Tuesday, June 18, 2013

BWAH-HA-HA IN THE 31st CENTURY

Word is out about the new monthly I'm doing with my frequent collaborators Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire.  It's called Justice League 3000 and you can read an interview with Mr. Giffen and myself, where we discuss the book (without actually saying anything specific!), right here.  There'll be more details as we get closer to the October release date, but for now all I'll say is that if our excitement levels are any indication, this is going to be a terrific book.  But we won't really know till you read it, will we?  (Check out a couple of the initial character designs, done by Howard Porter, below.)





Speaking of interviews:  here's one, focusing on my Phantom Stranger series, that I did with Comicvine.  If you haven't been reading the PS series, the current issue—#9 (and wouldn't John Lennon love that?)—is a great jumping on point.  

And now, time to finish packing:  tomorrow we hop on our horses and head for San Antonio.

37 comments:

  1. Best of luck, JM, in both in TX and with the new book (which I'll be adding to the ol' monthly pulls, FYI.) I'll read over the interview here in a sec for the details, but I'm hoping you folks (re: editorial:) won't drop the humor. Be a loss to us all, if that's the case...

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    1. Thanks, Brian. I can guarantee that the humor won't be dropped. It's the three of us doing what we're known for. There'll be a nice mix of action, adventure and "Bwah-ha-ha."

      Hope you enjoy it!

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    2. I'm going to throw out a wild guess and say that Batman 3000 is really...Dr. M!

      Okay, I got nothing.

      But those designs are SWEET!

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    3. ALL of these characters are Doctor Mayavale, David! You've guessed our secret! : )

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  2. I'm really impressed with your work on this character, and I've been a fan of PS for a long time (I even have the entire first series from the 50's). I actually buy extra copies just to boost sales.

    I'm thinking that the Judas origin is false. You dropped a clue in your writing for Trigon's son in the poker game issue by having him say that PS had been around for thousands of years. Jesus isn't quite that old. In another story, I believe the Holy Terrier indicated PS had not achieved his true potential.

    My thinking is PS's true origin is hidden, but that he remains the conscience of mankind. I think he was waylaid to betray Jesus to help Jesus sacrifice himself and purge mankind of original sin, but that his actions were misunderstood and he has been suffering ever since.

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    1. Glad you're enjoying PS. I'm having a great time with the book.

      Your theory about the Stranger's history is fascinating...and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking along the same lines. I haven't addressed it directly, but my feeling is that the Stranger's story is bigger than what we know. Hope I have a chance to explore that in the future...

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    2. Why would the voice of G-d spend so much time with Judas if he were really evil? He acts like a father who is carefully watching and testing a wayward son who has special potential.

      Let me suggest you read up on the non-canonical "Gospel of Judas." It should provide you with very relevant fodder, including an explanation of Judas' actions that would square with the direction of the book.

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    3. Again, we're thinking along the same lines. And good call on GOSPEL OF JUDAS. I will do my best to check that out. Thanks!

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    4. It's a little nutty, but here is a fragment ["Jesus" added in brackets](it's only 7 pages long):

      When he heard this, Judas said to [Jesus], “What good is it that I have received it? For
      you have set me apart for that generation.”
      Jesus answered and said, “You will become the thirteenth, and you will be cursed by
      the other generations—and you will come to rule over them. In the last days they will
      curse your ascent [47] to the holy [generation].” http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/_pdf/GospelofJudas.pdf

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    5. A little nutty is good. Thanks. I'll check this book out for sure.

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  3. Will keep an eye out for JL 3000. Coming from you guys, I know it's gonna be trouble--in a good way. Sort of ... : ) And jumped onto PS #9 and I agree. Anyone out there who hasn't picked up a Phantom Stranger issue yet, do so now!

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    1. Thanks. A. Jaye. I'm very happy with the way PS #9 worked out—despite the fact that writing that dark tale actually gave me nightmares—and I think (hope!) you'll find the next issue, which takes the Stranger to Heaven, equally strong.

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    2. Yeah, I like how it ended. Heaven sent. I will be wary if Michael Landon or Roma Downey make appearances but otherwise, should be very intriguing.

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    3. Wow, JMD. I cracked JL 3000's big reveal and A. Jaye blew PS' endgame wide open, all in a single day.

      You're either slipping or lying...and I've read BROOKLYN DREAMS, so I have a good guess as to which! :)

      PS is great fun. It lends itself naturally to cosmic questions, but with a healthy dose of visual spectacle. Can't really go wrong with that.

      On a different note, finally watched "Her Pilgrim Soul" per your recommendation. Didn't quite blow me away like the best of the old TZ, but very, very good nonethless!

      Also went Silver Age Superman and read the issue where Supergirl debuted. And the main feature was Metallo's first appearance! Wow, a lot happened in what amounts to two backup features by today's standards.

      Hope you're getting some of our legendary Texas hospitality in San Antone! Hey, maybe one of the new JLers hails from round these parts...

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    4. Had a very nice day in San Antonio today. Tomorrow the convention starts and there'll be no time for seeing the sights.

      Re: Silver Age. Your're right. There's enough story in some of those shorts to fuel one of today's six issue arcs!

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    5. Just proves the theory: great minds think a like! Ha! Have a great time in Texas, JM!

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    6. And we, of course, are two of the greatest minds in history! : )

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    7. DEMATTEIS AND DAVID-

      I agree completely about the Silver Age (and Bronze for that matter) and how they packed so much story into one issue. When Ultimate Spider-man came out I remember them taking 6 issues to do what Stan Lee did in what? 10-15 pages? And most of it was to expand on what a nerdy underdog Peter is to get us on his side, and Stan Did that in 3 panels.

      I personally think that this speaks more to the change in culture, and sure as Hell the medium, and where influences are coming from. Literary is getting to be less and less a part of it. NAration is being used less and less. Television and especially movies have become the new inspiration for storytelling. And I think that has its own share of good and bad, but certainly the monopoly of it is bad.

      I also think that there is an inherent desire to rewrite old, in favor of New. I recently heard a discussion about how modern movies based on Dr. Seuss works (who by the way was deserving of the title brilliant) and how the new movies actually lack dimension and maturity of the books and older animated movies that Seuss had a hand in developing. The point is, the desire to make things more modern and mature than what came before actually makes it seem less timeless, and less meaningful. I am sorry to any die hard Bendis fans, but, I would rather read a a Stan Lee about the early days of Spider-man any day of the week. I believe that it was some guy named Dematteis that said dismissing the era because it is a different type of writing is like dismissing Deickens because it is a different type of writing. The fact is Stan Lee was the Shakespeare of the 20th century. Seriously, think about it. A despised medium. Real humanity and human problems among the fantastic and over the top. it applies to both. Though that is a whole other topic.

      However if you REALLY want to see how much space is wasted in some modern comics break out some old Spirit stories, and see what Eisner could do with 7 pages.

      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

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    8. I agree with most of what you say here, David. (Being a massive Dr. Seuss fan, I've been appalled at some of the screen translations of his work.) "The desire to make things more modern and mature than what came before actually makes it seem less timeless, and less meaningful" sums it all up beautifully.

      To bring this back to where we started (and if I've said this before, forgive me): If you look at some of the Silver Age Superman stories, you'll find more STORY packed into seven or ten pages than you will in some twelve issue mini-series today.

      That said, I think there are many wonderful writers working in comics today...and doing fantastic work. In fact, I think the general level of craft—for both writers and artists—is higher than it's ever been.

      Re: Stan being the Shakespeare of comics: I don't think that works if you're talking about Stan alone. Add in Jack Kirby and throw in a dash of Ditko (both of whom were a critical part of the writing process on those classic stories) and maybe you're on to something. Not a knock on Stan—whose work I adore—just a reminder that he wasn't the sole author of the Marvel Universe.

      But, really, so much of what you say here is spot on. I REALLY think you should start your own blog: you have so much of value to offer.

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    9. First of all, I am Jack.

      Second, agreed it is not Stan Alone, I was just using him as a short hand. MAybe not fair, since that being done for he and Kirby has caused quite a bit of trouble in the comic book community.

      Third, It was not my intent to knock modern writers. There are many great writers working now. I just feel that there is just too much of a desire to throw away all of the old. There are some virtues there that are worth holding onto. And I do stand by the shift in mediums of inspiration, and as I said it is not good or bad.

      fourth, As for Seuss... I only saw the Grinch. At the time I shrugged it off. I didn't think it was great, but I didn't think it would be the genesis of what came. I couldn't even bare to see the ones that followed, they just looked... bad.

      However for an interesting look at Seuss look up his political cartoons about World War II. He almost makes Simon-Kirby look like an isolationist. He was not a fan of Nazis is what I'm getting at. I'm sure Neal Adams would approve with the WWII connection he has. It's a shame so many people don't know this side. It really does show how much he stuck to the convictions of his books. With his speaking out on the terror of Fascism, racial views, and antisemitism.

      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

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    10. Sorry, Jack, I knew it was you. Being somewhat loopy after a long travel day yesterday I typed David's name by mistake. (Unless, of course, you're the same person. But let's not start that again!).

      I'll have to check out Seuss's political cartoons. The man, in my opinion, was a genuine genius.

      And, yes, there are MANY virtues worth holding on to. Just because something's new doesn't mean it has value. It just means it's new.

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    11. The cartoons are wroth checking out. It's a bit weird since he uses animals in some of them as representation, they look like the animals he uses in his kids books. But some of them also get a bit dark, like for instance when the one about Hitler rounding up Jews in France.

      Of course, it isn't really that surprising. Seuss was a German-America. And they were some of the loudest voices against Hitler. And Jewish and German immigrants usually got along quite well in America, since they were from the same part of the world (A lot of Jews were from Germany) but also because they found themselves on the same wrung of society. The Poles are in there too.

      However, I once heard that Seuss took a strong stand against antisemitism and racism, because as a college student he was the victim of it... despite being a German-American Lutheran. This was actually not an uncommon event. Many names people consider to be Jewish are actually German. They just happen to be held by some Jews.

      One of the Strangest ant-Nazi cartoons ever was from Eisner though. It is really only strange in hindsight though. The Spirit meets thinly disguised Hitler, and after a brief time with the Spirit he decides to go home and free his country. The party does not go for that, sop they kill him and replace him with a look alike. And while I do think the negative actions of the Nazi party are worth noting apart from Hitler, the idea of saying Hitler was not evil is... strange in looking back to say the least.

      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

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    12. I vaguely remember that SPIRIT story, Jack. I think the point was that evil of that magnitude is bigger than any one man. That even without him at the head, the beast would still continue to devour everything around it.

      I know there's a biography of Seuss out there somewhere: maybe it's time to read it. In his own way, he's influenced me as much as Bradbury, Serling, Dostoyevsky. He ignited my imagination at a very young age.

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    13. I get what the point was, Dematteis. Like I said I think it is worth talking about the party aside from Hitler. I any of the assassination attempts had worked after a certain point, little would have changed with in Nazi Germany. However, you can't deny that it is strange looking back, with all of the knowledge we have now on what Hitler was REALLY doing, and see him being a victim.


      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

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  4. We made some educated guesses here, Can you tell us are we hot or cold?

    http://bigcomicpage.com/2013/06/20/who-are-justice-league-3000/

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    1. I'm can't say ANYTHING yet. But I will say that I've never heard of some of those characters you mention...and if I've never heard of them, then it's a safe bet they're not in the book!

      More details will be coming soon.

      Thanks for your interest and enthusiasm. We're very excited about this series.

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  5. Hey JM; I posted a comment here a day or so ago. Must've been a glitch. Anyway, JM, wanted to say that I'll certainly keep an eye out for JL 3000. Sounds cool. And trouble (with you lads back together) --in a good way. : ) Phantom Stranger #9 was really good. Reminds me of your run on Spectre which I loved.

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    1. I noticed that some comments slipped through the cracks—just found 'em this morning and posted them (including yours)!

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  6. Care to bring back Cassandra Craft?

    If you want to have a little more fun, some of the noncanonical gospels refer to Jesus having a wife, Mary. Perhaps the four of them used to get together for some 1st century bridge games.

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  7. This was the best news I have seen all week. Anytime you and Keith are writing together is magical enough - when you add Kevin to the mix though - the magic does go to another level. As always - I'll be there on release day to pick this up. I find myself getting to comic stores much quicker and with much greater enthusiasm anytime there is a new Giffen/DeMatteis release.

    I really can't wait to see what you do with this.

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    1. Thanks, Drew. I recently finished the script for the first issue of JL 3000, (over Keith's amazing plot), Kevin's drawing away...and we're off and running.

      I hope we live up to your expectations!

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    2. You - quite seriously - always do. I can't wait.

      One question - I know that Kevin typically doesn't work on regular monthlies as he tends to take more time with his work (the end product always justifies the time). Is there a plan in place to help him keep up (occasional fill-ins) or did you guys just lock him away in a room for the foreseeable future and slip him some pencils and paper under the door?

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    3. Kevin is currently in the basement of Dan Didio's house, chained to the wall, Drew. : )

      But seriously: Mr. Maguire is determined to be there month in and month out. He's working away as we speak!

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  8. I can only this will be as hilarious as those recent Metal Men stories from you guys!

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    1. We loved working on METAL MEN, Eyz. It was a series that was incredibly well suited to what the three of us do together. Truth is, I could have kept on doing MM stories for years.

      JL 3000 won't be quite as wacky, but there will be PLENTY of humor along with the futuristic super hero adventures. Hope you enjoy it.

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