The Last Defenders

[PhotoJones]

There is zero editorial input on creators, other than fullfilling your contractual obligations of putting out as many issues as you say you'll put out.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

As it should be. Fraction's WordBalloon interview summed it up nicely: He doesn't own Marvel's characters and he knows, understands, and accepts it. But the moment someone tells him he can't do something in Casanova, he puts a ****ing chair through a wall.

 

[PhotoJones]

Word. I doubt anyone's ever told him he can't do something in Casanova, though.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Because they know, understand, and accept the difference between corporately owned and creator-owned properties, too.

 

[PhotoJones]

The only downside is if your book flops. Then you're out a bunch of time and nothing to show for it. Anyone remember Pigtale? I didn't think so.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Well, that's a risk if you've got a take on a corporate character that doesn't sell well too, isn't it?

 

[PhotoJones]

Hell, no. You get your page rate regardless of how many issues it sells.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, but the series gets canceled--oop, sorry, I mean "reduced to mini-series status"--if they don't sell well. Then they get no page rate.

 

[PhotoJones]

Right, but you get paid for all of the work that you complete.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

The Defenders Files: Blazing Skull

Pretty edifying for me. I didn't know anything about the Blazing Skull except that he was on the New Invaders.

 

[Darthphere]

I'm partially excited for this comic.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I'm really excited. I don't really like the way Muniz draws the Blazing Skull, though. He looks a bit too cartoony, with his perfect teardrop flame and all. More like the Candle-Headed Skull.

 

[Darthphere]

I just really don't like Nighthawk.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I'm 25% excited

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I just really don't like Nighthawk.

Did he scratch your car?

 

[Darthphere]

Did he scratch your car?

He killed my father.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Ouch. Still, you gotta get over it sometime.

 

[Dread]

The Defenders Files: Blazing Skull

Pretty edifying for me. I didn't know anything about the Blazing Skull except that he was on the New Invaders.

I knew a little bit, but in a way he is a bit of a gift. A Golden Age character with a design that barely needs tweaking who hasn't been used a whole lot, so a writer has a lot of freedom with him.

Plus, he makes total sense to recruit to the Initiative.

It is worth noting that while Blazing Skull would probably be the most "willing" to kill of the team, Colossus has iced a few folks when he had to as well.

I'm partially excited for this comic.

I am very excited for this comic.

I'm really excited. I don't really like the way Muniz draws the Blazing Skull, though. He looks a bit too cartoony, with his perfect teardrop flame and all. More like the Candle-Headed Skull.

I tend to agree with you, Muniz could do better. McNiven did the flame head very well on the cover to the first issue.

In one panel, Colossus' underoos almost look like short-shorts.

 

[Nasty-B]

Does his skull have to flame all the time? Can't he turn that off, since it's just an illusion?

 

[RockSP]

Yeah he can turn it off. Or he could at the beginning of the New Invaders series, anyway...

 

[Dread]

Yeah. The magic costume from the Skull-People eventually merged with his flesh so he can transform in and out of it at will.

He does look more cartoony than scary. On the upside, a book that has a sense of humor at times is part of DEFENDERS lore. They mixed hardcore adventure and tragedy with off the wall bits and humor all the time (especially during the Gerber run). The downside of that is that Flaming Skull should be scary looking, considering he had Ghost Rider's look before there WAS a Ghost Rider!

 

[Nasty-B]

You think they'll try to establish some sort of connection between Skull and GR? Somebody on the CBR board suggested that maybe the Skull-people worshiped Zarathos or something.

 

[Darthphere]

So this title is a comedy book?

 

[Dread]

You think they'll try to establish some sort of connection between Skull and GR? Sobody on the CBR board suggested that maybe the Skull-people worshiped Zarathos or something.

I think one story tried to imply some connection during the 90's, but it went nowhere and I actually would prefer that it didn't. GHOST RIDER's continuity and history are a mess that every relaunch makes worse and harder to follow (he's an angel now!? WTF!!?). Blazing Skull doesn't need that noise.

It WOULD be cute if Blaze had a pet peeve about being mistaken for Ghost Rider, though. Especially since he came first.

If Joe Casey states Colossus' magic resistance in his Newsarama article, I may just fanboy gush. That's a huge and distinct advantage the big lug has and it has been ages since it was of any use. THE LAST DEFENDERS could make some hay of it.

 

[Dread]

So this title is a comedy book?

No. There may be some comedic interludes or one-liners but I don't think so.

Yeah, Blazing Skull looks too cartoony and less spooky there too.