So Sean, it looks like Stephen King was deep-sixed. Disappointed, but not totally shocked. It was worth making a run at him, though.
I appreciate any help you provide on the John Byrne recruitment for Spectacular. Believe me, I know he's a lightning rod for debate, particularly on the internet, but seriously, the guy is a legend. It's a shame his reputation has been derailed by some of the off-camera skirmishes that have distracted from his work. And as far as Spectacular being a second-stringer, whoever said it can't outsell Amazing? Wouldn't that be terrific validation for Michelinie and Byrne if they were able to show how great storytelling can make or break a book?
And I'll be one of the first to admit - Venom hasn't always been one of my favorite characters, either. But who was it that said there are no bad characters, just bad writers? Let's let Michelinie and Byrne prove to us that there's a great Eddie Brock story lying underneath the surface. And who better to bring it to us than the man who penned his first appearances?
As far as covers go Spectacular, do you think Byrne would be able to handle those duties as well? If not, how about reaching out to another of Venom's grandfathers, Erik Larsen?
I'll be back here shortly with lots more.....
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I don't have a lot of time between now and 8:00 tonight, Pat. If you can at least run some creator ideas through here first, I'd appreciate it'
Oh, and Byrne probably could handle covers and interior art. If I can win him over.
You might want to get a back-up in mind, as well.
OK, gotta jet...
Pat, go ahead and post your creative team ideas to Tom's blog. I want to get things running ASAP, so I'm going to have to trust your judgement. Make a point of listing some backups (including Byrne) so we don't lose much time on this.
Also, be prepared to change directions somewhat on Spectacular depending on Byrne's response.
So Sean, I have total confidence in your ability to make Byrne realize a return to the Marvel Universe proper would make a lot of fans happy. Lemme know if there's anything I can do to help.
Basically, I'm looking for he and David to tell a really kickass Venom storyline, one for the ages.
Since the character's first appearance, he's been really muddied and become quite convoluted. The more recent moves that put Mac Gargan into the symbiotic partnership doesn't seem to resonate with fans. From what I can glean, they want to see Eddie Brock Back in Black, and coming off the success of the newest Spidey flick, I think that makes the most sense for the fans that might be taking a look at the Spider books for the first time, or at least the first time in a while.
Here's what I would like from the pair: in the first six-issue arc, I want to find out what's going on with JJJ and the Daily Bugle. Look, there's NOBODY whose career/perspective was changed by the unmasking than JJ. Where's he been? Where have his editorials gone? This guy just got buffaloed by his ace photographer for years. He was bankrolling Spider-Man! I want this facet of Spidey's decades-long legacy addressed.
So how to do it? Well let's see, anytime the Scorpion used to appear, he always had a mad-on for a certain publisher. I'm thinking that hasn't gone away just because of the costume change.
I need your help coordinating with the T-Bolts editor, but I think it's time Gargan veered off his "straight and narrow" path with the T-Bolts and tried to resolve that one, long oustanding grudge. In fact, that's the working the name of the first six issues, "The Grudge."
Weaving throughout the first six issues, though, is Eddie Brock, still suffering from cancer, and still really despondent about where his life's been taking him. Brock, as everyone knows, has a few grudges of his own that he wants to settle before his last days.
By the time the first story arc ends, Gargan and the symbiote have been separated, and Brock is nearing his end.
I'll be back.....
Sounds great, I love the focus on the Bugle. The only potential roadblock is the Thunderbolts editors, Molly Lazer and... Tom Brevoort.
If they don't (or can't, I don't know what Warren Ellis has planned) want to give up Gargan/Venom, your whole first five issues fall flat.
I like the Bugle aspect, and I think it's a good pitch. But if you want Byrne, he may only come on board if you go a different route.
Lesson for the day... always have a backup in mind. Story, creator, villain, whatever...
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