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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

FAREWELL TO THE DARK

The final issue of Justice League Dark is on sale today and I can’t let it vanish into the mists of comic book history without noting what a joy it was playing in the supernatural corners of the DC Universe.  

One of the reasons I eagerly accepted the JLD assignment was because I wanted to work with the brilliant Mikel Janin, one of the very best artists working in the business today:  his collaboration with my predecessors on the book, Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes (my co-conspirator on the Forever Evil arc), was what made me a JLD fan in the first place.  Mikel eventually left the series, but his replacement, Andres Guinaldo, was every bit as good.  It was a genuine pleasure watching Andres’ work—usually embellished by the equally-superb Walden Wong—evolve from issue to issue. 

My editors—Brian Cunningham, Frank Pittarese and Chris Conroy—were always there to watch my back and they gave me all the room I needed, and more, to tell the kinds of stories I wanted to tell, in exactly the way I wanted to tell them.  Add in our expert colorists—Chris Sotomayor and Jeromy Cox—and letterers—chief among them Rob Leigh, Taylor Esposito and Travis Lanham—and we had a book I’m very proud of.  (If I’ve forgotten anyone, please forgive me!)

In some ways, the deepest connection a writer makes is with the characters—and the Justice League Dark crew featured some of the best characters in the entire DCU.  Constantine, Zatanna, Deadman, Nightmare Nurse, Swamp Thing and the rest are all rich, multi-layered creations, each one adding immeasurably to the stories.  (It was a special kick getting to reunite with Andrew Bennett, the star of I…Vampire—a series I created at the very beginning of my career.)  Over time, they stopped being “characters” and started being friends. 

With JLD (and its sister book, Trinity of Sin) gone, what’s next for me?  Well, there’s the ongoing (and slightly retitled) Justice League 3001 with Keith Giffen and Howard Porter, a new (and top-secret) DC project that I’m very excited about, the return of Augusta Wind at IDW, another (top secret) project for new kid on the block Lion Forge Comics, several animation projects (including multiple episodes of the upcoming Be Cool, Scooby Doo and another DC-related direct-to-video project, following up next month’s Batman vs. Robin), the script for a live-action television pilot—and more.  So things are busy and life is good.

But I’m sure going to miss flying across the universe in the House of Mystery.



  

15 comments:

  1. I was sad to hear the news. I truly like your run on JLD (still have the last issue to read). At each issue, I tried to see the things who inspired you... I learn a lot about "indian religions and mythologies". My knowings still basics, but it opened a good window to see a good part of it, and I thank you for that.

    In this serie, there are great character and something quiet and peaceful about it. It is like a taste of fresh air between two others issues of "KABOOM/PAF/BIM/whatever". Oh, and I really liked what you did with Deadman in the Secret Origins issue ! I were worried you throw away all the Paul Jenkins' good work in the start of the New 52, but you used it with, I think, intelligence. And that changes things for the character quite a lot, in a good way.

    And of course, her little sister, Trinity of Sin, was good enough, but I still frustrated because it goes only for six issues and I didn't saw, I think, all of your inspirations. Can't put a concept or a precise idea on where Nimraa come from, for example. The names you used and the story itself are some clues to your inspiration and maybe I missed some of them (I hope I explained myself well).
    But the work on the Question was quite interesting, and I want to see him again. You'd already do all the work for the Stranger in his own series, but I like to see him interact with the rest of the trinity. For Pandora, maybe I would prefer more new character development for her, I think this is a character with such great potentiel, and we just see a little scratch of it.

    But thank you again for these books and I can't wait for your "top-secret" project ! Can we have some clues about it ? ^^

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    1. No clues yet, Frey. As soon as I can talk about it, I will...happily!

      I agree about TRINITY OF SIN. Since I'd already dissected the Phantom Stranger in his own book, the Question was the character I really sank my teeth into. He's fascinating. I also agree that there's much more to explore with Pandora.

      So glad you enjoyed JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK. Deep thanks for your enthusiasm and support.

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    2. I saw in solicitations that you will work with Bruce Timm on the comic book from his JL Gods and Monster !
      Very excellent news ! Can't wait to read this (and watch the Bruce Timm animation film, so glad he's back in the DC Universe). You and him in the same project always made a good mix ! :D
      This is the top secret project you were talking about or we must wait for an another surprise ? ^^

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    3. Yes, that's the one, Frey. Very excited about working with Bruce, helping him expand the boundaries of this new universe he's created!

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  2. Finished Trinity this week and loved the end. I knew The Question was one of my favorites for a reason. This was a great story and I'm glad I read it. As for Justice League Dark, Deadman has always been a a favorite of mine since I was a young kid. Justice League Dark made him even better so, thank you for that. I am intrigued about the new 'secret' DC series. I already made the decision not to jump on the Convergence bandwagon, but I will look into Lion Forge when it arrives. See you in the funny books!

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    1. Thanks, Douglas. Deadman is one of my all-time favorites, too. I'd love to do a Boston Brand solo series some day (and, no, that's not my "top secret" project: it's just a dream).

      Glad you enjoyed the ToS finale. The Question, in his current incarnation, has so much potential. A figure or depth and mystery. I hope someone continues exploring the character sometime soon.

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  3. I'm still hoping that you'll try to take a pass at Dynamite's Twilight Zone license. You want to do it. We want you to do it. Come on.


    Jack

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    1. Well, sitting at a computer communicating with some jackass (me0 isn't going to fix that problem, is it?

      It seems that they are giving each writer a mini-series to tell X number of stories. There have also been 2 1-shots with 3 stories each in them.

      I understand having no plans, but I don't think that I'm alone in wanting to see a Dematteis anthology. So... preparing a pitch for Dynamite is something maybe to cionsider, not for you, but for us.... the little people.


      Jack

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    2. As I recall, Jack, you're not little at all. : )

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  4. Mark, This comic convention may be to new/small to be on your radar -but I thought the location might appeal to you! :)http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2015/03/28/4871107_comic-convention-hits-myrtle-beach.html?rh=1

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  5. That's great, Ken. Maybe I can get invited for next year. Thanks for letting me know!

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  6. Hi JM, it's been a while.

    First, let me say what a pleasure it has been to read your blog and your comments. I've really enjoyed learning an inside view of the business, along with your own view of things. You are a really good man.

    With the loss of the Phantom Stranger's book, my interest has waned but not been extinguished. I guess you could say, I'm back as a reader. I've picked up your JL 3000 and enjoyed it a lot lately. But, I've now added a few more to my little pile, including the upcoming Bat-Mite series. I couldn't help but wondering if the germ of the idea came from this blog when I mentioned Bat-Mite as a potential team-up partner for PS (I think you even mentioned the author's name on here, but I'm not sure). I hope he has Bat-Mite interact with the cosmic characters and gives them headaches. I would love to see PS and Spectre at the Oblivion Bar getting sloshed together because of B-M.

    I must confess that I didn't care very much for Trinity of Sin, even with PS in it; but, in that same period, JL Dark was excellent. You were able to work in the personal sorts of stories into JL Dark which never really left an impact in ToS even while both books were running universe-bending themes. Would it be okay to ask if Mr. Didio contributed to the overall plot of ToS? It reminded me a little of early PS stories.

    I'll still be reading and contributing. Just wanted to say hi.

    Rick

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    1. I had nothing to do with Bat-Mite, Rick—no suggestions from me or the blog.

      Glad you enjoyed JLD. It was such a wonderful ride.

      Sorry you didn't enjoy ToS. But, hey, you can't like everything. That's fine with me.

      Sorry to be shorter than usual in my response, but I'm heading out the door to WonderCon.

      Check back in soon!

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