Amazing Spider-Man: The Short Halloween, drawn by Kevin Maguire, was announced, as were its two writers, who made a "surprise" appearance at the panel: Saturday Night Live cast members Seth Meyers (also its head writer) and Bill Hader. Meyers explained that Marvel approached them during the writers' strike.
Meyers credited Hader for coming up with the title, adding "This [a comic book convention] is the only place where that would get a laugh."
Hader and Meyers were asked if they were "into comics" and for more details on their comic. "Is it going to be funny?" "No," Hader deadpanned. "It's incredibly serious." Hader said they are indeed into comics, and that they went to the Marvel Christmas party and met several creators, which led to the project. "We were walking back and saying, 'I think we just pitched them a Spider-Man idea,'" he explained. "It takes place in one Halloween night, it's a pretty simple idea and fun," added Meyers. "It's not going to be the most serious Spider-Man comic you've ever read."
An audience member asked if any "SNL" characters will be in The Short Halloween. "That would be weird," said Hader, before adding that Maguire — who then joined the panel — might sneak some in-jokes in the background, since the Halloween setting makes such a thing possible.
Another question was asked about Meyers and Hader's involvement. "No matter how experienced of a writer you are from movies or TV, there's always sort of a learning curve," said Quesada, but that it was a very smooth transition for them, and the only other "other media" writer to adapt so quickly was Damon Lindelof. He also pointed out their script was in on time, preemptively addressing the common fan concerns regarding creators from other media writing comics.
Bendis left his seat to ask a question of Meyers and Hader—what it was like working with Steve Martin last week on "SNL."
