I've been talking and talking lately—mostly about Justice League Dark and Phantom Stranger—to the fine folks at Comic Vine, Newsarama and Comic Book Resources. Follow those highlighted links and you'll find out everything you need to know, and possibly more, about what's coming up in those two books. And if you still haven't had enough of my blathering, you can read this interview with Comicosity that I did (along with some kid named Giffen, who's desperately trying to break into the business) last month at the Baltimore Comic Con.
And yada yada yada.
I have indeed read your interviews, and it's great to see Ms. Craft will be back. I guess you really pay attention to fan interest (she's also a really good character).
ReplyDeleteAnd, after waiting over 60 days, we finally have PS 12 to read. While his return from oblivion was expected who would have thought we would get to meet PS, Jr.! He walks through walls, heals the near dead, and has who knows how much mystic potential! If you haven't gotten a costume picked out for him, here's my suggestion: a black hoodie and white tea shirt, black boot cut jeans and boots, a gold chain with an infinity symbol hanging around it, and wraparound sunglasses so people can't look into his eyes. Then, set him up in an urban, "rich kid" high school where he can fight the demons responsible for high school peer pressures and pimples. [Just kidding]. Rick
There are big plans afoot for Chris Esperanza, Rick, and you'll see them play out in the upcoming FOREVER EVIL: BLIGHT crossover. Of course, if it doesn't work out, well send him off to high school, as you suggest. : )
DeleteOne guess would be an eventual team-up with Raven.
DeleteWhatever it is...I'm not spilling the beans. : )
DeleteOn a more serious note, I hope Chris doesn't just move in with Dr. Thirteen without getting parental permission. It wouldn't send a safe message to your younger readers, along with violating all sorts of laws. Rick
ReplyDeleteIf we get to continue developing Chris, his family will absolutely be part of the picture.
DeleteOne final thought before the weekend. If you are looking for guest appearances in PS's book, besides Bat-Mite, I think Ragman would be a good candidate.
ReplyDeleteWe've got our stories locked through the fall of '14...but I'll keep it in mind.
DeleteAlso—the BLIGHT storyline will feature cameos and guest-star bits from a lot of the DCU supernaturals...and there's a good chance you'll get a glimpse (maybe more) of Ragman. His name has already been bandied about!
Dematteis, I picked up your first issue of Justice League Dark, though Larfleeze had to be put on hold a week to do so. Honestly, if I had just picked up my pull list and not procrastinated by the display rack I wouldn't have seen it. This was the first issue, right? Yopu gotta give us some warning before your stuff comes out.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I really enjoyed it, even though (or perhaps, but hopefully not because) I haven't read any JLD so far. You do find yourself in an interesting place though. A book that stars Constantine is going to be tough. Many of his fans can be hardcore, UI enjoyed Hellblazer, but let's just say that I am more of a Dematteis fan than a Constantine one, so I might not be the best gage. Constantine fans like him because he is a prick, and they want him to stay that way. Making him happy and well adjusted would be like making Superman level metropolis to kill one villain. Certainly speedbump for a writer who so loves redemption tales. Him being as far away from the JLA types is his most liked feature.
This however has me excited. After all, you have been working in the industry long enough to know how to handle company controlled characters. I am interested to see how that idea meshes with a character (hell, a protagonist) that you don't seem to use. Could we see the first Dematteis redemption story where absolutely none is had? Will we see an all new type of story? Will John be pushed to a less starring role? Will you write about the upside of being unlikable (and there certainly is one)?
So you can stop the sleepless nights... I approve.
Also, I recently found out the Kaine as Scarlet Spider is ending. Drag. I hoped that when Yost finished his interesting, if a bit bit too conventional comic booky run, it would be handed off to you and we would get a bit of the lost years feel. Oh well.
Wishing you nothing but goodwill and... something... fromhere to the stars,
Jack
An interesting, and accurate, assessment of the Constantine character, Jack. The other issue that comes up is the fact that John C has his own monthly book, so the major changes in his character really should happen there. That said, we've got a great emotional engine for this arc—John's desire to find Zatanna and his realization of how much she means to him—
Deleteand I'm looking forward to playing it out over the coming months.
I, too, was sorry to hear that SCARLET SPIDER was ending. I was hoping this new incarnation of the character would have a long, healthy life.
Am I misremembering or are you in the Detroit area? Looks like I'll be attending the Motor City Comic Con in 2014. So if my memory is correct, and you're attending, we can finally meet.
LARFLEEZE #4 was really fun, Jack. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on it next week.
DeleteI feel ambivalent about SCARLET SPIDER. Haven't read it in a while and wasn't thrilled about the Ben Reilly fakeout. Haven't read a Spidey book since SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN 9, actually, when Peter Parker got written out of the book for the second time in a year. Which is no slight to Dan Slott or Chris Yost, both of whom put out some of the best mainstream work there is. But the Spider-family of books has gravitated away from the kind of stories I'm personally looking for right now.
The upside is it made it that much easier to do what I would have anyway, which is gravitating toward JMD's increased monthly output! All of which is fantastic, another career high point IMO.
--David
As I said, I read Hellblazer and enjoyed it, but was not one of the super-hardcore fans. That having been said, I am not sure how familiar you are with the character, but the very last run of the comic I really enjoyed. He was even married to a young woman named Epiphany, and that relationship really showed how loving with him could work. So, if you wanted ton read past works out of curiosity I like that one. I'm just sad lil' "Piphany" is wiped from existence in the new timeline.
ReplyDeleteAs for Scarlet Spider, I have no idea what happened to the book, but I always felt that there was some behind the scenes doings that pushed it more towards a traditional comic role. It was never bad per say... but it wasn't quite right. And that includes from what the writer wanted. I also have heard it theorized that since the Ultimate Universe (which I never really paid much mind to) is ending that Miles Morales will come into the mainstream universe, and become Scarlet Spider... after helping bring back Peter PArker (most likely just in time for the new movie). So that could be an editorial decision. And even if he comes into the universe and doesn't call himself "Scarlet Spider" (which is very possible giving that he is Bendis's "baby" and made headlines with his creation) that they just don't want too many characters with the name "spider" running around. especially given that SPidey 2099 has been stranded in our era.
Still, I always hoped there would be the name Dematteis under written by... or would lead to more Lost Years stories.
As for Superior, The Spider-ock story actually brought me back in, after assuming that I would be gone after my nostalgic return between the 50th anniversary and issue 700 was over. Honoring the comic that got me hooked and all that. But I fund the idea interesting, and actually preferred the book sans-parker.
And Yes I do currently reside in Metro-Detroit. And even if I did move, I would still have a few choices for free lodging, so I would probably still attend if you showed up. Just remember, the show is on Novi, not Detroit proper. And if you get a chance (and I know that often isn't the case) IO hope you enjoy the sites and area in and around Detroit.
Jack
I didn't follow the old HELLBLAZER series, Jack. That said, the New DCU version is different and I'm keeping close tabs on that one.
DeleteDan Slott is a wonderful writer and I'm not surprised that you're enjoying his Spide stories.
Don't worry: I'm not going to forget where the convention is! (I now have this image of myself wandering around Detroit, stopping people on the street, and asking. "Excuse me? Where's the Con?") Looking forward to it!
You don't know the half of the problem you would have. The BIG convention center is Cobo, which is where things like the North American International Auto Shown is held. I have know idea what will be booked there in May. For all I know after shuffling around the canyons of art deco buildings you might end up signing scarfs at Yarn Con '14, or grabbing any comic/book/magazine/CD and signing it at a boat show and demanding $1.75 yelling "I need to make money to get home PLEASE!"
DeleteAs for Slott: He had really good Thing ongoing series a while ago. It only lasted 8 issues, but it was very good, and was first where I thought he would be a good match for Peter. After all they are very similar characters in a way, tough times dealt with in humor and all that.
That is why I found it so disappointing that his run didn't appeal to me. It wasn't his fault though... or at least not from a writing standpoint. I just wasn't a fan of the resetting to 1983 for the character. I'm not saying it's wrong or anything, just not for me. That might be part of why I will miss Scarlet Spider so much, yes it was a good and interesting story, but it was also Marvel admitting that the Spider-stories of that era still existed. That they still mattered art least.
Hellblazer: It was okay. If you ever do decide to look into it I'll say this, it's sort of like James Robinson's run on Starman. the plots are a bit incidental, it was the characterization that really sticks with you. Although Staraman was more likable...in a traditional sense any way.
Jack
Slott's not just a good writer, he seems passionately in love with the character. Just reading his tweets you sense how invested he is in Peter and his world—and you need that kind of passion to make the stories work.
DeleteI suspect he's going to do the same with Silver Surfer because he seems to love that character almost as much.
Luckily, the convention will be picking me up at the airport and bringing me back so there's little chance of me being so hopelessly lost!
Now I just have to worry about being stuck in line for twenty minutes as you hold one finger out and snap your fingers saying only "HUSH! Beatles time." as you listen to the fab Four at 4
DeleteWait, a new Silver Surfer series? Far Out! and slot is writing it? Also groovy, his mini series a few years back was really good. And really down with the character.
Jack
Yes, a new series—and I believe Mike Allred is drawing it!
DeleteSorry, that was Greg Pak who wrote the mini series, not Dan Slott. I don't know how I got the two mixed up, probably because both names have... vowels.
DeleteIt was still a good series though.
Still excited about the new one.
Jack
Me, too, Jack!
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