Spidey Title! ^
Posted by number3 on 2006-06-22 12:38:34
The New Marvel Age! Thanks Joe for always trying to be this close to the fans, I know it´s hard because many of the internet "fans" always look at things from the pessimist side, but I would like you to know that there are many of us that really like a lot what Marvel is doing. Sure, not all is perfect, but you can see the care and hard work being put in producing Marvel Comics.
Very excited on your Spidey project! Can´t wait for it! Also, if you have a few minutes to spare, I would like you to know how much I loved Tom Beland´s Spider-Man Unlimited and I (heart) Marvel Spider-Man comics, please try to give this guy more Spidey work!!
Oh, and I almost forgot! Civil War 2 was awesome! Spidey´s life will be a lot of fun to read!
Posted by nexusjosue on 2006-06-22 12:57:21
Hmm Well Joe, you set your points. A fast worker and a good storyteller. But I just don't know if that's really unique. Because from all the other artists here at Marvel, they can do that too. And his style isn't really my taste so I guess that's why I don't like it as much. I like realistic art mostly. JRJR's style is kinda...well blocky looking and over-inked. I'll stick to reading books with art I like which doesn't really have JRJR in the listing.
Posted by Bearpod91 on 2006-06-22 13:44:12
HeroesCon Hey Joe, glad to hear you're going to make it to Charlotte. It's going to be my first time there, but I hear it's a great con. Can't wait to see you there. Any chance I could get a Spidey sketch from ya, pretty please?
Posted by SimonH on 2006-06-22 15:08:22
Secret Spidey?!? That is totally awesome. Btw I've been hearing rumors that in the third Spider-man movie, Spidey is going to unmask as well. Do you know if this is true?
And the whole pattern of having too much to do and running out of time, is something I can relate to. I fall into that loop more often than I'd like to. So at least your not alone....if thats any consolation. Haha. Good luck though, you guys do a great job and deserve your vacation, between all the chaos I hope you have a good time and have fun.
Posted by TwilghtDragon on 2006-06-22 15:46:21
I love John Romita Jr.'s art. His illustration work is the kind that is even more impressive in black and white than with colour. Chris Bachalo rocks too. And Tim Sale.
Posted by underscore on 2006-06-22 19:35:39
Good to have you here! Joe, it's great to see you interacting with the online community - no matter how scary and crazy they may get. I think between this and your continued Joe Fridays, you are without a doubt setting a higher standard for communication with the fans than ever before.
I hope the creator summit churns out some more good stuff (Civil War's going well so far, and the Frontline tie-in is fantastic!) and that you have a well-deserved vacation. But once that's over, get back to the artist desk!
Posted by Rich Lovatt on 2006-06-23 06:07:56
I just wanna say Comics have been changing drastically all for the better, all in my generation. I'm very fortunate and, for that, I thank people like you, Joe. Thank you for the memories, thanks for everything! Hope you have fun with the family!
Posted by ToM of Earth 616 on 2006-06-23 07:50:07
Howdy Heya Joe-
Awesome to see that you're blogging. Don't let the influx of people (which will be inevitable as soon as more people wake up and read SciFi.com), some of whom'll undoubtedly be pills, spook ya.
...on second thought, you've been in the comic industry forever. Nevermind, you'll be fine. ;)
Seriously, I just wanted to drop a line and say "thank you", as well. I had the opportunity to meet you going on 15 years ago, back in the dark ages when women weren't terribly common as comic book readers, and you were very kind and encouraging, both recommending books to read and ways to avoid the more...persistent guys who flipped at a gal reading a comic book. It meant a lot to me that you'd take time out for a shy teen, and has stayed with me - so thank you!
Posted by Rocza on 2006-06-23 10:09:25
Array
Enter a response to this blog post:
About this blog: Hey there True Believer! Ever wonder what a day in the life of Marvel’s Editor in Chief is like? Well, wonder no more o’ faithful one! Join Joe Quesada as he takes you through the hallowed halls of Marvel in his very own "Cup of Blog!"
About the author: Joe Quesada is Editor in Chief of Marvel comics.
save this link
