Possible Discussion Topic...
I'm curious about the nature of your (and others') role as editor versus the marketing of your comics. Obviously, a large part of an editor's job is making sure each book is produced in as well as possible to the highest degree of quality possible. But that doesn't address the actual selling of the comic. I know Marvel has a marketing department which is going to address issues such as actual advertising and such, but where do you, as an editor -- excuse me, EXECUTIVE editor ;) -- fall with regard to responsibility towards the more soft-sell aspects of marketing comics? Things like this blog, Marvel's podcasts, and interviews with Newsarama and Wizard can be effective marketing tools, as you well know, but I'm wondering if you might talk to how Marvel as an organization views that type of marketing, how the editorial and marketing departments work together (or don't) and what changes/trends might you forsee in how Marvel promotes its books.

Posted by SKleefeld on 2006-10-19 09:42:23
Your New Editors
So Steve Wacker is an editor in your offices now. Let me tell you if you don't already know he's good. He's very good, c'mon he keeps DC's 52 on schedule. So i was wondering what titles will he be editing, any big projects. I'm very excited to hear this and just keep up the good work..

Posted by neighbor on 2006-10-19 10:10:48
Looking into your crystal ball, do you think people will ever mostly outgrow the need for 22 pages of a given creative team per month? And if so, what formats will take over? TPBs? Webcomics? Portable electronic reading devices? Something else?

Posted by CylverSaber on 2006-10-19 12:03:46
another idea for discussion
Tom,
Take us into the process by which a "big event" takes place that has far-reaching influence on the entire MU landscape. Can you tell us how a CW or a House of M gets going and where it comes from? Tell us about the retreats and brainstorming and the naysayers and the champions of such events. I would love to hear about it.

Posted by bigdaddyhub2 on 2006-10-19 12:45:01
I've got something to say!
Tom,

I was reading Blade yesterday and I really enjoyed it. I even read Marc Gugenheim's "commentary" in the back. It was kind of fun I must admit. One part had me a little saddened though. You thought we wouldn't get the time-passage bit? Come on Tom, give us some credit. It worked pefectly, and it really made the story carry well. I don't think it could have been done any other way.

You've got a writer who wants to try new things and an artist who can succeed at these new things, I hope you aren't turning down too many of their out there, innovative ideas.

Posted by IanZL on 2006-10-19 15:42:52
discussion
How do you break into comic book shops?

or, seriously,

Have you ever had to veto a creator's idea that you thought was absolutely brilliant? If you could edit one DC title (whilst magically keep your job at Marvel) what would it be? Take us through a "cattle call"-- why initiate one? What do you see? How do creators feel about them?

Posted by jake saint on 2006-10-19 15:44:18
ahahahhaahahhaha
the guys name is wacker

Posted by tarhaun on 2006-10-19 16:34:20
As an editor do you try and keep your personal opinions out of your work? For example, if you don't like a character, do you try and give them a hard time or, on the flip side, try and give other characters that you like a push? I ask because it seems to me that Marvel's been playing favorites with their characters despite the wishes of fans.

Posted by Canemacar on 2006-10-19 21:13:07