February 11, 2006

A Marvelous Bit of News

Yes. The news is true.
Peter has signed an exclusive with Marvel.
He is quite happy about it.

"Fallen Angel" & 'Soulsearchers and CO." were grandfathered into the contract as was his Spike mini-series.

Oh I am very happy about it too but then I have been happy about it since last year. *grin*

Posted by Kathleen David at February 11, 2006 07:10 PM | TrackBack | Other blogs commenting
Comments
Posted by: roger Tang at February 11, 2006 07:13 PM

Cool. Benefits, right? (Benefits. Benefits are gooooood......)

Posted by: Alf! at February 11, 2006 07:13 PM

Congrats. Looking forward to more PAD goodness.

Posted by: Andrew Wickliffe at February 11, 2006 07:18 PM

Does this effect "Fallen Angel" at IDW?

Posted by: J. Alexander at February 11, 2006 07:20 PM

Great news for both Peter and Marvel. I hope that there is a FALLEN ANGEL exception since it is creator owned.

Posted by: Rinda Zing at February 11, 2006 07:22 PM

An exclusive what? I need details.

Posted by: M at February 11, 2006 07:24 PM

Here's an interview with PAD, detaling how Fallen Angel and some other works already in progress are safe as part of the new contract (it's basically just a "don't work for DC" contract, really):

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=6646

And, about time, PAD!! Congrats, this is great news for you, and VERY deserving.

Posted by: Jerry C at February 11, 2006 07:30 PM

Pretty good deal. DC hasn't thrown much PAD's way of late and his existing indy stuff is safe. Looks like a win for PAD, a win for Marvel and a win for fans.

Posted by: Ray Cornwall at February 11, 2006 07:35 PM

According to the interview of Newsarama, Fallen Angel and Soulseachers are not affected (and other in-progress work). They'll still come out.

Posted by: Matt D at February 11, 2006 07:38 PM

PAD!

Go push for Thor right now. I want to see that.

Past that uh, yeah, Guardians of the Galaxy? That's the ticket. I've heard it grapevine that you know something about this scientifiction thing.

Posted by: J. Alexander at February 11, 2006 07:40 PM

Now, I am truly happy with the news. I would hate to give up reading new issues of FALLEN ANGEL. I would also hate to have to stop reading SOULSEARCHERS. This looks like a win-win situation for all of us.

Posted by: Matt Adler at February 11, 2006 07:53 PM

Guess PAD changed his mind about the "no exclusive" thing, huh? :) Congrats!

Posted by: Douglas at February 11, 2006 08:08 PM

From what I read at CBR, Diamond is cancelling Soulsearchers.

Posted by: Craig J. Ries at February 11, 2006 08:16 PM

I too was wondering about Soulsearchers, as I didn't see it in this month's listings for the company I'm now getting subscriptions with (yes, I decided to jump into Soulsearchers at #76).

It would suck if it's been canned.

But I'm glad PAD's going All-Marvel (well, save the grandfathered stuff), as DC didn't seem to treat him very well with Fallen Angel.

Posted by: Tim Lynch at February 11, 2006 08:42 PM

Congrats -- as long as FA is still intact (which is clearly is), this sounds like terrific news!

TWL

Posted by: insideman at February 11, 2006 08:50 PM

Very Good News indeed Peter!!!

Benefits are the best thing in the world-- especially when you have a family.

Benefits are also vital when you reach your 40's. My parents used to kid me and tell me that 40's when everything would start to "go". No joke! I turned the Big 4-0 a little while ago and when I went out for a birthday dinner THAT night-- for the first time I had trouble READING the menu!

Again, I am VERY happy for you and yours!

What NICE RECOGNITION for a well deserved person!

Posted by: gary at February 11, 2006 08:56 PM

congrats PAD

Posted by: Shana at February 11, 2006 09:22 PM

Does that mean I can finally get a pony?

Posted by: Bill Mulligan at February 11, 2006 09:24 PM

A wise move on the part of Marvel. Congratulations.

Posted by: Glenn Hauman at February 11, 2006 09:26 PM

No, Shana. The pony is for your baby brother.

Posted by: Luke K. Walsh at February 11, 2006 09:42 PM

Congratulations on the deal and the appreciation which it implies, PAD! I was certain you would not take any deal which would not let you keep Fallen Angel, after all you've gone through to fight for it; glad to hear that you can keep it, and your other on-going projects as well. Which reminds me - you probably already know this, but "Buffy the Vampire Slayer featuring Angel Magazine" (as opposed to the sister mag, coming out the opposite months and now known as "Angel featuring Buffy the Vampire Slayer Magazine"), which has mentioned you several times in relation to your Spike comic work, gave an excellent review to "Spike:Old Times" in issue #22, calling it "probably the best off-TV Buffyverse experience you'll get this year" - ! So, congrats for that, too!

Shana wrote:
"Does that mean I can finally get a pony?"

Clearly, ALL of your daughters have inherited the humor gene :)

Posted by: Greg at February 11, 2006 09:53 PM

I was at the panel and I asked if he would still get to do other, non-in-progress Buffy properties. He replied "I don't think I can push it that far." Still, it's great news and many congrats.

Posted by: Joe Nazzaro at February 11, 2006 09:56 PM

Peter, congratulations on the deal. It's one thing to know that your work has value; it's another thing for somebody to actually put their money where their mouth is. And with all the talk about the Top 10 writers or whatever the hell Marvel is calling them this month, it's nice to know that they're finally giving you a bit of respect.

Oh, I'm sure it really doesn't have to be pointed out, but as Peter/Kathleen mention in the announcement, his other projects like Spike and Fallen Angel were grandfathered into the ontract, which means he's still able to work on the existing projects despite his exclusivity contract. Good news for people picking up Fallen Angel in its new incarnation.

Posted by: Kath at February 11, 2006 10:06 PM

Thanks for the terminology catch Joe.
I forget sometimes when I just drop in to "publisher speak" that some of these words are not in general usage.
Kath

Posted by: Luigi Novi at February 11, 2006 11:09 PM

COOL! Congratu--friggin--LATIONS, Peter!

Posted by: Dalia & Gunter at February 11, 2006 11:20 PM

That's great news. Congratulations! We're very proud of you. We enjoyed the interview the comics folks had with you.

Posted by: michael j norton at February 11, 2006 11:37 PM

Congratulations PAD (and by extention David clan)! Since Marvel is doing the best stuff right now (in my opinion) it couldn't happent at a better time. Now, if I may just put in one personal request. Ever since Young Justice left I've been dying for a PAD teen team. How about Power Pack? I'm serious. Stop laughing.

Or Cloak And Dagger. Or if Vaughn needs some time off, Runaways (ditto for Young Avengers, since it's basically YJ without as much humor).

Lovin' Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,

Michael

Posted by: hysterai at February 11, 2006 11:58 PM

Congratulations!

You're a very good writer, and it's high time that someone at either Marvel or DC recognized that.

Chris

Posted by: Jon Dye at February 12, 2006 12:10 AM

Hey that's great. Does this mean there may be a chance of some more Sachs and Violens in the Icon line? I'd absolutely kill fo rthat

Posted by: Kevin T. Brown at February 12, 2006 12:31 AM

Great news. And as long as Fallen Angel is unaffected, I'll be happy. It's my only PAD fix in comics.

Posted by: Gracecat at February 12, 2006 01:03 AM

Seems like the pony-gene has hit more than one of the David girls :)

Posted by: Sasha at February 12, 2006 01:45 AM

So, what does this mean with pre-existing creator-owned properties not currently published? In other words, will we have to wait until your contract expires before there's even a chance SACHS & VIOLENS comes back or what?

Posted by: Adam Strom at February 12, 2006 01:54 AM

This is great new for PAD fans. I also cannot understand why DC doesn't think highly enough of Peter to offer him more work. He is clearly one of the best writer in comicdom and beyond and for DCd not to see that and reward him with something better than Aquaman or Young Justice seem quite shortsighted. This is, after all the man who kept the Hulk interesting for 10 friggin' years! DC should offer this guya major franchise and let him run with it! Too bad DC doesn't seem to know a good thing when they see it sometimes. Frankly it's gotta be office politics and not much more.

Posted by: Queen Anthai at February 12, 2006 02:17 AM

Congrats, Peter! And yay on benefits. Glad to hear that things are taking a serious upswing for you - you and the family completely deserve it. :)

Posted by: Alan Coil at February 12, 2006 03:34 AM

Douglas said:

"From what I read at CBR, Diamond is cancelling Soulsearchers."

Diamond can't cancel any books. All they can do is stop distributing them.

Punch line from an old joke:

"With all this horse shit in here, there must be a pony!"

Glenn Hauman wrote:

"No, Shana. The pony is for your baby brother."

Shana is getting a baby brother? Great! But, geez, Peter, don't you think it's time to stop? I mean, who do you think you are, Tony Randall?

Posted by: Jason M. Bryant at February 12, 2006 03:34 AM

There was one other Wondercon detail that I liked. A panel of DC people was answering questions and someone asked about Linda Danvers. The response was "Read Fallen Angel". Some of the things with DC obviously haven't been great recently, but it was good of them to give a little plug.

Posted by: Thomas E. Reed at February 12, 2006 04:34 AM

So, Mr. David is essentially forbidden to comment on DC stuff, and very much forbidden to comment on Marvel stuff. In exchange for this, he has to hope he gets assignments from Marvel, since no one is guaranteed work, and in exchange for this, he gets spectacuar medical benefits (he gets permission to take one aspirin from the bottle, as long as he doesn't do it too often).

Ah, well. Since the DC "Infinite Crisis" is turning out to be worse than the aftermath of "House of M," in terms of sensible books, it's probably a smart move. The fallout from Marvel's Big Summer Mistake will be nothing compared to DC's Big Summer Mistake.

Posted by: Justin at February 12, 2006 05:55 AM

Just for clarification Soulsearchers #78 is solicited for May (at least according to Comics Continuum). So going by that I think Diamond is stil distributing.

Posted by: gvalley at February 12, 2006 06:44 AM

It really is fantastic news. We deserve it, he deserves it, and I'm sure the entire PAD family will benefit and deserves it too.

Posted by: insideman at February 12, 2006 06:48 AM

Congratulatory Commentary from "Bizarro Thomas Reed":

Me like bad news.

Me like how Mr. David has no opinion on anything. Opinions are bad. Good that Mr. David have none. Me know blog commenting pay LOT more than professional writing gigs... Plus you get such nice people commenting on your thoughts all the time.

Me think benefits bad too. Me think you and family should eat all aspirin you want, Peter. Hell, eat plastic bottle they come in too.

Me think exclusive bad idea too. After all, when Mr. David announced Saturday that Marvel editors are calling him wanting to work with him every week, me know that means Peter not guaranteed to get any work from Marvel at all.

Me like DC's "Infinite Crisis." "House of M" Swell" too. In fact, me want MORE of BOTH!

Keep up the bad work Peter!

Posted by: Justin at February 12, 2006 06:49 AM

Well, I feel silly now, PAD just said (on CBR) Soulsearchers was getting the boot. I have not even gotten the issues I ordered yet. :^(

Posted by: Marty4Magik at February 12, 2006 07:28 AM

Congrats PAD!

Posted by: Mitchel at February 12, 2006 08:13 AM

Congratulations Mr. David! Its nice to hear that at least a part of the Marvel Universe will be in good hands.

Posted by: Mark Walsh at February 12, 2006 09:57 AM

Excellent news, Peter. Marvel is all the better for having you on board.

MW

Posted by: Rat at February 12, 2006 11:23 AM

May your standing invitation to the wellspring of creativity never wither! Now I really have to get back to Wade's comic shop!

Posted by: James Carter at February 12, 2006 12:33 PM

Congragulations PAD!!!

I am glad to hear that Marvel has the brains to sign a writer of your caliber!

Still, I am really mad. Once again you are responsible for a massive drain on my resources equal to the GNP of Patagonia.

Still, congragulations. It couldn't have gone to a better writer.

Posted by: Jason Allen at February 12, 2006 12:50 PM

Congratulations Peter! I read the interview at Comic Book Resources about the deal and was smiling all the way through because I'm so happy for you and your family. And I know that I'm not alone waiting in breathless anticipation to see what you'll create after being let loose in the Marvel Universe.

Posted by: John C. Kirk at February 12, 2006 03:28 PM

Congratulations! I'm glad that things are working out well for you.

As for "Soulsearchers", would it be feasible to go down the e-comic route for that? I've been very impressed by the "40 years of Amazing Spider-Man" that I got on CD recently (basically a 10Mb pdf file for each issue, with no DRM), so I would happily pay to download a new SoulSearchers issue every couple of months (a la iTunes).

Posted by: Bully at February 12, 2006 05:02 PM

Yay! PAD writes fun books, and I can't wait to read more of 'em. Bravo to you, Mister David.

Posted by: Baerbel Haddrell at February 12, 2006 05:16 PM

I have also just read the interview at Comic Book Resources - what wonderful news! I am very happy for you.

By the way, the new New Frontier book "Missing in Action" should be out any day now in the USA and hopefully will find its way to Amazon UK soon afterwards. I have read the excerpt at SimonSays - it starts very promising indeed!

I also keep looking when the next Knight book will be listed at Amazon.

Do you have any good news concerning your books as well?

Posted by: Marv at February 12, 2006 06:29 PM

Congratulations PAD!

This is great news all around. It's great to see Marvel rewarding someone who's had the kind of longevity of excellent work that you have produced over the years. I can't wait to see what new projects Marvel gives you.

Posted by: Rob at February 12, 2006 06:40 PM

Well this is good news, I just bought a copy of The Incredible Hulk animated series DVD that Disney's DVD service did in getting ready for all the press on 2003's Hulk movie, Peter and Stan Lee have interviews on it. Some good stuff.

Now Peter, You have already written the Spider-Man, Hulk, and Fantastic Four Movie Novelizations, will you be doing the Spider-Man 3 novelization too?!

Posted by: Bob Jones at February 12, 2006 07:49 PM

Muy excellente!! So...will they give you back The Hulk? Please?

Posted by: Bob Jones at February 12, 2006 08:10 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060212/ap_on_sc/assassin_spiders

Scientists Discover New Assassin Spiders

LOS ANGELES - Researchers scouring the remote forests of the African island nation of Madagascar have found that tiny assassin spiders, grotesque-looking bugs that prey on other spiders, are more diverse than previously thought.

Posted by: Bill Mulligan at February 12, 2006 08:18 PM

So I'm guessing the next 3 years will be a good time to get all of those various medical checkups you've been putting off. Few things involving the word "probe" are pleasent but it helps a little when you aren't paying full price for them.

Posted by: Craig J. Ries at February 12, 2006 11:22 PM

Just for clarification Soulsearchers #78 is solicited for May

Thanks for the info, Justin. Sometimes you just don't know if there's a delay (for whatever reason) or a book has been ended.

Oh, and since there's no other good place to mention it: going on vacation to Florida and getting stuck with 50 degree temps SUCKS.

If I wanted that kind of crappy weather, I wouldn't have left Denver. :P

Posted by: Craig J. Ries at February 12, 2006 11:37 PM

Oh, just saw the news about the blizzard in the northeast. That's what happens when you don't watch tv all day.

Hope you enjoyed SF, PAD. Or are still enjoying it if you aren't or can't get home yet. :)

Posted by: Iowa Jim at February 13, 2006 12:36 AM

Congratulations to my favorite liberal. :-) I have particularly liked the new X-Factor, in spite of my better judgment. Nice to know you won't disappear like you did on the old run. The classic PAD X-Factor was my favorite PAD -- until now. In just 3 issues, I know this one will far surpass what has come before.

Iowa Jim

Posted by: Eric Pilgrim at February 13, 2006 01:35 AM

Congratulations!! What else can I say. I look forward to everything you write for Marvel! nuff' said.

Posted by: Rob at February 13, 2006 03:47 AM

Right now, Marvel is the place to be for Peter.

DC Comics is going off the deep end with all their crap stories lately, and their staff look and sound like they are smoking something illegal.

Posted by: Bill Mulligan at February 13, 2006 06:41 AM

Craig, I didn't know you lived in Denver. Is Sushi Den still open? Le Central? The Tattered Cover?

Lived there for 3 years, loved the town. Nice folks, good food, Rocky Mountains just a short drive away.

Posted by: Craig J. Ries at February 13, 2006 07:22 AM

Is Sushi Den still open? Le Central? The Tattered Cover?

Haven't heard of the first two, although it's not a challenge to find a sushi bar in Denver; it seems like that type of restaurant is the latest fad or something.

Tattered Cover is still in LoDo, but they're moving their store that's just outside Cherry Creek Mall to another part of Denver, which sucks. They also have a third store in Highlands Ranch.

Anyways, I'm off to suffer another mid-50's day, this time at Disney World (as oppossed to SeaWorld yesterday). :)

Posted by: Bobb at February 13, 2006 10:13 AM

Congrats, PAD, although this may not bode well for me. I picked up the first 2 issues of X-Factor because I was curious. Then I got #3, and I fear I'm hooked. It reads like a well-made TV show/movie. Which is bad, because I get addicted to those.

So, the bad for me could be if PAD ends up writing more Marvel books that I have a nostalgic connection to, and also are inclined to get me addicted to them.

I'm more or less just a caveman lawyer. Your talk of exclusive deals scares and frightens me. What really are the bennys? Eligibility for the Marvel medical plan? Better pay? Guaranteed pay? I know these seem to be all the rage, but what the why? My mind is still in 90s comic mode, where freelance was the way to go, after years of the Marvel Bullpen, where you had your DC creators, and your Marvel creators, and never the twain should meet. What's up with the exclusives?

Posted by: AdamYJ at February 13, 2006 10:29 AM

That's some good news, there. It's good to have bennies. That's why I signed on for full-time at my current job. Though, you have a much cooler and harder job than I do (I work in the kitchen at an assisted living facility). Also, you haven't been doing all that much work for folks like DC in the last couple years anyway. So, a Marvel exclusive with exemptions made for your current IDW and Claypool work makes good sense.

Good luck and may the Marvel work keep coming.

Posted by: Paul Anthony Llossas at February 13, 2006 11:01 AM

Since I don't read Marvel under ANY circumstances, this news is quite sad for me as there's no possibility for any DC work. However, I'll still enjoy "Fallen Angel" and PAD's prose work.

Posted by: Den at February 13, 2006 11:26 AM

Congratulations, PAD. The fact that there will be a few titles at Marvel that Bendis isn't writing may encourage me to pick up more books from them.

Posted by: R. Maheras at February 13, 2006 12:00 PM

Today, exclusivity;
Tomorrow, Editor in Chief!

Congrats, PAD!

Now, can I borrow $5?

(just kiddin')

;)

Posted by: Scott Rowland at February 13, 2006 12:19 PM

Congrats to Peter. As a fan, I don't care much one way or the other for creators going exclusive, but I do understand the financial benefits.

Now, what's this about Peter doing a Spider-Man series unencumbered by JMS's recycling of the Spider-clone story?

Posted by: Rat at February 13, 2006 12:25 PM

James--if your expenditures really equal the GNP of Patagonia, look at the bright side, at least you'll have something to talk about to the original Dread Pirate Roberts.

Paul--whattaya got against Marvel? Seriously? I mean, most DC books ain't my cup of tea, but I still pick up a Bat book once in a while. Sorry, but stuff like that bugs me. Kinda like the whole Trek is gold/No, B5 is gold arguments that used to take place in college. You shut out a whole group like that, ya might miss out....

And the thought of Peter redoing Power Pack...I don't know, having Julie and Jack with Peter's dialogue just doesn't fit for me. It would be kinda like the Saved By The Bell cast doing Animal House, it just doesn't fit.

Posted by: Marv at February 13, 2006 12:43 PM

I read about the concept for your Wonder Man limited series at Newsarama, and though I've never really cared for the character much it sounds interesting.
(Plus I figured out a long time ago that anything written by Peter David is not going to suck.) I'm going to have to pick this book up when it comes out.

Posted by: CCR at February 13, 2006 12:43 PM

In the truest literal sense I only read Marvel when Peter David writes it. As soon as he was done writing the Hulk I packed up and left. More Peter David productions? Make mine Marvel!

Posted by: ArcLight at February 13, 2006 01:28 PM

Paul Anthony Llossas -
Since I don't read Marvel under ANY circumstances...

Wha? Marvel run over your dog or something??

Posted by: John at February 13, 2006 02:42 PM

Possible Reasons not to read Marvel Ever
1) You have a relative who works for DC
2) You're still pissed off they turned Pittsburgh into the Pitt in the 1980s
3) You didn't get a no-prize when you should have
4) They don't use the Comics Code
5) DC superheroes are cooler than Marvel
6) Someone dressed in a Spider-Man suit ran over your dog

I should make it clear I read Marvel, and I don't subscribe to any of the above. I'm just brainstorming ideas of possible reasons.

Posted by: Den at February 13, 2006 02:45 PM

7) Marvel has of late become overly dependent on mutants, puts Wolverine in every book, and seems to have an editorial policy that no plot shall be less than 12 issues long, six issues of which are devoted to Tony Stark sitting in his chair drinking a glass of water.

Now, I love Marvel's characters. I just hope PAD can reverse the above trend.

Posted by: Iowa Jim at February 13, 2006 02:55 PM

no plot shall be less than 12 issues long, six issues of which are devoted to Tony Stark sitting in his chair drinking a glass of water

As a huge Iron Man fan, that is just too true right now. He should bethe coolest character in my book. He is like Batman in that he is a normal (although very rich) human who has a cool suit of toys. The reality is, the writing of IM has been trash most of the time. Oh well...

Iowa Jim

Posted by: Bobb at February 13, 2006 03:13 PM

"As a huge Iron Man fan, that is just too true right now. He should bethe coolest character in my book. He is like Batman in that he is a normal (although very rich) human who has a cool suit of toys. The reality is, the writing of IM has been trash most of the time. Oh well..."

Isn't that just the most frustrating thing? When a really cool character with tons of potential is wasted. When fans can casually think of better, more exciting ways to use that character. Granted, I think one of the hardest things to do is to be creative within the confines of someone else's sandbox month after month, but with the rate the books seem to switch writers these days, you'd imagine that we'd see better overall use of the characters.

When I actually think of all the cool things one could do with the Iron Man character, I actually start to look forward to a movie version. Even if it does have crazy Tom in it.

Posted by: Matt Adler at February 13, 2006 03:26 PM

If only they would bring Michelinie and Layton back...

Posted by: billeo40 at February 13, 2006 04:01 PM

fantastic news. at last the recognition you deserve. any chance of more Hulk in the future?
Bill

Posted by: TallestFanEver at February 13, 2006 05:21 PM

any chance of more Hulk in the future?

Hulk is tied up in Planet Hulk for about a year right now (though in the summer we'll get a new Planet Hulk story and a reprint of PAD's Hulk: The End). But, from the first issue, it looks like alot of fun. Greg Pak is writing the same kind of "pissed off" Hulk from PAD's most recent run (which is sort of similar to the Grey Hulk, I would guess), and dropping Hulk in the middle of a huge sci-fi setting is too cool for words.

Alls that said, I would love to see PAD come back on the book after Planet Hulk wraps up -- the aftermath of Hulk getting ditched into space and comming back to Earth to kick booty would rule.

Posted by: Luigi Novi at February 13, 2006 08:55 PM

Peter, I have a question: What is the benefit of such a contract from Marvel's point of view? I mean, sure, they get a great writer, but they already have you on Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and X-Factor. As I gather right now, exclusivity contracts are signed from a company's point of view so that their competition can't use them. But you yourself stated not too long ago (I think it may have been the Greenburger thread) that DC isn't interested in using you right now. Given that, would Marvel really have been in danger of losing you? Sure, there's Soulsearchers, Spike>, and Fallen Angel, but I don't know if those would really be a threat, given that one's probably not a high seller (is it still running?), the other's a miniseries, and besides, they were grandfathered into the contract. So what's Marvel's motive/angle in this?

Posted by: A. Nonny Muss at February 13, 2006 09:26 PM

Can anyone tell me approximately how many writers have exclusive contracts with Marvel?

Posted by: J. Alexander at February 13, 2006 09:41 PM

All The Rage is reporting that Peter is doing a one shot in June Hulk vs the Champions taking place during the era when the Champions was being published. I can't wait.

Perhaps, Peter is going to be the writer on a regular Champions title? Hmmm.

Posted by: Justin at February 14, 2006 05:29 AM

Yeah, that PAD Hulk vs Champions thing sounds cool. I love Peter's team stuff, as you get to see him take his pen to a variety of characters. I also can't wait.

Actually I am edge of my seat for loads of things PAD is doing, great time for fans.

Posted by: Matt Adler at February 14, 2006 06:41 AM

As I gather right now, exclusivity contracts are signed from a company's point of view so that their competition can't use them. But you yourself stated not too long ago (I think it may have been the Greenburger thread) that DC isn't interested in using you right now.

Pure and simple, it's bragging rights. DC signs Busiek, Marvel retaliates by signing PAD. All about the headlines, and attracting attention to the company.

As for whether Marvel was in "danger" of losing PAD to DC... sure, PAD is saying right now that DC hadn't been calling him... but then again, everyone thought DC was done with Keith Giffen in the wake of Identity Crisis and Countdown to Infinite Crisis... and then lo and behold, they have him headlining one of their major events, 52. DC's strategy is generally to poach whoever is most valuable to Marvel, so with the rave reviews PAD is currently getting, you can be sure he'd have been next on their list. Marvel knew that, and thus locked him up.

In other words, for the next three years, if you want to see Peter David write the big superheroes, you have to make yours Marvel. And from Marvel's standpoint, that's good PR.

Posted by: Rob at February 14, 2006 07:17 AM

The reason DC has not been calling Peter, is because DC Comics is an evil company, run by Time Warner which is even bigger joke, no wonder Carl Ichan wants to break the company up.

Meantime Peter is back at Marvel, where I think he likes it better.

Posted by: Den at February 14, 2006 08:55 AM

Oh, please. Let's not get into a debate over which company is "evil." Both Marvel and DC have done things over the years from a management standpoint that I have thought were stupid, even grossly unfair towards creators.

From simply a product standpoint, I think DC overall is producing the more dynamic and existing books. I'm not a big fan of the deconstructed style of 12 issue story arcs where a whole lot of nothing happens that writers like Bendis and Ellis seem to be obsessed with. Too many of Marvel's books these days are following that model.

But that's a matter of personal tastes. I don't think that makes Marvel "evil".

Peter, I'm looking forward to seeing your future projects at Marvel and I hope that your more dynamic writing style will help to reinvigorate the Marvel line in general.

Posted by: Den at February 14, 2006 08:57 AM

Pure and simple, it's bragging rights. DC signs Busiek, Marvel retaliates by signing PAD. All about the headlines, and attracting attention to the company.

That's all it is. A few years ago, Busiek was exclusive to Marvel, now he's gone to DC. The companies get headlines for signing popular creators. Based on Peter's comments on this forum, this looks like the best deal for him today.

Posted by: J. Alexander at February 14, 2006 09:59 AM

No, it is not just bragging rights. Marvel also gets the assurance from exclusivity agreements that top talent won't be working for the competition, DC. It also allows Marvel the luxury of planning its publishing schedule for the long haul.

Posted by: Paul Anthony Llossas at February 14, 2006 12:44 PM

It wasn't my intention to cause a stir of any sort when I made my post. Let's just say that I have a personal greivance with Marvel stemming back from the mid-80s and that I won't give my hard-earned money to a company that would allow its editorial staff to treat a part of its fan base (and income provider, however small the denomination) so reprehensibly. I may not agree with a lot of DCs editorial decisions, mind you, but at least on the rare occasions when I've spoken to members of its staff, I've been treated with respect.

Posted by: Peter David at February 14, 2006 05:00 PM

"Let's just say that I have a personal greivance with Marvel stemming back from the mid-80s and that I won't give my hard-earned money to a company that would allow its editorial staff to treat a part of its fan base (and income provider, however small the denomination) so reprehensibly."

I'm sorry, but that just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. NONE of the people who were in positions of power at DC in the mid-80s are still there. The sole editor I can think of who is still around from the 1980s is Ralph Macchio, and who boycotts a company because of Ralph?

"Marvel" is simply a corporate entity that owns characters and pays bills. "Marvel" doesn't do anything. It's the people who make the decisions, and if you're protesting the people who aren't there anymore and in most cases have been gone for over ten years...well, okay, but I just don't get it.

PAD

Posted by: Peter David at February 14, 2006 05:01 PM

Sorry, that should read "NONE of the people who were in positions of power at Marvel." Curiously, DC has been far more stable in its personnel.

PAD

Posted by: Scavenger at February 14, 2006 05:02 PM

"I can think of who is still around from the 1980s is Ralph Macchio, and who boycotts a company because of Ralph?"

The members of Cobra Kai?

Posted by: Bill Roper at February 14, 2006 05:09 PM

Congratulations! I'm happy that you'll have the opportunity to write more books for Marvel, since I've been culling my pull list lately of authors whose work is boring me. You're on the list of authors to add to the list of books I'm buying, which might keep me in better contact with the MU. :)

Posted by: darrik at February 14, 2006 05:48 PM

My guess Marvel for why they wanted the exclusive:
Marvel would have more comics written by him. He could cut down and focus on books or indies, but the contract will ensure Marvel that they will get more comics from him.

Posted by: Knuckles at February 14, 2006 06:04 PM

I'm a little sad about the whole thing, as it means no DC titles from PAD. I am going to cross my fingers and hope that it will mean, at some point, at least one more whack at the Hulk.

Posted by: Christian at February 14, 2006 09:02 PM

What about a Battlestar Galactica series at Marvel to coincide with the novel??

Posted by: darrik at February 15, 2006 07:37 AM

BSG comics are being made by a different company.

Posted by: Rob at February 15, 2006 09:37 AM

Excellent interview on ComicBookResources.com, Peter. This couldn't have happened to a nicer guy and a great writer.

Posted by: Paul Anthony Llossas at February 15, 2006 10:49 AM

I hadn't thought of it that way, PAD. I'll give my stance some thought and reconsideration.

Posted by: Ole' Greenskin at February 15, 2006 04:16 PM

Are you going to do the Hulk/Champions story? There are rumors over at comicboards.com that you will be doing it.

Thanks

Posted by: SAM-EL at February 19, 2006 07:42 AM

Nice, PAD. Hope they bring out more X-Factor visionary trades.

Posted by: John at February 27, 2006 11:27 PM

Wasn't sure where to post this comment. I think this is the most recnet post that mentioned Fallen Angel in any way.

Diamond's shipment list for this week lists Fallen Angel as: Fallen Angel #3 (of 5)

Are they correct? Are there only 2 more issues after this one?

Posted by: John at February 27, 2006 11:51 PM

Looking more closely at the shipment list, I think PAD may have done the next to impossible -- synched all of his publishers together.

The latest
Soulsearchers
Fallen Angel
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
X-Factor
and
New Fronteir novel
are all due out this week!