I’m going to start up another open thread for questions. Way it works is, you put your questions to me and then, using the edit function, I’ll be responding to them directly in the thread. Anything you’re interested in regarding my past, present or future projects, general thoughts about industry-related stuff, etc. And please, guys: We’ve already done the oh-so-witty “What’s the average wing speed of an unladen swallow?” or “Who wrote the book of love?” or abstract scientific theory questions. Just, y’know, save us the cleverness this go-around, ‘kay?
PAD
Okay, that’s enough of that. It’ll take a while to hack through these, so there’ll be less blog activity from me. And guys, next time…one question each, okay?
UPDATE 10/25–Okay, THAT’S done. Geez.
• 
Just to clear it up, in the Incredible Hulk :Hercules Unleashed one shot you wrote, was Hercules not as strong as when fully immortal, or just less durable, both? or did that Hulk trash a full power Hercules who just wasn’t immortal. This may seem a silly question to you, but its come up, and if you could answer I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.
As I recall, Herc had undergone a power downsizing courtesy of Zeus in “Avengers.” As a result, he wasn’t the godling he was in either strength or durability. If he’d been at full strength, I’m not sure the Hulk could’ve taken him. At the very least, the fight would likely have gone on forever.
– are there going to be any more babylon 5 comics?
Ever? I don’t know. There’s none scheduled that I know of.
– why are you not writing a buffy novel? or a buffy comic?
You know, I’m not sure. I didn’t want to do it while the series was on, but now it’d be fun. Except I could swear someone said the comic book series was being canceled. Anyone know anything about that?
thanks
roger
Ok, here’s my question (I also posted it over on a.f.p-d, but thought I would post it here for those who don’t have access to that newsgroup.)
Was just re-reading “Being Human”, and was wondering why you have Si Cwan doing the opening steps to the “Timewarp” when he’s fighting the ninjas on the holodeck…?
“It will be good training for you,”, he said as he made a jump to the left. His attackers, drawing closer, followed suit. He took a step to the right…
I read a bit more closely, but he never did put his hands on his hips…
You know, I don’t remember specifically what was going through my mind when I wrote that, so I can’t say for sure. But I’m really skeptical that it was coincidence, knowing me. It was probaby just me being funny, or doing the approximation of what I believe to be funny.
What kind of process do you use for writing a comic script? Any specific format you use?
A struggling comic writer,
David
I write full script. I break down each page on a panel by panel basis and label them as PANEL A, PANEL B, and so on. Then I describe what’s in each panel, and then do the dialogue, numbering the balloons. I designate the panels with letters and the word balloons with numbers so as to minimize confusion for the letterer. There is no standardized format in comics scripts, the way there are in movie screenplays.
Any plans to work with George Perez on something now that he is only working for CrossGen part-time?
Well, it’d sure be fun to work with him on Sachs & Violens again. But I haven’t had a chance to speak to him about it. But I’d work with George on just about anything.
I’m sure there’s a biography somewhere, but at least in brief, in no more than 8 words each, just tell me:
What college/major did you go through?
I have a BA in journalism from New York University.
What did you do in the meantime before your writing career “took off” (or at least, before you considered it having taken off)?
I worked in sales and distribution, first for Playboy Paperbacks, and then for five years as assistant direct sales manager, and later sales manager, for Marvel Comics.
What was the pivotal work/situation in which your writing career “took off”?
Probably my work on the Hulk. My work on Spider-Man gave me my start and got me noticed, but the Hulk is what really cemented things…such as they are.
Thanks. Oh yeah, if you really want to elaborate in those answers, the 8 word limit was merely a suggestion.
I am reminded of the story in which a bubbly young woman said to President Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge, “Mr. President, I bet my friend that I could get you to say more than two words.” To which Coolidge replied, “You lose.”
Hey Peter here are my questions:
1. If you could write about any character who would you pick and why?
Doc Savage I’d also love to write a Tarzan Meets the Phantom crossover.
2. Whats your favorite ice cream?
Phish Food from Ben & Jerry’s.
3. If there was going to be movie about your life who would you want to play you?
Who would I want? Antonio Banderas. Who would they likely get? Dennis Franz.
This is little off topic i just got done reading the novelization you did for Spider-man and it was really good. Before this I read your hulk novel so i thought i would like spider-man you broght some really interesting touches to the book like the whole journal thing of peters.
Thanks.
Alright PAD, I’ll play.
1) What would it take to get you to write (at LEAST) an arch on the Buffy comic?
I’m sorry, I’m not a builder. I don’t know anything about arches.
2) Are there any titles or characters you’ve never written that you’d like a shot at?
See above
3) Since he is almost certainly never going to get used again by the Trek franchise, and since Wil Wheaton is widely popular on the internet, have you ever considered making Wesley Crusher a mainstay on your New Frontier series? (Loving Gods Above, btw)
I’ve considered it. Then I go and hit myself in the head with a baseball bat until the notion goes away.
4) An insane director calls you up. He says “I LOVE APROPOS!” (that’s not why he’s insane.) He says “We’re gonna make it into a movie!” (That’s not either.) THEN he says “You have total control, who do you want playing the parts of the main characters?” (Aha, the insanity revealed at last; hollywood directors would never give that kind of control). The question is, who do you cast in your movie?
As Apropos, Seth Green. King Runcible, John Cleese. As Entipy, Allison Mack. As Sir Umbrage, John Neville.
Thanks PAD. I continue to enjoy every comic and novel that you write!
-k.
1) Given the poor reception that comics readers often give to anything too different from what they are used to, have you considered/are you considering adapting any of the comic book ideas you’ve recently had to novels instead?
Where do you think “Sir Apropos of Nothing” came from? I thought of it as a comic and then figured it would tank, so I launched it as a novel instead.
2) A related question: Since FALLEN ANGEL is creator-owned, would you consider taking it to another media (presumably novels) should it not succeed as a comic book?
Not sure if it would work as a novel series. I think it needs the artwork to really capture the mood. I might write a couple of chapters to see if I was satisfied with it.
3) What has Bobbie Chase been up to since she was let go at Marvel?
Not sure.
4) Do you think the “reassignment” of Bill Jemas will make it any more likely (or less likely) that you will be doing more work at Marvel in the near future?
Don’t really know. I actually never had any really major disagreements with Jemas. Joe was the one who seemed torqued with me. On the other hand, maybe Jemas really was annoyed with me and Joe was the front man, so I couldn’t really say. That place is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, you ask me.
5) Is there going to be another collection of your “But I Digress…” columns?
Maybe. Go yell at Krause publications. I don’t want to have to go find another publisher for it, but they’ve been dragging their heels on it for going on ten years now.
6) Any thoughts on the “CrossGen Implosion”?
Eighty percent of small businesses fail in…what? The first five years? CrossGen was a small business. So, y’know…do the math.
Carl Henderson
Having trouble sleeping after my recent experience(s), so I thought I would try to play internet catch-up.
Although I’m looking forward to hearing some of the answers to the questions before me, my own personal questions are this:
1. You have given advice in the past about how to write. Any advice on how to actually get published?
Uhm…find a publisher?
2. Considering what passes for a sense of humor from your perspective (most of which I do laugh at btw), have you ever considered taking on a purely humorous title like say “Howard the Duck”? and
I would certainly count “Soulsearcher and Company” as a purely humorous title, and I’ve been writing that for ten years. I wouldn’t touch HTD with a ten meter cattle prod; too much negative karma left over from Gerber being yanked around.
3. What do you read when you’re not working?
Whatever interests me. Books, newspapers, magazines.
Thanks in advance.
How far ahead did you have the Incredible Hulk planned and plotted when you first took over the book?
I knew that I wanted to lead up to the Merged Hulk, but I wasn’t sure exactly how I was going to go about it aside from some very general ideas. That didn’t happen for four years. Usually I would plot in six month arcs in terms of immediate storylines. So the answer to your question is either six months or four years, depending.
Aside from the Maestro storyline being diverted by Heroes Reborn and Onslaught, is there anything you planned to do that one editor or another outright vetoed? Why?
The pregnant Betty was supposed to have her children in a storyline that was vetoed by the PTB who declared they didn’t want Betty to come to term, because then she would always be a mother and therefore of no interest to the readers (don’t look at me; I just work there.) I refused to write the story in which she actually miscarried, and Bob Harras wrote it. I came very close to resigning from the book at that point, but ultimately decided to stay with it. I used the storyline itself, in somewhat revised form, in “What Savage Beast.”
CJA
1) Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, is it just me or do they remind you of Spinal Tap & The Folksmen too?
No, you don’t remind me of Spinal Tap & The Folksmen at all.
I really love your work on the Original Star Trek crew (comics and “The Rift”). Any chance of writing another novel about Kirk and company?
Thanks
No immediate plans to do so, since I’m concentrating most of my efforts on NEW FRONTIER. But I wouldn’t rule it out.
These are questions about the New Frontier and Star Trek TNG books.
I noticed that the character of Quitin Stone in “A Rock and a Hard Place” and Mackenzie Calhoun are strikingly alike. I was wondering if you created Calhoun with Stone in mind, as a way to continue writing this character, or if the similarities just arose out of the story you needed to tell.
The similarities probably arise because they’re both based to some extent on Mel Gibson characters. Stone was evocative of Riggs from the Lethal Weapon films, while Calhoun was based on “Braveheart’s” William Wallace (the historical Wallace was a much younger man than Gibson; why do you think they kept calling him “Young Wallace.”) If I wanted to continue writing Stone, I’d’ve just brought in Stone and written about him.
Also, is there a chance that Stone might show up in a New Frontier novel at some point?
Nah. Did everything I wanted to with him back in “Rock.”
Okay, here we go.
1) What happened to Ronni Beth’s promotion? We found out in “Cold Wars” that she had recently been promoted to lieutenant. But in “Gods Above” she is being called Ensign Beth again.
Curiously enough, her full name is Ensign Ronni Beth (you know, like Sergeant Shriver.) When referring to her in full including her rank, she’d be Lieutenant Ensign Ronni Beth. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
2) Was Karl Coven really an alien? If so, what was he doing on Earth?
Yes, he was. As for what he was doing on Earth…that’s set-up for a future story.
3) About Coven kissing Rick; was Karl actually gay (or bi) or was he just doing that to upset Rick?
Cover was more of an asexual character. He was interested purely in power and in screwing with people’s heads.
4) Was there a purpose to Coven’s murders (Rick refered to them being ritualistic) or was he just psycho?
“Just* a psycho? What, being a psycho isn’t enough reason?
5) What’re the chances of an Avengers guest appearance in CM at some point?
Not a top priority for me. Certainly not before issue #25.
Thanks PAD!
Three questions for you.
1. What do you see the state of comics being ten years from now?
Aw, man, I dunno. What am I, Kreskin? If you ask me, people who pontificate on how things are gonna be ten years, twenty years from now…they’re talking through their hat. We can barely predict how things are going to be ten months from now.
2. What would you like the state of comics to be ten years from now?
More success for titles that are outside the superhero “norm.”
3. What would you do to improve the quality of Star Trek; in books, television and movies?
As I noted elsewhere, I tend to avoid answering questions regarding quality of Star Trek. They get changed in the retelling, get repeated to the wrong people, and I wind up with grief I really don’t need.
On writing humor…
Do you run your jokes past others (friends, family, strangers in a resturant) before submitting them for publishing, or do you just send away and hope that the editors and the readers get the joke?
If something occurs to me, I’ll ask whoever’s with me what they think of it. If they laugh, I mentally file it away for use somewhere. I don’t write it down because I figure, if it’s really good, I’ll remember it. If I don’t, it’s best left forgotten. But the vast majority of the time, I’ll come up with stuff as I’m writing as a natural result of whatever’s going on in the story. Contrary to the opinion of some, I don’t come up with a gag and then bend a story to it…except one time, when I guest-starred Dolphin in “Aquaman” just so I could write a story entitled “Single Wet Female.” Once she was there, I liked her so much I kept her around. Other than that occasion, humor always flows out of what I’m writing rather than the other way around.
On comics…
What do you think of the latest trend of “poster covers” that often just showcase a character, but do little to sell the inside story?
Hate it. Hate it with the fiery passion of a thousand suns.
On Trek…
Shelby, Lefler and Selar are easy to hear, but what actor voices do you have in mind when writing the rest of the NF cast (if any)?
No actors (except for Mel Gibson as Calhoun.) The characters voices are the characters voices
PAD
What are your plans for your novel series? Are we going to see more of Sir Apropos and New Frontier, or are you working on something new?
Pocket Books is no longer doing original fantasy novels, which leaves Apropos homeless…which, y’know, figures. Finding a new publisher to pick up a series already begun by another publisher is problematic at best. I may well continue the story of Apropos in short stories. As for New Frontier, yes, I’m hard at work on more books in the series. And yes, I am working on something new, but I don’t want to announce it until the contract is signed.
Thank you very much for doing the open questions again.
Peter, I am sure there are people dying to know how you got your agency representation.
If you mean movie rep, I mentioned in “But I Digress” that I didn’t have a rep, and an agent named Frank Balklin contacted me and said he wanted to represent me. My literary agent is a fellow named Matt Bialer, whom I went with after talking with several different agents (it’s easier to get an agent when you’re already published.)
Could you let them know?
In your owner-owned comics properties (Sachs & Violens, Soulsearchers & Company, Fallen Angel) how much input do you get in artist selection and control over content? Or, if you prefer, how much control do you exert over selection and particular looks?
Varying amounts. Generally I work with the editor who presents me with people they’d like to use, which I yea or nay. In the case of Fallen Angel, Lysa Hawkins came to me with Dave Lopez, whose work looked as if it would complement what I had in mind for the series. And I worked very closely with Dave in developing the character designs (the Angel, for instance, originally was depicted wearing a skin-tight suit, which I nixed as “too superhero.”) Sachs and Violens, I borught George in on when he expressed interest in working on another project with me after “Future Imperfect.” Soulsearchers, Richard Howell handles most of the nitty gritty, but I jump in with storylines and character ideas, and write the scripts.
When the rumor first started going around that Ashley Judd was going to reprise her Robin Lefler role in “Star Trek: Nemesis” — as Wesley Crusher’s wife — how did you react? Or was that something you decided not to take seriously in the books until it was a done deal (which, of course, it wasn’t)?
I screamed. Literally. Deep screaming. Then I started thinking about how I was going to work it into New Frontier. And, hating everything I came up with, I decided to pray that either it was wrong, or that it would wind up on the cutting room floor.
-If asked, would you write for the forthcoming Russell T Davies produced series of Doctor Who?
-Have you read any of the original Virgin or BBC Books Doctor Who novels, or heard any of the Big Finish audios?
Some, yes. Liked some of the books, enjoyed the audios.
-I’m sure you mentioned before, but which was your favourite Doctor?
General rule of thumb, you’ll find that everyone’s favorite Doctor is usually the incarnation they were first exposed to. I’m no exception in that regard: Tom Baker.
1) Please clear up the status of the New Frontier series for us. Can we really expect 3 new novels next year (stated by you in the last questions thread) or “only” 1 hardcover each year for the next 3 years (stated by John Ordover elsewhere).
I prefer they come out close to each other; John is saying the current plan is to have them come out once a year (as is the case with many series, let’s face it.) I think part of it depends upon how quickly I turn them out. I’ve no desire to sacrifice quality for speed. We’ll see.
2) How did you get into writing, and what was your very first assignment?
I first got “into” it at a very young age, influenced by my father, Gunter David, a reporter. My very first “assignment?” Covering the World Science Fiction Convention in Washington back in the 1970s for the Philadelphia Bulletin.
3)Will we ever c a revised edition of Howling Mad?
To the degree that I did with Knight Life? Not at this point. I think it holds up better than the original edition of Knight Life. I wouldn’t mind seeing a new edition come out which includes the novella-length sequel that appeared in “Otherwere,” though. Who knows? If the movie gets made, maybe they’ll release a movie tie-in edition that can be cleaned up and have the novella as well.
4) When (if) you have phases of creative burnout, what do you do to get out of them?
Answer questions on my blog.
Finally managed to get áhøld of the Young Justice series (a bit late I know, but it wasn’t easy to get over here – if you don’t live near a big city US comics are hëll to get hold of, you should see the fun I’m having trying to get CM and FA right now) and having read and enjoyed it enormously I’m more than a little put out with the stupidity in Graduation Day (Titans mess up, Titans die, YJ members show maturity and strength – so of course it’s YJ that disbands because they aren’t good enough???). Not the way the series should have ended!
So my question is, if Outsiders bombs (and with its track record that’s not an outside chance) and DC asks you to – Would you restart YJ? And if so would you keep the same characters, or are there others out there you’d like to play with (in this scenario you have the pick of any Young Hero’s)?
If they asked me? Sure, I’d restart YJ. I had a ball with those characters. As for other characters I’d like to include…I’m not sure why, but I had a blast with the Wonder Twins. Probably use them.
On a related question, will we ever see more of Greta? Could she wind up in Fallen Angel perhaps (something her background would make her very suited for)?
No, she wouldn’t be in FA. I doubt I’d use her again, even if YJ was restarted. I think her story’s been told. I’d rather leave her with a happy ending.
And lastly, what was your take on Graduation Day? If you had written it, what would you have changed, if anything?
Didn’t read it. Figured I’d just get upset.
Thanks for the oportunity to ask you these.
– Rob Wilson
What was your favorite comic title as a kid?
Superman.
Who will truly win Superman or Thor (this is a joke pls NO ONE respond…atleast seriously)?
Thor.
Do you also think Twin Peaks is one of the most amazing things done on tv or is it just me? (i need to watch Carnivale)
I haven’t seen you on TV so I can’t judge if you’re one of the most amazing things on it. Twin Peaks started off strong but shouldn’t have been more than a miniseries. Carnivale is great; you should watch it.
🙂
Jorge
About supporting smaller Marvel titles:
I already asked this in the CM ‘letters page’ thread, but hey. I want to do my bit supporting ‘smaller’ Marvel titles I don’t want to see cancelled, like CM, Thanos and whatnot.
1) Does writing in through the Marvel.com email link help in any way? Do these things get READ at all?
Well, they’ve been forwarding me e-mail for CM lately; I assume it comes in through Marvel.com.
2) Other than (obviously) buying the book, what other way can you recommend for feedbacking it so they know there’s some support for the title out there?
Just keep doing what you’re doing. Buy the book, tell others about it, and let Marvel know you support it. I still believe writing snail mail is taken more seriously than e-mail simply because if you’re taking the time to write a letter, stick it in an envelope, stamp it and mail it, it shows you’re serious in your enthusiasm.
About the TPB Vs. Singles thing…
Any thoughts on this (again, focusing on Marvel since they seem to be the only ones releasing TPBs regularly)?
I think publishers have caused readers to divide their purchases into two categories: Books they must keep up with on a monthly basis to remain au courant (mutant books, Super titles, Bat Titles, Spider-books), and books that they figure, “I’ll buy the trade paperback when it comes out.” Thus it’s murder starting up anything that’s new as readers don’t comprehend that failure to support a monthly title results in no trade and no monthly.
With gvalley asking about TPB’s – now Jemas leaving, is there any chance of your CM (either volume), X-factor or Incredible Hulk runs getting put out in Trades?
CM is being collected. The first six issues of the first run were collected, and there’ve been trade editions of issues 1-12 of the new run. X-Factor? Unlikely. Hulk? I don’t think they want to distract from the current version.
I already own a full run of Hulk, CM (before U-decide) and X-factor, but the issues are getting a little worn from constant reading, so a set of TPB’s would be nice 🙂
Oh, and when do you think Marvel will bite the bullet and rename The Incredible Hulk to The Interminable Banner? 😀
Not real soon.
Do you listen to/enjoy Howard Stern?
Once upon a time, yes. But then he started to develop most of the shock-jock stuff that became his hallmark and he lost me. I felt, y’know, this guy was so dámņëd funny without all the crap that slowly overwhelmed the show; I saw it all as a crutch. A lack of confidence in his basic ability to entertain. But that’s the material that made him famous, so what do I know?
How did you get the opportunity to write your first novel (franchise or original work)?
I was working at a publisher which went bust and one of the editors with whom I was friendly was going to become a full time agent. She took me aboard and through her I sold “Knight Life.”
How different is it from writing a comic?
Very. Comics, you have to think visually. Novels, as long as the dialogue and prose is interesting, you can have people sitting around in a room for a couple hundred pages and still write an engaging story.
Did your job as a comic book writer help or hinder your books getting published, or even looked at by editors in any way, at least initially?
The two careers kind of developed separately, neither feeding the other.
Thank you for your time.
Whats your favorite season of Buffy (sorry I couldnt resist)
Third.
What are your favorite comics being published right now from all the major publishers (DC/Marvel/Dark Horse/Crossgen/Image)
Fables, Y, Strangers in Paradise, the JMS Spider-Man
What book are you reading, right now? And how is it?
{{link http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0375507523/bibliobytes Bushwhacked}} by Molly Ivins. Pretty good so far.
Simple word association, what comes to mind – use as many words as needed.
Spike – Volleyball
Supergirl – Fallen Angel
Battlestar Galactica Remake – Richard Hatch got screwed
Eliza Dushku –Hot
Betty Banner –Dead
Lena Olin – Missed
U Decide –Seemed like a good idea at the time
Spider-Man 2 –Should be working on novel right now
Keira Knightly –Buried treasure
Trade Paperback reprints – Killing monthlies
John Byrne – Pretty pictures
Halloween – Fattening
Action Figures – Charlie’s Angels
Bubba Ho Tep – Lansdale
Music and film Dowloading/piracy – Theft
No Screener Copies – Screws Indys
Best Movie of the year – Pirates of the Caribbean
most annoying commercial – Jeter/Steinbrenner
1602 – Hotel room with fond memories
After reading WOAD TO WUIN, I couldn’t help but be reminded of some of your other work, particularly FUTURE IMPERFECT, your current work on CAPTAIN MARVEL, and even the struggles of Secret in YOUNG JUSTICE.
What is it about the idea of the protagonist “going bad” that interests you (though, I realize in the cases of Apropos, and even the Hulk, they didn’t have too far to go to “go bad)?
Because villains make things happen. They drive the story. So protagonists with darker shadings are by definition more active and therefore, to me, more interesting.
I have always enjoyed your Pantheon characters from your run on the Hulk. Do you have any regrets for not saving the Pantheon concept and characters for a series you owned? In my ideal world, I would be buying and reading Peter David’s Pantheon.
No regrets. I take pride that I’ve always developed characters to the best of my ability, no matter what the context. I’m not much for holding back.
Best wishes and continued success!
If at some point in the Future you had to pick someone to write your Biography (rather than writing it yourself for whatever reason in this scenario -sudden attack of modesty, writers block from hëll, too busy pointing and laughing at Bill Jemas’s comic scripts, etc), who would you pick and why? And would you pick a straight title for it or a pun?
Carl Bernstein. He’s a better writer than Woodward. And I’d want him to title it whatever he wanted to.
-Rob Wilson
Aha! I got here in time for a change! Here we go:
1. While reading your X-Factor run again this summer, I was reminded of how jarring the change in style was, what with another writer taking over in the middle of the Genosha storyline and all. My question here is, what did *you* have in mind for the comic from that point on, particularly Rahne?
The notion at the time for Rahne was that she was in heat. That’s why she was so obsessed with Alex, and why the dogs were all barking when she walked past. She was going to have to cope with the notion that her feral nature was taking over more and more. As for other story details, it was ages ago; I really don’t remember.
2. The Hulk: The End — maybe I was the only one who thought the end was a bit cryptic. Did the Hulk go on living afterwards, with Banner finally being free, or did he eventually revert to his human form and succumb as well?
It’s intended to be ambiguous. You could say that the Banner’s soul vanished, leaving the soulless monster. Or that the Hulk effectively annihilated the Banner personality so that he was alone, just as he’d always wanted to be. But my intent either way was that the Hulk was alive at the end.
3. I think we’ve seen hints of your musical tastes here and there, but I’m going to flat out ask: who are your favourite musical artists? Who do you listen to while you’re working, if you operate like that?
If I’m listening to music while working, mostly it’s movie soundtracks. As for musical artists…there’s really no CDs I’m snapping up of anyone current. There’s the classics like the Beatles, Elvis, Buddy Holly, that kind of thing. These days most of my exposure to current artists are from songs I hear being played on everything from BtVS to Smallville. And I hear people and think, Oh, that was catchy, I should pick up CDs by him/her. But I rarely do. Like Tori Amos, though. And Liz Phair.
Thanks!
Wow, i’m actually in time for this one.
1) Could you please put up a link to the previous Q & A (for those of us too lazy to go through the archives
No.
2) what’s the unladen flight velocity of a hungry cat? (Sorry)
You should be.
3) Are you ever going to do any more parodies of famous properties (like ‘Wendy’ and PeekaBoo (IIRC) were for their respective series?)
Digimon or Yu-gi-Oh, maybe?
Well, as noted elsewhere, we’re riffing “League” in Soulsearchers.
4) What did Dead-boy (the youthed Deadman) have against Power Rangers?
He didn’t like the production values.
5) Any chance of Anarky showing up in Fallen Angel (along with any family members/associates he might have managed to pick up along the way)?
None whatsoever.
6) *scanning other posts* Doesn’t the name ‘Robin Crusher’ just scream for a Batman crossover? ^_^
Yes. Yes, it does.
Alan.
Based on the questions asked to actors on Bravo’s The Actor’s Studio:
What is your favorite sound? Baby Laughter
What is your favorite word? Peace
What is your least favorite word? Deadline
Other than writing, what job would you’ve wanted to try? Gigolo
What’s your favorite cuss-word? Nothing I want to print here
If Heaven exists, what would you want God to say when you arrive? You’ve lost weight.
What is your take on the supposed “creativity” tools that are supposed to help writers clarify their vision? I’m thinking specifically of the “Dramatica” software produced by Screenplay Systems. I have used it, but its “Dramatica Theory of Fiction” seems like a stunt to me. Or is it possible that some writers need just such a “stunt” to shape their vision of the story and characters? If you haven’t used it personally, could you ask your pro friends and report their opinions?
I haven’t used it, so understand I can’t comment from first hand knowledge. Nor do I know any pros who would have used it. I think if writers need a computer to tell them what they’re doing wrong, they’ve got bigger problems than a computer can solve.
Just a personal qualm… Why are the vast majority of alternate realities and futures so horribly “wrong” all the time? I mean, aside from Spider-Girl’s universe, they’re pretty much disaster areas. It gets rather monotonous.
Because writing about dystopias is more interesting than utopias.
Will the Magus thread ever be picked up again in Captain Marvel?
Maybe.
While we’re at it, will Genis’ previous look be showing up in the title on occasion? It’s return in that time rips issue was a really nice surprise.
Yes, it will be showing up again…but not necessarily on Genis.
Licenced comics… You’re given free reign to pick five properties to choose to write (in a universe where you can write faster than Bendis… and perhaps you can…). What would they be, and what draws you to these properties? Not talking comics characters, but shows, novels, toys…
Free rein, dammit. Licensed characters? Doc Savage. Tarzan. Dragonriders of Pern. The Steed/Peel Avengers. Dracula. What would draw me to them? Just that I like the characters and think I could tell interesting stories about them. Not much more involved than that.
Do you believe that “decompressed storytelling” is just a fad, and that eventually we’ll see more traditional comics again at Marvel?
Depends entirely on whether the trade market collapses.
In hindsight, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever written? I mean what do you look back at and say, what was I thinking?
Early issue of Web of Spider-Man. I forget which issue: #10, I think. I was brought in to write the second half of a story begun by another writer. I did it very badly.
I thought I remembered hearing about a re-release of the howling mad novel, but I can’t seem to find anything about it on amazon.com. Is there a re-release coming or did I imagine it?
It was rereleased several years ago. I think it’s still in print.
1. In the ST:TNG book “Doomsday World,” were you the one that wrote the part about Geordi and the bartender that could answer any question?
I don’t remember.
2. Are you really planning on attending the Motor City Comic Con in Novi next spring, or are they using your name to pad the guest list? I promise, I’ll try to space out all the stuff I want to get signed over the days, and not drop it all on your table at once. 🙂
Yeah, they asked me, I said I’d go.
Ever since the Texas Case, I’ve been in a state of high paranoia when it comes to my purchasing preferences. I feel that in the near future, my choices will be limited due to the so-called “moral standard” that’s been implemented by hypocritical religious puritans. It’s been coming to the point where I can’t think of anything else sometimes. I’ve been trying to help out anyway I can in impeding these blatant attacks on free speech and expression. I have been a long time supporter of the CBLDF but many are saying it will barely slow people like Ashcroft & co down. What else can I do? What can anyone do?
Join the ACLU. Appear at town meetings where the subject is raised. Write letters to local editorial pages. Financially support bookstores. Never give up. Never surrender.
My question is similar to Wildcats’. What were you planning to reveal about Genosha, and how was Armageddon involved?
I really don’t remember. For me, it was years ago.
The British guy who owned Marlo’s health spa in an Incredible Hulk Annual, the one who claimed to have been a former intergalactic bounty hunter; did you ever have plans to use him again, or was he just a throwaway joke I don’t understand?
He was a throwaway joke you didn’t understand. He was supposed to be Sweeney, the bounty hunter I did over in the Star Trek comic series for DC.
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
Marry her off.
Will the REAL Captain Marvel aka Monica Rambeau, ever appear in CM. No offense to Genis, but Ms. Rambeau was twice the hero he ever was.
No, she won’t be appearing, but she is mentioned in the summary page of an upcoming issue.
Any chance of having Genis join an Eternal Uni-mind? That would be cool.
Yes, it would be. But no.
Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox? Due to your appearance in Incredible Hulk, and your very nice portrayal of nuns, I actually thought you were Catholic.
Had been conservative, now attending a reform synagogue. And between this nun question and the Maria reference, you appear to have a Sound of Music fixation.
Thanks for taking the time, and I hope you and your family continue to prosper throughout the year.
Ben Hunt
SidSavage: You could try… praying!
PAD: Was your goal always to be a writer or did you back into it? Did you take the Marvel Sales job with Carol to get a foot in the door or was that serendipity?
Always wanted to be a writer, gave up on the notion of making it a career, embarked on a career in sales, and wound up backing into a career as a full time writer.
To answer the question about Bobbie Chase, I don’t know all the details, but her name appears as a story editor or producer (can’t remember the exact title) on both the new Paul Dini Duck Dodgers cartoon, and on former PAD editor Christopher Priest’s Static Shock cartoon.
I’d be surprised if it was the same person, since to the best of my knowledge she’s still living here on the East coast. But I guess it could be.
Actually, Adam Lipkin, while Christopher Priest was tangentially involved in the founding of the Milestone universe characters, Static Shock is really Dwayne McDuffie’s baby.
Has anything happened on the Space Cases front at all lately?
No.
Why is Nickelodeon still holding onto it?
Because they’re insane.
I was wondering if you would ever work with Kevin Smith? I think your styles would compliment each other SO incredibly much. You have similar aproaches to your writing and seem to even have similar goals in your career. Plus you just seem to share an incredible love for the comic field. I would love to see what you guys would do with a movie script together.
I doubt Kevin Smith would feel he needs my help to write a screenplay.
Do the comic companies give you more freedom when writing a character based novel than they do in the comics? I have always wondered why Marvel or D.C. hasen’t released a line of novels that are a bit more adult. Nothing over-the-top but a bit more gritty language and a closer look at each characters personality…and what made them the way they are in “sharper” detail.
Considering the novels aren’t really canonical, usually there’s a bit more freedom novel wise.