Cure For Late Comics!!

[deemar325]

It seems a bit overkill; it would probably cost the publisher a chunk of change...at least initially; it sorta prevents bad creative teams from being removed from titles quickly - but yeah, it's certainly better than waiting 6 months for an issue of The Ultimates or something.

Not if you hire the right creative teams from the start, some people are no-brainers on a book, example: It's really clear that a guy like Dan Slott should write a Spider-man title so put him on Spider-man! Or try them out on a mini first if it clicks then put said writer/artist on the ongoing.

As far as a situation like the Ultimates, Bryan Hitch should have shared art duties from the start with a compatible artist like J.G.Jones or Trevor Hairsine. Barring that don't launch the book until B.Hitch has finished 12 issues or more.

Or how about I don't know? Giving John Romita Jr. or someone of his prowess Ultimates instead? Maybe it's just me, but I could accept two artist trading off every arc or so as long as the quality doesn't drop. As far as Marvel losing money, I don't see that happening at all how could you lose money if your churning out quality books in a monthly/timely fashion by good creative teams?

Now if you use the "I buy books based on the Name artist/writer factor" it wouldn't matter because you'd still have a 'Name' creator or solid creative team, the only difference is you've set them up for success by allowing them ample time or doubled resources to get the book out on time. If by chance your dealing with a 'Allan Heinberg type' grow some ballz and don't let the Hollywood guy start on a ongoing/mini without letting him/her know from the get-go that 'we don't want your talents if you can't commit your full attention or complete the work.'

Better yet, automaticly assign a co-writer (Potentially a veteran writer/Top creator) So if said 'Hollywood guy is behind schedule the co-writer can easily fill the slot or follow the ideas laid out buy the Hollywood guy(Dick Donner anyone?)

It's not rocket science.

 

[Norkie]

Well I always seem to find that a nice threat to be pistol whiped gets everyone in tip top shape buts thats just me. I almost crwaled into a ball when that civil war ish was delayed.

 

[HR-PUFF&STUFF]

dock their pay, you get payed to write/draw a comic, if you don't do that then you don't get payed. its like not showing up to work, you don't payed for that, and you don't get off the hook unless you have a doctors note.

and that would save marvel a lot of money too.

 

[3dman27]

i think marvel shoud stop letting artists and writes put"no substitutes"clauses in thier contracts that way if a writer or artist is delayed due to illness or LEGITIMATE FAMILY EMERGENCY[as in the case of bryan hitch during thefirst ULTIMATES series]the books can come out on time which some readers seem to forget is what subscribers PAY FOR to begin with

 

[Darthphere]

dock their pay, you get payed to write/draw a comic, if you don't do that then you don't get payed. its like not showing up to work, you don't payed for that, and you don't get off the hook unless you have a doctors note.

and that would save marvel a lot of money too.

Except it wouldnt, because they'd have to pay either way.

 

[Darthphere]

Not if you hire the right creative teams from the start, some people are no-brainers on a book, example: It's really clear that a guy like Dan Slott should write a Spider-man title so put him on Spider-man! Or try them out on a mini first if it clicks then put said writer/artist on the ongoing.

As far as a situation like the Ultimates, Bryan Hitch should have shared art duties from the start with a compatible artist like J.G.Jones or Trevor Hairsine. Barring that don't launch the book until B.Hitch has finished 12 issues or more.

Or how about I don't know? Giving John Romita Jr. or someone of his prowess Ultimates instead? Maybe it's just me, but I could accept two artist trading off every arc or so as long as the quality doesn't drop. As far as Marvel losing money, I don't see that happening at all how could you lose money if your churning out quality books in a monthly/timely fashion by good creative teams?

Now if you use the "I buy books based on the Name artist/writer factor" it wouldn't matter because you'd still have a 'Name' creator or solid creative team, the only difference is you've set them up for success by allowing them ample time or doubled resources to get the book out on time. If by chance your dealing with a 'Allan Heinberg type' grow some ballz and don't let the Hollywood guy start on a ongoing/mini without letting him/her know from the get-go that 'we don't want your talents if you can't commit your full attention or complete the work.'

Better yet, automaticly assign a co-writer (Potentially a veteran writer/Top creator) So if said 'Hollywood guy is behind schedule the co-writer can easily fill the slot or follow the ideas laid out buy the Hollywood guy(Dick Donner anyone?)

It's not rocket science.

Horrible, horrible all around. Dan Slott isnt put on Spider-Man for one reason: He doesnt sell. Its sad, but true. And using Dick Donner as an example, yeesh.

 

[CConn]

Not if you hire the right creative teams from the start, some people are no-brainers on a book, example: It's really clear that a guy like Dan Slott should write a Spider-man title so put him on Spider-man! Or try them out on a mini first if it clicks then put said writer/artist on the ongoing.

Yeah, sometimes it is obviously. Sometimes...it isn't. And sometimes you don't really have the time to test them out on a mini.

Take Flash for instance. DC went and got the writers from the old Flash show - a show that's pretty well-liked among fans. It seemed like a pretty sure bet. But, they ended up sucking, and Didio is taking them off the title after issue #8. If they followed your idea, we'd have another 4 months of bad comics before DC was able to get someone new on the title.

I'm not saying I don't like your idea - I do. But I think it'd probably be perfect if wasn't quite so long term. Maybe 6 issues instead of 12.

 

[HR-PUFF&STUFF]

Except it wouldnt, because they'd have to pay either way.

sorry i ment time and well in a way they would save some money because they wouldn't have to pay twice for promoting a title.

but if you did dock pay they wouldn't put them out late. you know this kind of never happened in the old days and hell stan lee was the writting most of the comics.

 

[The_Mystery]

I don't know if I would have them have 12 issues in the can. More like 4 issues done, before solicitation, no matter if it's a mini-series or ongoing. As an writer/artist myself, if I had 4 issues done before the first even hits the shelves, it would give me more than enough lead time to do at least 4-5 more issues.

 

[deemar325]

Horrible, horrible all around. Dan Slott isnt put on Spider-Man for one reason: He doesnt sell. Its sad, but true. And using Dick Donner as an example, yeesh.

I see what your saying Darth, it's the soldier in me. I like discipline and results not little 'Divas' or 'I'm in it to sell my ideas to Hollywood' types.

Heres a little nugget, Mark Bagley comes from a military family and was a much valued professional (Computer programmer) before doing comics. He comes with a strong work ethic, just as JR Jr. is the progeny of a comics vet. I think alot of these artists today aren't worth shyt, yeah a lot of them have great natural talent, but so does Michael Vick and he loses 4 games in a row and fails to reach his potential as a QB, why? because he lacks true discipline.

OK back on subject, as far as Dan Slott yeah he's had a rough start (Although he's been in the biz for awhile doing kiddie comics) but it's generally accepted he's the closest thing to the Marvel of Stan Lee's era that Marvel has in a writer, plus his grasp of continuity and handle on Spidey is dead-on. It took people awhile after his Spidey/Torch mini to see the genuine love/respect this guy has for Marvel.

Bottom line if Slott was given the push that BMB or JMS got on major titles with an A-list artist, he'd likely be a top seller like Bendis. Even Chuck Austen got bigger books and more push then Dan.

The Donner example not good enough for ya? How about Deadpool or Powerman&IronFist by Quentin Tarantino co-written by Mark Millar or Ed Brubaker? Or any other combination of top Hollywood writer/director whos work could translate well to not only comics, but certain characters in particular.

I'd read a Dean Kuntz Dr.Strange co-written by Mike Carrey.

 

[deemar325]

Yeah, sometimes it is obviously. Sometimes...it isn't. And sometimes you don't really have the time to test them out on a mini.

Take Flash for instance. DC went and got the writers from the old Flash show - a show that's pretty well-liked among fans. It seemed like a pretty sure bet. But, they ended up sucking, and Didio is taking them off the title after issue #8. If they followed your idea, we'd have another 4 months of bad comics before DC was able to get someone new on the title.

I'm not saying I don't like your idea - I do. But I think it'd probably be perfect if wasn't quite so long term. Maybe 6 issues instead of 12.

Heres the problem I see, DC never had a clear plan for Flash IMHO. Wally was the most fleshed out Flash and the most popular, add to the fact he's this generations version of the Flash. It's Hal vs Kyle all over again, DC was blind to the fact Geoff did them a service of creating the most Iconic Flash and not following the 'If it ain't broke...' rule.

Bart is ripped from his Kid Flash role and aged approx. 5 years older? Just so Infinite Crisis could 'kill' 'Retire' a Flash? The story was stronger than rehashing COIE high points like Barry dying. Bilson and DeMeo where screwed from the beginning add to the fact the two haven't read a comic regulary in over 20 years let alone any Flash comics (On Newsarama they admitted to not even knowing who Bart was or having read anything after to Barry Allen's death.) So you got two middle aged t.v. writers who don't even follow comics anymore, yeah there fans of the Flash but when 'Pet Rocks' and 8 track tapes were the new hot shyt.

The 6 issues could work only for certain artists (Jim Cheung) but a guy like Bryan Hitch forget about it. I want 12 in the can from him before I subject him and myself as EIC to criticism. At some point you'd think a editor would kinda figure out his talent pool's strength and weakness. You'd think "OK ______ is really a hot commodity right now, but he's slow as a snail maybe it's better to plan ahead and let this guy finish years worth of stories or team him up with _____ they can both handle 6 issues a year on a monthly, that's 12 issues a year."

 

[deemar325]

Bumpity

 

[deemar325]

Bump

 

[Max J Power]

I think lateness on all books could be done away with by using these simple rules..

1) Any new ongoing should not be solicted until the creative team have at least 12 issues in the can ready to go.

2) If your knowingly gonna put a slow creative team on a book, use two regular artists who will switch out art chores every arc.

3) No mini-series should be solicted until all issues are finished, no teases, no preview art hold off until it's all done. Fans can't fiend over something they don't know is coming.

4) If a writer is falling behind on scripts or is only able too commit to a limited run, but his/her presence is crucial to the books success then use a co-writer from the start or let another writer of high quality work off plots/story arcs outlined by the writer who's late or leaving. (Daredevil hand-off between BMB and Brubaker is an example.)

5) Know your talent. If you know a guy like Bryan Hitch can only produce 6-8 issues a year, then don't offer him ongoing series unless you plan to use rule #1. If you got guys like Mark Bagley and John Romita Jr. who can pump out over 12 issues a year or handle two ongoings without breaking a sweat and still maintain quality art, first off double their pay and second keep them on your top tier ongoings.


Feel free to shoot me down or praise my genius!!!!

All good ideas.

 

[The_Mystery]

When I was reading IC, I always felt that if Jay Garrick had died heroicly it would have held more weight. He's been around forever. This would also make Wally the one true Flash and let Bart continue to grow under the "Kid Flash" moniker.

Staying on topic, if I'm running a comic company, I would have my "superstar" artist put a couple of issues in the can though. Maybe not 12, but definitely 4 to 6. This way they have plenty of time to be ontime for the next story arc. I generally think most books should at least have issue 3 done before issue one even hits the stands.

 

[deemar325]

Yeah I dig that idea Jay dying would have ment more than Wally going into the speed force or whatever happened.

 

[deemar325]

bump!!!

 

[deemar325]

Shazam!!

 

[ang_hulk]

howabout do as hollywood does.....wait till there done to announce a realease date.,,,