On Comics

Okay, so about the Marvel news, I have three different initial impressions and even though they are scattered and meaningless and ill-stated, history has shown that some people will be upset over something for reasons only they understand. That said. First, C.B. Cebulski has always been gracious, supportive and kind to me even when I hadn't worked for Marvel for years. He kept the machine going and hired some brilliant damn creators and I appreciate every single thing he has done for me and to keep Marvel going. Those Hickman comics, the Kelly Thompon stuff, the Daniel Warren Johnson books and much much more. Marvel has struggled in some areas of late but they also put out some hellaciously good books and have treated me fantastically well on a dream project that has meant the world to me. Thank you, C.B. I will never forget you arranging a car for me in Singapore to get to the airport on time when you had a million things of your own to worry about and I wasn't even WORKING for you at the time. It meant a lot and still does and fits your character exactly in my memory. And you are a big part of why my time at Marvel lately has been so incredibly rewarding. I am grateful forever. Next, it's mixed emotions because someone I really like is leaving but also someone I really like is taking over. Steve Wacker was my editor on a little book called VILLAINS UNITED that eventually became the SECRET SIX. Let me tell you a story about that book. The main thrust has been told often, but I was asked to do a villain DC book for a major crossover, the first time I was asked such a thing (it's kind of a big deal at the big two). Steve was my editor. I was excited and wrote a plot with all the big villain guns. It turned out, I wasn't allowed to use any of the big names at all, they were all spoken for in the main title. So I got the idea to use losers, and Steve fought for that vision including things like having CATMAN as the lead when NO ONE thought that was a good idea. So in a real way, Steve was responsible for what Secret Six became, because he stuck up for it. In another story that was kind of a bummer at the time, I was turning in the script for the final issue of Villains United and it was a straight siege story. Steve sent it back and said, we waited six issues and it's just an attack on their headquarters? Don't you think you can do better? Now, mind you, it was a decent script. But he was right, our book was getting a lot of attention and acclaim and this ending could have been any book for any event. So I groused a little but I knew he was right and it meant a lot to me that he dug in his heels to make the ending of our book as good as possible. That is the Steve Wacker I know, he wants you to do your best and will push to make it happen. Because he cares. So I predict good things for Marvel. Steve is going to bring it, I am positive. I can't wait. Lastly, I have mixed feelings about them moving to California, ONLY because the idea of NYC being THE place for comics publishers is so fixed in my mind. To this day, I had only been to the Marvel offices and DC offices one time each while they were in New York and they felt like magical places to me even when reality says they were real places where real people worked. In truth, it probably doesn't matter hugely where the publishers are as long as they get to keep the editorial and staffing talent in some way. I thought it would be a much bigger deal when DC went to California and they seem to be doing very well. I am sure it will be the same for Marvel, even if it's very difficult to move across country as an employee. I will say, I had a meeting with the MCU executives a couple months back in LA and they seemed incredibly inviting to me, very aware of my work and were incredibly kind and welcoming. I hope that means all good things. I can certainly see why having your creative teams on opposite sides of the country would be problematic. I love comics, I love working at Marvel, I have been treated wonderfully well. I hope this move turns out to be a huge success for the characters, employees, creators, retailers, readers and viewers. Good luck to all!