All right, the initial mailings are on their way. I’ve signed, folded and stuffed into envelopes about 200 of the Captain Marvel scripts, and they’re in the postal system. More will be done each day and go out until we got every one of the suckers shipped away.
I’ve been impressed by so many things in going through the mailings. There’s the letters with heartfelt appreciation for the book. There’s the letters from people who take pains to point out every single thing I’ve ever written that they hated, and they’ll probably hate this too, but it’s free. There’s the folks for whom the phrase “Self addressed stamped envelope” was too much to process, and they just sent a letter requesting a script with no means of mailing it back to them. Then there’s the letters mangled beyond recognition by the post office, enclosed in little plastic seals with the words, “Sorry for the inconvenience” stmaped on the outside.
Plus there’s the exciting discovery that the return letters are JUST on the right side of being overweight. Thank God I got the script down to four pages. Even so, if another post office’s scales disagrees with the Bayport scales, people are gonna be getting these things postage due. But there’s nothing I can do about it now.
And just to make things in my life even more exciting, I’ve been asked to be a part of the Marvel Press conference this Wednesday. I’m supposed to be in on a phone conference with the fan press and explain why people should buy “Captain Marvel.” I dunno; I kind of suck trying to sell my own work. I can find all the sales reasons to buy *other* people’s titles, but never mine.
Anyone who’s got any good ideas as to what to say when asked, “Why should people buy this book?” aside from “Because it’s really good,” I’m more than happy to hear them.
PAD
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Why should people buy this book?
Not only is it one of very few (if any) cosmically oriented books out there, filling a niche that I’m sure many people like having filled, but this book is highly entertaining (the reason most people read comics in the first place–to be entertained) and is, frankly, hilarious. It doesn’t take itself as dullfully serious as some other books might. Every once in awhile, people just need a good laugh, and one can always be found in Captain Marvel. Yet, when need be, it can easily slide into the more serious stories as well. The range and tone of the book is unlimited, and keeps the book interesting, and the reader always on guard for the wonderful surprises around each page.
Plus it has incredibly interesting characters, where the supporting cast is just as well developed as the regular cast. Characters we actually care about.
The book rarely, if at all, disappoints, and the writing and art are both CONSISTANTLY smart and refreshing.
THAT’S why people should buy the book.
(Is that kind of what you asked for?)
Do imitations.
No, I’m serious.
There are people you know personally who like your stuff and will say so whenever asked.
In the absence of actually being able to drag one of them to the phone, imagine what the better-spoken of them would say on your behalf, then say it.
Because it’s really good. Becus BILL JEMAZ SUX N PETER DAVID ROXXXX!!!!1 USA!!!! etc.
Well… one thing that I like about the book is that it is done in a ‘style’ that has been more neglected of late, but used to be the primary one.
I am talking about a few things.
#1- it does not seem to be written as a graphic novel. More and more, the “serial” nature of comics has been vanishing in place of taking one story and breaking it up into 22 page bits. Your book seems to tell 22 page stories. And I don’t mean nothing carries over- of course it does. But I think you get my meaning. I am no comic historian, but It seems like this began to rise up around the time Todd McFarlane got his own Spider-Man title. Back in Amazing, they had been doing the typical serial tales, a “main” story each month with smaller threads crrying through, while in the Adjectiveless, he began with the five parters, so the first issue almost nothing happened. This is a very popular style now. Not that it is any less valid, mind you, but I do miss the old ways. Your comic delivers it, as does Spider-Girl, Savage Dragon, and others, while the main Spider-Man comics have all abandoned it in favor of tales that are either complete stand alones or are much better suited to a collection.
#2 Your book actually pays attention to continuity. For some reason, this has become a dirty word. Personally, I believe that if you are a good writer, you can write good stories within the confines of a continuity- you just have to be creative. Many comics at Marvel have been ignoring and sometimes outright contradicting past events in the characters’ lives. I am not talking events of 30 years ago. I mean things that happened in the last ten years. Bendis is a great writer- I respect him immensely and I buy almost evreything he writes. BUT it really frustrates me when he seems to not care what has happened before. Recently two things I can think of. One is his entire Daredevil plot. Almost the EXACT same thing happened just under ten years ago in “Fall from Grace”. A Newspaper ran a Murdock is Daredevil headline back then. Matt managed to prove that he wasn’t DD. Now, sure, I believe the same thing could happen again. But not like it does here- someone would mention the old article, the papers would be hesitant to print it, since they were made fools of before, etc. The second thing was that he (and others) have shown Betty Brant as Jonah’s secretary recently. She has not been his secretary for AGES. She moved on, became a real reported. Gloria… was it Grant? Well, she was his new secretary.
sigh…
Well, of course, I am not recommending that to sell you book you point out shortcomings elsewhere…
What I mean is, your book fulfills a nich in the readreship- a book that pays attention to history while still being entertaining in the present. A book that is written for the format it is intended- a monthly serial. Its easy to just pick up and catch up – I did so about six or seven months ago, and I was fine. And on top of all that, it is extremely clever (as are you, sir).
Sorry about the rant… Thank you for the book.
Jordan D. White
Well, for one thing, it features Rick Jones. Of course, I could be just the slightest bit prejudiced. Maybe.
For another, this is one of those rare books that can leave you breathless with laughter on one page and then have you prying yourself from the ceiling on the next page. It’s a (summer blockbuster movie quote coming) Smash-bang, roller-coaster ride of hilarity and danger. It’s the must-read comic book this summer (and fall and winter and spring).
Why should people buy Capt. Marvel?
A book with the most engaging supporting cast ever (well, if PAD brought in the Pantheon and Sweeney, it would be perfect), humourous and engaging writing and great art- shouldn’t need words of encouragement. Unfortunately, here we are…
1) Captain Marvel appeals to longtime Marvel readers (like myself) with appearances from the Micronauts (oops, the ‘Microns’…), Moondragon, Spider-Man 2099 and Ronan the Accuser. Old, dangling plot threads (Who the hëll was Thanatos, anyway? What’s Jackie Shorr’s problem?) are tied up in an organic fashion, without being forced upon us, and yet it still remains accessible to new readers (certainly more than Black Panther or X-Treme X-Men, Come in to one of those books cold!). Continuity is not abused or ignored for the sake of a ‘good story’ in this title. If the story can’t fit in to the existing continuity, shouldn’t it be rethought until it does? If the accessibility is really such an insurmountable problem (as has been stated in the past), why can’t we put in a “Previously in Captain Marvel” page?
2) The book is meant to be enjoyed in a monthly dose, often with clever cliffhangers and problems. This is not a book where you say, “Man, I like it, but it reads better as TPBs. Just wait for the new trade to come out.” Just like Hulk before it, the fans of this book wait with bated breath for the next issue. Speaking of that, why doesn’t Marvel promote this book like that? “Hey, hundreds of thousands of people who used to enjoy the Incredible Hulk! Remember how mad you were when Peter David left your favorite book? Be angry no longer… Rick, Marlo and the gang are back in Captain Marvel, every month!”
3)Captain Marvel features witty, textured dialogue. Read this book out loud with your friends, and you’ll see the work PAD puts into making these characters real. I wonder if he is friends with people that talk the way Rick and Marlo do?
4)CM features stunning artwork from ChrisCross- detailed backgrounds, innovative layouts, and kinetic action. His design work is very strong, and his actual stroytelling ability has really grown from month to month. I can’t believe this guy isn’t one of those top 10 artists you hear about- y’know, one of the ones who goes to Image and does the adventures of ‘Generic Man’ for 3 years and 8 issues and then comes back to Marvel to do a stint on a popular title to boost his flagging career. ChrisCross is here for the long haul, and is a big reason for enjoying this book.
5)Our hero, Genis-Vell, is a enigmatic figure. You can’t always predict what he’s going to do (witness his actions against the Kree and Skrull empires), and it’s fun to see him equate heroism with his alien way of thinking. C’mon, you know what Wolverine is gonna do in a fight. You know what Spidey and Captain America are going to do. CM is a little bit of a question mark, and that’s why it’s even more interesting that Rick has to guide him. He’s a little cocky, with enough power to back it up. He’s fun to watch!
6)Hey, it’s $2.25, it’s not a goofy ‘Ultimate’ book, and it doesn’t have goofy alternate foil covers. What more do you want?
Why should people buy Captain Marvel? Because for one, it’s the only “buddy movie” comics series out there. I can’t think about any other book like it (though I’m sure someone with a bigger reading list might).
I mean, it’s two guys who are kinda stuck together. It’s not a team book, but it’s certainly not a solo book either. It’s pretty much unique.
Oh, and it’s really good! 🙂
Why buy CM?
Because of the combination of “The Writer of Stuff” and one of the best artists that has come on the scene within the last 5 years. Consistant characterzation, appealing visuals, and the occasional “laugh-out-loud” moment all rolled into one 22-page STORY every month.
jeff
I’d say good reasons to buy Captain Marvel are:
1) The book is unique. It doesn’t read like anything else on the market, past or present. It trully has a original creative voice.
2) The stories are about stuff. Whether it’s teenage depression, social misogony, coming to terms with old age, or ethics.
plots are fun (and funny) without losing a serious edge that might prevent the reader from becoming engrossed in the story. And, it’s written by one of (if not THE) most underrated (sorry if I misspelled that) writers in the comic industry. The fact that the art is so strong and matches the story perfectly only adds to the overall product.
In short, Captain Marvel is a good read, not just a good comic.
…because if you miss Captain Marvel.. then you are going to miss the most important event that will shake the very foundation of the entire Marvel Universe!!
(of course if you use this then you would probably have to do something that would shake the very foundation of the Marvel Universe)
In seriousness.. as someone above said this is really the only Cosmis title going on in the Marvel Universe. Have him take on Galactus.. team up with the Silver Surfer, Quasar, ah.. and the Punnisher.
Okay, this is what you do. Tell jokes. Journos like jokes – especially short, pithy ones.
But if you want to play dirty…
Mention that retailers might want to measure fan response to Punisher 8 by Ron Zimmerman before ordering the Ultimate book.
I hear Mark Waid has read the script to Marville and has some interesting things to say about it. Call him and write some of them down.
Then mention that Captain Marvel ties in with Origin.
That’ll do…
Just say it’s the only book that was writen to entertain and not just to win some stupid bet . despite 11th hour claims about working on them befor this whole mess .