I am sure you get this all the time Dematteis, but... Do Blue Beetle and Booster Gold pull a Alan Shore and Denny Crane, and have sleepovers in the back of the bug? You know, where they roast marshmallows, and tell ghost stores, and Ted gets incredibly embarrassed that the rest of the league will find out
You know Dematteis, if you were smart, you would go to Marvel and pitch a New Frontier style story that takes place throughout the 70s. THEN, tell them you will need to do research. Reacquaint yourself woth the style, so you will have to reread the comics. Probably listen to some albums, and watch some movies of the era to…just to get the real. Probably have to rexread the Stan-Jack-Romita-Buscema stuff, just so you remember where is was coming out of.
Then, you would have scammed Marvel into paying you to read old comics and way bold movies.
And /or
Start making pitches like, “I was thinking about doing and 80s Daredevil. Really capture the city as I knew it, but I’ll AP have to meet up with a Ann so it gels.”
Maybe, “how about for this Spiderxverse movie, I do a team up where out Spidey meets Spider-girl. Of course….I would probably have several meetings with Mr. defalco.”
Perhaps even, “Great idea! A Chinatown meets Hammer films meets Shaft Blade story. Set in the 70s! Right in time for Halloween! Of course, we will need authenticity. I”ll have to speak with Maev.
Or if they come to you to do a Spidey book, “Great idea! A story during my Spectacular run! But… Sal was a big part of the creation, I may need to spend a week append with him, get the juices flowing.”
Then you are pretty much getting paid to hangout with your friends.
See, who else would give you advice on how to defraud a multi-billion dollar company.
But, seriously, one of the part of the job that still delights me is the fact that I often HAVE to read old comics, or watch cartoons, as research. My ten-year-old self wouldn't believe it!
Well then Dematteis, maybe it is time to pitch the. Dream project you are always talking about (I assume), the Kolchak teams up with Number Six from The Priosner.
Or a radio team up where The Green Hornet encounters Jack Benny. Or he encounters…Dimension X.
Juat pick a series, book, or interpretive dance you want to revisit. And start pitching.
I personally am looking forward to Archie Bunker being confronted by the Man-Thing, at a Yardbirds concert, with an obscure Tibetan Buddhist text being read aloud.
As the future star of your Magnum Opus, Number Six would way, “be seeing you.” He and Kolchak will be a fascinating pair in your hands.
I do ‘t know Dematteis. Karl and Rochester were both rather sober headed fellows. I am not sure I see the, fighting. More likely making peace while their bosses fight. Of course, that fight would be based on a story in the Sentinel that reveals Jack Benny is not 39
We joke, BUT in a world where Archie fought the predator in. Or one but TWO four issue mini series, and Godzilla fought Charles Barkley… well, let’s just say stranger comics exist.
Rumor has it Marvel even has a comic about a guy who can do what a Piper can, swings around New York, and fights criminals who wear garish costumes. Most unbelievably of all… he is a freelancer who can afford an apartment in Manhattan. And they expect people to buy it!
On a slightly related note, I miss when Peter's apartment was a character in itself. It seems like living spaces in comics these days are far more generic by comparison.
In terms of what truth really is to me, after all the religious beliefs that have been around, Christianity has the best evidence and reason for existence. Theonomous epistemology, where knowledge isn't just something we stumble upon or construct; it's something given or at least guided by this higher power. Our ability to understand, our moral frameworks, and even our scientific discoveries might be seen as part of this divine assistance. This view posits that our knowledge has a foundation outside of human limitations, grounded in the omniscience of a creator who knows the beginning from the end.
The Bible is a hyperlink document with more connections than any internet document, yet it was written 3,500 years to 2,000 years ago! The message is consistent from start to finish, with anecdotal history given as examples and connections from one person to the next, or one person to nations. 40 authors. No other document can make that claim. Archaeology bolsters Jesus’ historicity with finds like the Caiaphas Ossuary (1990), linking to the high priest of his trial (John 18:13-24), authenticated by André Lemaire. The Talmud’s “Yeshu” and the Dead Sea Scrolls’ messianic healer (4Q521) align with the Gospels, grounding Jesus in first-century Judea. Edwin Yamauchi notes, “We have better documentation for Jesus than any other religious founder.”
Ontologically, Richard Swinburne’s Bayesian analysis in *The Resurrection of Jesus Christ* argues the empty tomb, appearances, and disciples’ transformation make the resurrection plausible in a theistic universe, redefining existence beyond decay. Hans Urs von Balthasar adds, “In Christ, the infinite enters the finite,” echoing Anselm’s God instantiated historically.
Epistemologically, Gary Habermas’ “minimal facts”—Jesus’ death, empty tomb, and genuine post-mortem encounters—demand explanation. The disciples’ shift from fear (John 20:19) to boldness (Acts 4:13), across 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6), resists naturalistic dismissal, per J.P. Moreland.
Mathematically, Fred Hoyle’s improbable-life analogy and John Lennox’s fine-tuned universe (e.g., strong nuclear force precision) suggest purpose, with Jesus as its disclosure. William Dembski’s specified complexity mirrors the coherence of Jesus’ narrative.
Metaphysically, Étienne Gilson sees the Incarnation as eternity meeting time, Aquinas’ *actus purus* manifest in Jesus’ acts (Mark 4:39). Athanasius’ “He became man that we might become divine” ties contingent humanity to the necessary divine.
Archaeology, ontology, epistemology, mathematics, and metaphysics—via Yamauchi, Swinburne, Habermas, Lennox, and Gilson—converge on Jesus as divine reality intersecting history, intellectually and existentially compelling.
Just some of my thoughts on here! I respect your views and imagination from a guy who loves your comics about god 🙏🏼
Oh will do! We’ve talked on Twitter a few times, my name is Austin. Just want to know your thoughts on Jesus Christ being the logos. And God at the same time. Much love back to you, friend.
I am sure you get this all the time Dematteis, but...
ReplyDeleteDo Blue Beetle and Booster Gold pull a Alan Shore and Denny Crane, and have sleepovers in the back of the bug?
You know, where they roast marshmallows, and tell ghost stores, and Ted gets incredibly embarrassed that the rest of the league will find out
Jack
Absolutely!
DeleteWhat happened to the third and fourth issues of the fourth volume of Strange Tales?
ReplyDeletePlain and simple: Marvel pulled the plug. A great disappointment. Liam Sharp and I could have continued on that series for a long time,
DeleteAre there any notes/sketches/cuttings of this? So that people can somehow look at this information
ReplyDeleteI think I've got some material. I'll have to look for it and see if I can scan it and post some of it here.
DeletePlease try, okay? Thank you in advance)
DeleteI'll see what I can do!
DeleteThat wasn’t me by the way.
DeleteI know I am usually the one who asks questions about obscure comics from decades ago is me, but this one was not.
Just to clarify. And YES, I am surprised I was not the one as well.
Jack.
I could tell it wasn't you.
DeleteYou know Dematteis, if you were smart, you would go to Marvel and pitch a New Frontier style story that takes place throughout the 70s. THEN, tell them you will need to do research. Reacquaint yourself woth the style, so you will have to reread the comics. Probably listen to some albums, and watch some movies of the era to…just to get the real.
ReplyDeleteProbably have to rexread the Stan-Jack-Romita-Buscema stuff, just so you remember where is was coming out of.
Then, you would have scammed Marvel into paying you to read old comics and way bold movies.
And /or
Start making pitches like, “I was thinking about doing and 80s Daredevil. Really capture the city as I knew it, but I’ll AP have to meet up with a
Ann so it gels.”
Maybe, “how about for this Spiderxverse movie, I do a team up where out Spidey meets Spider-girl. Of course….I would probably have several meetings with Mr. defalco.”
Perhaps even, “Great idea! A Chinatown meets Hammer films meets Shaft Blade story. Set in the 70s! Right in time for Halloween! Of course, we will need authenticity. I”ll have to speak with Maev.
Or if they come to you to do a Spidey book, “Great idea! A story during my Spectacular run! But… Sal was a big part of the creation, I may need to spend a week append with him, get the juices flowing.”
Then you are pretty much getting paid to hangout with your friends.
See, who else would give you advice on how to defraud a multi-billion dollar company.
Jack
Who else? Nobody!
DeleteBut, seriously, one of the part of the job that still delights me is the fact that I often HAVE to read old comics, or watch cartoons, as research. My ten-year-old self wouldn't believe it!
Well then Dematteis, maybe it is time to pitch the. Dream project you are always talking about (I assume), the Kolchak teams up with Number Six from The Priosner.
DeleteOr a radio team up where The Green Hornet encounters Jack Benny. Or he encounters…Dimension X.
Juat pick a series, book, or interpretive dance you want to revisit. And start pitching.
I personally am looking forward to Archie Bunker being confronted by the Man-Thing, at a Yardbirds concert, with an obscure Tibetan Buddhist text being read aloud.
As the future star of your Magnum Opus, Number Six would way, “be seeing you.” He and Kolchak will be a fascinating pair in your hands.
Jack
It's the Green Hornet/Jack Benny story that grabs me. A twelve-issue maxi-series! Jack vs. the Hornet! Rochester vs. Kato! A classic in the making!
DeleteI do ‘t know Dematteis. Karl and Rochester were both rather sober headed fellows.
DeleteI am not sure I see the, fighting. More likely making peace while their bosses fight.
Of course, that fight would be based on a story in the Sentinel that reveals Jack Benny is not 39
Jack
Then, of course, Benny and the Hornet realize it's all been a misunderstanding and join forces to take on the evil that is...
DeleteFred Allen!
We joke, BUT in a world where Archie fought the predator in. Or one but TWO four issue mini series, and Godzilla fought Charles Barkley… well, let’s just say stranger comics exist.
DeleteJack
Indeed!
DeleteRumor has it Marvel even has a comic about a guy who can do what a Piper can, swings around New York, and fights criminals who wear garish costumes.
DeleteMost unbelievably of all… he is a freelancer who can afford an apartment in Manhattan.
And they expect people to buy it!
Jack
Preposterous!
DeleteThat was supposed to be “spider,” not “piper”
DeleteThat was clear in context.
DeleteTo be fair, it wasn't the best apartment!
DeleteOn a slightly related note, I miss when Peter's apartment was a character in itself. It seems like living spaces in comics these days are far more generic by comparison.
David
Interesting thought, David! And think about the Parker house in Queens. Absolutely a character in the story.
DeleteAgreed! The Parker house in Queens is one of the most fully realized settings in comics, inhabited by living memories.
DeleteDavid
In terms of what truth really is to me, after all the religious beliefs that have been around, Christianity has the best evidence and reason for existence. Theonomous epistemology, where knowledge isn't just something we stumble upon or construct; it's something given or at least guided by this higher power. Our ability to understand, our moral frameworks, and even our scientific discoveries might be seen as part of this divine assistance. This view posits that our knowledge has a foundation outside of human limitations, grounded in the omniscience of a creator who knows the beginning from the end.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible is a hyperlink document with more connections than any internet document, yet it was written 3,500 years to 2,000 years ago!
The message is consistent from start to finish, with anecdotal history given as examples and connections from one person to the next, or one person to nations.
40 authors. No other document can make that claim.
Archaeology bolsters Jesus’ historicity with finds like the Caiaphas Ossuary (1990), linking to the high priest of his trial (John 18:13-24), authenticated by André Lemaire. The Talmud’s “Yeshu” and the Dead Sea Scrolls’ messianic healer (4Q521) align with the Gospels, grounding Jesus in first-century Judea. Edwin Yamauchi notes, “We have better documentation for Jesus than any other religious founder.”
Ontologically, Richard Swinburne’s Bayesian analysis in *The Resurrection of Jesus Christ* argues the empty tomb, appearances, and disciples’ transformation make the resurrection plausible in a theistic universe, redefining existence beyond decay. Hans Urs von Balthasar adds, “In Christ, the infinite enters the finite,” echoing Anselm’s God instantiated historically.
Epistemologically, Gary Habermas’ “minimal facts”—Jesus’ death, empty tomb, and genuine post-mortem encounters—demand explanation. The disciples’ shift from fear (John 20:19) to boldness (Acts 4:13), across 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6), resists naturalistic dismissal, per J.P. Moreland.
Mathematically, Fred Hoyle’s improbable-life analogy and John Lennox’s fine-tuned universe (e.g., strong nuclear force precision) suggest purpose, with Jesus as its disclosure. William Dembski’s specified complexity mirrors the coherence of Jesus’ narrative.
Metaphysically, Étienne Gilson sees the Incarnation as eternity meeting time, Aquinas’ *actus purus* manifest in Jesus’ acts (Mark 4:39). Athanasius’ “He became man that we might become divine” ties contingent humanity to the necessary divine.
Archaeology, ontology, epistemology, mathematics, and metaphysics—via Yamauchi, Swinburne, Habermas, Lennox, and Gilson—converge on Jesus as divine reality intersecting history, intellectually and existentially compelling.
Just some of my thoughts on here! I respect your views and imagination from a guy who loves your comics about god 🙏🏼
Thanks for sharing those heartfelt thoughts. Much appreciated.
DeleteIn the future, please leave a name so I know who I'm talking to!
: )
Oh will do! We’ve talked on Twitter a few times, my name is Austin. Just want to know your thoughts on Jesus Christ being the logos. And God at the same time. Much love back to you, friend.
DeleteAustin
Thanks for identifying yourself, Austin! I have a great fondness for Jesus and absolutely see him as an incarnation of the Divine.
DeleteGod is HUGE and His arms embrace many different paths.