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Wednesday, 12:47
2006-08-09 14:18:07

I think some of you are maybe taking the wrong message from my series of entries on Bad Comics I Had a Hand In. I've seen it stated around the net in various places that these columns are either a set of excuses ("and now, I'll never make a bad comic again!") or a condemnation of some of the people who worked on those books. But neither is quite accurate.

First off, if I'm listed as the editor of any given issue, then I take responsibiity for its contents, whatever they may be. Editors get the Blame. While these pieces are intended to give people a feel for the sort of thing that goes on when a comic book is being put together, it's not meant as some kind of attempt to deny culpability.

Secondly, most of the other folks involved in these tales had long and varied careers within the comics industry. Their legacy cannot be summed up by a single anecdote, or even a single individual issue. In specific, Bob Budiansky was the guy who first hired me at Marvel, and the person I worked under for my first four years or so on the job. So it's only natural that most of the amusing or insightful anecdotes I have to tell you from that period in some way revolve around him. Similarly, Danny Fingeroth shepherded the Spider-Man titles through some difficult times. Danny's never been anything but friendly and helpful to me over the years. And so forth and so on--insert whichever name I mentioned that you want to here.

Finally, tales such as the ones I've told are fairly common. It's not unreasonable to assume that, at some point, Andy Schmidt or Aubrey Sitterson might write a column about how I screwed up some project they were working on. It's the nature of the beast. The editor's job is to make decisions to the best of his or her ability. Not all of those decisions are always going to be correct, or going to be the best. But no one decision should be made to sum up a person's entire career history. People are far more complex than that.

More later.

Tom B

This is what I imagine an editor does
Honestly Tom, I don't know much about your job. It sounds like mine where everyone else thinks they are an expert. This is what I imagine an editor does.

I picture the job as a coordinator. Someone who sets up mile markers to get to the deadline. Perhaps you keep artists and writers on track but I can't imagine how far off track they can get unless there are multiple artists or writers or something. It sounds easy on paper as if you only give the thumbs up or thumbs down on each page. I'm sure the reality is more like herding cats.

When a bad comic comes around I usually blame the writer or if the art is terrible the artist or inker. If there is a string of bad comics then and only then do I blame the editor. Anyone can screw up once but an editor can screw up consistantly. I blame editors for bad directions that a storyline can go. I blame editors for not delivering a quality comic.

Perhaps I would better understand if you told me how an editor can make things better. Honestly I barely remember Danny Fingeroth. I have no idea why you praise him. I'm sure he is a great guy and all but what separates a good editor from a bad one?

Ape

Posted by Wild Ape on 2006-08-09 14:54:06

Editors may get the blame
in the offices of the company they work for but if i read a bad issue i usually judge it by writer or artist. and secondly i don't think that because the issue is bad then that writer or artist has an entire career of bad work. If an entire arc is bad then that means probably everyone should get together and talk cuz somethings not right. and i think everyone had a hand in the quality of the work. although Kurt Busiek told me to always blame the editor for everything.

Posted by neighbor on 2006-08-09 17:41:57

Don't Even Sweat It!
Tom, I'm not much of a blogger. I don't do conventions. I don't do submissions. However, as a comics fan since I was six (ummm...more than three decades deep), I enjoy the information you have shared on these "horrible...terrible " (Bill Walton, anyone? )comics. Heck, I even remember reading most of those issues thinking "What the...?!?"

At no time have I thought you were pointing fingers or attacking anyone. Don't let the minority discourage you. Who has a 100% success rate at their jobs? Arguably very few. "Let s/he who is without guilt cast the first stone" and all that.

I know there are more "duds" out there you can share. Keep doing what you do.

Posted by hoopfiend on 2006-08-10 15:09:46

Forget about the cynics. I thought the Bad Comic posts were incredibly interesting. Glad you set the record straight, but I hope you'll consider doing more from time to time (if there are any more!)

Posted by jonwes on 2006-08-11 03:14:39

Why are you missing 2 of the twins>?
Noticed the deceased list included some sisters.

Posted by Celestial on 2006-08-16 20:26:21

Array

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