SIMULATION SET-UP AND GUIDELINES
2006-08-17 19:25:14
Okay, as a prelude to the Marvel Editor Simulation that we'll have taking place over the next two weeks or so, let me quickly outline how I think this is going to work. Bear in mind that I'm making some of this up as I go along, so some of this stuff may shift somewhat as we get into it, and we see how it's all working. Steve, Hugh, you may want to pay particular attention.
Starting tomorrow, at the beginning of our simulation, I'm going to assign you each three current Marvel titles. You'll inherit them as they are right now, with their creative teams in place (though we'll forego story specifics so that you don't need to worry about where we might be in PLANET HULK or CIVIL WAR or anything). And I'll also give you a ballpark estimate of what these books are selling.
From that point on, you're free to make any changes to the books that you want--or at least to propose them. So you can say that you want to bring on a certain writer or artist, or you want to guest-star the X-Men, or you've got a specific story idea in mind--pretty much whatever you can come up with. Be as detailed as you like about what steps you want to take and how you want to go about them.
Each day, I'll evaluate your moves, and tell you what the result of those moves was--I'll be operating as the editor in chief, the publisher, all of your other fellow editors, the marketing and sales departments, and even the readers. And along the way, I'll be throwing in certain specific events--the kind of events that editors deal with every day.
So it's a two-pronged thing every day. It starts with my lay-out of the titles you have and the particulars tomorrow. Then you've got until the beginning of Monday to post your moves in the reply thread. (Oh, and you both work for the same Marvel, doing different books, which will also have an impact, as the moves one of you makes may impact on what happens to the other.) And then I do one update, in which I hand you out the result of that day's moves, and you have untilt he following morning to compose your next round of moves in response to what happened the previous day. And so forth and so on, for two weeks.
Remember, the goal is to do good, quality comics that sell well and that people like. Within that, you can try anything you like.
Also: IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Because of the nature of this simulation, we're going to have to use the names of actual creators and actual titles. Everything that I toss back to you about what happens on these books and with these creators is not at all based on them specifically--so, for example, if I tell you that, in the simulation, Ed Brubaker hates the artist you've put on DAREDEVIL with him, that doesn't mean he actually has any hatred for that actual individual. And so forth.
Anybody else is still free to post their reactions and responses in the reply thread every day, as usual. But please try not to drive the contestants batty--they're going to have enough trouble as it is.
Finally, this should in no way be construed as a fair or democratic challenge. I control the simulation, so what I declare is what happens. Just like in real life, you've always got the option to quit if you think I'm being unfair--but I certainly hope it won't come to that. In any case, ALL JUDGE'S DECISIONS ARE FINAL. There is nothing at stake here, remember that, so there's nothing to gain and nothing to lose except perhaps a little bit of insight.
SIMULATION BEGINS TOMORROW! Bring crash-pads and helmets!
More later.
Tom B
Ready to go Bring it on!
Posted by SteveQ on 2006-08-17 21:22:33
I'll give it a go I'm a retailer and I don't have a ton of spare time, but this sounds like fun. I'd like to give it a try for a bit.
Posted by Lord Retail on 2006-08-17 21:43:26
I'd love to get in on this I've edited two anthologies for Ronin Studios and a bunch of mini series and one-shots for small press creators and would love to see what it would be like at Marvel. :)
Posted by Thomas Mauer on 2006-08-17 22:22:23
Good luck! Good luck, Steve and Lord Retail!
Editing isn't easy, but it's always a fantastic learning experience.
-DLM
Posted by dwightmacpherson on 2006-08-17 22:36:48
disclaimer Hey, Tom, I might put that disclaimer on every Simulation Post Update you make, just in case some rumor guy (or gutterati or whatever) glances at the page and things get blown out of proportion. Not that that would EVER happen on the internet.
Posted by stuckinazkaban on 2006-08-17 23:14:43
Good idea, Tom! Sounds like it'll be a lot of fun!
I'd LOVE to show you how it's done.
Posted by Larry C on 2006-08-17 23:42:49
Lets get rolling chief Cant wait to get started!
Posted by hughsheridan on 2006-08-18 04:34:26
Awww.. I want to play too!
Hmm.. a new game by marvel- like hollywood stock exchange and fantasy football..
I think you should do this more often honestly.
Tessana aka MG
Posted by murdocksgirl on 2006-08-18 11:54:30
A tear has rolled out This sounds like some fun, I hop you guys have fun.
Posted by spidey0402 on 2006-08-18 17:31:47
man................ will that be awesome
Posted by tarhaun on 2006-08-18 18:04:49
Cool Hope you guys have fun.
Posted by Cuckoo on 2006-08-19 18:31:28
Amazing fun! I just got a batch of your "free comics" in the mail, Mr. Brevoort and I can feel them oozing out some amazing editorial insight already! :)
You've got some of the best titles in the Marvel stable under your wing and I'd love to try my hand at giving them an editorial twist or two!
Let Stan Lee find his own superhero... my dream is to be an editor! :)
Ryan
Posted by Binaryan on 2006-08-31 21:44:24
How to participate Tom-
How does one participate in the editorial simulator? Sounds like a tremendous idea.
Jason
Posted by JJonahJameson on 2006-09-05 12:44:16
Cool! I would love to participate! I love comics, whether its writing, or drawing or both! This seems really exciting I would love to participate!
Haylee
Posted by Hayjitter on 2006-09-05 18:34:18
Gawd.... Dude I would so wish I could do that and I would oh so love it put to those of you are going to do it do it well and have fun!
Posted by DarkDestroyer on 2006-09-07 18:59:40
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About this blog: Ramblings and musings from the mind of Tom Brevoort. "It won’t be clean. It won’t be fun. It mostly won’t be coherent."
About the author: Tom Brevoort is Executive Editor for Marvel Comics, and oversees such titles as New Avengers, Civil War, and Fantastic Four.
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