tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post2292139589020721631..comments2024-03-24T07:53:37.246-04:00Comments on J.M. DeMatteis's CREATION POINT: HAPPY NEW YEAR!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-64363515874775569452017-01-13T11:48:22.156-05:002017-01-13T11:48:22.156-05:00I agree, David. I had one truly enlightening expe...I agree, David. I had one truly enlightening experience where someone on Twitter came at me in the most negative way possible and I met that with compassion. That changed the energy instantly and it was a great lesson for me. But, as I said, these kinds of negative exchanges have been very rare for me I also think some people seem to take joy in antagonizing others. That's a recipe for ugliness and I don't understand it.<br /><br />Glad you enjoyed SCOOBY. Next issue gets VERY weird. In what I hope is a really fun way.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-63529489024023876022017-01-13T10:47:00.830-05:002017-01-13T10:47:00.830-05:00Really enjoyed the latest issue of SCOOBY APOCALYP...Really enjoyed the latest issue of SCOOBY APOCALYPSE as well. The change of pace worked nicely, giving the gang time to reflect a bit before setting up the next big conflict. And the Scrappy-Doo backup was an emotional gut-punch. <br /><br />Read an article in the Washington Post yesterday that researchers are using blue light to stimulate neurons in mice and increase their aggression (toward prey, not other mice). Made me think of SCOOBY-DOO APOCALYPSE. <br /><br />As far as Twitter and other social media goes, I think it comes down to being the change you want to see in the world. A little kindness goes a long way. <br /><br />--DavidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-58696523305401708752017-01-13T08:55:35.022-05:002017-01-13T08:55:35.022-05:00I've heard those stories about Kirby's CAP...I've heard those stories about Kirby's CAP. So many of those Kirby books were derided when they came out and are now revered. Just goes to show you. (My favorite Kirby from that era was ETERNALS.)<br /><br />You describe many of the negatives of Twitter and I can't argue with any of it because it's an accurate assessment of the dark underbelly of social media. That said, my own experiences have been extremely positive. I went to Twitter reluctantly—these days you need it to promote your work—and found it was a wonderful avenue for connection with the fans—who are generally warm, respectful and enthusiastic—and with fellow professionals. There have been a handful of negative exchanges over the years—very few, really—and several of them resulted in a very open, compassionate dialogue. So Twitter, for me, has been a big positive. So has Facebook. And, of course, this blog, which started it all!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-69150546807406086812017-01-12T19:38:47.348-05:002017-01-12T19:38:47.348-05:00Jack Kirby. His return to Captain America ni the ...Jack Kirby. His return to Captain America ni the 70s was received to poorly that Marvel made up mail praising it.<br /><br />Another interesting story from the mail bag is that after the Dr. Strange Sise Neg story, Stan Lee wanted an explanation that it wasn't THE God,. Englehart then wrote a letter from a fake pastor praising it.<br /><br />As for Twitter...<br /><br />I think social media is stupid, and as such am an outsider, which gives me both better and worse perspective on it.<br /><br />I have peered in on such things from time to time.<br /><br />It seems like poor discourse is more often than not the name of the game. Or at least, that when it happens it revs up faster.<br /><br />I think the idea of most people doing it mobile from a phone can make things seem more aggressive. It is all about where you are in the real world.<br /><br />I also think that the limited number of characters that can be used causes problem. This perhaps leads to initial statements sometimes being taken as more blunt or insulting.<br /><br />There certainly isn't much room for nuance.<br /><br />This of course is all secondary to the natural human desire o react to such things, and again I think there is a forgetting of the "social" part of social media. There response is more attune to screaming at the TV than a conversation.<br /><br />And of course that need to reply is natural, it is... but so is hitting a guy in the face when he gets in your face. Not everyone is great at curbing things, and its a muscle that needs to be exercised. Some people just ignore it.<br /><br />I don't think I am the only one that sees this seeping into the greater society as a whole.<br /><br />Then again, maybe its just more visible.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-76476613872136351692017-01-12T16:54:27.200-05:002017-01-12T16:54:27.200-05:00I agree that the letters pages were something spec...I agree that the letters pages were something special—and a balanced, tempered way for fans to express themselves.<br /><br />I've had great experiences on Twitter, but I know that there are others who've had some very unfortunate experiences.<br /><br />I suspect that there have been MANY comics over the years that made up their own letters. Which one are you referring to?J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-30353777375897307092017-01-12T16:49:11.294-05:002017-01-12T16:49:11.294-05:00It doesn't, not really anyway.
For the most p...It doesn't, not really anyway.<br /><br />For the most part it is only in response to the first few issues of a comic. My guess is that it is a sort of promotion for the comic. First issues usually sell well, with some what of a drop after the first story arc. It keeps people hyped.<br /><br />Just a theory though.<br /><br />Marvel and come and go on the idea of letters pages every few years,usually only for a short while.<br /><br />I also like them, sometimes questions I had were answered, sometimes they were entertaining, sometimes it just reminded me how good the previous issue s were.<br /><br />The internet kind of killed it off (weird since the only letter I ever got published was the only one I wrote in an email), but in some ways it may be a better forum.<br /><br />When done right letters pages would have a balance of pros and cons to the book... to some extent anyway, you don't want top give people a reason not to read your book.<br /><br />Valid or common complaints are addressed, usually in a calm metered way. Now however you have aggressive fans spewing hate, arguments over Twitter, and one writer for Marvel who went to the Marvel forum and told a critic top go F*** themselves. In case you are wondering, I don't go to the Marvel message board ever , but I did see the critique and it wasn't very positive, but also not warranting that response.<br /><br />Personally, I think Twitter is going to be the hill that Western Civilization dies on, and comics may be the first casualty, but that is neither here nor there. Although I am willing to discuss it in a calm metered way. I find the idea fascinating.<br /><br />In the end, just thank you for the "congrats."<br /><br /><br />Interesting fact, one run in Marvel history got so many bad letters that they had to make up their own just so they could say something positive about the book. I don't think you'll be able to guess which. It is not a name most people would ever assume had this problem.<br /><br /><br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-83168782849277456852017-01-12T12:55:05.874-05:002017-01-12T12:55:05.874-05:00"I'm was"? Typing too fast again!"I'm was"? Typing too fast again!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-37871426738559515802017-01-12T12:54:35.820-05:002017-01-12T12:54:35.820-05:00Congrats, Jack! I had a bunch of letters publishe...Congrats, Jack! I had a bunch of letters published in a variety of Marvels back in the Old Days and it was always a kick to see them in print. That said, I had no idea Marvel still HAD letters pages. <br /><br />I'm was a big fan of the letters page; I'd often read them before the story. I know that's strange, but so am I.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-79790810410719428112017-01-12T08:15:15.369-05:002017-01-12T08:15:15.369-05:00Good issue of Scoobs Apocs... even if DC did give ...Good issue of Scoobs Apocs... even if DC did give away the last page of the main story with the solicitation.<br /><br />Characterization remains strong, and when I read it I was reminded of something Alfred Hitchcock (your old nemesis) said. It was about how melodrama is everyda life with the boring parts taken out. It would seem that Scoobs Apocs does that, it just chooses a different non-boring part to focus on.<br /><br />Also, I had my first published work in a Marvel comic this week. <br /><br />Technically it was just a letter in Spider-Man Renew Your Vows #3, but it's something... and it was the first on the page. And incredibly long-winded. <br /><br />It's a start.<br /><br />I guess this week, that makes us rivals. For the five people who read that letters page anyway. And, no one probably bought the comics FOR the letters page.<br /><br />Whatever, logic isn't going to steal this joy from me... that is what the rest of life is for.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-38394398505497196482017-01-11T17:23:45.166-05:002017-01-11T17:23:45.166-05:00Yes, Jack, you certainly do!Yes, Jack, you certainly do!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-82075917643554854952017-01-11T17:21:53.097-05:002017-01-11T17:21:53.097-05:00Thanks for the info, David. I'd love to see A...Thanks for the info, David. I'd love to see ALL that material collected.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-40256752639628550342017-01-11T17:20:35.788-05:002017-01-11T17:20:35.788-05:00These specially bound volumes can be amazing, Doug...These specially bound volumes can be amazing, Douglas. I've been meaning to do the same with FATE and other series of mine.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-65366001192376219792017-01-11T15:04:11.384-05:002017-01-11T15:04:11.384-05:00I'm sure it will be great reading, like the on...I'm sure it will be great reading, like the one that praises the Silver Surfer and the other that discuses the nature of violence in comics.<br /><br />Oh, I kid.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-60241192586353263582017-01-11T14:21:18.069-05:002017-01-11T14:21:18.069-05:00DC has been slow to collect Spectre material, thou...DC has been slow to collect Spectre material, though I suspect if he ever made his way into the CW or the DC cinematic universe we'd see that change. <br /><br />As it is, only 22 issues of the Ostrander run are in TPB, and the rest is on comixology. But nothing from the Moench run that preceded it or the JMD run afterward. <br /><br />--DavidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-67776477277378525732017-01-11T11:57:33.376-05:002017-01-11T11:57:33.376-05:00One of the people in charge at IDW is a huge ROM f...One of the people in charge at IDW is a huge ROM fan so he collected all the issues and had them professionally bound. Maybe I'll just do that. Here's a link for the picture. <br />http://houchenbindery.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ROM-4-Volumes-1080x675.jpgDouglas A. Waltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02312801885609153510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-29931312819575594682017-01-11T11:05:55.200-05:002017-01-11T11:05:55.200-05:00I'm thinking of doing a post about all the unc...I'm thinking of doing a post about all the uncollected work I'd love to see collected, Douglas. FATE and SPECTRE are right up there!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-71333656218044202052017-01-11T10:11:50.623-05:002017-01-11T10:11:50.623-05:00So, now I need a collection of The Spectre. I'...So, now I need a collection of The Spectre. I'll put that on my wish list next to Dr. Fate.Douglas A. Waltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02312801885609153510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-24510243832745984012017-01-11T08:47:06.593-05:002017-01-11T08:47:06.593-05:00I certainly appreciate THE SPIRIT and its contribu...I certainly appreciate THE SPIRIT and its contribution to the language, and soul, of comics (people are imitating what he did to this day); it just never resonated with me emotionally the way that CONTRACT WITH GOD and his later work did.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-36550331676296901362017-01-11T08:23:04.585-05:002017-01-11T08:23:04.585-05:00There is a page to an Eisner Spirit. That establi...There is a page to an Eisner Spirit. That establishes mood as well as any artist of today. For all the deconstruction and comics with barely any words, this one establishes mood perfectly in just one page. No repeats all forward momentum... yet slow.<br /><br />http://www.gothamcalling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Untitled12.png<br /><br />This may be the history buff in me seeing what isn't there, but I think the spirit is the zeitgeist (pardon the pun) of an era.<br /><br />That strange limbo in time where we were in the post-war era... but not really in what we call the Post War Era.<br /><br />Those post WWII stories are what are remembered for a reason. It was searching for something different, but still very much cluing to what was before it. <br /><br />There was just as much drama as humor, as if we couldn't process what to make of our recent history or the future. Do we remember or move forward?<br /><br />Even Ebony White shows this. He is often shown as Eisner's great blight. And in many ways he is , he was a disturbing, racist, caricature. <br /><br />But he was also a kid. A kid who may have been portrayed poorly, but also a kid who was treated with respect by everyone he was close to. A kid who was shown to have deductive skills, bravery, and a sense of decency. A kid who was clearly loved.<br /><br />It is fitting in its way. The GI generation is the one that pushed civil rights, and had a change in racial views.<br /><br />Many people even credit the Depression and WWII as part of the reason why that new view came about.<br /><br />A generation's changing views on race were right there. The desire to change the treatment... but also a reminder of the stereotypes they were raised with.<br /><br />Even the portrayal of women shows a crashing between the pre-war view of women as somewhat strong and capable (after a fashion at least) and the merging idea of the 50s housewife. Even a type of rejection of the latter.<br /><br />I love A Contract With God, and The Building, and Life on Another Planet, The Dreamer, all of 'em. But they are what they are, and very straight forward. There is a certain beautiful simplicity in that. <br /><br />The Spirit on the other hand has layers Eisner himself probably didn't see, and act as a view of the past that Eisner's recollection...good as they are... never kid.<br /><br /><br /><br />The Tick is just Bizarre fun. I would actually recommend the the Venture Bros. episode written by Tick's creator ahead of that, given what ou are writing.<br /><br />It has the Scooby gang cast in parallels to Jim Jones, Patty Hearst, Son of Sam, and Valerie Solanas.<br /><br /><br />Now, TOO SLEEP!<br /><br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-46370098224958455342017-01-11T08:10:06.850-05:002017-01-11T08:10:06.850-05:00As I recall, "Going Sane" kind of gushed...As I recall, "Going Sane" kind of gushed out of me. But then so did KLH. Although both stories gestated in my unconscious for years, the actually writing was, as you note, primal.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-9721986329562686732017-01-11T07:59:26.804-05:002017-01-11T07:59:26.804-05:00How much consciousness was in your writing of &quo...How much consciousness was in your writing of "Going Sane?"<br /><br />I don't have a favorite personally (though I do like Peter more than Bruce, so...), but perhaps if Hoping Sane was more crafted that is why KLH is more regarded by fans, while GS is more highly regarded by you.<br /><br />You see all the parts that went into the creation of GS, but fans feel the energy of a more primal creation.<br /><br />Personally, the scene where MJ knows instantly "Spider-Man" isn't Peter and the conversation between Bruce and his she-friend about living his nice little haven... its a toss up.<br /><br /><br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-7945457775537222652017-01-10T17:16:43.418-05:002017-01-10T17:16:43.418-05:00No need to defend them. Eisner is a god in my com...No need to defend them. Eisner is a god in my comic book firmament; I just prefer his graphic novels to his Spirit. And I've heard nothing but good things about the Tick.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-79238361762501567692017-01-10T14:14:28.952-05:002017-01-10T14:14:28.952-05:00The point was m,ore to show that a lighter or come...The point was m,ore to show that a lighter or comedic take on superheroes is a long and proud tradition. <br /><br />And I guess to defend The Spirit and promote the Tick. Every interpretation of that character is just absolutely freaking bizarre.<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcm-J7lQT3w<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah7GxKHGHPg<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOmoCQypVZU<br />and as for electric company<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brs12-QSMQA<br /><br /><br />JAck<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-51512932517591609672017-01-10T13:42:09.322-05:002017-01-10T13:42:09.322-05:00Although I love Eisner, I was never very into the ...Although I love Eisner, I was never very into the Spirit; never read the Tick or watched the Electric Company. Steve Gerber I adore, as you know.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-80039644949397085202017-01-10T13:38:21.786-05:002017-01-10T13:38:21.786-05:00If we are talking vibes and monetary compensation,...If we are talking vibes and monetary compensation, then you and Giffen probably owe money to Will Eisner for the Spirit (parts anyway), Ben Edlund for the Tick, Steve Gerber for Howard the Duck (as well as parts of his Defenders run), and the Electric Company for their goofy interactions between Spider-MAn and the Blue Beetle.<br /><br />Oh... you lost your legal gains before you got a chance to spend them.<br /><br />I'm all full a Spectre series. An anthology is a great idea, but I would also love one based on Ostrander's run.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com