Post by reideen1313 on Jul 11, 2005 19:44:09 GMT -5
Basically, this is a copy and paste job of Rich Johnson's excellent Lying in the Gutters column. Quite honestly, there was too much good stuff to just tell you one or two things. More on that at the end!
____________________________________________
What can we expect to hear at San Diego? Here's a checklist - some will be announced some will not. Not yet anyway.
Geoff Johns on a Superman title. "Infinite Crisis" spin-off books such as "Shadowpact," "OMAC" and "Checkmate" (with a Suicide Squad style book being discussed)-- with some of the same creative teams as the minis. A "Freedom Fighters" mini or series. A "Shazam" mini or series. Expect both one Batman and Superman regular title to be cancelled to be replaced with "Batman Confidential" and "Superman Confidential."
Also look for the already LITG-confirmed Morrison/Kubert "Detective Comics" to get a further airing next to the harbour.
Expect one surprise A-list Marvel exclusive and one surprise A-list DC exclusive.
It might be worth someone asking if the DC Universe titles will be rebooted with numbering from issue 1 after the One Year Gap (first mentioned last year in LITG... snoochies!). It's under discussion, maybe a decision will have been reached for this week.
____________________________________________
The pro grapevine seems convinced that "Captain America" writer Ed Brubaker is Brian Bendis' replacement as writer on "Daredevil," which will also be announced at San Diego.
However, a few sources in the know tell me Brubaker has not yet been offered the writing job on "Daredevil." And that even if he was, he may be too busy to take the work right now.
Nevertheless a certain segment of the industry seems convinced it's going to happen. Is it possible they could collectively will this appointment into existence? Maybe they just need a gathering of such individuals in one place. In San Diego, say.
____________________________________________
This will be the first San Diego where the impact of Dan DiDio's policies at DC will be clearer.
Much of the current editorial staff seems unhappy with the restructuring of DC. This may be natural, change is often resisted, and certainly DiDio has gained much kudos for reinventing the appeal of the monthly comic book, in a time when sales had been shifting to the trade market, as well as bringing in creative talent thought lost to Marvel.
However, much of this appears to be decided "on the fly," leaving some staffers unsure of what's meant to be happening next. DC has had a tradition for planning far in advance. DiDio has been shaking that up considerably.
This has also led to some retailer dissatisfaction about lack of information in solicits and mix-ups about which books are involved in crossover promotions or not. This only affects DC Universe books right now-- it seems DCU editorial isn't always sure what their own books will actually be about by the time they're published, when Previews information is due.
And naturally, from the creative side, there are certain mumblings of displeasure from certain writers over the focus on "Infinite Crisis" and the fact that Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison are calling a lot of the shots. Less so for Grant, as he generally creates his own worlds which others can spin off from, but Geoff Johns is seen as being more hands on.
This is the flipside for heavy editorial based comics. A strong continuity and event-led publishing is generally very popular with the traditional readers for a certain period of time, but can cause trouble in the ranks. Ironically, creatives seeing two of their own promoted to privileged positions only exacerbates that.
It can be a harsh way to publish, but it's one that's working. For now.
____________________________________________
Reideen's note - this isn't the first time that I've heard the next rumor unfortunately. I really hope that WB decides to go on with the show, so to speak and not allow the terrible events in London to effect the release of the movie. Terrorists want to disrupt our lives and exact some form of control, via their tactics. The best way to combat them (other than a bullet in the head) is to continue doing what you did before the event. - end soapbox.
The London bombings has been raised internally at Warner Bros as a reason to change the schedule of "V For Vendetta." This would be unfortunate for the project as much of its appeal is based around the fifth of November, 2005 - the 400th anniversary of the attempted destruction of the Houses of Parliament by Guy Fawkes in the Gunpowder Plot. Apparently, the story of a lone bomber blowing up London, including the Underground, has naturally raised a lot of flags. This in the same work that the novel "Incendiary," about a terrorist attack on London, was published and had the advertising withdrawn and movie deal also in limbo.
Since I understand Warner Bros representatives read this column, and in some cases act on it, as a London resident who walked to work through the chaos last Thursday, I'd like to voice my support not to change the date. We've had bombs before, we've had bombs again, much of "V For Vendetta" revolves itself around the concept of terrorism-- one of the appeals of the movie. The recent events have made it more relevant, not less.
Warner Bros are considering a press release to clarify their position once it is confirmed.
____________________________________________
Keen readers of LITG (both of you) will have noted Alan Moore talked about a multi-media aspect to the last DC volume of the "League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen" series. Moore also described the book as "the best thing in the entire universe ever" and assured me that this wasn't hyperbole.
Cyrille Mey talked with artist Kevin O'Neill and reported on Millarworld that the volume will contain a narrative "jumping all over the place from the dawn of time to the fifties." As to the recording studio Moore alluded to, this is for a CD which will be shipped with the comic, including "songs performed by fifties characters of the book, Moore does the singing, à la Roy Orbison, American accent and all."
____________________________________________
Reideen's note - There are two ways to handle a business declaring bankruptcy. The honest, honorable way that Val Staples did it over at MVC - where he sold off most of his belongings and slept on couches, etc, to try and pay his debts OR the way that Pat Lee and Dreamwave have handled things. Pat Lee hasn't taken responsibility for this in any way that I've read. He's kept his Porche, turned UPS/Fed Ex bills back onto the artists, and left people that depended on him holding the bag. He owes people thousands of dollars, that they aren't likely to see - EVER. It's a situation where, if he's part of the creative team on a book/project, I'm probably not going to buy it. If you're reading one of his books, PLEASE consider dropping the title. If you do, be sure that you tell your retailer why. Write a letter to Marvel and to Image telling them as well. End of soapbox.
In the wake of the Dreamwave bankruptcy, spare a thought for one of its biggest victims, Pat Lee. How has his lifestyle been affected?
Pat has recently been seen driving his Porsche around Toronto, visiting his favourite coffee shop-- Just Desserts-- where he recruited coffee server Derek Choo-wing there as his Business Manager and other managerial staff.
One sacrifice Pat has had to make it to change his licence plate, which used to read DW CEO but now has a regular plate. Apparently although the car was company owned, Pat was able to pay it off before Dreamwave went bankrupt and transfer the ownership to himself.
Pat has now moved out of his parents house and has recently moved into a brand new condominium.
Lee is currently working for Marvel on "Iron Man." Dreamwave creators still continue to be owed large sums of money, including having to pay FedEx bills that DreamWave didn't cover. Pat Lee is also relaunching "Cyberforce" with Ron Marz for Top Cow.
Just Desserts is located at 300 West Beaver Creek Rd, Richmond Hill, Toronto.
____________________________________________
Well, that's pretty much all of interest for this week. Let me just say, I really enjoy Rich's column. He recently had a baby, and tried an experiment as a 'real journalist' and I hated it!! I'm pleased to say, he's back to his former rumor mongering and I'm SO glad! It's really nice to have another link to hear (and confirm) some of the goings on behind the scenes in the comic industry! If you haven't checked his column out, please do so - tell him LOG sent ya!
____________________________________________
What can we expect to hear at San Diego? Here's a checklist - some will be announced some will not. Not yet anyway.
Geoff Johns on a Superman title. "Infinite Crisis" spin-off books such as "Shadowpact," "OMAC" and "Checkmate" (with a Suicide Squad style book being discussed)-- with some of the same creative teams as the minis. A "Freedom Fighters" mini or series. A "Shazam" mini or series. Expect both one Batman and Superman regular title to be cancelled to be replaced with "Batman Confidential" and "Superman Confidential."
Also look for the already LITG-confirmed Morrison/Kubert "Detective Comics" to get a further airing next to the harbour.
Expect one surprise A-list Marvel exclusive and one surprise A-list DC exclusive.
It might be worth someone asking if the DC Universe titles will be rebooted with numbering from issue 1 after the One Year Gap (first mentioned last year in LITG... snoochies!). It's under discussion, maybe a decision will have been reached for this week.
____________________________________________
The pro grapevine seems convinced that "Captain America" writer Ed Brubaker is Brian Bendis' replacement as writer on "Daredevil," which will also be announced at San Diego.
However, a few sources in the know tell me Brubaker has not yet been offered the writing job on "Daredevil." And that even if he was, he may be too busy to take the work right now.
Nevertheless a certain segment of the industry seems convinced it's going to happen. Is it possible they could collectively will this appointment into existence? Maybe they just need a gathering of such individuals in one place. In San Diego, say.
____________________________________________
This will be the first San Diego where the impact of Dan DiDio's policies at DC will be clearer.
Much of the current editorial staff seems unhappy with the restructuring of DC. This may be natural, change is often resisted, and certainly DiDio has gained much kudos for reinventing the appeal of the monthly comic book, in a time when sales had been shifting to the trade market, as well as bringing in creative talent thought lost to Marvel.
However, much of this appears to be decided "on the fly," leaving some staffers unsure of what's meant to be happening next. DC has had a tradition for planning far in advance. DiDio has been shaking that up considerably.
This has also led to some retailer dissatisfaction about lack of information in solicits and mix-ups about which books are involved in crossover promotions or not. This only affects DC Universe books right now-- it seems DCU editorial isn't always sure what their own books will actually be about by the time they're published, when Previews information is due.
And naturally, from the creative side, there are certain mumblings of displeasure from certain writers over the focus on "Infinite Crisis" and the fact that Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison are calling a lot of the shots. Less so for Grant, as he generally creates his own worlds which others can spin off from, but Geoff Johns is seen as being more hands on.
This is the flipside for heavy editorial based comics. A strong continuity and event-led publishing is generally very popular with the traditional readers for a certain period of time, but can cause trouble in the ranks. Ironically, creatives seeing two of their own promoted to privileged positions only exacerbates that.
It can be a harsh way to publish, but it's one that's working. For now.
____________________________________________
Reideen's note - this isn't the first time that I've heard the next rumor unfortunately. I really hope that WB decides to go on with the show, so to speak and not allow the terrible events in London to effect the release of the movie. Terrorists want to disrupt our lives and exact some form of control, via their tactics. The best way to combat them (other than a bullet in the head) is to continue doing what you did before the event. - end soapbox.
The London bombings has been raised internally at Warner Bros as a reason to change the schedule of "V For Vendetta." This would be unfortunate for the project as much of its appeal is based around the fifth of November, 2005 - the 400th anniversary of the attempted destruction of the Houses of Parliament by Guy Fawkes in the Gunpowder Plot. Apparently, the story of a lone bomber blowing up London, including the Underground, has naturally raised a lot of flags. This in the same work that the novel "Incendiary," about a terrorist attack on London, was published and had the advertising withdrawn and movie deal also in limbo.
Since I understand Warner Bros representatives read this column, and in some cases act on it, as a London resident who walked to work through the chaos last Thursday, I'd like to voice my support not to change the date. We've had bombs before, we've had bombs again, much of "V For Vendetta" revolves itself around the concept of terrorism-- one of the appeals of the movie. The recent events have made it more relevant, not less.
Warner Bros are considering a press release to clarify their position once it is confirmed.
____________________________________________
Keen readers of LITG (both of you) will have noted Alan Moore talked about a multi-media aspect to the last DC volume of the "League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen" series. Moore also described the book as "the best thing in the entire universe ever" and assured me that this wasn't hyperbole.
Cyrille Mey talked with artist Kevin O'Neill and reported on Millarworld that the volume will contain a narrative "jumping all over the place from the dawn of time to the fifties." As to the recording studio Moore alluded to, this is for a CD which will be shipped with the comic, including "songs performed by fifties characters of the book, Moore does the singing, à la Roy Orbison, American accent and all."
____________________________________________
Reideen's note - There are two ways to handle a business declaring bankruptcy. The honest, honorable way that Val Staples did it over at MVC - where he sold off most of his belongings and slept on couches, etc, to try and pay his debts OR the way that Pat Lee and Dreamwave have handled things. Pat Lee hasn't taken responsibility for this in any way that I've read. He's kept his Porche, turned UPS/Fed Ex bills back onto the artists, and left people that depended on him holding the bag. He owes people thousands of dollars, that they aren't likely to see - EVER. It's a situation where, if he's part of the creative team on a book/project, I'm probably not going to buy it. If you're reading one of his books, PLEASE consider dropping the title. If you do, be sure that you tell your retailer why. Write a letter to Marvel and to Image telling them as well. End of soapbox.
In the wake of the Dreamwave bankruptcy, spare a thought for one of its biggest victims, Pat Lee. How has his lifestyle been affected?
Pat has recently been seen driving his Porsche around Toronto, visiting his favourite coffee shop-- Just Desserts-- where he recruited coffee server Derek Choo-wing there as his Business Manager and other managerial staff.
One sacrifice Pat has had to make it to change his licence plate, which used to read DW CEO but now has a regular plate. Apparently although the car was company owned, Pat was able to pay it off before Dreamwave went bankrupt and transfer the ownership to himself.
Pat has now moved out of his parents house and has recently moved into a brand new condominium.
Lee is currently working for Marvel on "Iron Man." Dreamwave creators still continue to be owed large sums of money, including having to pay FedEx bills that DreamWave didn't cover. Pat Lee is also relaunching "Cyberforce" with Ron Marz for Top Cow.
Just Desserts is located at 300 West Beaver Creek Rd, Richmond Hill, Toronto.
____________________________________________
Well, that's pretty much all of interest for this week. Let me just say, I really enjoy Rich's column. He recently had a baby, and tried an experiment as a 'real journalist' and I hated it!! I'm pleased to say, he's back to his former rumor mongering and I'm SO glad! It's really nice to have another link to hear (and confirm) some of the goings on behind the scenes in the comic industry! If you haven't checked his column out, please do so - tell him LOG sent ya!
