PeterDavid.net

1) What's up with Spidey 2099 showing up everywhere? I think I've seen him on 4 different covers for 4 different comics recently. Is Marvel planning to relaunch some 2099 stuff? I love the series, but I'd only want it to come back if you were writing it, PAD.

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, MARVEL HAS NO PLANS TO DO A SPIDEY 2099 BOOK. I ADMIT IT'S KIND OF AMUSING TO ME. I USED SPIDEY 2099 AND IT WAS DEEMED TO BE UNORIGINAL AND SELF-DERIVATIVE; OTHER PEOPLE START USING HIM AND IT'S A FUN NOSTALGIA TRIP. GO FIGURE.

2) Is the current direction of Fallen Angel something you would have done if the property had stayed at DC?

YUP.

How's it going?

COMME CI, COMME CA.

I believe you mentioned before how the death of Banshee wasn't known to you, and that's why it took time to work it into X-Factor. How much lead time did you get on the big Spider-Man reveal and did it abort any upcoming story lines in "Friendly"?

IT DIDN'T ABORT ANY, PER SE, BUT IT CERTAINLY SENT SOME OFF IN RATHER UNEXPECTED DIRECTIONS...PARTICULARLY EVERYTHING I HAD PLANNED FOR FLASH THOMPSON. I KNEW ABOUT THE REVEAL ABOUT, I DUNNO...FOUR MONTHS AGO, I THINK.

Given the unlimited opportunity, no worries about who is currently working on or with any character/s, what character or group of characters would be your dream writing assignment as of now? No boundries on time or company for this, just the dream match so to speak.

Thanks,
jeff

MY LONG STANDING DREAM IS TO WRITE A TARZAN VS. THE PHANTOM LIMITED SERIES. THE TWO MAJOR JUNGLE GUYS GOING HEAD TO HEAD. I'D HAVE A FIELD DAY WITH THAT.

RUNNER UP WOULD BE DOC SAVAGE. IT WOULD SELL FOR CRAP, AS DOC SAVAGE ALWAYS DOES IN COMIC BOOK FORM, BUT IT'D BE FUN TO PLAY WITH THOSE CHARACTERS.

Why/how did "grozit" become your go-to alien expletive, and how's it pronounced?

(I feel like this has been asked before, but I couldn't find the answer anywhere...)

IT DIDN'T. BILL MUMY CAME UP WITH IT. HE FIRST HAD CATALINA SAYING IT IN "SPACE CASES" AND I'VE COOPTED IT SINCE THEN.

IT'S PRONOUNCED "GROWS-IT," ACCENT ON THE FIRST SYLLABLE.

Will you also write the novelizations for the coming new Spider-Man and Fantastic Four movies?

SPIDER-MAN, YES. FF, I HAVEN'T THE FAINTEST IDEA.

(I am reading the FF novelization at the moment and I love it!)

Next year will be New Frontier`s 10th anniversary. Will this event be celebrated by Pocket books? Maybe with another trade paperback with short stories as they did with all the other Trek series (they were TV ones originally, but nevertheless...)?

Y'KNOW, I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE.

I remember the book "Double or Nothing" very well which was officially a TNG book but in reality very NF heavy as well. I am wondering, will the coming TNG novel you are writing be part NF as well?

NOPE.

Not being a big fan of the Mirror Universe, I am hoping that next year will offer more NF than that.

WE'LL SEE.

Who's the biggest douchebag in the comics industry?

NO, WHO'S ON FIRST.

Ok, a non-comics question... what are your favourite individual hours of drama? ie: you remember watching and thinking 'I have to watch that again NOW (ie: single episode or moments)

TWO EPISODES OF WEST WING: "ELLIE" AND "CELESTIAL NAVIGATION." AND THE LAST CAPTAIN FREEDOM EPISODE OF "HILL STREET BLUES."

I'm curious about your recent how-to book WRITING FOR COMICS. Was the process of writing a book about how you write different from just writing? It seems like an exercise rife with opportunity for introspection or self-criticism. I guess I'm asking whether, in the process of writing this book, you learned anything about the way in which you write comics.

IT CERTAINLY CAUSED ME TO GIVE VOICE TO A LOT OF STUFF THAT I'D NEVER REALLY ANALYZED BEFORE. ALTHOUGH I'VE WRITTEN INDIVIDUAL COLUMNS ABOUT WRITING COMICS, I'VE NEVER DONE A SOUP-TO-NUTS COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF EVERY ASPECT OF HOW I WRITE COMICS. IT WAS INTERESTING TO SORT OF "FIGURE OUT" WHY I DO CERTAIN THINGS, AND DON'T DO OTHERS.

Do you ever get the desire to write any other Star Trek books or is NF all you need ?

ACTUALLY I'M WORKING ON A NEXT GEN NOVEL RIGHT NOW, WHICH WILL ALSO FEATURE JANEWAY AND SEVEN OF NINE.

Have you thought about doing another SACHS & VIOLENS mini, since they'll be in upcoming issues of FALLEN ANGEL? The first series is kind of hard to find.

I CAN'T REALLY SEE DOING IT WITHOUT GEORGE PEREZ AT THIS POINT, AND SINCE GEORGE IS EXCLUSIVE TO DC AND I'M EXCLUSIVE TO MARVEL, IT WON'T BE HAPPENING ANYTIME SOON. BUT, HEY, I'M HAVING FUN WITH THEM IN "FALLEN ANGEL," SO IT'S ALL GOOD.

Guiliani/Rice vs. Clinton/Obama in 2008. Former mayor of NYC and 9/11 hero, with a Leo-style foreign policy expert who happens to be both African American and female (although both are liberal for Republicans), against two sitting senators (who are trending conservative for modern Democrats). Be a fun race, at least; whaddaya think?

I'D PROBABLY DECIDE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY AT THAT POINT...

I read that you actually DID abort some FNSB storylines because of recent developments. Level with us (we won't tell). Are you ticked? Or did you know going in that writing a major Marvel icon means bending to the whims of corporate synergy (also known as summer event crossovers)?

IN THE WORDS OF SUPER-CHICKEN, I KNEW THE JOB WAS DANGEROUS WHEN I TOOK IT. THE ADVANTAGE OF WRITING AN ICONIC CHARACTER IS THAT YOU HAVE A WIDER AUDIENCE. THE DISADVANTAGE IS THAT YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE SUBJECT TO THE HIGH-PROFILE CROSSOVER EVENTS THAT ARE GOING TO INVOLVE YOUR GUY. SO IT'D BE POINTLESS TO GROUSE ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I WAS FULLY AWARE WAS PART AND PARCEL OF WRITING SPIDER-MAN. IF I DIDN'T THINK I COULD DO THE JOB, I WOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN IT ON. IF I DIDN'T THINK I COULD STILL DO IT, I'D LEAVE. SIMPLE AS THAT.

I DO FIND IT AMUSING THAT PEOPLE HOWL HOW MUCH THEY HATE CROSSOVERS...BUT THE *INSTANT* THAT FNSM DIDN'T TIE IN WITH MAJOR CROSSOVER EVENTS (AND MKSM) SALES DROPPED.

Peter,

You've made your liberal views well known. However, I'm curious, do you share any common views with Republicans (and please allow me to pre-empt you on any response of 'less government intrustion into private lives,' because we all know the modern, sad, irony of that).

YES. DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES ANNOY THE HELL OUT OF ME.

Don't know if you'll remember, but I might as well ask. I liked your run of Dreadstar, and the mini-series starring Kalla was good as well. But you never explained what happened to Oedi.

You showed all the other characters and what had happened to them, but Oedi was only shown in flashback and his current fate was never mentioned. Even the other characters never talked about it. Which was fine, except that most of these characters hadn't seen each other for 20 years -- I'd think somebody would have said "What happened to Oedi? Did he land with you?", or something.

So I'm just wondering - did you have other plans for him, like for another mini-series that never happened? Do you remember what you would have done with him? Or did you just not get into it with only six issues to work with?

Thanks.

OEDI'S ABSENCE WAS DELIBERATE SO THAT I'D HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO WITH THE NEXT LIMITED SERIES...WHICH NEVER MATERIALIZED. DARNED IF I REMEMBER WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO WITH IT, THOUGH.

Fun fact about "grozit": it means "threaten" in Russian. I have no idea if this was the intention, but it's true (according to my rus-eng dictionary) nonetheless.

What are your favorite Arthurian books/authors/stories? (I'm particularly curious if you've read Phyllis Ann Karr; her "The Follies of Sir Harald" seems right up your alley.)

STILL KIND OF FOND OF THOMAS BERGER'S "ARTHUR REX," I THINK IT WAS CALLED.

Which character/group of characters that you thought were great, but never caught on?

THE CREW OF "THE CHRISTA."

Woo hoo! Good day, Mr. PAD, and thank you for having this (and for all of your writing in general).

Knowing of A) your fondness for Harlan Ellison, B) your fondness for puns, and C) Harlan's, um, non-fondness for puns (yes I remember his "Spaceballs" review), I wonder: Sir Apropos (which I really enjoyed, especially Books 1 and 3) would seem right up Harlan's alley except for the puns. Did you ask him to be a first reader? What was his reaction to the work? Can you make even him laugh at a pun, the way the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie did?

HARLAN HAS WAY TOO MUCH TO DO FOR ME TO ASK HIM TO READ MY STUFF AHEAD OF TIME. HE'S READ IT SINCE, BUT NOT BEFORE. AND SINCE HE LIKED THE BOOKS, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THE PUNS THEREIN AMUSED HIM.

1. I'm reading the Next Gen novel "A Rock and a Hard Place." Was the character of Quentin Stone an early draft of Captain Calhoun?

NOT INTENTIONALLY SO, BUT HE SURE TURNED OUT THAT WAY.

2. A while back at the motor city comic convention, I gave you CD's of material by comedian Bill Hicks as well as songs about Star Trek by singer Voltaire. What were your thoughts on them?

I THOUGHT, "WOW, I HOPE I DON'T MISPLACE THIS CD." TRAGICALLY...

What advice would you give to someone thinking about converting to Judaism?

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT, BY TALMUDIC LAW, THE ONLY ADVICE I COULD GIVE SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL WOULD BE "DON'T." CONVERTS TO JUDAISM ARE GENERALLY DISCOURAGED, NOR DO WE BELIEVE IN TRYING TO CONVERT PEOPLE. IF YOU'VE EVER ENCOUNTERED THE CHASSIDIC JEWS AND THEIR "MITZVAH MOBILE," THE FIRST QUESTION THEY'LL ASK YOU IS "ARE YOU JEWISH?" IF YOU ANSWER "NO" THEY'LL IMMEDIATELY SAY, "THANK YOU, HAVE A NICE DAY," AND THAT'LL BE THAT. (UNLIKE, SAY, JEWS FOR JESUS, WHICH IS THE SINGLE MOST IDIOTIC NAME FOR A RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT I'VE EVER HEARD. WE ALREADY *HAVE* A HISTORIC NAME FOR JEWS FOR JESUS: THEY'RE CALLED "CHRISTIANS.")

Have you thought about doing another SACHS & VIOLENS mini, since they'll be in upcoming issues of FALLEN ANGEL? The first series is kind of hard to find.

Not PAD, QA, but, if you're looking for Sachs & Violens, check out this news store--

http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70427&highlight=sachs+violens

What is a question that no one ever asks you but you wish that they would?

WHAT WAS KIM BASINGER LIKE IN BED?

And if you please, what is the answer to that question?

OH, LIKE I'LL TELL *YOU*.

1. Peter David, I love your books, however I've read all of 'em. Could you tell me what your favorite authors are, so I at least have something good to read? Thanks.
[Alex]

HARLAN ELLISON, ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE, ROBERT PARKER, STEPHEN KING, NEIL GAIMAN.

What're the odds of a Peter David podcast/mp3 stuff to listen to on the go?

SLIM TO NONE.

One time or weekly or monthly or never? :D

DAILY.

Is it true that if I kill you, I become you?

;)

HOW DO YOU THINK *I* GOT THE GIG?

So, do you have some kind of beef with Mount Rushmore, or is it just coincidence?

IT JUST MAKES SUCH A GOOD VISUAL.

Actually, If I may, I have a few:

1) Have you ever considered running for any sort of political office?

2) Have you pitched ideas for books to either Marvel or DC in the past that were rejected? If so, what idea/concept of yours that was rejected did you most want to see print?

3) What do you want to be when you grow up?

4) Which Marvel/DC story that you wrote would you consider your strongest work? And, along the same lines, which Spider-Man story of yours do you consider to be your best?

5) I watch about half of the shows that you talk about in your Cowboy Pete Roundup. One show I notice to be missing is 24. Do you watch 24? And, if so, do you think the first lady and Aaron should hook up ;)?

6) What is your biggest regret?

7) What is your most embarassing moment?

8) Who would play you in a movie about your life?

9) What reality TV show do you think you'd have the best shot at winning the grand prize?

And....

10) Actually... no.... I'll leave it at 9......

Thanks you very much, sir!

Do you remember that time in Detroit when I got your autograph?

THERE'S JUST NO GOOD ANSWER TO THIS...

We will finally see a resoultion to the Rictor/Shatterstar were they werent they thing?

What other characters did u consider for X-Factor?

What do you feel about Marvels treatment of Random since you last wrote him. What were your plans for him?

Would you ever ever write a book that Byrne was drawing?

Will you ever do something with the Panthenon again. I miss them.

Gamma Gang too? Did you have plans for them?

If you were to write the Avengers which characters would you use?

If you were to write a book bringing c list chracters to fore as a team. Who would you use?

X-men too?

Top 3 most undersued characters?

Cheers

If I can promise you Space Cases cosplayers at Dragon*Con this year... is there any way to see the old blooper reel? :-)

IF I CAN FIND WHERE THE HELL IT IS.

1. Ok PAD, settle a bet for me. Greatest movie of all time? I say The Blues Brothers, my friend says Blade Runner. Settle it for us.

2. What do you do with all your comp comics? I mean, you must be on a ton of different comp lists. Do you keep them at home? Give them away? Are you bound by the same rules as the DC staffers who go in so much trouble last year for selling them?

3. Rob Liefield, John Byrne, Micah Wright. They all are the butts of so many fanboy jokes. Is there anyone out there who is the butt of so many jokes, but isn't geting the respect they deserve?

4. We've had monkeys/apes, pirates, zombies, decompressed storytelling, packaging for trades, heroes giving up secret identities, manga. Look into your crystal ball: what is the next big trend in comics?

5. I believe that more important than male/female, gay/straight, black/white, red/blue, there is an essential question that classifies people: are you in favor or opposed to dressing up your pets? Please answer.

Thanks for taking the time to do this. Next time you are in Portland, let me take you out for a beer and a few frames.

garbonzo

1Thank you for all the work that you do. I'm always looking forward to any new novels that you write. Please don't ever stop writing New Frontier, it's my favorite. Any chance of another Sir Apropos book? Thanks, Jimmy

WELL, THE PROBLEM IS THAT POCKET BOOKS NO LONGER DOES ORIGINAL FANTASY, AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO TAKE A SERIES THAT ALREADY EXISTS AND RELAUNCH IT ELSEWHERE. HOWEVER THERE WILL BE A NEW APROPOS NOVELLA IN A COLLECTION ENTITLED "HEROES IN TRAINING" COMING OUT NEXT YEAR.

Agamemnnon was a Bucky, wasn't he?

I CERTAINLY THOUGHT SO.

Hey man...

Given how popular they have become, with the likes of PvP Online, Ctrl=Alt-Del and Penny Arcade on my daily Must-Read list, have you ever been tempted into the world of online comic strips at all?

NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST.

I only ask because a lot of your books are damn funny and i'd love to see what you would come up....anything would be better then that dire Trek Life rubbish over on the official trek site :D

Also....do you follow football (and by football, I mean proper football, what you lot over the pond call "soccer" and if so, who do you support?....and who do you think will win the World Cup? :D

MY LACK OF INTEREST IN THE WORLD CUP IS MATCHED ONLY BY MY LACK OF INTEREST IN WEB COMICS.

Cheers man, you da bomb....or some other random street phrase that makes me sound hip and cool :)

THESE DAYS, SOMEONE IS TOLD HE'S THE BOMB, HE GETS A VISIT FROM HOMELAND SECURITY...

Oh....and what is the meaning of life?

Nearly forgot that one :)

LIFE IS LIKE A GLASS OF TEA.

I've noticed a story type that you use a lot, PAD. Taking several minor characters or events and tying them together. For example, the Next Generation book where Q is sent back through time by Trelane and ends up causing several of the time anomalies and super powered phenomena in the various Trek series. Or the Spidey 2099 character who gave Spidey his gliding material and also turned out to be the first Spiderite. Or the episode of Gargoyles where a guy had run into the gargoyles so many times that he had to hit Goliath in the face with a pie.

Any particular reason why that's one of your favorite story tools?

I WROTE AN EPISODE OF GARGOYLES...? NOT TO MY RECOLLECTION.

I WOULDN'T SAY IT'S A "FAVORITE." IN HUNDREDS OF COMIC BOOKS AND SEVENTY+ NOVELS, I'VE DONE IT A COUPLE OF TIMES. IT'S JUST INTERESTING TO TIE THINGS TOGETHER EVERY NOW AND THEN. CREATE A TAPESTRY SO THAT, IF NOTHING ELSE, IT GIVES THE ILLUSION THAT--WHEN IT COMES TO LONG-FORM STORIES--I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING.

Peter,

I know of your somewhat disappointment of the Watchmen and Killing Joke. But I was wondering how you liked Alan Moore's "Superman: Man of Tomorrow" and "Superman: For the Man Who Has Everything".
And I would also like to know how you liked Frank Miller's orignal Dark Knight and Batman: Year One.

I WOULDN'T SAY I WAS "DISAPPOINTED" WITH EITHER OF THE FIRST TWO WORKS. I FELT THAT WATCHMEN WAS SOMEWHAT PADDED OUT AND THE ENDING USED SOME PAINFULLY OBVIOUS WRITER'S TRICKS, AND THE IDEA OF BATMAN AND THE JOKER SHARING A LAUGH AFTER THE LATTER PARALYZED BARBARA GORDON NEVER SAT RIGHT WITH ME. BUT THERE WAS A TON OF GOOD STUFF IN THEM AS WELL.

I'VE UNRESERVEDLY LOVED MOORE'S SUPERMAN WORK, THOUGH.

Well I want to say thank you for all the great storytelling over the years. Of course there is some real stinkers in there too(hey you wrote MERC for peet's sakes "take it back! take it back!"). But I digress.

Anyway... looking back on your career I noticed something rather odd. It appears you never quit. What I mean to say is that, of your writings on various comic book series, you keep plugging away at them until someone cancels the title (Captain Marvel, Young Justice, Supergirl, should I go on?) or just outright "replaces" you. (ummm... Hulk.) Is this true?

PRETTY MUCH. OF COURSE, THE DOWNSIDE IS THAT FANS CLAIM THEY WANT WRITERS TO STICK AROUND...EXCEPT WHEN YOU DO, THEY THEN GET BORED AND WANDER OFF. IF I HAD ANY BRAINS I'D DO A YEAR MAX AND THEN LOUDLY LEAVE.

But regardless of the case... thanks for sticking through till the bitter end. Or at least until you get carpotunnel syndrome.

WITH ANY LUCK THAT'LL NEVER HAPPEN. I WRITE USING AN ERGONOMIC KEYBOARD.

1 Peter, I have been a big fan of your works and continue to enjoy your thoughts as expressed in your blog. A while back you mentioned that Howling Mad had been optioned by a movie studio. Any further updates on the status of that project?

OTHER THAN THAT THEY STILL HAVE THE OPTION, NOPE.

Give JMS's success with the BABYLON 5 SCRIPT BOOKs being published through Cafe Press, have you considered putting together a similar volume of your two B5 scripts, your CRUSADE script and your B5 comic scripts along with some recollections of your work on the franchise? Maybe include some notes on the Centauri trilogy as well? If you haven't given the idea any previous thought, could you do so now? I'm sure it would sell well.

I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT, BUT I'M NOT SURE OF THE LEGAL ANGLE. AFTER ALL, I DON'T OWN THE COPYRIGHT SO I'D PROBABLY HAVE TO WORK OUT SOME SORT OF DEAL. I SIMPLY HAVEN'T HAD THE TIME, OPPORTUNITY OR INTEREST IN GOING TO THAT MUCH WORK.

Don't you think the songs in 1776 are incredibly third-rate, and it's the show's book that makes it such a great musical, even though without the songs it wouldn't be a musical, and as a straight-out comedrama, it'd be pretty much Poor Richard's Almanac with a cast of hundreds and not necessarily all that fondly remembered?

WILL SOMEONE SHUT THAT MAN UP?

What short story writers (and what stories) had the most influence on you when you began writing?

ASIDE FROM THE AFOREMENTIONED SHORT STORY WRITERS: AVRAM DAVIDSON, O'HENRY, MARK TWAIN, SHIRLEY JACKSON. IN TERMS OF SPECIFIC STORIES: "REPRENT HARLEQUIN,' "THE LOTTERY," TOM GODWIN'S "THE COLD EQUATION."

If memory serves, in your last issue of your first run on X-Factor, there was an unresolved cliffhanger...tentacles grabbing Valerie Cooper and dragging her into a room. What was the payoff for that supposed to be? I've been wondering for many years....

IT WAS THE BEGINNINGS OF THE STORYLINE THAT EVENTUALLY MORPHED SOMEWHAT AND LED TO THE INTRODUCTION OF ARMAGEDDON OVER IN HULK.

What writing job out there, if any, is your Holy Grail?

WRITING ANYTHING THAT WINS AN OSCAR OR A TONY.

So now you're in your third decade of this comix-writing business, which means that you have nearly twenty years more experience than the Peter David of 1989 did.

If that guy sent you all of his comics and said "So what do you think? What am I doing right, and what am I doing wrong?" what would you tell him?

(PS: Naturally, feel free to parry this off by saying "Buy Microsoft, ha ha" or somesuch. But if you do, the next time I write my check to the Red Cross I'm going to short-change them by ten bucks. I'll tell them that it was because you momentarily lowered my endorsement of Humanity.)

I'D TELL HIM TO DITCH THE THOUGHT BALLOONS AND CUT BACK ON SOUND EFFECTS. I'D SAY ROLL BACK THE JOKES SOMEWHAT, AND TRY NOT TO OVERWRITE.

When will we get to see an FNSM/X-Factor crossover?

SPIDEY SHOWS UP IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF XF, BUT I'M NOT PLANNING A STORY THAT ACTUALLY GOES FROM ONE TITLE TO THE OTHER.

Okay, well, I'll still write the check for the full amount. Hollow threat, there. But I'm interested in the answer anyway.

Only one question burns in my head, well, that's worth asking, anyways. Well, worth asking HERE, to you.

After Skin Deep, did you have any other ideas for the Guardians? Stuff that was just BEGGING to be let out to play? BTW, This Is Your Life, Bhodi Li is STILL one of my favorite books. And thanks for bringing Bernie back in Strike Zone.

IF I DID HAVE ANY PLANS, THEY'RE LOOOOONG GONE FROM MY HEAD. SORRY. GLAD YOU LIKED THE PHOTON BOOKS. ALMOST NOBODY REMEMBERS THOSE.

Since you are doing a Wonder Man limited series, I was just wondering what you thought of David Michelinie's take on the character when he wrote the Avengers? Also do you like the purple energy thing going on? I rather him be like he use to be when he wore his shades and had the hip jet packs.

HE'S DOING THE PURPLE ENERGY THING. THERE'S REALLY NO CONTINUITY REASON FOR ME TO ROLL HIM BACK TO THE JET PACKS; PEOPLE WILL THINK I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE ENERGY STUFF.

Has there been any nibbles for a non-print New Frontier project? I can picture an NF direct-to-DVD movie, or an anime mini-series.

SORRY. NONE WHATSOEVER THAT I KNOW OF.

At a recent convention here in Minnesota, Harlan Ellison mentioned your name in an answer at a panel and then said, "of course, he's no longer with us." There were several chuckles from the audience, after which Harlan said, "If you're familiar with his work, you'd get the joke." I was very confused, because I DIDN'T get the joke, even though I'm a BIG fan of your work.

Can you explain the joke to me?

HONEST TO GOD, I'VE READ IT OVER A FEW TIMES AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK HE WAS TALKING ABOUT EITHER.

You've often spoken of Atlantis Chronicles as your best work. What do you feel is your worst work and why do you think so? Mind you, worst work doesn’t always mean bad work. Options for worst could simply be that, in-between starting in your mind and hitting the shelf, the story just didn't come across the way you really wanted it to or ended up going somewhere other then where you intended and thus skewed your plotlines into a slightly different direction for a bit.

I WAS REALLY UNHAPPY WITH THE ISSUES OF HULK I PRODUCED DURING THE HEROES REBORN THING. I DESPERATELY TRIED TO MAKE THE THING WORK AND, TO ME, THAT DESPERATION CAME ACROSS IN THE FINAL PRODUCT.

Favorite comic book artist from the Bronze Age?

WHAT AM I, AN ARCHAEOLOGIST?

What is the single best piece of creative process/writing advice you ever received or stumbled over/divined?

DON'T TAKE REJECTION PERSONALLY.

... of comics, that is. No obscure historical figures, please. ;)

I'M REALLY NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN BY "BRONZE AGE." GOLD, SILVER AGE, EVEN MARVEL AGE, THAT'S PRETTY UNDERSTANDABLE. BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU THINK DEMARCATES "BRONZE."

Any chance of the Photon novels returning to print?

OHHH, I THINK THAT'S PRETTY UNLIKELY.

Many of the writers who were popular along with you back in the late 80s/early 90s have vanished from the industry, and one gets the impression that they've been sidelined as relics of the past. I don't think I'm the only one who's noticed this, and I find it distressing. How have you managed to stay relevant and in-demand?

CLEAN LIVING, FANCY FOOTWORK, AND A HELL OF A LOT OF LUCK. FOR INSTANCE, IF THE TOM BREVOORT /ANDY SCHMIDT OFFICE AT MARVEL HADN'T TAKEN AN EXTREME INTEREST IN REBUILDING MY CAREER AT MARVEL, CHANGES ARE I'D BE AS SIDELINED AS ANYONE YOU CAN NAME.

Peter, how about combining your answers from all the What'cha wanna know?'s, and combining them into an FAQ section on the site? And how about other additions to the stie, like a Peter David checklist?

IT'S NOT A BAD IDEA. I MAY GET AROUND TO IT.

1 Are you writing any more new star trek books in the future?

WELL, OF COURSE. IT'S STAR TREK. WHERE ELSE WOULD THEY BE SET *BUT* IN THE FUTURE?

JMS released his treatment for Star Trek... If the franchise was yours to command how would you reboot Trek?

Uncajimmy

I WOULDN'T REBOOT IT. I'D DO WHAT RODDENBERRY DID: I'D JUMP IT AHEAD ANOTHER CENTURY OR SO, AND SEE WHERE MATTERS STAND. GIVE A SENSE OF A GRAND STORY MOVING FORWARD. GOING BACKWARD JUST SEEMS LIKE NAVEL GAZING.

How extensive is your outlining process? Do you outline before you start writing, or do you just bring all the characters on stage and see where they take you?

LATELY I'VE FOUND IT EASIER TO WRITE A SHORT BEAT OUTLINE BEFORE I DO A STORY. FOR A COMIC IT'S GENERALLY A LINE OR TWO PER BEAT. FOR A NOVEL, IT'S MORE DETAILED.

What did you think of the new series of Dr. Who?

LOVED IT.

"I DO FIND IT AMUSING THAT PEOPLE HOWL HOW MUCH THEY HATE CROSSOVERS...BUT THE *INSTANT* THAT FNSM DIDN'T TIE IN WITH MAJOR CROSSOVER EVENTS (AND MKSM) SALES DROPPED."

Well, yeah. Some of those people were complaining because they felt like they were being forced to buy something. They wanted to buy a certain comic, but they only got a portion of the story unless they bought the other comics also. Thus, grudging higher sales.

GRUDGING, PERHAPS, BUT THEY'RE SURE THEN QUICK TO POINT IT OUT WHEN A TITLE DOESN'T MAINTAIN THE SALES AFTER THE CROSSOVER.

Someone already asked the question I want answered: Which other characters did you consider for X-Factor?

NIGHTCRAWLER'S DAUGHTER WHOSE NAME ESCAPES ME. A FEW OTHERS, I DON'T RECALL SPECIFICS.

You have the opportunity to work with any director of your chosing (living). Who would it be ans what would be the general premise (or at least genre) of the screenplay you'd write for them?

TIM BURTON, AND IT'D BE A SCREENPLAY BASED ON THE COMIC BOOK HEARINGS OF THE 1950S.

Okay, I can understand if you don't want to answer this but... it's gotta be asked:

Civil War: Whose side are YOU on?

I STAND WITH GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Any chance of Fallen Angel, second half of DC series, in trade (from IDW) if DC reprint doesn't do well?

IDW WOULD LOVE TO DO IT. WHETHER DC WILL ALLOW IT IS ANOTHER THING ENTIRELY.

Did you have the backstory for Hobgoblin 2211 basically worked out when you wrote the Spider-Man vs Spidey 2099 special a while back? Thanks!

NO, NOT AT ALL.

When it comes to Star Trek you've prooven you can write both The Original Series and The Next Generation, So when it comes to a new movie what do you think they should do Look Back (at the old (re)cast) or Move On(with the TNG cast)?

THEY SHOULD GO FORWARD WITH A NEW CAST ENTIRELY.

If we are what we eat, why is cannibalism illegal?

BECAUSE WE'RE NOT REALLY WHAT WE EAT (ALTHOUGH, GRANTED, I HAVE MET A FEW HOT DOGS IN MY TIME.)

With all that you have written, have you ever read something you wrote ages before and then thought, "I have no recollection of this story whatsoever!"

YES.

By the by, a statement and not a question, I want to read a five-year run of Fantastic Four written by you before I die (I have time). This needs to happen. Talk to JMS about you succeeding him.

Another statement: because of you, I will never get rein and reign mixed up. I need you now to work on people who say "expresso" instead of "espresso" and "supposebly" instead of "supposedly."

WELL, THOSE COME UP MUCH LESS OFTEN. NOW "LET ME AXE YOU SOMETHING," ON THE OTHER HAND...

Ok, PAD, you got me down to one. It was a tough choice, but I'm gonna go with....

7) What is your most embarassing moment?

I WAS A PANELIST IN CHICAGO ON A "REMEMBERING DON THOMPSON" PANEL, ABOUT A MONTH OR SO AFTER HE'D PASSED AWAY. IT WAS ME, MAGGIE THOMPSON, HARLAN ELLISON, MICHAEL DAVIS.

SO THE PANEL WAS GETTING READY TO START, I WAS HEADING TO MY SEAT, MAGGIE WAS AT THE PODIUM. AND MAGGIE BEGAN TO DESCRIBE HOW THE COMMITTEE HEADS PROPOSED THE IDEA OF DOING THIS PANEL. AND SHE BEGAN BY SAYING, "SO I RECEIVED A PROPOSAL--"

AND, STILL WALKING, WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT OR GIVING IT ANY THOUGHT, I SAID CHIPPERLY, "*THAT* WAS FAST."

THE ENTIRE AUDIENCE LET OUT A GASP OF THE MOST HORRIFIED LAUGHTER YOU'D EVER HEARD. EVEN HARLAN LOOKED APPALLED, AND IT TAKES A LOT TO APPALL HARLAN. REALIZING THAT I'D JUST MADE A WISECRACK ABOUT MARRIAGE TO A WOMAN WIDOWED A FEW WEEKS EARLIER, I STOPPED IN MID-STRIDE IN TOTAL CHAGRIN.

MAGGIE, BLESS HER, BAILED ME OUT. LAUGHING DELIRIOUSLY, SHE CAME OVER, HUGGED ME, AND TOLD THE AUDIENCE THIS WAS *EXACTLY* WHAT DON WOULD HAVE WANTED: WISE CRACKING AND JOKES RATHER THAN SOMBER DEPRESSION.

If it's not too late to submit a question...

If comic book publishers are always on the look out for new talent, why is it so hard for a fledgling writer to prove him/her self and find work?

Case in point: Marvel and DC currently seem to be only interested in looking at artist samples, but only at conventions. Meanwhile, most of the independents that are willing to look at submissions are only willing to consider complete productions.

What is a hopeful writer to do if you cannot draw, ink or letter, and have no contacts with those who do?

IT'S A MAJOR PROBLEM, I ADMIT. I DON'T HAVE AN EASY ANSWER FOR IT. IN FACT, IT'S SO *NOT* AN EASY QUESTION TO ANSWER THAT, WHEN IT CAME TO ADDRESS EXACTLY THAT IN MY BOOK ON COMICS WRITING, I TURNED TO ANDY SCHMIDT AT MARVEL AND HE WROTE AN ESSAY ON HOW TO BREAK IN. I'D SUGGEST GIVING THAT A READ FOR INSIGHT ON HOW TO BREAK IN. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BUY THE BOOK, AT LEAST READ THE ESSAY AT A LIBRARY OR AT A BORDERS.

Okay, so here's my question.

You ended your Supergirl run in a very specific way - Linda leaves behind the mantle, Ariella is lost in the future, and Xenon defeated by Linda.

You've mentioned that if the series had not been cancelled, it would have continued on in two ways, one of which might have been Blonde Justice. I'm guessing that the other way would have followed the basic themes of Fallen Angel.

My question is...I forgot my question. No, wait wait, here it is:

What changes did you make specifically to the ending storyline that weren't planned before in regards to the series being cancelled?

DISPOSING OF THE VILLAIN. THAT'S WHY THE ENDING SEEMED RUSHED; I DISCOVERED THE SERIES WASN'T CONTINUING AS I WAS WRITING THE LAST SCRIPT. I'D PLANNED A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ENDING WHERE THE VILLAIN SURVIVED. IT DIDN'T WORK IF THE SERIES WASN'T GOING TO BE ONGOING. SO I HAD TO REWORK IT TO DISPOSE OF HIM, AND I WAS NEVER HAPPY WITH THE WAY I DID IT. HAD I KNOWN FURTHER IN ADVANCE, I COULD HAVE SET IT UP BETTER WITH THE PREVIOUS ISSUE.

Hey PAD,
Any chance/desire to write one of the post series deep space 9 novels? Also do you like the storyline in the ds9 books?

JAC

I HAVEN'T BEEN READING THEM AND AM NOT INTERESTED IN DOING ONE OF THEM. SORRY.

I also like Lee Houston, Junior's question, since I've wondered the same thing myself. =)

For Michael Brunner--
This is where I got the last of my Photon books, and they had more copies last time I was in there.
http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/profile/8891295/

"So now you're in your third decade of this comix-writing business, which means that you have nearly twenty years more experience than the Peter David of 1989 did."

That almost makes it sound like PAD is Dr. Who, has regenerated, and will soon run into the PAD of 89 who is on a mission to the future to stop some horror.

JAC

Knowing what you do now (about the direction Marvel has taken with Spider-Man ---- first The Other and now the unmasking in Civil War --- which I would guess has meant a lot of changes in what you might have originally been planning/wanting to do with FNSM) ... if you had it to do over again, would you take the reins of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man?

YES.

Any chance you'll ever write a Firefly or Serenity novel? I'd LOVE to read how you would write those characters as your the next best thing to Joss himself writting a novel.

I WOULDN'T SAY THERE'S NO CHANCE, BUT IT'S NOT AT THE TOP OF MY PRIORITY LIST.

Any plans to follow up with Captain Marvel's cast post-Thunderbolts #100? Or is that deader than Jean Grey?

NOT AT THIS POINT, NO.

Scry time. It looks like superheroes are warming up on the movie screens; at least some new projects are out there. Do you think there will be a significant hit movie about any existing superhero (who has NOT, as of yet, been portrayed in movies or TV) over the next year, and if so, who do you think it will be?

WELL, THOSE PARAMETERS PRETTY MUCH LIMIT IT TO "GHOST RIDER." AND HAVING SEEN NOTHING OF IT OTHER THAN THE TRAILER, I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

Lately I've been rereading some of your earlier books, and I have a question I've never seen the answer to. Why were your Photon and Psi-Man books credited as "David Peters" instead of your own name?

NO, I'VE BEEN ASKED THAT BEFORE. THE REASON IS THAT ACE WANTED TO PUBLISH IT UNDER A HOUSE NAME. THE FEELING WAS THAT, IF THE SERIES CONTINUED, THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE IT WITH A CONSISTENT NAME SO THAT THEY'D ALL BE RACKED IN THE SAME PLACE IN THE BOOK STORE (THIS WAS BEFORE BOOKSTORES SHOWED THAT THEY WERE PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF DISPLAYING SERIES UNDER MULTIPLE AUTHORS, SUCH AS "STAR WARS" OR "STAR TREK.") SO THEY SWITCHED MY NAME AROUND AND CREATED A HOUSE NAME OF "DAVID PETERS" WITH IT.

Which one wins in a free for all, knock down, drag out brawl - Maestro, Captain Calhoun, Fallen Angel, Sir Apropos of Nothing, or Chuck Frickin' Norris?

APROPOS. HE FINDS A PLACE TO SIT IT OUT, THEN LURES THE WINNER TO A BAR TO CONGRATULATE AND POISONS HIS OR HER DRINK.

The Cognocenti from "Strike Zone" and the Promethians from "Fire on High" have awfully similar abilities and M.O.'s. Are they supposed to bne the same race?

NO. THE COGS ARE THE STANDARD ALL-KNOWING TREK RACE. THE PROMETHIANS ARE ELVIS.

Got room for one tall webmaster in the car and/or the hotel room for Heroes Con?

NO.

Dear Peter.

We both have a beloved character. The character known as Justice. The hero from the New Universe.

Would you ever want to work him again on a ongoing series again?

IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO RETURN TO HIM, YES.

In Writing for Comics by Peter David you stated that what many fans are calling "decompressed" storytelling is in fact cinematic storytelling. I've noted that you seem able to write in both a cinematic style and a more "compressed" style with equal facility. Do you have a personal preference for one style over the other, and if so, which style and why?

I DON'T THINK ABOUT WRITING IN ANY ONE STYLE OR THE OTHER; JUST WHATEVER IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE STORY AND THE AMOUNT OF SPACE I HAVE TO TELL THE STORY IN.

Now it's all over, what are your feelings on 'The Other'? Do you think it really delivered and had enough actual story to merit 12 parts? And are you glad that you took part in FNSM, sales increases aside.

I THINK SOME THINGS WORKED BETTER THAN OTHERS. SOME ASPECTS I THOUGHT WERE PRETTY EXCITING, AND OTHERS THAT JUST SORT OF MADE ME WINCE. OVERALL, YES, I'M GLAD I TOOK PART IN IT.

1 Shatterstar in X-Factor. Is it gonna happen?

NO TIME SOON.

I remember in your blog entry when Young Justice was cancelled, you commented on how you were disappointed because Impulse and Superboy had just cotten canceled and you were about to get free reign on the characters. My question is, What directions were you thinking of taking all the characters (I know that's a very broad question)? Would you have "killed" Secret, and would we have found out what happened to Empress and her parents?

(By the way, Young Justice is my favorite book of all time)

I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE TIME TO START GIVING LONG TERM THOUGHT TO WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO SINCE YJ WAS CANCELED NOT LONG AFTER THAT.

>>"I DO FIND IT AMUSING THAT PEOPLE HOWL HOW MUCH THEY HATE CROSSOVERS...BUT THE *INSTANT* THAT FNSM DIDN'T TIE IN WITH MAJOR CROSSOVER EVENTS (AND MKSM) SALES DROPPED."

>Well, yeah. Some of those people were complaining because they felt like they were being forced to buy something. They wanted to buy a certain comic, but they only got a portion of the story unless they bought the other comics also. Thus, grudging higher sales.

Sadly, I have spoken with a handful of people who have chosen not to pick up the series at all due to the tie-in aspect of the first several issues. I have mentioned the merits of current to them and a few have said they may pick up an issue to check it out, but apparently the tie-in aspect has backfired, at least with some.

YEAH, WELL...I THINK THEY'RE FULLA CRAP. I'VE LONG SUSPECTED THAT PEOPLE WHO LOUDLY ANNOUNCE THEY WEREN'T GOING TO SUPPORT SOMETHING FOR SUCH-AND-SUCH A REASON WEREN'T GOING TO SUPPORT IT IN ANY EVENT. I OFTEN FEEL THAT PEOPLE DON'T LOOK FOR REASONS TO BUY COMICS; THEY LOOK FOR REASONS NOT TO BUY THEM.

Sorry about the multi-questions before. Here's my pick of the three:

I've been loving Spike Vs. Dracula--any plans to write other BTVS/Angel miniseries or individual issues?

Thanks,
Christopher

NOPE. NOT FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS AT LEAST.

Hey PAD

I became a Dad to a beautiful baby girl, Natasha, in February.

What advice could you give to me for the future? What can I expect now that the sleepless nights have finally finished?

...Simon.

DON'T BLINK. AND DON'T TURN AROUND. BECAUSE IF YOU BLINK OR IF YOU TURN AROUND, THEN BOOM. THEY'RE GROWN UP.

What's your absolute favorite/worst con story?

I WAS AT A CONVENTION--WONDER CON, I THINK--AND THE CONVENTION WAS EFFECTIVELY OVER. I WAS WANDERING THE CLOSING DEALER'S ROOM WITH TOM GALLOWAY, AS I RECALL (IF I'M WRONG, SORRY, BUT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS, IT WAS TOM).

AND TOM SAID THAT I MUST HAVE MADE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAPPY WITH ALL THE AUTOGRAPHS I SIGNED. AND I SAID CYNICALLY, "YEAH, BUT YOU KNOW, YOU ALMOST NEVER HEAR FROM THEM. YOU KNOW WHO YOU HEAR FROM? ONE GUY WHO I PISSED OFF SOMEHOW. HE'S GOING TO GO AROUND BECAUSE I OFFENDED HIM SOMEHOW AND SAY WHAT A BASTARD I AM, AND HIS WILL BE THE VOICE THAT GOES ALL OVER."

AND THEN THIS GUY WALKS UP TO US AND ASKS ME TO AUTOGRAPH A COMIC. IT WASN'T ONE I HAD WRITTEN. IT WAS FROM SOME INDY I'D NEVER HEARD OF. I SAID POLITELY, "I'M SORRY, BUT I DON'T SIGN COMICS I HAVEN'T WRITTEN. IT'S LIKE TAKING CREDIT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE'S WORK."

HE SAID, "I DON'T CARE. SIGN IT."

I SAID, "YES, BUT *I* CARE. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN SIGN?"

"WOULD YOU JUST SIGN MY COMIC?"

"LOOK, CAN'T WE FIND SOMETHING ELSE FOR ME TO SIGN? A PROGRAM BOOK? A PIECE OF PAPER? A NAPKIN?"

AND HE SNAPS AT ME, "NO, FORGET IT. I'M SORRY TO HAVE *BOTHERED* YOU." OFF HE STORMED.

TOM STOOD THERE STUNNED AND I TURNED TO HIM AND SAID, "THERE HE GOES. HE WAS LATE, BUT HE MADE IT. HE'S THE GUY. AND HE'S GOING TO SHOW UP ON COMPUTER BOARDS AND CHAT ROOMS AND TELL PEOPLE THAT HE WALKED UP TO PETER DAVID, WHO WASN'T DOING ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR, AND ASKED HIM FOR AN AUTOGRAPH, AND PETER DAVID COULDN'T BE BOTHERED. AND OTHER PEOPLE WILL PIPE UP AND SAY, 'YEAH, I HEARD PETER DAVID'S A REAL ASSHOLE.' AND THAT'S HOW REPUTATIONS GET TRASHED."

MY FAVORITE CONVENTION STORY AND WORST CONVENTION STORY IN ONE SHOT.

Hi Peter,

Is there any John Byrne work you actually think is good? I love Man of Steel, Doom Patrol not so much.

David

X-MEN. FANTASTIC FOUR. NEXT MEN. ALPHA FLIGHT. BABE.

That almost makes it sound like PAD is Dr. Who, has regenerated, and will soon run into the PAD of 89 who is on a mission to the future to stop some horror.

One of the things I always enjoy about my favorite writers (PAD included) is that it seems as though they're on a mission to undo some creative or editorial horror that was inflicted on a book in the past, or avert a disaster that would have happened in the future if a different writer had signed on.

Sort of a "Quantum Leap" for comix continuity. :)

--

"Okay, but I still don't understand why I've been leaped into the Spider-Man office."

"Hang on, Sam...damn, Ziggy's been acting up ever since Gushie set it up to work on my tax audit...okay, Ziggy says...Ziggy says that there's a 94% probability that Marvel is going to have Peter Parker officially unmask himself and go public as Spider-Man."

"Why would they do that?"

"Cheap PR stunt. Ziggy also says that they want to get into the papers and on TV and compete with a huge summer blockbuster movie that DC releases at about the same time: ... (come on, you useless hunk of) ... 'Aquaman.'"

"What's so bad about that?"

"I dunno. Ziggy says that the Spidey books do really well for about a year, while writers play with the new status quo...but then it's all played out and it becomes clear that they've thrown away one of the character's two most crucial elements. And then..."

"What?"

"UH-oh..."

"What, Sam?"

"You're not gonna like this: Ziggy says that this guy by the name of Bendis writes an issue of 'Squirrel Girl' in which the main characters spend 21 pages trying to get their change from a vending machine. And then in the last panel of the last page, the Scarlet Witch makes a surprise re-appearance, whispers 'CIVIL WAR never happened,' and then disappears again. It's seen as the last straw not just for Marvel and comic books, but for the fundamental system of editing and printing that allowed such a thing to happen."

"You mean...?"

"DC and Marvel fold. Newspapers and magazines fold, followed by commercial television, which according to public opinion helped Marvel to promote themselves. Soon, the only sources of news and entertainment left are political blogs, webcomics, and fanfic."

"OH boy..."

YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT MY FANFIC, "QUANTUM BEAST." I HAD SAM LEAP INTO THE BODY OF VINCENT AND UNDO THE ENTIRE THIRD SEASON OF "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST."

Old-school question, one you might not be able to answer: On the old DC STAR TREK series, you left the book before you were able to finish a lot of the storylines (the little yellow fanatics, Klaa, etc.) you had set into motion. These were all sort of tied off rather quickly by the replacement writer, who then of course took the book in a different direction. My question, I guess, is: do you remember what it is that YOU were going to do to finish those storylines, and where you were going to take the book next? Also, why'd you leave in the first place?

I ACTUALLY DID CONCLUDE THE STORYLINES. THAT'S WHERE THE NOVEL 'STRIKE ZONE' CAME FROM. I DID SOME TWEAKING TO ADJUST FOR THE FACT THAT IT WAS THE NEXT GEN CHARACTERS RATHER THAN ORIGINAL TREK, BUT MANY OF THE MAJOR STORY BEATS WERE THE SAME.

You're so crazy, Andy. But I can actually see it... I think you have watched way too much Quantum Leap. :-)

>RUNNER UP WOULD BE DOC SAVAGE. IT WOULD SELL FOR CRAP, AS DOC SAVAGE ALWAYS DOES IN COMIC BOOK FORM, BUT IT'D BE FUN TO PLAY WITH THOSE CHARACTERS.

I'd pay to see that. Doc and the crew written competently? Instead of, as is usually the case, as a bunch of boy scouts on an overnight hike? Yeah, bring it on!

1. Spider-Man Unmasking himself. Like it or hate it?

LIKE IT.

2. You've mentioned Janeway and Seven of Nine in your upcoming Next Gen book. Is it safe to assume it will be Borg Related?

YES.

Hi, Peter.

What's the most fun and the most challenging part about writing that readily comes to mind (i.e., you don't have to do an in-depth calculus as to the EXACT single most fun or challenging part, if several items, that's okay; it's not like there are any bets on the line, it's just a fun question)?

-- Ken from Chicago (trying to avoid the stereotypical nitpicking fan neepery image)

FIGURING OUT WHAT THE HELL HAPPENS IN THE STORY.

1Mr David are there any plans for anouther stand alone New Frontier book? I know this question is late but I worked a 12 hour shift yesterday.
Thanks Diana

THERE WILL BE A "STAND ALONE" NOVELLA AS PART OF THE MIRROR UNIVERSE THING. AND PROBABLY THE NEXT NF NOVEL WILL BE STAND ALONE.

PAD,

Since Peter Parker has accepted a position as Tony Stark's "right hand man" or assistant, why does he continue to teach and/or work at the Daily Bugle? (Although, I don't expect him to be welcome there anymore)

BECAUSE HIS MOTIVATIONS FOR WANTING TO HELP THE KIDS HASN'T CHANGED, AND BECAUSE IT MAKES FOR GOOD STORIES.

Between being Spider-man, being an Avenger, working for Tony, teaching, and free-lancing for the Bugle, when does he have time to sleep?

IN BETWEEN PANELS. AND SOMEHOW I DON'T THINK THE BUGLE FREELANCING IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR THING ANYMORE.

What do you think of J Michael Straczynski's Star Trek reboot proposal? I just downloaded a copy of it and I was aghast. I didn't think JMS's pitch was bad, but just the idea of a Trek reboot in general makes my stomach turn. Why does everyone (Star Wars, Trek, Ultimate line at Marvel, All-Star line at DC) want to tinker with stuff? Why can't they plan Trek in the 25th century?

Sorry, I'm ranting. My recap question: what do you think of a Trek reboot?

IT'S NOT THE DIRECTION I WOULD HAVE GONE. I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NOT WORKABLE--THERE'S BEEN ANY NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL MOVIES THAT HAVE DONE MUCH THE SAME THING WITH 1960S TV--BUT IN A LITERATURE OF IDEAS, I THINK RECYCLING THE PREVIOUS ONES ISN'T THE BEST WAY TO GO. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF JOE ASKED ME TO WORK ON IT, I'D BE THERE IN A HEARTBEAT, SO...

Any plans for more BUT I DIGRESS on this website? If so, how about posting recent columns (after whatever embargo period is appropriate)?

GLENN IS PRETTY MUCH IN CHARGE OF THAT.

Q: What did you think of the way Captain Marvel was renamed and then "killed" in Thunderbolts?

Loved your Captain Marvel by the way.

I'll start reading Marvel again when they bring him back.

Thanks.

I DIDN'T READ IT. I FIGURED I'D JUST GET TOO PISSED OFF. BUT REALLY, IF YOU'RE BOYCOTTING MARVEL BECAUSE OF THAT, IT MEANS YOU'RE MISSING FNSM AND X-FACTOR. THAT SURE DOESN'T BENEFIT ME.

What's your opinion on Season 2 of Doctor Who so far?

REALLY? I LIKED THE CYBERMEN TWO PARTER. I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY COMPELLING. BUT MY FAVORITE OF THE NEW SEASON SO FAR REMAINS SCHOOL REUNION.

OH, AND I'VE KNOCKED OUT YOUR SCENE DESCRIPTIONS FROM YOUR POST SO SPOILERS AREN'T AN ISSUE.

PAD,

The last time you’d offered a “what’cha wanna know” thread I’d asked who or what inspired you to become a writer. You said you write because you have to write. That’s not what I meant (and as a writer myself, I know the “write because you have to” feeling). I meant (and mean) was there a particular individual, or something you read, or moment in your life, etc. that set you down this path in the first place? If so, who and/or what was that influence?

OH. SURE. MY FATHER. HE WAS A REPORTER.

For example, the late Joseph Campbell has cited two key moments in his childhood as helping to spark his life-long interest in mythology: When his father took him to see Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show; and when his father took him to the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Likewise, the late Charles Schulz recalls a grade school teacher telling him that one day he’d be an artist.

For myself, one early influence/indication is when I found I enjoyed writing short one or two-page stories for some grade school project. That led to my writing stories for the fun of it.

Rick

Pascal, please first mention that you are including spoilers in your post. While I have seen the episodes in question, many have not.

My question for Peter is

What is the status of SOULSEARCHERS and Claypool?

Thanks Sean Scullion. I've bookmarked them for later.

Sorry, J. Alexander. Sadly, I can't edit the post. :(

Having just finished watching the last season of Angel on DVD and knowing you're such a big fan of the show, my question is:

what would (b)you(b) have showed in season six?

PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TRIED TO GIVE THE SERIES A GLOBE-TROTTING FEEL, JUST TO BE DIFFERENT. GIVE ILLYRIA TRANSPORT POWERS, PERHAPS, SO THAT SHE, ANGEL, SPIKE AND GUNN (I'D HAVE FOUND A WAY TO SAVE HIM) ARE ON THE RUN FROM WOLFRAM AND HART AND ARE GOING AROUND THE WORLD. IF ALIAS COULD DO IT, SO CAN ANGEL.

Peter David: WELL, THE PROBLEM IS THAT POCKET BOOKS NO LONGER DOES ORIGINAL FANTASY, AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO TAKE A SERIES THAT ALREADY EXISTS AND RELAUNCH IT ELSEWHERE.

From an outsider's perspective that seems odd to me. I would think a publisher is most interested in whether a book would sell. And having something with a (perhaps small but) built in audience would have an appeal.

Certainly if "Sir Apropos 4: Non cents" came out I'd buy it and can't imagine I'd even notice who the publisher was.

"I WROTE AN EPISODE OF GARGOYLES...?"

Hmm. Sorry, I guess I remembered that one wrong.

Ok, PAD. Since I have to choose 1, here it is: What do you do with all your comp comics? I mean, you must be on a ton of different comp lists. Do you keep them at home? Give them away? Are you bound by the same rules as the DC staffers who go in so much trouble last year for selling them?

Technically this is only one question. Because it has one subject:

Is Space Cases officially dead? Is anything at all related to it to be expected in the future? I realize a remake is probably out of the question but how about books? Would you sue someone who decided to write stories about Space Cases?

WE WERE ACTUALLY PRETTY CLOSE TO GETTING A COMIC BOOK SERIES UP AND RUNNING FROM TOKYOPOP, AND THEN THEY DECIDED (FOR NO APPARENT REASON) TO PASS ON THE PROJECT EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE GO AHEAD FROM NICKELODEON. AND SINCE I'M EXLCUSIVE TO MARVEL, I CAN'T PURSUE IT AT THE MOMENT. WOULD I SUE SOMEONE? NO. BUT THEN, I'M NOT THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER.

If you look at the message board here:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0115366/

You'll see that it still has a HUGE following. And this isn't the only site i've seen loads of posters at.

What are your thoughts on the highly sexualized, under-age content in Negima?

What do I win for asking the crappiest question?

Quoted below.

Me: Do you remember that time in Detroit when I got your autograph?

You: THERE'S JUST NO GOOD ANSWER TO THIS...

Have you ever thought of updating your bibliography on your blog? Currently it is the 2002 information. Here is a much more recent list created by the same guy you cribbed from back in 2002.

Oh, and another question:

Have you ever considered putting a convention list on your blog so people know where you will be in the upcoming months?

garbonzo-------

Comp copies? Marvel? Funny!

Any chance of another Three High Verbals tour?

Um, when you wrote this blog entry's title, where you saying in your mind like Al Pacino? :-)

Assuming it's not tooooo late for this. . . .

Obscure Captain Marvel question. Genis's lover, Private Saria (sp?), when last seen during the initial Genis-goes-crazy arc (aka U-Decide 'contest'), was pregnant with (presumedly) his baby. Do you recall where you were going with that plot point, if you were going somewhere with it at all?

Chris

Will you be attending the 2006 San Diego Comic Con?

It seems too late for a question, but two (of many) things that have bben bothering me in my feeble attempts at writing are:
1. How you create speech patterns,slang, accents?
2. How to build suprises into stories. You can't surprise yourself, since you know what's going to happen. How do you feel that the suprise you set is going to work?
Yo probably deal with these things in your book. I'll get it when I can.

---------
About this:
"What advice would you give to someone thinking about converting to Judaism?

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT, BY TALMUDIC LAW, THE ONLY ADVICE I COULD GIVE SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL WOULD BE "DON'T." CONVERTS TO JUDAISM ARE GENERALLY DISCOURAGED, NOR DO WE BELIEVE IN TRYING TO CONVERT PEOPLE. IF YOU'VE EVER ENCOUNTERED THE CHASSIDIC JEWS AND THEIR "MITZVAH MOBILE," THE FIRST QUESTION THEY'LL ASK YOU IS "ARE YOU JEWISH?" IF YOU ANSWER "NO" THEY'LL IMMEDIATELY SAY, "THANK YOU, HAVE A NICE DAY," AND THAT'LL BE THAT. (UNLIKE, SAY, JEWS FOR JESUS, WHICH IS THE SINGLE MOST IDIOTIC NAME FOR A RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT I'VE EVER HEARD. WE ALREADY *HAVE* A HISTORIC NAME FOR JEWS FOR JESUS: THEY'RE CALLED "CHRISTIANS.")"

Everything you said is very true. I hope I don't overstep the limit if I add that part of the question is why someone wants to convert?

People have converted to Judaism, even when it wasn't very popular. If someone wants to convert because he or she want the whole orthodox religious experience, this involves taking on many rules, restrictions and rituals that are not required from non-Jews. This is what the chosen people thing is all about. The Jewish religion discourages people from converting because it wants to make sure that the convert really wants to take on this extra burden. It doesn't want people to convert into non-observant Jews. From its point of view they are better off being non-Jews at all.

However, most Jews are not observant, and don't follow all the rules. I don't know about Peter. I'm not, but according to the Jewish religion (as well as my own personal feelings which matter more), I am still considered a Jew. It is even harder to stop being a Jew than converting to Judaism. If what someone wants is just to join the Jewish people without taking on all the rules, the Orthodox Judaism will frown upon that, but as I understand it, there are, especially in the US, more lax versions of Judaism that are less stringent about conversion, although they are not recognized by the Orthodox Rabbis. (This is a matter of great debate in Israel). There are people who converted to Judaism without becoming Orthodox.

In any case, conversion is not required from non-Jews by the Jewish religion or people, nor is it encouraged. It is possible. I guess it depends on the reasons. But no pressure.

The Bronze Age of comics is considered the 1970's. With that in mind, do you have any favorites from this period?

Thanks, Fred

Not to drag this off on a tangent, but with regard to this:

Give JMS's success with the BABYLON 5 SCRIPT BOOKs being published through Cafe Press, have you considered putting together a similar volume of your two B5 scripts, your CRUSADE script and your B5 comic scripts along with some recollections of your work on the franchise? Maybe include some notes on the Centauri trilogy as well? If you haven't given the idea any previous thought, could you do so now? I'm sure it would sell well.

I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT, BUT I'M NOT SURE OF THE LEGAL ANGLE. AFTER ALL, I DON'T OWN THE COPYRIGHT SO I'D PROBABLY HAVE TO WORK OUT SOME SORT OF DEAL. I SIMPLY HAVEN'T HAD THE TIME, OPPORTUNITY OR INTEREST IN GOING TO THAT MUCH WORK.

I'm no expert, but I think the legal angle might not be horribly complex here. (After all, JMS doesn't hold the copyright to Babylon 5, either...) When JMS announced his script self-publishing project, he explained that the basic WGA Separation of Rights agreement gives physical ownership of a script itself to the screenwriter. So a screenwriter could sell or publish his/her own script (which is what JMS is doing,) but could not him/herself authorize filming of that script or further merchandise based on that script. Or something like that, but that basically jibes with my understanding of WGA Separation of Rights when I had to understand stuff like that in another lifetime when I worked to package novelizations for movies.

Obviously, the screenwriter wouldn't automatically be allowed to use things that are the production company's to license, like logos and official photography and whatever else. But, notaby, JMS's script books don't include those things.

(Anyway, it's not as if the JMS POD version's the only way to go, either. DreamHaven books published Neil Gaiman's Babylon 5 script for "Day of the Dead" as a CBLDF fundraiser, after all.)

Obviously, you've got a lot of great projects going, and if your time, energy, or interest are best directed elsewhere, that's perfectly understandable. Then again, there was that USA Today piece about JMS's project ( http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2006-06-04-print-on-demand_x.htm )that mentioned some heady numbers as to how much money those script books stand to generate. Even with a chunk going to the POD printer, that's nice batch of money coming to him, it seems.

Anyway, long digression. But as a publishing guy, I find what JMS is managing to do with his scripts fascinating. And as a B5 fan, I'd be thrilled if other screenwriters' scripts could become available, eventually somehow.

This has been on my mind for years. I even wrote a letter when it came out, but received no answer: When you were writting THE HULK, he came to Israel and fought Sabra. In issue 387, Sabra says that Israeli women are used to thier husbands beating them, since it is common place due to Israeli's frustration about not being able to react to Saddam Hussein bombing Israel (this was in the first gulf war). i was very offended by this, and wondered where this idea came from, since I heard nothing about it (I live in Israel BTW). I know it's been over 15 years, but it still bugs the hell out of me.

Giving Brian a party at the Brunswick Zone for his fifth birthday soon. Any advice from the Bowling Davids I can give him?

>>1 Are you writing any more new star trek books in the future?
>WELL, OF COURSE. IT'S STAR TREK. WHERE ELSE WOULD THEY BE SET *BUT* IN THE FUTURE?

Silly PAD. Two words: time travel.

How's this for a series proposal? Instead of a ship being stranded across the galaxy, it (or just an Away team) somehow gets stranded in the past where it has to survive without making any changes to history, all the while using and developping tech to try to make it back. A wildly expanded version of CITY.

PAD:

We now know that the Hobgoblin 2211 is actually a girl, was this a nod to your original plans with the Goblin 2099?

Thank you,

Marcus S.

How do you pronounce M'k'n'zy of Calhoun?

MUH-UH-KUH-UH-EN-SUH-HEE

Actually, let me rephrase that last question (before I get an answer of "badly") - how should it be pronounced? How would M'k'n'zy pronounce it?

I have a question--- Those bunny slippers that Betty found for Bruce-- did they come from the same store where he kept buying those ugly oversized purple pants? Cause you know somebody had to be selling Bruce/Hulk his wardrobe.

TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORE.

"GLAD YOU LIKED THE PHOTON BOOKS. ALMOST NOBODY REMEMBERS THOSE."

Put me down as another person with fond memories of the Photon books.

Hope this session isn't already closed ...

Anyway, Peter, a while back I sent you a copy of my CD, Jason Powell: BORED SILLY. Did you ever listen to it, and if so, did you like it?

DON'T THINK I DID. I'LL TRY TO TURN IT UP.

Here's one. I was just cleaning my diing room. (Wow! A whole room that dines!) Anyway, I was wondering. Of all the characters you've written, who would you like to have dinner with? Now I'm thinking, I hope it's not Spike. You could end up as dessert.

KING ARTHUR.

One thing I was wondering about recently - as the author, do you have any say on the format of your books, or is it entirely up to the publisher?

The reason I ask is that I generally wait for paperback editions of novels rather than buying hardbacks. I don't object to the higher price (which I'd often say is worth it to avoid waiting a year), and I like the fact that a hard cover is more durable, but I don't like the way that hardbacks are normally taller, so that makes it harder to fit them on my bookshelf. (I had 700 books at last count, so that's increasingly a concern for me!)

Realistically, I don't think Pocket Books are likely to change the shape/size of their Trek hardbacks, since they've had the existing style for so long. But I do like the way that the Harry Potter hardbacks are only slightly taller than the paperbacks, and ditto for lots of comic collections (e.g. "Kingdom Come"). Would this be feasible for something like "Fall of Knight"? I suppose the secondary question is whether you'd actually want to change the format if you could, but I don't want to cheat by asking too many questions here.

Anyway, for now I'll stick to buying e-books when your hardbacks come out (if possible), then getting the paperbacks a year later.

GENERALLY, SUCH DECISIONS ARE UP TO THE PUBLISHER. USUALLY WHEN I SIGN A CONTRACT IT'S FOR A PARTICULAR FORMAT. BUT THINGS CAN CHANGE. THE KNIGHT LIFE SEQUELS WERE INTENDED TO BE PAPERBACK, BUT THEY WOUND UP BEING HARDCOVER.

What's the status of Starpoint Academy? (For those who don't know what I'm talking about look here: http://peterdavid.malibulist.com/archives/002232.html )

Corey

YOU MEAN THE BOOKS? I HAVEN'T THE SLIGHTEST IDEA.

PAD, some others have asked about Genis-Vell, but are there any plans for his sister, Moondragon, and The Magus. Other than Jim Starlin, I like your use of that character who is a major threat to any hero in the Marvel Universe.

ACTUALLY, ANDY SCHMIDT AND I WERE KICKING AROUND THE NOTION OF DOING A SERIES WITH MOONDRAGON AND PHYLA, WHO HAD THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP. MAYBE WITH THE WHOLE BATWOMAN THING, NOW'S THE TIME.

Ultimately, there is only one question that deserves answering: Peter David, deal or no deal?

DEAL.

"GRUDGING, PERHAPS, BUT THEY'RE SURE THEN QUICK TO POINT IT OUT WHEN A TITLE DOESN'T MAINTAIN THE SALES AFTER THE CROSSOVER."

Well, the sales dip is to be expected. Why were people complaining? Because they didn't want to be buying all three titles. Why did sales drop after the crossover? Because they didn't want to be buying all three titles. The two things go together.

Obviously, the crossover is a good strategy in the short term. Sales go up, so it worked.

Is it a good long term strategy? I honestly can't say. I'd like to say "no", but I don't actually have enough evidence for that. Perhaps long crossovers pisses people off enough to keep them from reading when they would have otherwise. I'm sure it happens some. I'm also sure that the crossover exposes the comic to a few people who wouldn't have read it and gets them to become regular readers. I have no idea how these two things balance against each other.

Personally, I like a short crossover. It might be that the longer the crossover, the more problematic it is. Some people just want to buy one comic a month. I'm very interested in seeing how 52 does after the newness wears off. When people are buying 4 or 5 issues of the same comic a month for the sixth month, will 52 take a dive in sales? We'll see.

Any chance of you doing a run on New X-Men? I loved Young Justice, and I think you would be perfect for the Young X-Men!

WELL, I'M PRETTY BOOKED UP AT THE MOMENT, AND DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D WANT TO DROP TO TAKE THAT ON. BUT NEVER SAY NEVER, I GUESS.

"GLAD YOU LIKED THE PHOTON BOOKS. ALMOST NOBODY REMEMBERS THOSE."

Except that one guy who had you sign a whole set at 2005's SDCC. Oh wait, that was me!

Maybe the pen name throws 'em off. I know it fooled me for a while.

Are you going to write Star Trek comics for IDW?

EVER? I DUNNO. CERTAINLY NO TIME SOON.

By the way, thanks again for this thread, PAD. It's been really fun.

Coincidentally, my roommate sent me a link yesterday to a wikipedia entry on sci-fi expletives. Based on what I'd read in this thread, I corrected the entry on "grozit". :)

"What am I missing?" I LIKE everything you have written, but I just bought a set of Soulsearchers and co. and I can not get interested in them. I Can Not Believe That You Wrote Them!!!!

NOT EVERYTHING IS FOR EVERYBODY.

So, which Star Trek novel was it that you slipped a Doctor Who appearance in? I remember you bragging about it at Dragon*Con.

IT WAS ONE OF THE GROUP ENDEAVORS THAT BOB, MIKE, CARMEN AND I DID. I'M NOT SURE OF WHICH ONE IT IS. DOOMSDAY WORLD, I *THINK*, BUT I COULDN'T SWEAR TO IT.

Dear Dad,

Can I borrow the car?

Love,

Gwen

ps. Are you my real father?

YES TO ONE QUESTION, NO TO THE OTHER. YOU GET TO FIGURE OUT WHICH IS WHICH.

How's it going?

-Rex Hondo-

PRETTY GOOD, ACTUALLY. I'VE BEEN ON A WRITING TEAR OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. DID A BUNCHA COMICS, AND WROTE AN ENTIRE NOVELLA FOR THE "MIRROR UNIVERSE" SERIES THAT POCKET IS DOING. FAMILY IS HEALTHY. I REGRET THAT WORK AND ASSORTED OTHER MATTERS MADE ME HAVE TO CANCEL OUT ON GOING DOWN TO HEROES CON, BUT IT TURNS OUT I WAS REMARKABLY LUCKY. HAD WE DRIVEN DOWN WHEN WE WERE SUPPOSED TO, WE WOULD HAVE HIT THUNDERSTORMS, DOWNPOURS, AND ROADS THAT WERE FLOODED OUT. IDEALLY THAT WON'T HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.

ACTUALLY, ANDY SCHMIDT AND I WERE KICKING AROUND THE NOTION OF DOING A SERIES WITH MOONDRAGON AND PHYLA

That would be awesome. I absolutely adore Moondragon, and I love her even more when you're writing her.

Andy Schmidt rocks, by the way. He should be editor-in-chief. It just seems like all the best stuff at Marvel has come about because of him.

I WOULDN'T DISAGREE.

"What's the status of Starpoint Academy?
YOU MEAN THE BOOKS? I HAVEN'T THE SLIGHTEST IDEA."

No, I meant the CGI animated film announced almost 2 years ago for which you were writing the screenplay, from IDT Entertainment and Clifford Meth?

Corey

OHHHH. WELL, BASICALLY IT PROGRESSED EXACTLY AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD. WHEN I FIRST HOOKED UP WITH IT, I WANTED TO MEET WITH THE DIRECTOR. THEY TOLD ME THERE WASN'T ONE YET; THEY WANTED THE SCRIPT FIRST. AND I THOUGHT, "GREAT. I'M GOING TO WORK ON THIS SCRIPT, AND WHEN IT'S FINALLY DONE, THEY'RE GOING TO HIRE A DIRECTOR WHO'S GOING TO THROW OUT EVERYTHING I DID AND BRING IN SOMEONE HE'S WORKED WITH BEFORE." WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. LAST I HEARD, HE HAD HIS OWN GUY WHO TURNED IN HIS OWN SCRIPT WHICH THE EXECS HATED. SO I'VE NO IDEA WHERE IT STANDS.

Peter,

I am interested in driving up to Shore Leave (from Richmond), but I could only do it on Sunday. The preliminary schedule shows the Mystery Trekkie Theater is Sunday evening. Are you participating in any other events that day? Would I be able to have you sign a book for me at the MTT? I don't want to drive up to this thing if I can't have the opportunity to shake your hand and thank you for all the enjoyment you've given me (and maybe take my pic with you).

I WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE TIME TO SIGN YOUR BOOK. I'VE NO IDEA WHAT OTHER EVENTS, IF ANY, I'M INVOLVED WITH THAT DAY.

As writers go, you're in one of the better financial positions I've seen. I'm not just talking in terms of income, because I know a number of writers who could have similar incomes and should be in similar financial positions as you (or were when you were their age, etc.) and they don't pull it together as well, and they didn't have the hit of four kids to raise, etc.

So my question is: why do you think that is? Is it because of working in different media and forms? The ratio of work you own vs. work-for-hire? Better financial planning? Less expensive habits, like not smoking, etc.? Agents? Hollywood options? Lucky breaks?

And do you have any practical advice for any writers trying to put their financial picture and/or career in order?

BELIEVE ME, MY FINANCIAL POSITION AIN'T THAT GREAT. BUT WHATEVER SUCCESS I HAVE HAD IS ENTIRELY DUE TO MY TRYING TO WORK IN AS MANY DIFFERENT VENUES AS POSSIBLE. TRYING TO KEEP MYSELF EMPLOYED IN AS MANY WRITING ENDEAVORS AS I CAN. PLUS IT HELPS THAT I SOLD MY CONDO IN HAWAII, MY YACHT, AND MY FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE SEATTLE MARINERS.

Peter,

What was your opinion of Frank Miller's original Dark Knight and Batman:Year 1?

I LIKED THEM BOTH. LIKED YEAR 1 A BIT MORE THAN DK, ALTHOUGH I KNOW THE FORMER WAS MORE GROUNDBREAKING.

Peter! Hola. First time poster.

This isn't strictly a question, but I just wanted to say that 11 years ago, back when I was 9 years old, I read your book "Worf's First Adventure." That was the first actual, non-little-children's book I ever read, and it introduced me to literature and love of reading. So I just wanted to say, thank you sir for opening up that world to me. :)

YOU'RE WELCOME. OF COURSE NOW WE TEND TO REFER TO THOSE AS THE NEW FRONTIER PREQUELS, SINCE THEY WERE THE FIRST APPEARANCES OF SOLETA, KEBRON, MCHENRY AND TOBIAS.

Thank you for opening up a Q&A thread. My question, sadly, is very late and not particularly interesting. But it's been bothering me for a while. How do you pronounce 'Juris'? Hard J? Soft J?

THE SAME WAY YOU'D SAY IT FOR "JURY."

Thank you for opening up a Q&A thread. My question, sadly, is very late and not particularly interesting. But it's been bothering me for a while. How do you pronounce 'Juris'? Hard J? Soft J?

Just as information, the Gargoyles episode mentioned earlier was written by Cary Bates.

Just being anal.

JSM

I just re-read Marvel v DC...and was struck with the realization of just how bad it really was.

What are your thoughts on it, what 10 years?, later?

I FEEL THAT, GIVEN THE PARAMETERS WE HAD TO DEAL WITH, WE DID THE BEST WE COULD.

Some very interesting stuff here - and I like the "Quantum Beast" idea, PAD! (Wow - even real authors write fanfic.)

Thank you for doing this again, PAD. Gave it a couple of days, but still couldn't think of any other real question - I think that you've answered my biggest questions in previous incarnations of this thread, actually - so, I guess my question will be: Do you receive royalties for reprints of your work produced to be included with action figures - for example, Captain Marvel #30, packaged with the Maestro Marvel Legends figure - or does the toy pack-in nature of the comic change things?

YES, I DO RECEIVE ROYALTIES ON THOSE. IT'S ALWAYS A SURPRISE WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT SHOWS UP. ANNOYINGLY, THEY DON'T SEND ME SAMPLES OF THE ACTUAL PRODUCT, THOUGH.

Was there any problems with the recent theology depicted in Fallen Angel? It is pretty harsh things to say in a country as religious as the US. It almost seems as if there is a comparison betwen the actions of Jude in the comic and those of Jesus.

DIDN'T HEAR A SINGLE COMPLAINT. I MEAN, SOME FANS SAID THEY DISAGREED WITH THE STATEMENTS, BUT NO ONE GOT REALLY WORKED UP ABOUT IT. I'M NOT SURE WHETHER TO BE RELIEVED OR DISAPPOINTED. BUT IN TERMS OF COMPARISONS TO JUDE AND JESUS...NONE WERE INTENDED.

Thanks for doing this.

I like your Trek ideas about going into the future another century instead of going back. I for one am tired of having stories set before stories I've already read.

I was curious if you were doing it would you want to do like they've done before - Federation Starship Enterprise H, I or whatever letter and the typical crew of 7 regulars (Captain, First Officer, Doctor, etc) or try something new like maybe a Non-Federation ship of smugglers or something else?

I personally wouldn't mind seeing kind of Dr. Who Trek with a ship that travels time and space. Of course I think whatever is decided would come down to how well the stories are written and performed.

I'D DEFINITELY GO FOR SOMETHING LOW RENT. I MEAN, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE EPISODE OF "ENTERPRISE" THAT FOCUSED ON THE FREIGHTER WAS ONE OF THE BEST OF THE SERIES.

Hey, PAD, are the Jays going to win thier series against Mets this weekend? (please, say yes.)

NO.

When I see "Quantum Beast" I think of Lassie leaping into different animals throughout history. Richard Nixon goes to pet Checkers and ends up rescuing a kid from a well.

1. Will you ever tell the prequel story to HULK: Future Imperfect, where the Hulk actually begins his rise to power and madness? Marvel won't let me do it and I'd love to see it done by the master:)

Cheers

I'VE NO PLANS TO DO SO, BUT IF MARVEL APPROACHED ME ABOUT IT, I'D PROBABLY STRONGLY CONSIDER IT.

"I just re-read Marvel v DC...and was struck with the realization of just how bad it really was."

Along those same lines: PAD, I heard that you start off each day by eating a baby. I modestly propose that you justify your actions.

WHAT A SWIFT IDEA...

Any chance you'll ever write a Firefly or Serenity novel?

There's very little chance at this point of anyone writing one. Pocket acquired the rights to do three books: the novelization of the film (which I wrote) and two original novels. Pocket then collected about a dozen proposals as possible plots to fill those two slots. One was by me; one was by Jamie Chambers & Margaret Weis; and others were by other cool folks. They were sent to Universal in June 2005 and Universal forwarded them to Joss Whedon.

A year later, they're still sitting on Joss's desk, untouched and unread. At this point, it's unlikely that we'll ever see Serenity novels, and the reason why is because Joss won't approve them. Which, I hasten to add, is entirely his right: it's his baby, after all.

Hey PAD, does Marvel still give out no-prizes?

NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

To clarify the Marvel v DC question--that wasn't to imply I felt PAD's work was bad, rather the rushed and corny pace and dialogue, especially in the Marz issues made me cringe while re-reading it the other night.

Sample:

(From Behind the Bar)

Lobo: SQUASH YA!

Wolverine: GUT YA!

...

See what I mean?

THE MAJOR PROBLEM WAS TWOFOLD: (1) WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PAGES TO DO JUSTICE TO THE BATTLES, AND (2) WE WERE BOUND BY THE CHOICES THE FANS MADE. YOU COULD DO 22 PAGES OF WOLVERINE AND LOBO JUST BY THEMSELVES AND STILL NOT HAVE A DEFINITIVE WINNER.

OK PAD, you've already answered three of my questions, so feel free to skip this one.

The "waiting for the trade" debate. Some people are saying that it's obvious that good comics are dying because people are "waiting for the trade" and hurting sales.

I'm thinking this can't be true. Comics don't get canceled because of numbers, they get canceled because of profitability. If a publisher could sell only one copy a month, but they could get $5 million for that one copy, there's no way they'd cancel that comic. If they sold 5 million copies a month for 1 cent each, then they'd cancel it instantly.

Trades aren't an unknown, either. Joe Quesada said that they can predict trade paperback sales based on monthly sales with extreme accuracy. So I can't see a comic getting cancelled for not meeting an arbitrary monthly sales number if the publisher knows that it will make up for it in the trade.

And they *will* make up for it in the trade if they were ever going to be profitable at all. If the comics industry wasn't more profitable with trades, they'd stop making trades. So it seems to me that anything that would have failed with trades would have failed even if there were no trade paperbacks.

Care to weigh in on the issue?

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PARADIGM BREAKS DOWN WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT PUBLISHERS JUDGE WHETHER A BOOK SHOULD BE COLLECTED AS A TRADE BASED UPON THE SALES OF THE MONTHLIES. IF A BOOK SELLS LOW NUMBERS, THEY SIMPLY ASSUME THERE'S NO MARKET FOR IT. DO YOU SEE DC DOING COLLECTIONS OF FALLEN ANGEL 7-20? NOPE. WHY? THEY THOUGHT THE SALES ON THE ORIGINAL ISSUES DON'T WARRANT A TRADE COLLECTION. AND NO MATTER HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE NOW SAYING, "WE CAN'T FIND THE PREVIOUS EDITIONS" (BECAUSE RETAILERS SHORT-ORDERED THEM) NOTHING SHAKES THAT VIEW FROM DC'S MIND.

WHEN PEOPLE RESPONDED TO THE DC "FALLEN ANGEL #1" BY SAYING, "I LOVED THIS BOOK AND FULLY INTEND TO COLLECT IT WHEN IT COMES OUT IN TRADE VOLUMES," I KNEW THE SERIES WAS SUNK AT THAT POINT.

Okay, I apologize being Greedy McGreederson asking Q #3 now.. but its pure fanboy speculation and its the last one. Promise.

Here's the deal: Star Wars TV series. You're in charge of it. 100 episodes. 5 seasons. Set in between Ep. III and Ep. IV. What is it about, and what is the overriding arc?

(for the pointless record, my idea = Jedi's on the Run who help establish the Rebellion, and they all die at the end at the hand of Darth Vader.)

k, that's it. I'm done.

ACTUALLY, I'D PROBABLY FOCUS ON YOUNG HAN SOLO, AND HOW HE GOES FROM BEING A PROMISING OFFICER IN THE EMPIRE (PERHAPS A PROTEGE OF TARKIN) TO A BOUNTY HUNTER (TEAMING UP WITH BOBA FETT) BEFORE HE FINALLY BECOMES A SMUGGLER.

From things you've said, it seems that you do your writing at home, rather than leaving to an office. How do you separate time that you work at home from... just being at home?

IF I'M DOWN WORKING IN MY OFFICE, THEN I'M WORKING AT HOME. IF I'M UPSTAIRS, THEN I'M NOT. THE NICE THING IS THAT I CAN FOCUS PRETTY WELL, SO IF CAROLINE WANTS TO COME DOWNSTAIRS AND WATCH TV WHILE I'M WRITING, THAT'S DO-ABLE.

Hi, PAD! First-time blogger, long-time reader. I've always like how you infused humor in your stories, which leads me my question. As a fan (of probably one) of the Chris Carter TV show Millenium (at least the first two years), it annoyed me that critics kept harping that the show should have a sense of humor like its sister show, The X-Files. Do you think some works are best played straight, minus even the dryest of deadpan humor, and that not everything has to have a sense of humor about itself?

I DON'T THINK EVERYTHING NEEDS TO HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR ABOUT ITSELF. IF HUMOR FLOWS ORGANICALLY OUT OF WHAT'S THERE, THEN I THINK IT HAS A PLACE. GENERALLY SPEAKING, I THINK IT HELPS TO HAVE HUMOR SET UP SERIOUS MOMENTS AND VICE VERSA, BUT NEITHER SHOULD BE FORCED.

You've previously mentioned enjoying the Harry Potter series (by J.K. Rowlings) and the Dragonriders of Pern books (by Anne Mccaffrey, and now her son, Todd). If you were given the chance to do any story you like in either of those universes, using any character(s) you want, what woud be the story(ies) you'd write?

Chris

PROBABLY I'D DO A HERMOINE SHORT STORY. THAT'D MAKE ARIEL HAPPY.

Lee Houston: If comic book publishers are always on the look out for new talent, why is it so hard for a fledgling writer to prove him/her self and find work?
Luigi Novi: Because examining an penciler's pages can be done within minutes, or even seconds, by looking at the finished pages. Assessing a writer's ability, on the other hand, requires an editor to actually read your stories or proposals, which obviously takes longer. Editors don't want to take a chance on some new guy who, for all they know, may not be able to sustain a schedule, maintain a professional relationship with an editor, or crank out the stories consistently, so they prefer to see stuff you've written that's already seen print, which tells them explicityly that you can do these things.

If you don't have or don't plan to buy Peter's book, I'll scan Andy Schmidt's essay, and email it to you, Lee. Just tell me where to send it. :-)

Posted by: Alan

So, which Star Trek novel was it that you slipped a Doctor Who appearance in? I remember you bragging about it at Dragon*Con.

I dunno bout Peter, but John M. Ford has a brief guest appearance by the Brigadier and Sar-Major Bennett (is that the right name?) in How Much for Just the Planet, and Barbara Hambly has two different incarnations of the Doctor stealing girls while Apollo and Starbuck & Hoss and Little Joe are arguing over them in Ishmael.

(Lot of other references in that book -- much of the main plot is based around characters that certain actors played on ST and on other shows, and other people you might recognise pop up...)

PAD,
With the return of both Jason Todd and Bucky, death has virtually lost all meaning in comics. What, to you, was the most powerful death you read in comics and the one that had the least impact on you?

THE DEATH OF THE PACIFIST SON IN AN ISSUE OF NEW GODS, "THE GLORY BOAT." LEAST IMPACT? DUNNO. MOST OF THEM HAVE LITTLE IMPACT THESE DAYS.

Peter, it's funny you started this thread, I had something I wanted to ask anyway...

With the Hulk on Sakaar currently, and his return next year to the Marvel universe seemingly being set-up to be a major event, are you having any editorial input into the storyline, or possibly crossover ideas for FNSM?
After all, Greg Pak himself said he liked the Hulk you left with your TF storyline; a brutish but intelligent Hulk, similar to Joe Fixit, thats why he's using it for Planet Hulk.
(I guess, in a way, you've ALREADY contributed to Planet Hulk, you provided Hulks persona.)

HAVEN'T BEEN CONSULTED ABOUT IT, NO.

If I were to buy one of your currently in print comic collections (trade) and donate it to our town library, which one would you suggest? (Ideally, not Fallen Angel, but something aimed at younger readers - I'm trying to get younger kids into comics.)

WELL, IF YOU CAN FIND ANY OF THE "YOUNG JUSTICE" TRADES, THAT WOULD PROBABLY WORK.

"How do you pronounce 'Juris'? Hard J? Soft J?"

There's more than one way to pronounce the letter "J"?

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. WHO CAN ANSWER THAT ONE? AH, CARL JUNG, I SEE YOU STANDING BEHIND THE LATE MEXICAN PRESIDENT, BENITO JUAREZ, AND RAISING YOUR HAND. DON'T BE SHY, JUST SPEAK RIGHT UP.

Cool, another "Ask PAD" thread. Thanks!!
Over the two major "Star..." universes, what is your preference for Star Trek over Star Wars? (Besides "Skippy, the Jedi Droid".) What attracts you more to Star Trek than to Star Wars? Do you think you would want to take a significant try at writing something in the Star Wars Universe, at some point in the future?

NO, BECAUSE I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE DEALING WITH THE APPROVALS PROCESS AT LUCASFILMS. I'VE SPENT YEARS BUILDING UP A SOLID RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FOLKS AT PARAMOUNT; I JUST DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO START OVER.

Have youchecked out the 'Exiles: World Tour' story arc yet? It gives the impression of largely turning into a long tribute for your past work and picking up little leftover plot points like Justice appearing in 2099 or Maestro learning how long it takes for him to heal a broken neck. Did Tony Bedard inform you about this beforehand?

I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT, NO. WHAT AMUSES ME IS THAT WHEN I DID SOMETHING SIMILAR IN "CAPTAIN MARVEL," IT WAS DISSED AS SELF-REFERENTIAL, SELF-INDULGENT AND TOO CONTINUITY-HEAVY. SOMEONE ELSE DOES IT AND THAT'S OKAY. WOTTA BUSINESS.

Wayyyyy back in your "Gehenna Stone" run in the first unlimited Wolverine series you made a reveal that the supporting cast knew that Patch was Wolverine all that time...

did you do that just to move the characters and story forward... or were you, in addition, having a laugh at the earlier creators' expense? Were you intentionally making a dig at the creative choices of Claremont, etc?

IT WASN'T INTENDED AS A DIG AT ALL. IT WAS JUST THAT THE EDITORIAL DIRECTION FOR WOLVERINE WAS MOVING AWAY FROM THE PATCH IDENTITY, CHRIS WASN'T CONTINUING ON THE BOOK AND NO ONE ELSE SEEMED INTERESTED IN PERPETUATING THE IDEA BECAUSE, WELL...IT SEEMED SILLY TO THINK THAT WOLVERINE WAS REALLY FOOLING ANYONE. SO I CAME UP WITH THE SIMPLE EXPLANATION THAT EVERYONE IN THE BOOK KNEW PERFECTLY WELL THAT IT WAS LOGAN THE WHOLE TIME, BUT NO ONE WANTED TO BE THE ONE TO SAY TO THE HOMICIDAL MANIAC WITH THE CLAWS, "WOW, WHAT A STUPID DISGUISE." WHICH, BY ME, MADE SENSE. WOULD *YOU* WANT TO BE THE ONE WHO SAID IT?