tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post4933093843096957151..comments2024-03-14T08:38:28.518-04:00Comments on J.M. DeMatteis's CREATION POINT: A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGSUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-79330471639350403462011-05-27T08:53:55.001-04:002011-05-27T08:53:55.001-04:00First of all, Cease, thanks for the incredibly kin...First of all, Cease, thanks for the incredibly kind words. Hope I didn't warp your eleven year old mind too much!<br /><br />I bow to no one in my admiration for Gerber's work in general and his MAN-THING run in particular. Imagine how delighted I was, years later, to finally work with Gerber's MT collaborator Mike Ploog on ABADAZAD and STARDUST KID. Englehart's work at both DC and Marvel in the 70's -- especially on CAP, DOCTOR STRANGE and JUSTICE LEAGUE (hey, DC, when are you going to collect that?) -- was absolutely classic.<br /><br />I'll do my best to keep the keys clicking!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-45631476915188528772011-05-27T08:43:14.051-04:002011-05-27T08:43:14.051-04:00Well! Not only is it great to read comments about...Well! Not only is it great to read comments about Gerber's Man-Thing and Englehart's Dr. Strange at the bottom of a column about three wildly entertaining issues, but, in catching up with a friend I missed for twenty years, I'm digging in and discovering your first year or so of Defenders, even now! (I was overjoyed to find your letter in...#27, I think?) I remember being eleven and deciding you were surely the best writer in comics. I just want to say I love you, may your keys click and please!Ceasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16852602817305513997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-76296054266763559292011-02-02T21:02:32.822-05:002011-02-02T21:02:32.822-05:00I just saw NOWHERE BOY the other night, Jeff, and ...I just saw NOWHERE BOY the other night, Jeff, and really liked it. At first, based on the fact that my head's been over-stuffed with Beatles/Lennon books, I was a little bothered -- no, that's not exactly how it happened! -- but I soon saw how expertly the screenwriter was condensing and collapsing moments to get to the emotional truths of Lennon's life. No, the details weren't always exact -- really, how could they be? -- but the emotional core always was. And since Lennon was a guy who was all about getting to the core, I suspect he would have liked this movie. It certainly told the story of his coming-of-age far better than I ever expected. A powerful, deeply moving and incredibly well-acted movie. <br /><br />NOWHERE BOY and BACKBEAT would make a helluva double feature.<br /><br />As for the snow: Well, let's just say our local schools have been closed lately more than they've been open; which is always great fun, up to a point. I think everyone in my household has reached that point!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-57029528497002002352011-02-02T19:44:01.475-05:002011-02-02T19:44:01.475-05:00By the way, did you see Nowhere Boy? I couldn'...By the way, did you see Nowhere Boy? I couldn't believe how accurate and well done it was. Like seeing all the best biographies of his early years come to life. My wife's not a big Lennon fan (didn't even know what was going to happen to his mother) but really loved it - going to show her Backbeat next which picks up almost exactly where this one leaves off. <br />Did you know some original members of the Quarrymen still play together??<br />Hope the snow didn't hit you too hard (here in NH we were slammed)!Jeff Zoslawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-3767679245933942222011-01-31T11:20:41.767-05:002011-01-31T11:20:41.767-05:00LOL! True enough. It's just a flesh wound!:)LOL! True enough. It's just a flesh wound!:)David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-11331541562590810552011-01-31T11:07:27.474-05:002011-01-31T11:07:27.474-05:00Reminds me of the character in Monty Python's ...Reminds me of the character in Monty Python's HOLY GRAIL, David. As he's being carried out to the cart filled with deceased plague victims, he says, "I'm not dead!" Someone else says: "Well, he will be soon. He's very ill." To which the "dead" person replies: "I'm getting better!"<br /><br />All comic book characters eventually get better.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-17496131405145785732011-01-31T10:58:01.785-05:002011-01-31T10:58:01.785-05:00Comic deaths always make me think of John Astin...Comic deaths always make me think of John Astin's "Buddy" character from NIGHT COURT:<br /><br />"...but I'm feeling much better now!"David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-39081759777816052132011-01-31T10:36:54.723-05:002011-01-31T10:36:54.723-05:00Take it from the guy who "killed" Aunt M...Take it from the guy who "killed" Aunt May, Harry Osborn and Kraven the Hunter, David: nobody stays dead in comics...ESPECIALLY if the character's an integral part of a movie franchise.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-38247936484436596512011-01-31T08:58:25.422-05:002011-01-31T08:58:25.422-05:00FF would be an exciting DeMatteis/Giffen project.....FF would be an exciting DeMatteis/Giffen project...of course, as of last Tuesday, they're the F3! But I suspect by the time their fiftieth anniversary rolls around, they'll be whole again.David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-26860664360729886912011-01-30T11:26:03.379-05:002011-01-30T11:26:03.379-05:00You'll get no arguments from me, Rob. It'...You'll get no arguments from me, Rob. It's an amazing piece of art: quiet but powerfully dramatic -- and deeply emotional.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-14722095794083112252011-01-30T09:41:03.448-05:002011-01-30T09:41:03.448-05:00The splash page for "This Man, This Monster&q...The splash page for "This Man, This Monster" has got to be one of the best all-time splash pages in the history of comics.rob!https://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-27601701706677141792011-01-29T10:24:44.314-05:002011-01-29T10:24:44.314-05:00As for future Giffen-DeMatteis projects: BROTHER ...As for future Giffen-DeMatteis projects: BROTHER POWER, THE GEEK sounds like a suitably weird and interesting prospect. Giffen has mentioned THE INFERIOR FIVE as a possible project -- and that's equally oddball and interesting. <br /><br />We've often talked about taking a crack at FANTASTIC FOUR -- perhaps a mini-series or one-shot -- but with Giffen exclusive to DC, that's not going to happen anytime soon. <br /><br />Left to my own devices, I'd rather we cooked up another original -- ala HERO SQUARED -- but, again, I don't see that in the cards anytime soon.<br /><br />Time will tell, as it always does!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-6267126788924638102011-01-29T10:18:51.281-05:002011-01-29T10:18:51.281-05:00Interesting thoughts, Jack (to say the least).
...Interesting thoughts, Jack (to say the least). <br /><br />The thing about "mature" labels -- as I think about it now -- is that the minute you label something, the label begins to disintegrate. There are great works of children's literature that are also profound and mature (perhaps far more mature than much so-called "adult" fiction); it's just that they're equally accessible to young and older readers. <br /><br />I'd say that -- to use one of your examples -- Englehart's wonderful run on DOCTOR STRANGE can be read and savored by both a twelve year old and a thirty year old. So perhaps -- for the purposes of this discussion -- "mature" would mean a work that wouldn't interest a child, that truly focuses on adult concerns. (Many, if not most, of Eisner's works fit that model. Gerber's brilliant MAN-THING run might not: though certainly not "kid-friendly," it absolutely straddles the worlds of Y/A and adult fiction.)<br /><br />I'm not necessarily comfortable with the above definition. Just putting it out there for group-thought. <br /><br />I'm beginning to suspect that, by the time we're done, we'll be throwing all labels and definitions right out the window.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-465005353669625382011-01-29T07:25:33.148-05:002011-01-29T07:25:33.148-05:00finishing my point, largely because of the limit o...finishing my point, largely because of the limit on characters.<br /><br />But honestly, I'm glad your leaving Booster Gold. Why, you ask? because I love the Giffen Dematteis team, but because I hate Booster Gold, just... so much, and I don't want you wasting your talents on something I won't read. AS for your next project, one two words smashed into one, say it with me, "Nighthawk." Not Defenders, Nighthawk. It'll be great, and best of all you can have each cover based off of a different Ed Hopper painting, but never "Night Hawks." I know, I know Dc contract. So the answer is obvious, "Brother Power the Geek." No? What kind of aging Hippie are you? What could be better for you... for anyone than the Hippie Frankenstein, created when lightning hit a tailor's dummy, which for some reason had a face and hair. You could even set it in the late eighties/ early nineties, and have the Geek pondering on how all his friends have moved on and are now growning fed up with the reflection of what they once where, a reflection that can't grow older. Ricocheting between the smart real observations, melodrama, and the hilariously ridiculous like you to so love would be so easy here. It's a perfect fit for you two. No? Well, then that's not the same weirdo hippie who professed that he owed his whole career to a fake hit of acid back in "Brooklyn Dreams."<br /><br />And if you truly enjoyed that clip of the fabulous Ms. Marr, then you might want to check out this web site for a wider selection of Lisa MArr's work: http://lisamarr.org/press/<br /><br />or at least these clips:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3PF2LoFZY<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF-eHoMF228 <br /><br /><br />Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,<br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-77987447537135462302011-01-29T07:23:28.657-05:002011-01-29T07:23:28.657-05:00I'd like to add a guideline for this discussio...I'd like to add a guideline for this discussion on mature. And that is that a a smart, well told, deep story does not necessarily mean mature. A lot of good, well thought out, deep stories that touch on the human condition are great comics I wouldn't want to do without, but not necessarily "mature." <br /><br />All that being said, "A Contract With God" is absolutely deserving of the title mature. That opening few pages spell it all out. The emotion hits you like an A-Bomb, I read that when I was 19 and was pondering how deep a wound the loss of my non-existent child would be. Eisner grabs you and pulls you into a truly dark place, but not kicking and screaming, but rather just like Hansel and Gretal you go into a horrifying place willingly. This in not melodrama, just drama... the drama of a man's soul. The Drama we all fear late at night more than any movie monster. And the following stories are no less impacting, That poor man tricked, and lost his one true friend... his dog. That was hardly the most usual of situations to find a protagonist. <br />But Why is it "mature"? For me it's partially the subject manner, especially in the title tale. It's about disillusionment. A subject that is both the ludicrously unrealistic rear and very real, very dark reality of a mind which can not be felt by anyone, but rarely truly acknowledge until the unset of adulthood. Also the emotional resonance. Earlier I said it hits you like an A-bomb, and I stand by that. However it doesn't keep hitting you like that. After the initial strike it 's more like a tuning fork, vibrating inside you, then just as you still feel it though almost forgetting it's there... you remember and it's almost as strong as the first time. I believe feeling this, even enjoying it is not the mark of mature, but truly appreciating it is.<br />Also who hasn't wanted to scream at God about their personal covenant at some point in there adult life when all Hell breaks loose, when you feel lost, alone , abandoned. In the end that I just hope the younger folk don't tuly know, and I mean TRULY know. No matter how much they claim they do.<br />Know your thoughts J.M., and any other folks out there. And my picks (to start):<br /> Steve Gerber's Man-thing run, (with honorable mentions to Starlin's Warlock and Englehart's Doc Strange, who where close but a bit to inclusive to really make the cut.) and Ostrander's Spectre run, a truly, truly adult look at religion and spirituality. I know Gerber's run had a few moments of light storytelling, but when he hit those mature chords he really grooved, but maybe I just give old Gerbs extra points for being the first to attempt mature, honestly you tell me. If so then Starman or all three, I don't know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-26191566513731918852011-01-28T19:56:59.441-05:002011-01-28T19:56:59.441-05:00Hey, y'never know, Jeff: Maybe YOU'LL be ...Hey, y'never know, Jeff: Maybe YOU'LL be writing BG one of these days!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-84805030870924863612011-01-28T17:45:20.682-05:002011-01-28T17:45:20.682-05:00Leavin' Booster?? Now what'll I do with Rh...Leavin' Booster?? Now what'll I do with Rhet Khan???Jeff Zoslawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-5927645902677839832011-01-28T12:38:51.680-05:002011-01-28T12:38:51.680-05:00In that case, I'm not sure why DC suddenly thi...In that case, I'm not sure why DC suddenly thinks they're too good for my money!:)David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-40164714332250922642011-01-28T11:44:06.708-05:002011-01-28T11:44:06.708-05:00All kidding is welcome at Creation Point, David: ...All kidding is welcome at Creation Point, David: no worries there.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-8755511521355292922011-01-28T11:32:34.263-05:002011-01-28T11:32:34.263-05:00Ah, but corporate lawyers are a cowardly and super...Ah, but corporate lawyers are a cowardly and superstitious lot. Perhaps if Keith took on a symbol that would strike fear into their hearts, he could be a company man by day and a fearless avenger of mainstream wrongs by night. <br /><br />"Michael Ellis and Wally Lombego ride again!"<br /><br />Just so I'm clear, though, I'm kidding about exclusive contracts and mainstream companies. I like mainstream, I like independent, I just like comics!David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-3415406659403060262011-01-28T11:12:16.244-05:002011-01-28T11:12:16.244-05:00I'd return to the SAVIOR 28 universe in a hear...I'd return to the SAVIOR 28 universe in a heartbeat, David, and bringing Keith along would be a treat. That said a) Keith's currently exclusive to DC and b) I don't think the folks at IDW are as excited about the S-28 universe as I am. <br /><br />But never underestimate the power of a dream!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-11764285984986020252011-01-28T11:08:32.191-05:002011-01-28T11:08:32.191-05:00Well, that's not good news, but when God close...Well, that's not good news, but when God closes a door he opens a window, right? (Which explains the world's monster heating bill.)<br /><br />Speaking as a reader, I wouldn't mind seeing you and Keith work together in the SAVIOR 28-verse. Jimmy was a pretty grounded character, but you hinted at some wilder characters and happenings that would make for some Giffen/DeMatteis magic. And maybe that would turn some JLI/BG readers onto your IDW work. <br /><br />I may be dreaming here, but everything that's worth anything starts with a dream.David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-75049672373950876202011-01-28T10:36:26.396-05:002011-01-28T10:36:26.396-05:00Sorry to say, David, that Keith and I are coming t...Sorry to say, David, that Keith and I are coming to the end of our BG run -- can't say much more than that right now -- but I hope we'll find another project to infuse with our patented idiocy.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-18616964919376681932011-01-28T09:17:22.052-05:002011-01-28T09:17:22.052-05:00It's a really fun book, and I think it's b...It's a really fun book, and I think it's been getting better and better. You guys have got "drama-dy" down. <br /><br />I'd say last month's BG 39 was the high point so far. A really emotional issue, with lots of fun along the way.David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-79458252385233705662011-01-27T17:20:36.688-05:002011-01-27T17:20:36.688-05:00Don't worry, David: Sal's "threat&qu...Don't worry, David: Sal's "threat" in the credits of BOOSTER GOLD #40 was just a gag. <br /><br />I think. :)<br /><br />But seriously, folks: it sometimes seems that I spend as much time writing the jokes for the credits as I do for the rest of the issue. And I have a great time doing it.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.com