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Spidey Answers pt. 6
2008-10-17 10:27:35

Spider-Girl in the mainstream Marvel U?

More from Loeb and Sale?

What? WHAT?

It may never end! More answers to your questions about Spider-Man. We’re getting into some relatively esoteric areas by this point.

>Would you ever consider if not adding Spider-girl to the 616 universe or a crossover with Spiderman, maybe a girl from the Feast center who gets adopted by May and becomes like a sister to Peter? >

I don’t think it makes sense to add Spider-Girl to the mainstream Marvel Universe—I think you would lose everything that makes that strip appealing to the audience that loves it—its supporting cast, its roster of villains, its relationships with other heroes—while at the same time being a constant and unavoidable reminder of the Peter-MJ marriage that we just took great pains to eliminate. Doing a story in which Mayday visits the past and interacts with the mainstream Marvel U would be fine, and in fact Tom DeFalco did such a story in one of the relatively-early issues of the series, somewhere in the 20s I believe. Finally, your last idea sounds very much like the short-lived Spider-Woman character that John Byrne created while he was working on AMAZING and who briefly had her own series, but that character never really caught on or gained much traction. It’s not impossible that we might try something like this again in the future, but there aren’t any plans for it right this second.

>Will we ever see Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale back on Spiderman? How about Bendis on Amazing?

Posted by poeticlife on 2008-10-08 19:16:48>

I can’t predict everything in life, but at the moment Jeph and Tim are working on CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHITE, and I’m not sure what they’re planning on doing after that. If it does involve Spider-Man, it’ll almost certainly be a special project set apart from the main book. On Brian, I don’t know that there’s any great impulse on his part to working on AMAZING at this point, since he’s got the best of all possible worlds working on ULTIMATE SPIDEY—especially since, with the thrice-monthly schedule of AMAZING at the moment, even speed-demon Bendis would be forced to work arm-in-arm with other writers, and compromise his vision of the character and the stories he could do somewhat. Again, I’d never say never, but I don’t see this happening any time soon.

>How come everyone claims the only thing changed by Mephisto was the undoing of the marriage; while Spider-man's bio on Marvel's own web page clearly states that the wiping of people's memories and the return of Harry was caused by Mephisto. >

Because nobody involved with that bio bothered to check with the folks actually working on the comic; the guys who wrote it drew their own conclusions based on what had appeared in the books. Thanks for pointing that out, by the way—I’ve since spoken to the people in our online department and gotten that bio corrected and updated. It was an error.

>Does the current BND storyline really take place a year or so after OMD, because that really mucks up the whole Secret Invasion/New Avengers timeline.

Posted by Motumbo on 2008-10-08 21:08:27>

There’s a gap of time between the end of OMD and the beginning of BND, but we haven’t said how long that gap is—I don’t think it’s anywhere near as long as a year, though. And in any case, we’re dealing with “Marvel time” here anyway, where the passage of time across different titles is never quite consistent to begin with (which is why Kitty Pryde could age five years in the time it took Franklin Richards to age three.) Long story short, the stories in AMAZING are happening “now”, and it’s a now that’s concurrent with much of what’s going on in the other books—SECRET INVASION: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN clearly gives you a timeframe for where the events of AMAZING sit against the events of SECRET INVASION, for example.

>What was wrong with Pete in the other? >

He was trapped in a weak story with too many cooks.

2>Is what anti-venom's...thingy a symbiote that a certain web-slinger could catch *wink wink*

Posted by suziepunisher on 2008-10-08 22:53:52>

We haven’t said that Anti-Venom is a symbiote—it’s certainly related to the symbiotes, sharing some characteristics with them, but also appears to be something distinctive and new. It also seems to be a part of Eddie Brock, rather that something that could move from host to host. But only time will tell for certain.

>Is there a chance to see an ongoing starring...Black Cat ? >

There’s always a chance, but no plans for it at the moment. And if we were going to launch a Black Cat ongoing series, I think we’d want to bring her back in AMAZING in a big was first, and really prime the pump for her return and spin-off.

>Attention...I'm serious here, not a 'Patsywalkerhellcatagentofinitiative' crap ... >

Dude, I don’t think there’s any call to insult HELLCAT here. As I said earlier, not every comic is for every reader. HELLCAT may not be your cup of tea, but there are other people who enjoy its quirky sensibility just fine, and it’s completely unlike anything else we’re publishing—I think it’s important for Marvel to try new things like this on a regular basis.

>2/ I'll say something now , starting with Ann Nocenti and ending with Ted Mc Keever...
I hope to have finally an answer about this.
I mean, Ann Nocenti, the magnificent writer of one of the most significant story-arcs about a Marvel character who generate a whole comic-book line from the local concurrency, Ann Nocenti then.
Ted Mc Keever, one of the most important artist of the latest century that Marvel DARE to promote with publishing the blasting ( actually it is ) 'Plastic Forks' ( I'm thinking so to THIS Mc Keever, the one who use space and close-up like no-one ).

I mean, don't be afraid to pall your readers, don't menage us -let it all go, you'll feel better after - I think that's when you're publishing 'patsywalkerhellcatagentofinitiative', that's here you disrespect them/us and me especially because I'm paranoid.

Posted by notapotatoe on 2008-10-09 04:47:56>

Um…yeah, okay—not really sure what you’re asking here. I can gather from this that you like the work of Ann Nocenti and Ted McKeever, but I’m not sure what you’d like them to do. I realize this has a lot to do with the language barrier, so believe me, I’m not making fun of you—I simply don’t know what you’re asking. Neither Ann nor Ted has worked for Marvel in quite a while—I’m not sure that anybody here even has contact information for them any longer—so I wouldn’t expect to see them working on a marvel project together any time soon.

>What would you say is BND's greatest success? >

It’s kind of a stupid and obvious thing to point to, but the fact that, so far, almost a year in, AMAZING has shipped on time each and every issue while keeping the quality high. I know that sounds like it’s damning with faint praise, but this is incredibly difficult to do on even a monthly book (as you’ve seen by the number of titles that can’t quite get a book out the door ever thirty days) and it’s exponentially harder on a series that ships three times a month. I think Steve Wacker and his team deserve some real kudos for being able to pull this off like clockwork issue after issue after issue, while at the same time integrating side-Spidey projects like the EXTRAs, ASM FAMILY and SI: AMAZING. Very difficult, but they make it look simple, so much so that I don’t think they really get the credit they deserve for it.

>What would you say is BND's greatest failure?

Posted by baxtos on 2008-10-09 11:00:15>

There was and is a learning curve to producing a series this way, with multiple writers and interweaving story threads, and we made a couple of missteps early on. There were a couple of plotlines that didn’t build smoothly from story to story, and a couple of beats that got repeated too often since they were fresh in everybody’s minds (the constant webbing malfunctions, for example.)

> Is Mephisto's deal with Peter part of a larger Mephisto War waged against the Marvel Universe? If not, seems like someone already part of the Spidey mythology could have filled the role (a supernatural Post-Death Mysterio perhaps) without all of the "deal with the devil" implications. >

No, Mephisto’s deal isn’t part of some larger story—though that might make for a cool story if it were. The rest of your question is really about second-guessing the impulses of the creators involved, to which the only real answer I can give you is, sure, it maybe could have been somebody else, but it wasn’t. I suspect JMS and Joe chose to use Mephisto rather than a more esoteric character because of the simplicity of Mephisto’s concept, and the fact that a Faustian Pact is an idea that’s easily understood by a mainstream audience. There was every expectation that there’d be some mainstream reporting on the story, and as soon as you try to explain something like “a post-death Mysterio” to that audience, their eyes glaze over.

> I'm really enjoying NWTD but was thrown off by the fact that Spidey took so many bullets and was still standing and then that Bullseye was shot in the chest while the Tracer was clearly in his hand (wasted opportunity to blow off the marksman's hand). Are there intentional, larger explanations for these happenings or should I not mind and chalk them up to No-Prize scenarios?

Posted by hamgravy on 2008-10-09 11:05:12>

Well, you know, Spidey’s a lot tougher and more durable since he got that power-up in “The Other”… ( did’ja notice what I did there?) I think you just chalk some of this up to artistic license.

Still more yet to come.

Tom B

Please make it stop! :-)
I already restarted my subscriptions to Spider-Man!!! You've won Mr. Brevoort. :-) :-)

Hehehe.

Actually, I wanted to personally applaud you for the enormous patience and effort in handling the 'feelings of discomfort' experienced by those that were not 100% satisfied with the OMD. (hey, I'm making an effort to be as polite as possible!! :-) )

I had already decided to return Spider-Man earlier, and much of it is thanks to your honest answers already submitted before these "Spidey-Time" posts.

I honestly hope Marvel will win back many (all is probably too optimistic??) lost Spidey-fans, and am sure much of it will have been thanks to your honest responses.

Best of luck with that crusade. :-)

I should receive my first issue as a converted BND fan next week I believe, and am looking forward to it.

Kind regards,
Zigy

Posted by Zigy on 2008-10-17 10:45:53

I don't see why one can't imagine that in the process of tinkering with the fabric of the Marvel Universe, Mephisto couldn't have employed the services of an acolyte such as Quentin Beck - who in FNSM #13 made it clear he was working for an evil entity (why not Mephisto?).

Or maybe, in a yet-to-be-told story, Mysterio is the one pulling the wool over everyone's eyes regarding Spidey's secret ID.

Posted by Fetsur on 2008-10-17 10:46:02

“Spiderman endorses divorce”
I understand the concern, but let me remind you that on Spiderman 3, Peter accidentally punches Mary Jane (one of the worst scenes included, because of the impact of a children’s hero harming a lady), not so different to the 90’s grim and gritty character and his then pregnant wife.

Makes me wonder, who considered those stories appropriate if now Peter can’t get a divorce? (please don’t answer with a simple “he was influenced by Venom suit”)

Posted by freyes2000 on 2008-10-17 11:05:17

I know the question portion is over, but I'm gonna try anyways.

Could you take us through the process that went into creating OMD? Like how long had it been planned before it came out, what other ideas were discussed as ways to end the marriage, and how you settled on using Mephisto instead of any other methods that were considered?

I'm not a fan of OMD/BND, but I've really enjoyed you giving us a chance to ask all the tough questions that have been ignored for so long.

Thank you Tom.

Posted by megamile15 on 2008-10-17 11:23:26

Spiderman/Captin America
can it happen a infusion?... spiderman was some how expose to captin's genes,unlocking screats of the past linking both character's to Red Skull.Allowing more enemys old and new in both characters to enter.More power & responsibility in Spiderman life...
The current Captin does not live up to the old one somethings missing.Spiderman for years has been built on nobility in the eyes of everyone young and old he fits to lead even if spiderman character shows he rather not, make him perfect to take the shield and lead?...

Posted by E320 on 2008-10-17 12:11:43

Thanks for the quantity and ...
detail of your responses Mr Brevoort. I feel a lot more positive attitude towards the character and creative team than I did before you went through this excercise. I decided to switch to TPB for Spiderman when the 3 times a month schedule was announced so I actually haven't even read part one of BND yet but I'm looking forward to it.

Posted by izzatrix on 2008-10-17 12:46:59

Incidentally Tom, re: notapotatoe's unintelligible questions, you're not alone and it's not like it's the first time. Remember when he told me to marry him?

Posted by Fetsur on 2008-10-17 13:46:37

I'm finished
My father took me to the Forbidden Planet when it was still near the Roosevelt Island Cable Car on 59th between 3rd and 2nd. That was the beginning. A shared love for a hobby between father and son. I've continued on and off, but quite diligently during the off periods.

Issues I own, counting annuals:

Amazing Spider-man: 542
Spec. Spider-man: 281
Web of Spider-man: 140
Spider-man(1990): 97
PP Spider-man (1999): 60
Ultimate Spider-man: about 230, two of each
Miscellaneous Spider-man issues: around 200

Total, roughly 1550 - just Spider-man

Counting for inflation this collection likely cost $7,000-8,000 but is reasonably worth (assuming book value) about $20,000 or so.

Assuming I spent 10 minutes reading each one, that's a total of 15,500 minutes

258 hours

Nearly 11 days. I couldn't begin to estimate the number of hours I've spent reorganizing and bagging each of them...Silver Age bag with a silver age board and a current age board behind the silver age one for extra support.

This has been literature that I believe has shaped me in my formative years and provided a significant link to my past.

But I think the idea of making this character so easily malleable and transfigured has created the other bookend to my hobby. It was a passion I renewed at issue #30 of ASM. I saw that cover and was pulled in again. I was compelled to fill the gap of issues between now and when I had given it up for what most 14 year olds give up there childhood hobbies for.

I had gone back and purchased a lot of issues on e-bay and a whole bunch more at Earthworld Comics in Albany, NY while I was in grad school.

I started up an account at Midtown Comics when I started law school here in Queens.

I believed I had amassed something of an heirloom to pass on for generations, like an original copy of Cervantes' Don Quixote.

And now I'm giving it up again.

It is my opinion, but this is NOT Spider-man. I feel like I am reading a fairly recognizable DC character that I've never read before, like the Flash or Green Lantern.

It doesn't feel right.

I don't care about it anymore. It makes me sad to think about it, but I'm moving on.

You don't have to make mine anymore Marvel. I'm finished.

Posted by coolhanddave on 2008-10-17 14:56:21

Veto
I veto megamile15s question for 2 reasons: It's a boring question and past the cut off date to ask.

@ izzatrix - You're going to LOVE those BND trades. At a weekly pace though, getting this comic is soooo worth it, and a low price too.

Posted by pineappleprotein on 2008-10-17 16:31:00

coolhanddave, if you ARE finished...
...can you please stop posting your tirades here?

Posted by harveytherabbit on 2008-10-17 17:05:17

Harveytherabbit:
Yeah, I don't understand the people posting comments such as: "I'll never read Spider-Man again, I don't want to think about it anymore and here's my 20th one thousand word essay explaining why." If they don't want to think about something "so depressing" why coming back over and over and over and over and over and over again?

Posted by doncorswhazie on 2008-10-17 17:37:37

Please...
So I have some questions and comments, and I hope, maybe they might get answered. I’ve sat back and just listened, because I was sure someone else would address my concern, but I haven’t seen it. So here it is: I thought the two coolest things that happened recently were 1) May finding out about Peter/Spider-Man and 1) EVERYONE finding out about Peter/Spider-man! In the Civil War storyline, you promised that things would be changed forever—and they were! And . . . then they weren’t. I must say, I really get all your reasons for dissolving the marriage (though I don’t happen to agree), I have no problem with the Mephisto story (though I’m a believer), and I am amazed by the staggering amount of story you are putting out all the time (though I don’t really like it). (Sorry.) But I’m really bothered by the precedent of undoing one of the “major events” inside one of your Major Events. It kinda makes me wonder: how can you ever say “After this _________________ will never be the same” when editorially you feel your most important mandate is making sure everything stays the same (i.e. characters are true to their “core” etc). It seems to me the possibility of change is compelling—that’s why you use it to sell most of your books. But we have it from on high—from you—that things should and never will change. Or at least, not for long.
Like Zigy and others, I might start buying Spiderman again. I really, really admire you for taking the time to do this. I really hope my comments aren’t too confrontational. Like I said, I’m mostly concerned about the precedent this seems to set. It doesn’t seem fair to the reader to use the unmasking of Spider-Man as a plot device, and then to undo it that soon.
Even if you can’t get to this, thanks for your time. You’re a champ.

Posted by allenandsara on 2008-10-17 19:46:50

Just when I begin cooling off about OMD, Joe Q goes and does something to tick me back off. This is from the newest My Cup O' Joe:

And sometimes I just make stuff up.

Watch, in the next issue of Amazing Spider-Man, Mephisto returns to put the marriage back together.

Ha ha. That's hilarious. Its real mature to rub salt on the wounds of all the readers who were angered by the story in the first place.

Posted by megamile15 on 2008-10-18 02:09:55

This was the part from the blog:

"And sometimes I just make stuff up.

Watch, in the next issue of Amazing Spider-Man, Mephisto returns to put the marriage back together."

They really need to add an edit button.

Posted by megamile15 on 2008-10-18 02:12:44

coolhanddave, you are not alone. I have similar numbers in Spidey comics alone. The people that complain about our complaining, don't realize that WE ARE MARVEL'S CUSTOMERS. When Marvel ignores our wishes and throws crap stories at us, we won't buy. We have a consumer right to complain.

When Tom says that BND's biggest failure was that a couple of plot lines didn't go as smoothly as they wanted them to early on... it shows how Marvel doesn't get it. BND'S BIGGEST FAILURE WAS THAT IT PISSED OFF FANS ENOUGH TO LOSE 50% OF READERS!

Spin it all you want, but the truth is in the data. Readers continue to bail on this.

Posted by HiddenVorlon on 2008-10-18 07:23:23

Spider-Man & "Mephisto"
What makes you people(Marvel) think that it was MEPHISTO that SPIDER-MAN made a deal with when there was no SOUL involved in the deal?It sounds to me like SPIDER-MAN was TRICKED BY A TRICKSTER---possibly the African( Ashanti & Ghana ) Spider-God ANANSE/ANANSI the divine trickster,a master of disguise,deception,and illusion.He tricks Gods and Humans alike.It could also be the Cheyenne Indians Trickster WIHIO("Spider" in Cheyenne ).Because nothing about that deal sounds like MEPHISTO.To bad DC COMICS won't do the same for SUPERMAN,because SUPERMAN should be married to WONDER WOMAN or TROIA or some other Super Strong hero.

Posted by John Holstein on 2008-10-18 12:34:20

beard
How much time do you spend on your beard?

And when might we see a Marvel Beards special, ala Zombies or Apes?

How could I get you to hire me?

Posted by captainwinkie on 2008-10-18 13:22:34

TTom, read there, I'm here...
Thank you for answering my post,that feel really good to be read...
First , what you're saying about Black Cat is a classical editorial point of view - the way to make the ongoing evenemential -first by sensibilising readership with starring her back ( ah...continuity ) then launching the title -,but there is other options.And one is just launch the book.
As for many other projects , it could just show that you have something particular to say with this particular book. No better no worse as anyone else. I tend to notice that author appreciate very much during the process of writing when the characters are working on 'are becoming alive' and the book too. I can say there that it 's fun too for the reader I am.
It could give the readers that the MU is also alive, and that something happen everywhere in it, that the story began ( Cortazar and Lovecraft used this very much in their stories ) and it's still up to us to jump on the train or not.
Being promotionnal is a way, not being too much also.
The real problem is to put something in it and I must say that I think really that Tommy would be fantastic on such a character - David Lapham too .

Yes, I really like the work of Ann Nocenti and the art of Ted Mc Keever.
I believe that Mc Keever wanted to do SpiderMan since a longtime, searching on a web I saw one cover or two, that I appreciate a lot. It can astonish some readers if they see wich covers I'm thinking of, as the editorial staff ( I'm not an agent ) probably also; and I have always claimed my worshipping of Nocenti run on DD with John Romita Jr.
I don't know what readers are asking exactly, been out for a while and didn't read all the posts, but I guess that the formula 'nothing never will be the same anymore' has a meaning, and I barely think that this creative team is the best to make SpiderMan stepping in the adult age, as a character and as a title .

Posted by notapotatoe on 2008-10-18 14:12:08

Pleasing the fans
You asked, the other day, about a way to please the fans without restoring the marriage between MJ and Peter, and there are ways this can be done. First a general comment...

As a long-time reader, I understand why so many fans feel betrayed with the current direction. I've always felt the character of Spider-Man has grown-up with me in the stories. Spidey’s always been different compared to Superman, Batman, etc. Even though I personally matured as the character did, he always felt youthful in spirit. When Peter married, I felt it was time he did so. Now I completely understand wanting to do away with this from a creative standpoint, but I felt like that was the reason for having Ultimate Spider-Man. Ultimate Spider-Man was a way to go back to the beginning and “fix” some of the issues the editors had with Amazing. When OMD happened I was so worried that the stories would suffer, and to a certain degree I find they have. Too many arcs feel like they’re set in the past, with Spidey appearing less mature than before.

When Stan Lee and Steve Ditko put a mask on the character and named him “Spider-Man” I find they created the perfect balance between youth and age. He was far more Batman than Robin, yet he has Robin’s problems. Here we had a boy, who was supposed to be a man. He appealed to the youth, and everyone else. He had the problems of the youth, but the responsibilities of the adult. It was this constant fight between the two portions of the character that always seemed to mature his stories, even back in the early 60s, like you’ve said. That struggle obviously changed throughout the years, and when he was married it added complexity to the character. He still retained that balance he once had though.

So how do I say you guys can please the fans like myself? I think the focus needs to get back to stories like New Ways to Die, but keep them going. Try and get that constant struggle between youth and age going again. I don’t completely feel it right now. Tell us what happened in the time between OMD and BND. Focus on stories, stories, stories. Get some mature storylines going to please the older crowd and try to keep everything as connected as possible. I think the biggest mistake going on right now is that old fans, like me, just want an explanation on what happened. There are so many questions, and it seems like no one cares including Spider-Man. Spidey just goes along like everything is fine and his character is being damaged by this. If I had more concrete answers coupled with more mature story arcs, I think this whole marriage issue would be over with. What can’t happen is the marriage can’t be reinstated. Look at all the damage caused by the Clone Saga by moving in one direction when the editors wanted to go in another.

I’ll end by saying this, keep Gwen dead. I’m so glad you were able to overturn the decision to bring her back. After all these years, that would have destroyed the story. I’m right with you in saying that’s a bridge that’s just too far gone now. Finally, thanks for answering the questions.

Long time reader, Spidey fan forever

-Jarrod

Posted by Rockman1974 on 2008-10-18 16:56:37

Thanks Tom
Thanks for the response. I did know you were going to go THERE with your Other quip and it was appreciated.

I can also sympathize with the fine line Joe was treading when he wanted to go for something as iconic as a Faustian Pact but not have it translate into "A Deal with the Devil." I'm sure trying to explain to reporters that the evil, red, man with fangs who wanted to cheat God out the sacrament of marriage was not in fact THE Devil but a lesser demon of a hell-like netherworld was plenty complicated in its own right.

Posted by hamgravy on 2008-10-18 18:12:35

On YOUTH
I know this was a topic of a previous thread but I have to say that I don't think that Spider-Man has been about YOUTH as a central theme. Directly related to his "power/responsibility" motto, Spider-Man has always been about Resilience. In relationship to Modern Life, Superman is an idealist who flies above the city, Batman is a pessimist who strategizes from the shadows, The Hulk is an anarchist who SMASHes, and Spidey is a realist, an everyman who swings and suffers the slings and arrows of everyday life with humor and buoyancy but with little hope of reward. One of the most iconic Spidey images is him hoisting that giant piece of machinery over his head in issue 33 in order to save Aunt May's life (back to the future in 1966 no less). A single man with the power of ten overcoming great odds out of love. Furthermore, for every victory Spidey has had Pete loses in some way and vice versa (win the fight, lose the rent) but he keeps on going. One of my favorite Spidey stories is Web #2 in which Kingpin watches Spidey fight The Vulturions but try to preserve Aunt May's birthday present in the process. He is astounded and so is the reader and no other hero can fill that role. With OMD, both Pete and Spider-Man lose. He's regained his youth but traded his experience and sold his soul in the process.

Posted by hamgravy on 2008-10-18 18:30:39

Why is this site so glitchy?
I seem to have lost a post but I wanted to thank Tom for the response.

The Other reference was expected and appreciated.

Otherwise, I was sympathetic to Joe Q's plight of wanting to tell a universal story but sympathize with the double-edged sword of using a Faustian Pact but being burnt by having to utilize an evil red man with fangs who rules a hell-like underworld and looks to cheat God out of the sacrament of marriage but might be mistaken for THE Devil.

If my original post pops up, please use that one.

Posted by hamgravy on 2008-10-18 18:54:24

Without a marriage
What stories that were just written since Jan. would have worked only with an unmarried spiderman?

Posted by greatunraveling on 2008-10-18 19:22:40

MARVEL CHRONICLE
PLEASE, where can we find that beautiful art from Marvel Chronicle cover by Jim Cheung? I want to see Psylocke's face without letters over it. :(

I love Psylocke

Posted by nate-grey on 2008-10-19 03:03:56

Gwen
Tom,

can you tell us how Gwen was meant to return and what the plans were going to be for her?
I'm glad she didn't and thanks for convincing the others but it's still intriguing to think you were close to doing it.

Posted by eamonmcgrane on 2008-10-19 19:06:36

Ghost Rider vs. Spider-Man
Hey Tom,

Honestly, I don't read Ghost Rider, but I did see the movie. In it, after Johnny made a deal with Mephisto to save his father, he was killed anyway. When I first read OMD, I thought, "OK, this could be interesting for Peter. Afterall, it didn't work out so well for Johnny Blaze." But it seems that Peter gets to be happy with no memory of the deal, while Johnny lives his life burdened by it. Is there or will there be an explanation as to why Peter gets away with it?

Posted by challenger_15 on 2008-10-19 19:20:51

"the other"
Pretty professional of you, "He was trapped in a weak story with too many cooks."

That arc, while maybe not completely appropriate for Spider-Man for a few reasons (though nothing worse than an unmasking or marriage), was still far more interesting, compelling, and well crafted than any of the BND stories that have followed as of yet. Kinda inappropriate to rip on an amazing writer (JMS) who is still with the company (created the basis for the story) and is kicking sales butt on Thor.

BND could actually be described more accurately as, "A[n overall] weak [arc] with too many cooks."

If I misread your response in anyway, I do apologize.

I enjoyed the "The Other" storyline, even though, in the end the additional powers given were unnecessary, but it at least had me in suspense, at the end of my seat, and was all around enjoyable, more so than New Ways to Die, which was "ok" but pretty tame and kinda saturday morning cartoonish (oh Norman you mustache twirling cad!). Would have made a much better Marvel Adventures story, imo. There was a real sense of peril in The Other, something missing from BND that really hit me hard in NW2D, and was fun to see Spidey jaunt around all the Marvel U (the Hudlin Black Panther issue was a stand out) for a cure.

Posted by ejulp on 2008-10-20 11:10:38

Why was my last post flagged as offensive, was it cuz I said butt in it?

Posted by ejulp on 2008-10-20 11:12:32

general question
Just to balance out my last negative comment...I am in love with Kathy Immomen's writing on Hellcat, and am greatly digging LaFuente's (sp?) artwork as well; any chance we can see more from them? Do either of them have more projects in the pipeline for Marvel?

Posted by ejulp on 2008-10-20 11:16:25

ejulp, David LaFuente is drawing this month's Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3.

Posted by Fetsur on 2008-10-20 14:42:57

Hahahaha
">What was wrong with Pete in the other? >

He was trapped in a weak story with too many cooks."

Genius. Well done Tom, for all the thorough and very patient answers you've given in this Q&A. Personally, whilst I think OMD sucked, I understand it was a necessary evil. I'm enjoying BND a lot, though I do think the thrice-monthly schedule can make things seem rather rushed from issue to issue. Here is a Q:

Would Marvel consider making ASM a bi-monthly book? Or would the revenue from the third title be *so* badly missed as to render it unworkable? I just think sometimes the stories could do with some room to breathe, within the issues themselves and the wider context of the title.

On another topic: I see coolhanddave keeps telling everyone he's finished, but not actually leaving the board. Come on Dave, don't go! Stick it out, you can learn to love again.

Posted by Moorish on 2008-10-21 09:16:23

And saying The Other was better than BND...
Come on, ejulp. That's taking the hate *way* too far.

Posted by Moorish on 2008-10-21 09:18:30

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