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Interviews
2008-07-26 13:05:39

Maybe it’s just that this is San Diego Convention week, so the sheer volume of news stories on the assorted comics news sites has tripled. But I find myself a little bit dismayed about the overall quality of the journalism surrounding our industry. As these stories get filed—and in fairness to the people working on them, there’s a lot of material to cover—I feel like I’m reading the same quotes over and over and over again. “When NAME OF CREATOR came to us with the idea for NAME OF PROJECT, we were so excited we were over the moon! We simply had to do it—and it’s going to blow you away!” And as a result, nothing makes much of an impact, because it all feels like the same story.

Isn’t there anything more or better that can be said about this stuff? And aren’t there any better questions to be asked? So often, these interviews feel like the interviewer is using a macro he’d developed for this purpose: “Tell me what NAME OF PROJECT is about? What’s it like working with NAME OF CREATOR?” Even if you’ve got to round the bases on this stuff, surely there must be some way to make the questions at least slightly more varied.

Now, there are some good sites for comics reporting. Tom Spurgeon’s page is a good example. But for the most part he’s disinterested in the Marvel/DC mainstream. And maybe it’s just the rosy glow of nostalgia, but it seems like the coverage was better and more substantial back in the days of print, when magazines like the COMICS JOURNAL, AMAZING HEROES or COMICS INTERVIEW would include a little meat on those bones. Recently, the best interviewer about comics has been Brian Bendis, but he has a tremendous advantage, being an industry insider and able to speak to most creators on a completely different level. Nonetheless, I really miss that series of interviews he had been conducting at the Wizard site (though, of course, I’d rather he was writing scripts for books like NEW AVENGERS.) But surely there’s somebody out there who can fill those shoes.

I know, for myself, I get bored trying to answer these same-old, same-old questions whenever there’s a piece of promotion to be done. And I know that if I’m bored, the people reading the interview are going to be bored, and that’s not going to help sell any comic books. And I’m interested in the process of making comic books—if there’s a book or a creator I like, I want to know what was going on in their head as they were producing the work. And if they’ve got something new coming out, I want to hear more than just the same pull quotes that they said about their last project .

So consider this a vain plea for better effort on the part of the comics journalists of the world.

In the meantime, I’m going to open the floor in the response section of this thread to questions, and I’ll try to answer them later this week. Same rules as last time: 1) Any individual can ask any two questions, no more; and 2) Anybody can veto any question for any reason.

Lets go. More later.

Tom B

Hey Tom,
Thanks for doing this again.
1) Why are Brubaker/Fraction and Aja off Iron Fist. Did they only have about a 14 issues worth of stories planned and simply accomplish what they wanted or are they just too busy with Uncanny, or was it something else completely. I'm really going to miss that creative theme on that book.
2) Has Garth Ennis got any post Punisher (not including the Limited Series that was announced at San Diego) Marvel work lined up?

Posted by cjmcaree on 2008-07-26 12:42:47

I have a question about the forthcoming AGE OF SENTRY mini series. Are we going to see any of the following:

Jewel (Jessica Jones)
Sentry (the Kree character)
Punisher (Frank Castle)
Punisher (the Galactus character)

Posted by Fetsur on 2008-07-26 13:10:11

Will there ever be new Marvel Comics from Adam Warren, or have the poor sales of his comics turned him off?

Posted by MoriartyL on 2008-07-26 14:50:09

Wow
I have two questions for ya Tom B.

1. There has been alot of controversy about BND and even now many of the former Spider-Man fans are still upset about Spider-Man becoming single, and some even alledge that Marvel doesn't care about/respect its fans. Are there any plans for re-uniting Spider-Man with MJ as a married couple?

2. Will Nick Fury resume command of S.H.I.E.L.D. by the end of Secret Invasion (assuming the Skrulls don't kill him)?

(sorry if this is a double post, browser keeps telling me I could not connect, and I assumed my initial post did not get through)

Posted by Aziroth on 2008-07-26 15:01:03

Tom, I'm not sure if this is the type of answer you are looking for but as far as the quality of comic reporting goes I think the problem is there is too darn much of it. With all of the sites that arose with the advent of the internet I just think that there are too many people asking the same questions. I guess you could compare it to the cable news networks. They have 24 hours to fill and it's just about impossible to get that much first rate material. Frankly, I would be happy with much less comic coverage. I'm going a bit off topic, but I miss the days when as a reader I knew virtually nothing about what was coming out. For me the excitement of the X-Men Messiah Complex event was somewhat dulled by the fact that there was so much information out there months in advance of the first issue. Obviously, it was my choice to read all of that coverage but I think there must be a better way to get the information out there.

Posted by rialb on 2008-07-26 17:37:30

Definitive Powers by Bendis Vol 1+2
With Powers HC Vol. 02 Definitive Collection (MR) OCT072157 looking to come out on 09/24/08, will you be RESOLICITING sold-out Vol.1 ??!!

I really like to get that one first.

Posted by underworldeve on 2008-07-26 18:27:10

"Where is The 'Nam ??"
Im a relatively young fan (18) and even I cant believe guys like Mike Golden or Mike Zeck arent doing regular interior work at the Big Two...

Just wondering if this is their decision or are you guys never offering them work ?

Thanks.

Posted by underworldeve on 2008-07-26 18:30:22

Your love for the characters and the industry has been made clear time and again through this blog and other means, but how has your job impacted your love for reading comics?

Here are my 2 questions with regards to this:

1. Would you say that your job has made it easier to enjoy them (because you can appreciate it on a deeper level, enjoying all the technicalities) or more difficult (because you can't shake off the editorial hat or just because it 'is your job?)

2. Did you read comics during your vacation, and if so: which ones (where there any non-Marvel comics) and which ones did you enjoy the most?

People please don't veto these questions, I am really curious to know this. :-) Especially looking forward to Tom's recommendations... :-)

Posted by Zigy on 2008-07-27 05:06:34

I'm going to veto some questions, but the rule I'm setting myself is that they're questions that I know the answer to, and that I answer them. Hopefully this will make Tom's job easier.

Q) Why are Bru and Fraction off Iron Fist?
A: Read the first answer in this interview:
http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/120758404690219.htm

Q) Are there any plans to reunite Peter and MJ as a married couple?
A) Not as a married couple.

Q) Will Nick Fury be Director of SHIELD again at the end of Secret Invasion?
A) Read Secret Invasion and next year's Secret Warriors to find out.

Q) Will Powers Definitive Collection vol 1 come back into print?
A) That's a matter between Brian Bendis, Mike Oeming and David Gabriel; far out of Tom's purview. Ask Bendis or Oeming on their message board or by e-mail.

Posted by Fetsur on 2008-07-27 06:47:39

Don't hate the vetoers, hate that veto!
Re: Iron Fist....thanks Fetsur!

Posted by cjmcaree on 2008-07-27 08:56:34

Journalists
I had a thought. Maybe their afraid to do say a negative word? Considering even one slightly negative word can be misconstrued, it isn't a far leap to believe that a review alone could skunk a title and I suppose, in their shoes, I would feel terrible if I ruined a title because of something like that.

Posted by DRock1 on 2008-07-27 12:18:55

Any chance of reprinting:
-The 'Nam Golden issues ?

-The Truth (black Cap mini) ?

-Black Widow mini by JG Jones (Premiere HC - its been done in Spain, beautiful book !).

All these are excellent, or under the radar classics that I think need to be put back into print in definitive editions !

Thanks.

Posted by underworldeve on 2008-07-27 13:48:54

Apologies, but I'm going to veto any and all reprint-related questions, because Tom's answer to them is invariably "I don't know, it's a different department".

Posted by Fetsur on 2008-07-27 18:43:42

Journalists
It's hard to criticize the level of journalism on PR announcements. By and large, comics sites do not criticize (constructively or otherwise) the work they are covering (maybe out of fear of losing access to creators) and they are not given information that is not already approved by the Powers That Be. Any questions regarding a new creative direction are always going to be met with a "wait and see" response. So what's left? Longer interviews, like the ones on Word Balloon, are a hoot because you get to hear it all, the anecdotes, influences, and missteps. Tom, pull a Marlon Brando and give the answers to the questions you wish you were asked (his old press junkets are mind games gold).

Posted by hamgravy on 2008-07-27 23:05:33

1) Have you ever used your position to prevent a title getting cancelled and then regretted it afterwards?
2) What plans does Marvel have to print more non-superhero comics? (kudos on the steps you have already taken in this direction by-the-by)

Posted by dingogary on 2008-07-28 06:04:37

what about cross overs?
I'm interested in the ms marvel spider-man cross over in ms. marvel annule #1. I was wondering when one hero gose over to another book what are the guid lines. Like dose the spider man office have to approve how spidy is being used? Or dose the X office have to approve how the X men are being used in cross overs? How much work dose it take to hammer out continuity? I hope that still counts as one question.

Posted by s-i-d-e-r-m-a-n on 2008-07-28 07:36:23

ok then
HOW do i reach the Trades department ?

Posted by underworldeve on 2008-07-28 08:55:48

Two questions:
1: Do you think releasing preview pages can be somewhat counter productive?
(similar sometimes giving too much away in a movie trailer)

2: Time constraints and expenses aside, what is your ideal breakfast?

Posted by jaredgood1 on 2008-07-28 10:20:54

so quizz on
I can perfectly understand what you feel about interviews. But we readers hadn't so much freedom neither. There is some readers would surely wished another approaching for the return of Cloak and Dagger, or The Sentry. You choosed what you choosed, or maybe is it just a print-test ? What can we ask for? Except proposing some creative combos for a specific title. So what determines each or each approach for a book than another one ?

Posted by notapotatoe on 2008-07-28 10:41:26

HEY
apologies for the writing...really

Posted by notapotatoe on 2008-07-28 10:42:37

2 questions
This may sound a bit long winded, but it’s all really one question. With the recent trend of getting writers from other media (like say movies and novels) is there other realms of writing and media that you’d like to get new writers from. For Marvel want to bring on a foreign new correspondent because they would have experience that could really flesh out some of the more international Marvel Characters (like say the Supreme Soviets).

2nd question sort of along the lines of the first one is, are you looking to get more focused push on manga styled comics. DC seems to be trying with their CMX line but Marvel’s attempts have been a tad scattershot with things like the Mangaverse and having Kia Asamiya draw the X-Men for several issues. Considering Manga is dominating the bookstore market despite the markets is leveling out, wouldn’t it be in Marvel’s best interest to get a big piece of that pie?

Posted by ex_mutants on 2008-07-28 11:23:14

Most of the time the interviewees
can't or won't give in depth answers so there isn't much point to asking in depth questions. Employees at both Marvel and DC are very adept at dodging any questions that are at all negative.

The only thing you guys seem to want to provide is the typical press release. However, if you do want an in depth interview, why don't you scan back through the responses to the blogs you've done this year and put together a simulated interview consisting of what you consider the best and/or most recurring questions.

Posted by izzatrix on 2008-07-28 11:23:27

QUESTIONS
Thanks for doing this again Tom and for being open to a little back and forth in general.

1) Although the usual claim about tie-ins is that they are not essential to following an Event Mini, I'm finding that Secret Invasion itself has been reading as disconnected set-ups and segues that lead elsewhere. (eg. so far, Captain Marvel's appearances mean next to nothing without reading the Who Do You Trust? one-shot) Plus, many readers I know are enjoying Herc and Cap Britain MORE than the SI mini. You gave us great insight into your editorial work on a single issue by sharing an e-mail with Bendis. Now that we're at issue 4, I'm wondering if you can tell us about coordinating the overall story and shaping how it unfolds for the reader in the mini, tie-ins, one shots, previews, etc.?

2) What were the most remarkable revelations that hit you about the comics industry as you went from being a fan to a working pro and then from pro to your current lofty perch?

Posted by hamgravy on 2008-07-28 13:43:37

Im really hoping Marvel Boy's entrance in the Secret Invasion mini is awesome !! :)

Posted by underworldeve on 2008-07-28 16:53:06

Essential Iron Man
Please excuse the tardiness of my query. I kept forgetting to post my question.

I was considering diving into the Essential Iron Man series. A new edition of vol. 1 is coming out in September and Marvel just released vol. 3 in April. Unfortunately, vol. 2 seems to be out of print and I'd rather not jump in on this series if I can't read the stories in order.

Is Marvel planning on another print of volume 2 any time soon?

Posted by friskydingo on 2008-07-28 18:26:50

Interviews
I'm intending to transcribe some of my interviews in a book at some point, but in the meantime there are plenty by me you can hear as podcasts at www.panelborders.com that have earned such reviews as "Thoughtful questions and insights..." - Chris Carter, "What Marconi had in mind when he invented radio!" - Peter David, "...makes the great and the good, and me, dance for your enjoyment in an entertaining way" - Paul Cornell
If you'd like to send some Marvel interviews my way, that would be great. I had no response when I phoned and e-mailed your PR in New York...

Posted by AlexFitch on 2008-07-29 09:02:44

What Mr. Brevoort seems to be forgetting (no doubt a side effect of what must be considerable convention/press fatigue) is that a great deal of what comics news sites cover are projects that are not yet announced, newly announced, weeks or months from release, and have not been read by anybody who might be reading the interview -- except people like Tom Brevoort.

As such, getting the new project's name right is a pretty good place to start.

-andy khouri_

Posted by killkillkill on 2008-07-29 12:29:59

Using Frank Cho correctly
An Ares mini series with Cho would kick !*#@@**% !!

Posted by underworldeve on 2008-07-31 18:05:43

Array

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