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Twenty
2009-06-05 16:15:35

Today marks the twentieth anniversary of my first day as a Marvel intern. So it's not quite my actualy twnetieth anniversary, but close enough. On the one hand, it feels like no time at all has gone by, on the other, it feels like it's been forever.

In that time, I've been fortunate enough to work alongside a lot of talented people, and to produce my share of memorable quality comic books (and a stack of stinkers as well, despite my best efforts.)

Almost every aspect of the business has changed in that time. When I first arrived at Marvel, there was only one small computer in the place, and I was more knowledgable about how to use it than virtually everybody else. Lettering was still done on the actual art boards, and the boards themselves were sent both between the various contributing artists and eventually out to the printer as well. Coloring was done using color guides, xerox copies of the artwork that would be colored using a variety of dyes. Old ladies working at a separations house for peanuts would then create the individual film for each page using the guides as a basis. There were only 64 color possibilities, maximum.

I've lived through the boom years of the early '90s, the rise of the Image creators, the explosion of new companies, the advancements in digital coloring and digital lettering, Marvelution and the fragmenting of editorial into five fiefdoms, the reunification of editorial under Bob Harras, the Marvel Bankruptcy and the waves of mass-firings that laid off two-thirds of the staff, the outsourcing of titles and characters to Extreme and Wildstorm, Heroes Return, the beginnings of Marvel Knights, the turnaround of Marvel's fortunes, the creation of the Ultimate line and the restoration of Marvel as a creative force. I've been around for something like a dozen Marvel movies and twice that many animated cartoons.

I've worked with the greats of yesteryear, and helped to find, foster and develop the greats of today. And hopefully tomorrow.

I've worked for four Editor in Chiefs, and alongside four more. I've had twelve assistant editors, some of whom got promoted along the way, as well as thre subordinate editors.

I've not yet been at Marvel for half of my lifetime, but it's getting close--a few more years will do it. I've been editing AVENGERS for more than half of my professional life, longer than anyone else.

There is nobody else from my generation left in editorial (though Ralph Macchio, who precedes me by more than a decade, is still on staff.) The next most tenured person after me is Joe Q, who's only been attached to Marvel since the start of Marvel Knights in 1998. I am the last man standing from a generation.

And I still love doing this.

This weekend a big crowd of people who worked at the Marvel of the '80s and '90s are getting together for a big reunion. And while I wish them all the best, I won't be attending myself. I've got no need for a Marvel reunion--I haven't left yet.

More later.

Tom B

Congratulations!
Hey Tom,

Thanks for sharing your memories with us. 20 years at Marvel is a long time and something to be thankful for. You probably didn't intend it, but today's post is a great way to answer my "reader question" about the most enjoyable aspects of your vocation. Obviously there are many things you do enjoy, judging from your post above. But one thing's for sure, you are an innovator and a survivor. I raise my glass to you in celebration of 20 years; and I raise my glass again for 20 more years!

Best Wishes!

Posted by Mon Morn Lunatic on 2009-06-05 18:44:38

that sounds a little harsh
I'm guessing your memories of those folks weren't anything special?

Or maybe you guys just never really clicked?

It seems strange to say "a bunch of people I used to work with are getting together, but I'm not going" (subtext seems to imply "although I could if I wanted to/I have the time).

Am I misreading you?

Posted by onefinemess on 2009-06-05 18:53:18

Congrats!
Thanks for all the Comics, Tom. An interesting coincidence is this is also the 20th anniversary of the Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome) here in Toronto.

Posted by markScott on 2009-06-05 21:20:52

TIM!!

Posted by spider-office on 2009-06-05 23:45:51

...it sounds a little as : 'me, myself and I ', no ?

Posted by bulgarianyogurt on 2009-06-06 01:42:44

...what ????
...I can't believe it...you skipped my question about the possibility of another mini 'Beyond !'...a project you nurtured and cherished and published, a project that made you the maverick editor you still are and whom made of Marvel the still experiencing publisher they always had been...What about a prequel, about the previous heroes Michael Collins was subdued with ( Captain Marvel, Wonder Man, Darkhawk, Dracula, Terror, Coldblood and Sleepwalker ) ...draw by Stephano Caselli ? Scripted by Paul Cornell ?... I'm crying out loud : you didn't take at last rather a chance of dialogue...

Posted by notapotatoe on 2009-06-06 04:07:00

Congrats Tom.
You and I might not see eye to eye on everything that goes on at Marvel but I still congratulate you on your twenty years there.

Still, considering what you're celebrating it does seem a little harsh that you're not visiting your former co-workers in this reunion thing. Is there some history we don't know about, or is it just that a lot of them disagree with how all the new guys have just ruined Spider-Man?

Posted by Derek Metaltron on 2009-06-06 07:02:44

Makes Sense!
Tom,

You're reasons for not attending the reunion make perfect sense. Enjoy your weekend!

Posted by Mon Morn Lunatic on 2009-06-06 10:31:08

lol

I love how they misspelled your name as Tim.

Posted by Miles_Warren on 2009-06-06 14:47:58

Temptation
I keep being tempted to make a snide joke about the people still strangely fixated on whining about one Spider-Man story. However, it just feels like more of the same.

Congrats, though! I'm glad to hear you're still enjoying yourself.

Posted by PseudoSherlock on 2009-06-07 10:44:20

Ralph
What's Ralph's role at Marvel if it's not editorial?

Posted by ralaven on 2009-06-07 22:47:17

Thats awesome Tom!
Tom, you've been a great help to Marvel and too the comic book world. If u could give any advice to anybody who wants to work for Marvel, what advice would u give them? Please awnser back!

Posted by ironmanfan35 on 2009-06-08 21:52:33

Congrats Tim!
Exciting times - it's incredible to experience this massive sea change in our lives through the lens of the thing you love. Cheers to making comics and making them for 20+ more years.

Posted by hamgravy on 2009-06-09 08:36:41

Congratulations from Norway, Tom!
I have recently revived my old love affair with Marvel comics, I have signed up for the digital comics line -- and read a lot of your blog posts, which are often fascinating (though not always, like the trading-comics program). Keep 'em coming for another twenty years!

Posted by KlausNordby on 2009-06-09 09:20:24

Congratulations Tim
Is that past Marvel editor Mark Powers that was your fellow intern?

Posted by IanZL on 2009-06-09 13:42:03

“….And while I wish them all the best, I won't be attending myself. I've got no need for a Marvel reunion--I haven't left yet.”

Hopefully you never will. I believe that you are one of the forces that keep this house in order. I do not agree with all of your work, decisions, or comments, but you are a very visible part of Marvel and I only thank that somebody still worries to keep in touch and discuss things.

Posted by freyes2000 on 2009-06-11 12:58:33

Four EIC?
DeFalco, Harras, Quesada, who am I missing?

Posted by freyes2000 on 2009-06-11 13:01:43

Never mind my last question. I already found you referred to the group of editors.

Posted by freyes2000 on 2009-06-11 17:27:14

Hulk
Can you not do away with this so far beyond tired moron who can beat the Surfer and Thor because he gets mad like a 2 year old ?

Posted by jleg500 on 2009-06-14 04:20:37

Array

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