tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post7626231364210436252..comments2024-03-24T07:53:37.246-04:00Comments on J.M. DeMatteis's CREATION POINT: PLOTTING IN THE DARKUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-65678021393329731942015-01-15T07:55:43.992-05:002015-01-15T07:55:43.992-05:00Perfect!Perfect!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-9935048989039983262015-01-15T07:33:20.440-05:002015-01-15T07:33:20.440-05:00...he stops them from shop-lifting the devil's......he stops them from shop-lifting the devil's food cake?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-4014854738560214732015-01-14T10:00:28.034-05:002015-01-14T10:00:28.034-05:00I just had a great idea for a new mini-series: &q...I just had a great idea for a new mini-series: "The Phantom Stranger Goes Grocery Shopping!" Then he meets some demons in the frozen food section and...J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-50141818056457519072015-01-14T08:05:02.430-05:002015-01-14T08:05:02.430-05:00Wasn't her series merged with the other Vertig...Wasn't her series merged with the other Vertigo stories by Pandora?<br /><br />About Zatanna issue 2, its in the series where, at the end, PS brings in some groceries. Really. He must have made a heck of a grocery store customer.<br /><br />And since I'm on a roll, the godfather angle would give PS another reason to dislike Constantine. A "fling" and no ring? RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-11048018547034705932015-01-11T19:46:27.053-05:002015-01-11T19:46:27.053-05:00That's a nice connection. Don't know if i...That's a nice connection. Don't know if it applies to the New 52 but, since I'm the writer, I can make it so!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-26415898992820625652015-01-11T19:44:47.202-05:002015-01-11T19:44:47.202-05:00The idea, as expressed by Swamp Thing, was that th...The idea, as expressed by Swamp Thing, was that the single rose was like a hologram: one piece contained the whole. The entirety of the Green was in that single flower. It requires a leap, certainly, but so does a moss-covered swamp-monster! : )<br /><br />All that said, glad you're enjoying the book. It's been a fantastic gig. I've totally enjoyed it.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-41117270980794061052015-01-11T11:09:11.386-05:002015-01-11T11:09:11.386-05:00Since you're interested in developing a backst...Since you're interested in developing a backstory for Zatanna, I should mention that Zatara and the Phantom Stranger know each other (from the Madam Xanadu series). PS is also very friendly with her (Zatanna issue 2). Perhaps he would make an interesting godfather (and, besides, PS is now out of work). RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-3267761748140699262015-01-10T17:12:55.819-05:002015-01-10T17:12:55.819-05:00JM,
The problem wasn't your story, it was my...JM, <br /><br />The problem wasn't your story, it was my lack of clear commentary. I understood he was dying because he had lost contact with the Green. My observation was simply that without enough green stuff, there was nothing for him to breathe. So, even the one rose wouldn't rejuvenate him--he needed a good ol' fashioned swamp or forest. Nonetheless, I am enjoying the story arc, and look forward to the next issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-26836324605453228172015-01-10T14:27:48.158-05:002015-01-10T14:27:48.158-05:00Writing comics ain't easy, Rick—but it sure is...Writing comics ain't easy, Rick—but it sure is fun and rewarding.<br /><br />Re: JLD #36. Maybe it wasn't clear, but Swamp Thing was dying, not because he was suffocating, but because he had lost contact with the Green. And when the others fell, it was because the collapsing atmosphere was letting in the Non-Time...and that's what was killing them.<br /><br />Re: #35. I really enjoyed doing some backstory on Zatanna, exploring her relationship with her father. I think she's a wonderful character, with lots of still-untapped potential.<br /><br />I really loved AMERICAN SPLENDOR, by the way. Pekar had a unique way of telling a visual story that totally suited his small, deeply personal tales.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-74363930267284070182015-01-10T14:22:53.571-05:002015-01-10T14:22:53.571-05:00I don't know much about CONVERGENCE, but, from...I don't know much about CONVERGENCE, but, from what I do know, I think it's going to be a fun event.<br /><br />And thanks for hanging in there with ToS!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-50748316154207980252015-01-10T12:30:31.718-05:002015-01-10T12:30:31.718-05:00Rick here.
Since you asked everyone, I thought y...Rick here. <br /><br />Since you asked everyone, I thought you might like to know what I thought of JLD 36.<br /><br />It was very good. Solid plotting, logical flow, nice dialog. I also liked that running theme of yours in which no one is beyond salvation; Faust's small story buried in the little one. Furthermore, your fight scenes had a purpose. That's not always the case in comics. I did, however, think the fight scenes at the end were a little confusing--it was hard to figure out and follow the sequencing (who was the werewolf? Bennett? Couldn't the two Fausts have looked a little distinctive?). In addition, I could not "suspend disbelief" during the "lack of air" sequences. Swamp Thing is a plant; he survives on CO2, not oxygen. If there were no plants for eons, he might as well have shriveled on the spot. Vamp's don't need air; Bennett's dead. And, with all it's been through, I'm not sure why Asa's host body wouldn't have been protected by Asa for the lack of O2. Frank'stein would logically have been the most affected due to his massive frame. <br /><br />While I thought that issue 36 was very good, I thought issue 35 was excellent. It involved a rarely seen comic subject of familial love which was touchingly brought to life. Maybe it's my age, but I really like it a whole lot. <br /><br />And, I also paid attention to your posted material. I have actually started writing a comic script, in fits and starts, and I now know how Harvey Peckar must have felt when he started American Splendor. I don't know if there are terms for it, but using sequential panels to balance actual "chronological time" with "activity time" while conceptualizing the whole page's layout is tough.<br /><br />Happy New Year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-46088266346981298752015-01-10T12:28:30.421-05:002015-01-10T12:28:30.421-05:00I know I'm getting all of them. Not real happy...I know I'm getting all of them. Not real happy about the two month hiatus for the unwieldy CONVERGENCE coming up.Douglas A. Waltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02312801885609153510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-4447027805123031462015-01-09T09:34:47.546-05:002015-01-09T09:34:47.546-05:00Thanks, Rick. It's an unforgiving market righ...Thanks, Rick. It's an unforgiving market right now and books really aren't given a chance. But that's the pop culture landscape in general. TV shows are quickly cancelled, as well. <br /><br />That said, I'm very happy with the remaining issues of the series—I honestly think the book gets better every month—and I hope the current readers will stick around to see how the arc ends.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-64259498221230163422015-01-09T07:29:26.170-05:002015-01-09T07:29:26.170-05:00JM,
Let me add my condolences. I don't think...JM, <br /><br />Let me add my condolences. I don't think the book was given a fair chance. RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-37618544399054978342014-12-18T11:26:51.950-05:002014-12-18T11:26:51.950-05:00Thanks, Douglas. I've known about the cancell...Thanks, Douglas. I've known about the cancellation for a while, but something about it being announced makes it all-the-more real.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-85260559907766564602014-12-18T10:31:34.261-05:002014-12-18T10:31:34.261-05:00The tier thing confused me as well so thanks for t...The tier thing confused me as well so thanks for that explanation. I think I'm sticking to my zine and mini comics for the time being. My condolences on Trinity of Sin being cancelled. I'm really digging that book.Douglas A. Waltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02312801885609153510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-71931446102002524912014-12-17T10:41:48.426-05:002014-12-17T10:41:48.426-05:00Both approaches are great fun, David, and I enjoy ...Both approaches are great fun, David, and I enjoy plot-first and full script equally, for different reasons. For me, the real fun of plot-first is having the artwork in front of you while you dialogue. It allows you to react to the artist's work in a unique, and powerful, way.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-52610971540153222412014-12-17T09:36:32.008-05:002014-12-17T09:36:32.008-05:00I enjoy reading plots like this, as it's essen...I enjoy reading plots like this, as it's essentially the best of both worlds. It's not like Stan Lee's 'go crazy with the fight scene for five pages!' approach, but it gives the artist more freedom than full script while retaining a clear direction. Though I still prefer writing in full script, as I find the dialogue often tends to lead the action for me. I often find the quip or one-liner and then the action to accompany it. But maybe I'll try a plot like this one day--it's always good to be versatile!<br /><br />--DavidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-13217832565199392802014-12-17T09:24:37.156-05:002014-12-17T09:24:37.156-05:00And I hope I didn't sound as though I'm be...And I hope I didn't sound as though I'm being dismissive of historical context. I actually really enjoy reading those kinds of criticisms...I just tend to approach the works differently.<br /><br />For me personally, the most important takeaway from A CHRISTMAS CAROL is that Scrooge, like the world around him, suddenly erupts with JOY. <br /><br />Scrooge isn't a particularly thoughtful man, which is why his self-reflection can only be prompted by external forces who spell everything out for him. That's why even his acts of charity are SPONTANEOUS. They are not acts of the mind or of the will but a heart that's overflowing with gratitude for the gift of being alive. <br /><br />Scrooge is a man who's suddenly discovered the universe is a song and wants the entire world to dance along with him--and indeed they have! <br /><br />--DavidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-8320013194097828272014-12-17T09:14:37.436-05:002014-12-17T09:14:37.436-05:00Tier doesn't refer to a panel, Jack. The tier...Tier doesn't refer to a panel, Jack. The tiers indicate the panel placement on the page. (Tier one might have three panels, tier two, stacked beneath that, might have two, etc.) Beneath each tier, you'll see the descriptions of the individual panels.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-70694221283837520232014-12-17T01:04:37.488-05:002014-12-17T01:04:37.488-05:00Eh, it was pretty good. I liked the finished prod...Eh, it was pretty good. I liked the finished product more. I do wonder why you say tier instead of panel though.<br /><br />Your turn.<br /><br />jackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-61530209752752489292014-12-16T18:54:50.155-05:002014-12-16T18:54:50.155-05:00It's already out.It's already out.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-82502914775242270392014-12-16T18:51:59.571-05:002014-12-16T18:51:59.571-05:00I didn't read it. I had a question first, is ...I didn't read it. I had a question first, is it an issue out or one in the wings? I don't want to ruin what will happen. I suppose I could just go look through my comics to find out.... but that's a whole thing.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-5241980360414258752014-12-16T18:45:30.710-05:002014-12-16T18:45:30.710-05:00HAH! And round and round we go. But here's t...HAH! And round and round we go. But here's the real question:<br /><br />What did you think of the Justice League Dark plot?J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-2732604086566820472014-12-16T18:33:36.438-05:002014-12-16T18:33:36.438-05:00I wish I could say it was mine.
Moving on, well....I wish I could say it was mine. <br />Moving on, well... back are my views on Dickens in the realm of reality or just coming out of my ass?<br /><br />Also, I went back in time on this site, because I was pretty sure we had this "happy holidays discussion before, Here, scroll to the bottom:<br /><br /><br />http://www.jmdematteis.com/2013/12/santas-back.html#comment-form<br /><br /><br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com