Canada Maestro
03/22/2004, 14:33
Taken from Peter David's website:
"What's Going On With Captain Marvel
I was endeavoring to delay announcement of this until Marvel was set to publicize the new projects I have coming up with them. But Joe’s “way of the dinosaur” comment at Wizardworld West this weekend has prompted everything from a barrage of e-mail to “Save Captain Marvel” petitions, so I’m forced to be forthcoming a bit earlier than I anticipated.
Issue #25 is slated to be the last issue of “Captain Marvel.”
The past two years has had its definite ups and downs. The “Marv Goes Nuts” storyline was designed to play to Cross’s strengths as an artist (particularly his uncanny ability to draw characters looking as if there was something seriously disturbed going on behind their eyes.) But Cross was gone before issue #6. I could have shifted gears, but decided to stay the course, and I suppose that hurt us. A parade of other artists each brought their own unique talents, but none of them quite had Cross’s flair for the types of stories I wanted to tell. Fan response was consistent: Gee, we’re bored of Marv being insane, and gee, we miss Cross. Of course, if Cross hadn’t left, they very likely might not have been bored, but that way—as Marv would say—lies madness.
Given carte blanche to wrap the series with #25, I started telling editor Andy Schmidt the most outlandish notions for a story I’d ever come up with. To my astonishment, he kept saying “Okay. That sounds good.” I then said, “But there’s only one artist on the planet who can possibly make it work, and that’s Keith Giffen.” Without blinking, Andy said, “Lemme call him.” Lo and behold, Keith Giffen is penciling issue #25, entitled “Exit Strategy.” On the one hand it’s completely demented; on the other hand, every single aspect of the book is resolved.
I know that fans are going to do their ####edest to save the series. Please don’t make yourselves nuts over it. My read of the current Marvel management is that their interests lie elsewhere, and no amount of fan hand-wringing will make a difference. Besides, in this day and age’s market, a five year (sixty issue in all) run is pretty ####ed impressive. Instead, if you’re really interested in being supportive of some of the best writing I’ve done in my life, beat the drums for “Fallen Angel” from DC. The trade paperback comes out this summer, the current storyline culminates in issue #11 with one of the most heartbreaking sequences I’ve ever produced, and I’d really like to see that series continue.
As for my new projects at Marvel, which I’ve been hinting at in recent months, both are limited series. In one case it’s because it’s a defined story with a beginning, middle and end. In the other case, basically we’re testing the waters to see if fan and retailer support is there to make it on ongoing. The latter series involves a mutant character of my acquaintance…and the former stars…
…wait for it…
…the Hulk.
So that’s what’s going on right now.
PAD"
Oops, I think I missed some of his curses. Sorry mods.
"What's Going On With Captain Marvel
I was endeavoring to delay announcement of this until Marvel was set to publicize the new projects I have coming up with them. But Joe’s “way of the dinosaur” comment at Wizardworld West this weekend has prompted everything from a barrage of e-mail to “Save Captain Marvel” petitions, so I’m forced to be forthcoming a bit earlier than I anticipated.
Issue #25 is slated to be the last issue of “Captain Marvel.”
The past two years has had its definite ups and downs. The “Marv Goes Nuts” storyline was designed to play to Cross’s strengths as an artist (particularly his uncanny ability to draw characters looking as if there was something seriously disturbed going on behind their eyes.) But Cross was gone before issue #6. I could have shifted gears, but decided to stay the course, and I suppose that hurt us. A parade of other artists each brought their own unique talents, but none of them quite had Cross’s flair for the types of stories I wanted to tell. Fan response was consistent: Gee, we’re bored of Marv being insane, and gee, we miss Cross. Of course, if Cross hadn’t left, they very likely might not have been bored, but that way—as Marv would say—lies madness.
Given carte blanche to wrap the series with #25, I started telling editor Andy Schmidt the most outlandish notions for a story I’d ever come up with. To my astonishment, he kept saying “Okay. That sounds good.” I then said, “But there’s only one artist on the planet who can possibly make it work, and that’s Keith Giffen.” Without blinking, Andy said, “Lemme call him.” Lo and behold, Keith Giffen is penciling issue #25, entitled “Exit Strategy.” On the one hand it’s completely demented; on the other hand, every single aspect of the book is resolved.
I know that fans are going to do their ####edest to save the series. Please don’t make yourselves nuts over it. My read of the current Marvel management is that their interests lie elsewhere, and no amount of fan hand-wringing will make a difference. Besides, in this day and age’s market, a five year (sixty issue in all) run is pretty ####ed impressive. Instead, if you’re really interested in being supportive of some of the best writing I’ve done in my life, beat the drums for “Fallen Angel” from DC. The trade paperback comes out this summer, the current storyline culminates in issue #11 with one of the most heartbreaking sequences I’ve ever produced, and I’d really like to see that series continue.
As for my new projects at Marvel, which I’ve been hinting at in recent months, both are limited series. In one case it’s because it’s a defined story with a beginning, middle and end. In the other case, basically we’re testing the waters to see if fan and retailer support is there to make it on ongoing. The latter series involves a mutant character of my acquaintance…and the former stars…
…wait for it…
…the Hulk.
So that’s what’s going on right now.
PAD"
Oops, I think I missed some of his curses. Sorry mods.