Ask Slott...

[killerbass]

Dan--

What are your thoughts on the Ultimate Universe? Have you ever pitched an idea for an Ultimate book?

--Tom

[Elijya]

Dan - how many games do you own?

[Bearpod91]

Dan, who do you think is the best artist right now in marvel? And which one would you want to work with that you haven't already.

[Edward J. Cunningham]

We already know that John Jameson is going to "wolf out" on the altar, and the conclusion to the Two-Gun Kid story strongly implies John will be permanently stuck in lupine form. I am wondering if he and the missus will have to make a trip to the Other Realm where John is not the feral Man-Wolf but the intelligent Stargod. Arthur Zix briefly made a reference to John's Stargod past a few issues ago, and I suspect this may have been foreshadowing. Can we expect to see any of this in the future?

Thanks a lot!

Eddie

[Dingo]

I have a question that I have wondered about for a while...

Why She-Hulk?

Did you pitch for it?
If so, why?
Were you assigned it?
If so, why?
What attracted you to the character?

Dingo,
1. Always wanted to do a She-Hulk book.
2. I pitched it. Because... I always wanted to do a She-Hulk book. :)
3. No.
4. Wasn't.
5. Mainly how Roger Stern used her in THE AVENGERS, then Byrne's take in FANTASTIC FOUR. I liked the characters sass and sense of humor.

OOPS! I hit the EDIT button instead of the QUOTE button! Ah! Lookitme and my strange Mod-like powers!
Ah well... Guess that's what I get for typing so early on a Saturday morning...
ttyl
Dan

[Dan Slott]

Dan--

What are your thoughts on the Ultimate Universe? Have you ever pitched an idea for an Ultimate book?

--Tom

I am a HUGE fan of the Ultimate U., with my favorites being ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN and THE ULTIMATES. I like how it's a funhouse mirror version of the Marvel U. where writers and artists are allowed to take bend, squash, pull, and play with all the characters and their histories-- like playing a "jazz rift" on whatever concepts they'd like.

Currently I have no plans/designs to pitch an Ultimate project. I'm a pretty slow and meticulous writer and two books a month is my limit (plus a one-shot or special on the side every now and then). That being the case, I'd rather play in the mainstream Marvel sandbox-- because that gives me more freedom to (secretly) tie all my projects together.

There is something I've been thinking about that would make for a silly Ultimate one-shot... But I don't know if I could get away with it. It's very silly.

Thanks for the question, Tom!

[Dan Slott]

Dan - how many games do you own?

Too d@mn many. Games might be hard to calculate. Probably easier to figure out systems...

Systems I've Given Away:
Odyssey, NES (with a zillion cartridges and probably every darn controller-- from the U-Force to the Powerglove), Turbo Grafix 16, and all the add-ons for my Sega Genesis (Sega CD, 32X, and Japanese Game Converter).

The Systems That're Still @ My Parents' House:
Sega Genesis (and way too many cartridges to count) and the Original Gameboy.

Everything That's Here:
Turbo Grafix Express, Gameboy Advance, Playstation One (with Japanese Mod chip), Sega Saturn (with Japanese Mod chip), Nintendo 64 (with Japanese Game Converter), Sega Dreamcast (with Japanese Converter Disc), Playstation 2, and X-Box.

(Whew!)

But here's the deal...

Most of it is either in the closet or hasn't been touched in a couple of years. Mainly because there's just too much work to do-- and those evil, evil, evil machines suck up too much time.

Recently, I got the first Katamari game (around my birthday). So I dusted off my ol' PS2 and, yes, played it for a few days. And then... bam... back into the closet.

The only system I currently have out right now is the X-Box. And between all of my work, a loving girlfriend, my CNN habit, and the occasional show (gotta watch my LOST, DOCTOR WHO, VENTURE BROS., MY NAME IS EARL, and this and that), I don't really have the time for games at all.

The most I play is a track or two of BURNOUT: THE REVENGE or 10 minutes or so of Midway Arcade's Greatist Hits (usually ROBOTRON or SINISTAR). Nothing that'd take over 20 minutes. And only one or two times a week.

*sniff*

I gotta say though...

I look at all the stuff that's coming up, and my thumbs start twitchin'...
I mean, BOY, does that SPORE game look COOL!

Anyway... As you can tell, I've got a baaaaad habit.

Thanks for making me face my demons, Elijya! :)

[Dan Slott]

Dan, who do you think is the best artist right now in marvel? And which one would you want to work with that you haven't already.

That's a toughie! I wouldn't want to leave anybody out... But the Hitch stuff on ULTIMATES is amazing! Always a HUGE fan of JR JR.! Wieringo is one of my faves! And, of course, all the guys I usually work with! :) (It's so hard to play favorites when you've worked with guys like Paul Pelletier, Andrea DiVito, Kieron Dwyer, Ty Templeton, Ryan Sook, and Juan Bobillo! And its SO much fun to be workin' with my ol' BATMAN ADVENTURES pal, Rick B!)

Guys I'd really like to work with? Man! That's even a harder question!
Well... On a dream level, Alan Davis and John Romita Sr.!
But, geez... Just to work with ANY of the guys listed above! And out of the guys who aren't currently at Marvel: George Perez, Walt Simonson, John Byrne, Dave Gibbons, and well... the list just goes on and on and on...

I think you can tell from some of the projects I've worked on (like the SHE-HULK #100 and GLX-MAS jam issues), that I've already got to work with some of my faves: Amanda Conner, Paul Grist, Ron Frenz, Eric Powell, Lee Weeks, Tom Grummett, and... well... just look at the credits box! I begged for every last one a' those guys! :)

Whew!

Well... Hope that answered your question Bearpod91!

[Dan Slott]

Eddie,
Not gonna reveal any future secrets, sir! That's what the comics are for. :)
ttyl
Dan

[Dingo]

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions Dan.

Even if it did take me a minute to find the response to mine. There was a good 30 seconds there where I thought you had answered everyone elses but not mine. I wondered if I had hit a nerve or something. ;)

Mod-like powers are both a blessing and a curse....use them wisely

[killerbass]

Thanks for the question, Tom!

Thanks for the answer Dan!

I have often thought that you would make a great replacement for Bendis, should he ever decide to leave Ultimate Spider-Man. (Of course you would have to fight Kirkman to the death, but that's a whole other issue...)

Dan Slott with Mark Brooks (or Andrea DiVito) on Ultimate Spider-Man -- now that would be my dream team!

--Tom

[Dingo]

(Of course you would have to fight Kirkman to the death, but that's a whole other issue...)


Issue? I would say you could stretch that to a six issue mini.

That is something I would pay to read.

Ultimate Kirkman vs Slott

Fight to the death! Winner takes all!!

[mrorangesoda]

Dan- What's your favorite comics ever?

[Dusty]

Hey, Dan

Who are you 5 favorite characters? (heroes, villians, or supporting cast members)

[Patrick King]

Dan-
Any chance on coming to Wizard World Texas (or any other Texas con... not that we have many)?

[Elijya]

*sniff*

I gotta say though...

I look at all the stuff that's coming up, and my thumbs start twitchin'...
I mean, BOY, does that SPORE game look COOL!

Anyway... As you can tell, I've got a baaaaad habit.

Thanks for making me face my demons, Elijya! :)
oh yes, I am staying far far away from Spore

[Elijya]

I am a HUGE fan of the Ultimate U., with my favorites being ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN and THE ULTIMATES. I like how it's a funhouse mirror version of the Marvel U. where writers and artists are allowed to take bend, squash, pull, and play with all the characters and their histories-- like playing a "jazz rift" on whatever concepts they'd like.

Currently I have no plans/designs to pitch an Ultimate project. I'm a pretty slow and meticulous writer and two books a month is my limit (plus a one-shot or special on the side every now and then). That being the case, I'd rather play in the mainstream Marvel sandbox-- because that gives me more freedom to (secretly) tie all my projects together.

There is something I've been thinking about that would make for a silly Ultimate one-shot... But I don't know if I could get away with it. It's very silly.

Thanks for the question, Tom!

hehe, and I know what it is, too :D

I'm dying to see you use that splash page joke someday, though

[Dan Slott]

Issue? I would say you could stretch that to a six issue mini.

That is something I would pay to read.

Ultimate Kirkman vs Slott

Fight to the death! Winner takes all!!

Kirkman would kick my @$$. He's a good head taller and has a couple of pounds on me. :)

[Elijya]

use your smallness to your advantage! you can run circles around him! Like a hobbit versus a cave troll!

[Dan Slott]

Dan- What's your favorite comics ever?

That is SO damn tough...

I do have a lot of favorite runs though...

Lee/Ditko and Lee/Romita AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (of course)

Lee/Kirby FANTASTIC FOUR

Byrne FANTASTIC FOUR, SHE-HULK, SUPERMAN, and so on... (As if you didn't already know, I'm a total Byrne-freak.)

Simonson THOR

Moench/Siekiewicz MOON KNIGHT

The Silver Age Arnold Drake books: DOOM PATROL and DEADMAN

O'Neil/Adams BATMAN and GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW

Claremont/Byrne UNCANNY X-MEN

David HULK, SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, X-FACTOR

Waid FLASH, CAPTAIN AMERICA, and FANTASTIC FOUR

Miller DAREDEVIL and DKR

Wagner MAGE

Edlund TICK

Morrison ANIMAL MAN, DOOM PATROL, and ZENITH

McCloud ZOT!

Moore GREEN LANTERN CORPS, SUPERMAN, SWAMP THING, CAPTAIN BRITAIN, WATCHMEN, D.R. & QUINCH... Hell... everything.

Busiek ASTRO CITY, UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN, THUNDERBOLTS, AVENGERS, etc.

Stern/Byrne/Perez AVENGERS

All the Gil Kane, Ross Andru, Paul Smith, and Dave Cockrum books!

Ooh! All the Rumiko Takahashi manga!

Damn... This is just TOO hard!

And it's always changing. Like if someone asked you: What's your favorite flavor of icecream? One day it's Coffee, the next day it's B&J's Chubby Hubby. Too hard to nail down.

This week?

I think I read SPIDER-BOY (from the DC/Marvel Amalgam books by Kesel & Wieringo) twice! If you'd have to ask me TODAY... I'd say that's my favorite book. ;)

But yesterday it was Stan Lee and Wally Woods' DAREDEVIL #7...

And the day before that it was Paul Dini and Bruce Timm's BATMAN: MAD LOVE...

...and so on. :)

[Dan Slott]

Hey, Dan

Who are you 5 favorite characters? (heroes, villians, or supporting cast members)

Marvel
Heroes: Spider-Man, Thing, Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and Captain America
Villains: Doctor Doom, Green Goblin, Sandman, Galactus, and Mojo
Supporting Cast: J. Jonah Jameson, Jarvis, Dum-Dum Dugan, Rick Jones, and Frenchy

DC
Heroes: Batman, Silver Age Doom Patrol (yes, I know that's a cheat because there's a bunch of 'em), Creeper, Deadman, and Superman
Villains: Joker, Two-Face, Lex Luthor, the Brotherhood of Evil (yes, I know that's a cheat AGAIN), and Professor Zoom
Supporting Cast: Alfred, Jimmy Olsen, Dick Grayson (yes, I know that's a cheat too), Commissioner Gordon, and Mr. Tawky Tawny

[Dan Slott]

Dan-
Any chance on coming to Wizard World Texas (or any other Texas con... not that we have many)?

Sorry. No plans for Texas. Due to budgetary reasons I usually stay up here on the east coast. Speaking of which...

I will be doing the Baltimore show in September.

[Miss Kitty Fantastico]

Come to think of it, I do have a question, albeit a ridiculously minute-detail-obsessed one: in vol.1 #2 Stu points out that any pre-2002 comic, bearing the Code seal, is a legal document. Which I love, by the way. But in vol.2 #1, Stu's life is saved by Single Green Female, which collects 2004 comics. So, assuming Stu didn't 'forget' to tell the senior partners about the Code lapse, so that he could continue to amass the world's most comprehensive comic collection on the company account, is there a post-Code agency authenticating comics in the Marvel Universe that makes post-2002 comics legally valid?

Edit: I just re-read that question, and couldn't help thinking of it in the voice of Frink, from the Xena episode of The Simpsons: "in Episode BF12, you were battling barbarians while riding a winged appaloosa yet in the very next scene my dear, you're clearly atop a winged Arabian! Please do explain it!"

So it follows the answer could well be "Dr Strange did it"...

[Dan Slott]

hehe, and I know what it is, too :D

I'm dying to see you use that splash page joke someday, though

Shhhh!

(Showoff.)

;)

[Dan Slott]

Come to think of it, I do have a question, albeit a ridiculously minute-detail-obsessed one: in vol.1 #2 Stu points out that any pre-2002 comic, bearing the Code seal, is a legal document. Which I love, by the way. But in vol.2 #1, Stu's life is saved by Single Green Female, which collects 2004 comics. So, assuming Stu didn't 'forget' to tell the senior partners about the Code lapse, so that he could continue to amass the world's most comprehensive comic collection on the company account, is there a post-Code agency authenticating comics in the Marvel Universe that makes post-2002 comics legally valid?

We have an out for that. It's actually kinda funny. The problem is... It's such a bit of minutia, chances are it's the kind of scene that'd get cut to make space if an issue were running tight.

There's a whole page dedicated to a bit of Stu Cicero/comic book minutia in SHE-HULK #10. And just watch how much THAT will iritate readers! Really! I can pretty much predict all the gripes and set my watch to when they'll appear online (the Weds. it comes out-- and just about the time it'll take the first fan to get home from the comic shop, log on, type, and hit the enter key.) :)

[Dan Slott]

Dan, I have several questions, if you may be kind enough to answer:

1- Which Marvel female character who doesn't already have a solo book out or in the works, and whose name isn't Squirrel Girl, do you think has potential to sustain a book, whether it's a mini or an ongoing?

2- besides pitching ideas yourself, does Marvel ever ask you "would you like to work on this, or that..."?

3-In spite of our past differences, it goes without saying that an appearance of Spider-Woman in She-hulk would absolutely make me buy the issue...any plans for a full-on team-up?
Seriously, I would die to see Jessica and Jennifer team up in an adventure, and every time they appear together (HOM, She-hulk Season 2 issue 1, Thing # 8 ), they barely interact at all.

Do you think there's a chance that Jessica would fight alongside Jennifer in the pages of She-hulk?? Please? :sad: :mrgreen:

1. Yes. Squirrel Woman.
.
.
.
j/k. Hmm... Let's see... I guess I'd have to go with Black Cat (though she's going to be a featured player in the new HFH book). Other than Felicia? I've always liked the (original) Black Widow, Tigra, and Mantis.

Years ago I thought I had a REALLY good 2099-take on the Valkyrie. In the (original) 2099 future, the Church of Thor was one of the most prevalent religeons. And I thought what if a righteous "Nun" went on a sort of holy crusade against criminals with a futuristic sword? Sort of a Warrior-Nun from the Church of Thor. A really Deathwish/Punisher kind of character-- set in a future world. When I pitched the idea to then 2099 editor, Joey Cavalieri, he was less than enthused... :( (Still think it would've been cool...)

2. Yes. That's how THING came about.

3. Yes. Though not for a while though. (At the editorial retreat I bounced the germ of the idea past Bendis to make sure it was okay... because it really needs a certain character from the SPIDER-WOMAN stable to work.) And, keep in mind, plans are ALWAYS subject to change. (And with the way it would PROBABLY work-- it would be more of a (physical-and-NOT-legal) fight between Jennifer and Jessica.)

[Elijya]

Almighty Slott - what is the meaning of life?

[Dan Slott]

Almighty Slott - what is the meaning of life?

Drive safe, but enjoy the ride. And always stay close to the guy who has the car keys.

[Elijya]

Drive safe, but enjoy the ride. And always stay close to the guy who has the car keys.

clearly, that's you ;)

[Elijya]

Shhhh!

(Showoff.)

;)
hey, I haven't let you down yet :cool:

[Dingo]

I have another question, but feel free to ignore this one.

It has been often mentioned by Tom Brevoort that you can be a little late getting in your scripts, and often mentioned by you that you are a little OCD with said scripts and con only handle 2 and a bit books per month.

Now, we have She-Hulk and an as yet un-hinted at "break-out" title.

If the Thing TPB sales are through the roof, and it gets re-instated as a title, what are you going to do when you have three titles to write?

(My personal hope is making 2 titles bi-monthly)

[tom daylight]

I have another question, but feel free to ignore this one.

It has been often mentioned by Tom Brevoort that you can be a little late getting in your scripts, and often mentioned by you that you are a little OCD with said scripts and con only handle 2 and a bit books per month.

Now, we have She-Hulk and an as yet un-hinted at "break-out" title.

If the Thing TPB sales are through the roof, and it gets re-instated as a title, what are you going to do when you have three titles to write?

(My personal hope is making 2 titles bi-monthly)

My hope is that Marvel will do the sensible thing and clone him.

Hey, it was good enough for Spider-Man!

[DJW]

longtime reader, first-time poster yadda yadda yadda,

first of all Dan, keep up the good work, Ever since I randomly picked up an issue of She-Hulk I've been hooked on your stuff,

now that the arse kissing is over, here comes my questions,

First of all, what was it that made you choose Squirrel Girl for the GLA/X/D/C/W (The W is for Whatever) because she has quickly made it to the top 5 of my favorite Marvel...scratch that, favourite comic characters in general, and I was wondering why you chose to bring her back from obscurity in such a way

Secondly, if you could give any other rarely used character the Squirrel Girl treatment, who would it be?

[John Drake]

Dan, quick question:

Hardest character to write? Oh, and the one you least relate to..as in, you wouldn't be very interested in writing him or her?

[Ed Brubaker]

Dan -- Quick Question -- which is your favorite Brubaker book?

;)

[Dan Slott]

I have another question, but feel free to ignore this one.

It has been often mentioned by Tom Brevoort that you can be a little late getting in your scripts, and often mentioned by you that you are a little OCD with said scripts and con only handle 2 and a bit books per month.

Now, we have She-Hulk and an as yet un-hinted at "break-out" title.

If the Thing TPB sales are through the roof, and it gets re-instated as a title, what are you going to do when you have three titles to write?

I have NO idea! :)

That said, if THING got a new lease on life, I've got the next issues so meticulously mapped out-- it wouldn't be a problem for half a year. (Knock wood).

Also... I'm kinda hoping that something will pop into gear and I'll finally step up to the challenge. A BIG part of my problem as a writer is "when to let go." If no one cracked the whip, I think I'd keep polishing and polishing and polishing... Or ripping up and restarting. Take your pick.

[Dan Slott]

As an off-shhot (sorta) of Dingo's question...How do you write?

Usually in frantic bursts. And then long tedious bouts of re-working. The most fun (for me) is the plotting stage. The most gut-wrenching is the scripting part.

Meaning...do you have a set amount of hours a day that you use exclusively to write, and are they always the same?

It changes with the demands of the individual story. Usually 6 to 8 pages a day (when I'm on a good clip). And it's done when it's done.

Do you read a lot of back issues, and if you do, is your apt/house a mess of tons of comics all over?

Yes. I will read and re-read relevant back issues while I'm working on an issue. (If you haven't guessed yet, continuity is important to me.) Even if it's a detail that doesn't make it into the final plot or script-- it's important that I know that it works.

And yeah. My apartment is covered in comics. Every now and then my girlfriend will make some comment about how they're "growing"... or that it's out of control.

Again, thans a lot for taking the time to answer our questionsn...I betcha that at some point you will be so busy you will only be able to do this like bendis does, on a once-every-two-months basis or so...

Yup. Today's my last day for this stuff. I'm pretty much taking small breaks while I'm working on some upcoming SHE-HULK plots. But I really gotta hunker down and wrap these up now. Thanks to everybody for sending in these Q's! It's been fun!

[Dan Slott]

First of all, what was it that made you choose Squirrel Girl for the GLA/X/D/C/W (The W is for Whatever) because she has quickly made it to the top 5 of my favorite Marvel...scratch that, favourite comic characters in general, and I was wondering why you chose to bring her back from obscurity in such a way

I have NO idea. She's just somebody that I've always been fond of. And, more often than not, she was the butt of some pretty unfair jokes from fans and pros alike. And I'd always think-- Hey! This is a DITKO character AND we've seen her defeat DOCTOR DOOM for cryin' outloud! :) (BTW, I really like GLW. That's a great idea!)

Secondly, if you could give any other rarely used character the Squirrel Girl treatment, who would it be?

If there are... I'll get around to 'em eventually, right? :)

Gotta say though, if I was over at DC... I've always had a soft-spot for ULTRA: The Multi-Alien...

[Edward J. Cunningham]

And yeah. My apartment is covered in comics. Every now and then my girlfriend will make some comment about how they're "growing"... or that it's out of control.

I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is that your comic book collection isn't really growing. The bad news is that it's "hulking out." :)

[Dan Slott]

Dan, quick question:

Hardest character to write? Oh, and the one you least relate to..as in, you wouldn't be very interested in writing him or her?

At Marvel, I always thought that character would be THOR. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the character-- own every single Walt Simonson issue. But the thought of writing him-- all that Asgardian syntax and testosterone? So not me. (Oddly enough though, I get a real kick out of writing Hercules-- because he's so darn pompous, goofy, and (more likely than not) drunk. And that's fun.)

I mean, I could probably get away with writing THOR in a team book. But solo? I dunno. Kinda scares me.

That said, we're gonna be using THOR in SHE-HULK #14. And for one issue, that should be cool.

Over at DC, I would NEVER want to write the ATOM or ADAM STRANGE. Those guys scare the cr@p outta me. Why? Because to tell a GOOD Atom or Adam Strange story, you really have to know your SCIENCE. And I'm talking REAL science-- Earth Science, Chemistry, Bio, Physics, Quantum Mechanics... etc.

All good Atom & Adam Strange stories hinge on some cool scientific fact that gets turned on its head. And me? I'm an idiot. I couldn't even attempt to fake it. At Marvel, guys like Reed Richards and Hank Pym use FAKE science. You want me to explain how time travel works? Or how Negative Zone particles react when trapped in an adamantium container? Or when bombarded by Cosmic Rays? Yeah. I can BS my way out of that.
But if Ray Palmer starts theorizing about muons and gluons... I'm screwed.

And besides, Gail is doing such an AMAZING job on the Atom, why would I wanna rock that boat? :)
(Luv ya Gail!)

[Matthew]

Dan,

Do you think comics will ever go completely paperless? Do you see a future where Digital Comics reign supreme? And if so, will their popularity rise or fall with this change? Wouldn't reading comics be less fun if you can't hold the book in your hand?

This topic always seems to come up and I would love to hear your insight on this topic. Thanks!

[Dan Slott]

Dan -- Quick Question -- which is your favorite Brubaker book?

;)

Well... I woulda' said CATWOMAN-- but you left goshdarnit! (Heck, I used to foist those onto Brevoort sayin' "Read this! Read this!" I should get a commission I tells ya! If you think I'm kidding, just ask him!)

Right now? I'd almost say Cap... But DD has inched it out by the tiniest of skoshes. (You do know those are the first Marvel books outta my stack, right?)

And I've been giving UNCANNY a shot-- mainly 'cause Alex is one of my favorite X-guys. But right now? DD, then Cap.

[Dan Slott]

Dan,

Do you think comics will ever go completely paperless? Do you see a future where Digital Comics reign supreme? And if so, will their popularity rise or fall with this change? Wouldn't reading comics be less fun if you can't hold the book in your hand?

This topic always seems to come up and I would love to hear your insight on this topic. Thanks!

Nope! And I think the minute you start adding bells and whistles to 'em (like sound and limited animation), they're no longer comics. They're half-@$$ed cartoons. And I can already see REAL cartoons online. :)

Comics are comics because you CAN hold 'em in your hand. And take 'em to the park. Or read 'em under the covers. Or what have you. And that's never going away. Thanks for asking!

[Dan Slott]

Thanks for the input, everybody!
But, like I said earlier in the thread, I've REALLY gotta get back to work!
Maybe we can do another of these in August?
ttyl
Dan

[Matthew]

Thanks for the time, Dan.

Now get back to work! *cracks whip*

[Edward J. Cunningham]

Sorry. No plans for Texas. Due to budgetary reasons I usually stay up here on the east coast. Speaking of which...

I will be doing the Baltimore show in September.

HALLELUJAH!!!!

[Elijya]

Baltimore, really? sweetness

[Edward J. Cunningham]

One more thing, Dan...

I know you've got these books plotted way, way WAY in advance, so if you wanted to actually do something a fan suggested, it would probably have to come after The Reckoning War storyline. Still, I might as well give it my best shot. Tom Burgos isn't the only one who would love to see Ultima return to fight Jennifer---in the courts and on the streets! Now that everyone knows Jennifer Walters is the She-Hulk, Jen could possibly be liable for the She-Hulk's actions in Savage She-Hulk #10. Even if she isn't, I'd like to see her anyway.

If the answer is no...I'm not worried. That's why there's fan-fiction!

Eddie Cunningham

[Ed Brubaker]

I was just kidding, remember the podcast?

But yeah, the 'check' is in the mail. You take Muggle money, right?

[Elijya]

He doesn't sully himself with your filthy Mudblood money, Edward :mad:

[Dreg]

Any chance of seeing She-Hulk's perspective on her dealings with Speedball in Civil War?

Slapstick...you know some writer's gonna snatch him up if you don't. Ellis, Brubaker, Millar, Bendis...you should really do a mini before they beat you to it. Maybe bring back Overkill?

[BMK!]

Hey, Dan...

I would like to ask you what do YOU feel are the most important aspects to focus on when developing a pitch? What works best for you? What part of the (written) pitch does an editor respond to best? I want to present my potential mini-series project idea in the best light possible to the editor and not waste his/her time.

Thanks!

BMK!

[Dingo]

Here is a question I am sure we all would like to know:

What on earth is going on with the artists on She-Hulk?
Will we see stability or should we just accept that it changes often?

[Heart0foak0889]

Blast! Double post!

[Heart0foak0889]

Hey Dan,

I just wanted to introduce myslef to the fourms. I have been reading these fourms for awhile, but never really participated. Great Atmosphere -- lemme tell ya! Foremost, your books are so very refreshing, but blah blah blah my friend and I gave you the schpiel (He did all the talking) at Wizard World Philly (Where I won a John Romita Sr. sketch in a trivia contest you hosted) during the Marvel Panel back in June.

Anyhoot, anyone who has read your books knows your extensive knowledge of the 616 and other Universes as well (Dan Slott the Beyonder!).

A segway to my question:
I'm looking to do a comic for the school newspaper here at college and I was brainstorming today. I came to the idea of a Supermanesque superhero who can fly and whatnot, but refuses because he is deathly afraid of heights and usally walks, runs, cycles, etc. to the location of the crime. The superhero would be attending the University and will have a friend who will usually be the comic relief in sort of deadpan manner usually pointing out the irony of the situation. I just thought for a weekly strip that it would be a fun serial to play around with.
(Now comes the actual question) Has this been done before? The idea came so easily and sometimes it's hard to determine sometimes weather it was my idea or I am subconciously regergetating an idea I've seen before. I guess it is similar to the Quinjetta of the GLA, but not similar enough in the sense that I wouldn't be stealing any ideas from you.

Anyone can answer my question, really. It's not a personal question for Dan and if anybody has any information or advice I'm open ears (..or in this case eyes.).

Thanks Everybody.

[Dingo]

Just read Brevoorts blog.

Bizzarnage?

Awesome! :D I am going to have to track that down now.

[Dan Slott]

Just read Brevoorts blog.

Bizzarnage?

Awesome! :D I am going to have to track that down now.

Yup. I threw that one to Brevoort over a lunch. We were talking about the Amalgam conceptm, the "smooshing" of Marvel and DC characters, and how one of the books he'd be over-seeing was Spider-Boy.
And I tossed out Bizarrnage. (Bizzaro+Carnage) The flaky, white symbiote that says, "Me want to eat your brain!"
When he told it to Kesel, he liked it too.

I also got to help Ty Templeton come up with most of the Wolverine+Batman villains in the DarkClaw Adventures comic. (Look close and you'll see that they even gave me a 'tip of the hat' in the credit box).
My favorite in that batch was R'As Al-pocalypse. ;)

I LOVED the concept of Amalgam-- and was SO jealous that I couldn't take part in it. When they did the second round of Amalgam I pitched and pitched like a madman-- but was told by my DC editors that I just didn't have a high enough profile to merit a book. The character I REALLY wanted to do was Novastorm: The Nuclear Rocket-- Richard Ryder fused with Professor Stein. I had all of these characters I wanted to show up-- with my favorite being Jonah Hawk: The Two-Gun Hex, the time-travelling cowboy. (See? Somethings never change.)

I can't recommend SPIDER-BOY enough! Wieringo really knocked it out of the park! And NO ONE got the Amalgam concept better than Kesel! (In some of his other Amalgam books he created some of the BEST Amalgams, including: Dial H for H.U.S.K. (Dial H + Husk), Mary Marvel Girl (Mary Marvel + Jean Grey), and Dead-Devil (Deadman + Daredevil): the Man without Life! (That STILL cracks me up!)

It's years and years later and SPIDER-BOY is still one of the BEST single issues to come out of Tom Brevoort's office. And that's NOT putting down the work that followed-- it's just that SPIDER-BOY is THAT good! It really IS one of the most re-read comics that I own-- up there with:

D.R. & QUINCH (Alan Moore and Alan Davis)
FLASH #79 (Mark Waid and Greg LaRoque)
BATMAN: MAD LOVE (Paul Dini and Bruce Timm)
WATCHMEN (Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons)
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF INDIANA JONES (John Byrne)
FANTASTIC FOUR #258 (John Byrne)
DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (Frank Miller)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #39 & #40 (Stan Lee and John Romita Sr.)
MOON KNIGHT #25 (Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz)
NEW MUTANTS SPECIAL EDITION #1 & X-MEN ANNUAL #9 (Chris Claremont and Art Adams)
THOR #351, #352, and #353 (Walt Simonson)



SPIDER-BOY #1 (Karl Kesel and Mike Wieringo) is just that good!
And, like everything else in the re-read stack, it just gets better evey time you give it reat through.

For me, it's just THAT good! :)

[ClintP]

Yup. I threw that one to Brevoort over a lunch. We were talking about the Amalgam conceptm, the "smooshing" of Marvel and DC characters, and how one of the books he'd be over-seeing was Spider-Boy.
And I tossed out Bizarrnage. (Bizzaro+Carnage) The flaky, white symbiote that says, "Me want to eat your brain!"
When he told it to Kesel, he liked it too.

I also got to help Ty Templeton come up with most of the Wolverine+Batman villains in the DarkClaw Adventures comic. (Look close and you'll see that they even gave me a 'tip of the hat' in the credit box).
My favorite in that batch was R'As Al-pocalypse. ;)

I LOVED the concept of Amalgam-- and was SO jealous that I couldn't take part in it. When they did the second round of Amalgam I pitched and pitched like a madman-- but was told by my DC editors that I just didn't have a high enough profile to merit a book. The character I REALLY wanted to do was Novastorm: The Nuclear Rocket-- Richard Ryder fused with Professor Stein. I had all of these characters I wanted to show up-- with my favorite being Jonah Hawk: The Two-Gun Hex, the time-travelling cowboy. (See? Somethings never change.)

I can't recommend SPIDER-BOY enough! Wieringo really knocked it out of the park! And NO ONE got the Amalgam concept better than Kesel! (In some of his other Amalgam books he created some of the BEST Amalgams, including: Dial H for H.U.S.K. (Dial H + Husk), Mary Marvel Girl (Mary Marvel + Jean Grey), and Dead-Devil (Deadman + Daredevil): the Man without Life! (That STILL cracks me up!)

It's years and years later and SPIDER-BOY is still one of the BEST single issues to come out of Tom Brevoort's office. And that's NOT putting down the work that followed-- it's just that SPIDER-BOY is THAT good! It really IS one of the most re-read comics that I own-- up there with:

D.R. & QUINCH (Alan Moore and Alan Davis)
FLASH #79 (Mark Waid and Greg LaRoque)
BATMAN: MAD LOVE (Paul Dini and Bruce Timm)
WATCHMEN (Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons)
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF INDIANA JONES (John Byrne)
FANTASTIC FOUR #258 (John Byrne)
DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (Frank Miller)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #39 & #40 (Stan Lee and John Romita Sr.)
MOON KNIGHT #25 (Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz)
NEW MUTANTS SPECIAL EDITION #1 & X-MEN ANNUAL #9 (Chris Claremont and Art Adams)
THOR #351, #352, and #353 (Walt Simonson)



SPIDER-BOY #1 (Karl Kesel and Mike Wieringo) is just that good!
And, like everything else in the re-read stack, it just gets better evey time you give it reat through.

For me, it's just THAT good! :)
Cool. I have both of those Spider-boy comics from that experiment. I enjoyed them as a kid but haven't read them since. I also am a big fan of Raiders of the Lost Ark. I grew up watching that and Big Trouble in Little China almost every damn day. I wore those out as a kid. To this day I still love Kurt Russell and Harrison Ford. I used to pretedn to be Indy and Jack Burton as a kid. Ah, the memories.

Did you play that game on SNES called Stunt Race FX, I think it was called? It used the starfox engine at the time and kicked ass!

[Dingo]

I also got to help Ty Templeton come up with most of the Wolverine+Batman villains in the DarkClaw Adventures comic. (Look close and you'll see that they even gave me a 'tip of the hat' in the credit box).
My favorite in that batch was R'As Al-pocalypse. ;)


I just found the Spider-boy one (I am about to open a store and it was 'filed' under marvel rather than other, give me a break). It looks like there may even be a 'tip of the hat' in that one too. The first sound effect on the first page is 'Splot'.

Or am I just reading too much into that?

Anyhow, I don't think I have ever read a comic with as many densly packed references and fan nods.

[killerbass]

Dan--

I know you can't answer specific questions about your new comic that's coming out next year, but I have some anyway... :-)

(For those of you who don't know, Dan has a new comic coming out at the end of the year. He can't tell us much about it, because it would give away the ending of Civil War. We do know that it's a dark comic (ala Arkham Assylum) and the Joe Quesada thinks it will be Dan's big breakout title.)

I read in your Bendis interview that there's an artist involved. Are you allowed to tell us who? (Probably not...)

What are you doing to prepare? Are you writing plots? Are you reading back issues? Are you checking with Millar to make sure the ending of Civil War hasn't changed, so that it won't affect your comic?

Are you trying to knock out as many She-Hulk comics as possible now, so that you can throw yourself into the new book once you get a little bit closer?

One last dumb question before I go, in the Bendis interview you talked about writing inventories. In the comic world, what's an inventory?

Thanks,
Tom

[Dingo]

One last dumb question before I go, in the Bendis interview you talked about writing inventories. In the comic world, what's an inventory?


I think I can cover that one, and if I'm wrong then Dan can correct me.

It is a story that is written without a specific issue in mind, so it can be used if an issue was late. This was before being late was OK. Or it could be a backup story, again without a specific issue in mind.

I know FF continuity best, so I will give some FF examples.

342, 351, 355 are all probably inventory stories, or fill in issues.

EDIT: Also to add a question, do you know when you will be able to answer questions about the new title. Presumably it can't be solicited until Civil War ends, but when can you answer artist and other non-spoiler questions?

[bennymatthewtaylor]

FF 351 was a pile of ass. because we're gods, lets shave their personalites and see if the FF can still save the day? OOO! Look they have redundant dimensions to their characters! Woop!

Haven't read it in a decade and I'm still pissed about the inturruption distracting me for the epic cross time deul between Doom and Richards.

[Dingo]

FF 351 was a pile of ass. because we're gods, lets shave their personalites and see if the FF can still save the day? OOO! Look they have redundant dimensions to their characters! Woop!

Haven't read it in a decade and I'm still pissed about the inturruption distracting me for the epic cross time deul between Doom and Richards.

Whereas 355 was quite good, even if it did require that Simonson rushed Ben from pineapple Thing to rocky Thing.

Just cause it is fill in doesn't mean it is bad.

I am willing to admit that I may be biased towards 355 though what with it being my first comic ever.

[tom daylight]

The inventory issue is just an issue that's commissioned, put into a drawer and pulled out the minute it's needed.

There's an issue in the middle of the original Phoenix/Shi'Ar storyline of Uncanny X-Men that is blatantly an inventory story - it completely interrupts the whole storyline with a very weak flashback story about Xavier having a dark side (it had to be a flashback because the X-Men just went to the Shi'Ar home planet at the end of last issue). Really you're better off skipping from the previous issue to the next one.

What I couldn't believe was when I saw that they incorporated it into the 1990s X-Men cartoon at about the same point in the story, and it was still completely irrelevant to everything else... talk about nostalgia, eh?

Marvel doesn't really do fill-ins like that any more; if a book's running late then it just comes out late. I presume that commissioning inventories is considered wasteful. The last one I'm aware of is what wound up being published as Ultimate Spider-Man #28, except Keron Grant was originally supposed to be artist (they wound up just publishing it because Mark Bagley's schedule changed so he was doing just USM and nothing else).

[Dingo]

The inventory issue is just an issue that's commissioned, put into a drawer and pulled out the minute it's needed.

There's an issue in the middle of the original Phoenix/Shi'Ar storyline of Uncanny X-Men that is blatantly an inventory story - it completely interrupts the whole storyline with a very weak flashback story about Xavier having a dark side (it had to be a flashback because the X-Men just went to the Shi'Ar home planet at the end of last issue). Really you're better off skipping from the previous issue to the next one.

What I couldn't believe was when I saw that they incorporated it into the 1990s X-Men cartoon at about the same point in the story, and it was still completely irrelevant to everything else... talk about nostalgia, eh?

Thats hilarious! :D

Marvel doesn't really do fill-ins like that any more; if a book's running late then it just comes out late. I presume that commissioning inventories is considered wasteful. The last one I'm aware of is what wound up being published as Ultimate Spider-Man #28, except Keron Grant was originally supposed to be artist (they wound up just publishing it because Mark Bagley's schedule changed so he was doing just USM and nothing else).
I didn't think that was an inventory issue. It was the regular creative team. Sure it was a stand alone by Bendis and thus worth a lot for rarity value but that doesn't make it a fill in.

[tom daylight]

It was originally an inventory issue to be drawn by Keron Grant... that's why the continuity doesn't fit perfectly with the previous and next issue.

Don't confuse inventory stories with fill-ins: an inventory story is bought with the intent for it to be used to plug a gap later down the line - there's nothing stopping them being published for their own sake, as is the case here.

[Dingo]

It was originally an inventory issue to be drawn by Keron Grant... that's why the continuity doesn't fit perfectly with the previous and next issue.

Don't confuse inventory stories with fill-ins: an inventory story is bought with the intent for it to be used to plug a gap later down the line - there's nothing stopping them being published for their own sake, as is the case here.

Can I ask you to point out the continuity discrepancies? I can't notice any.

[Soda]

it's just that SPIDER-BOY is THAT good!

Yep. It was. I also really liked the second issue by Ladronn. My favorite was "Generation Hex" by Milligan/Pollina.

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF INDIANA JONES (John Byrne)

Ahh, a man with taste. :)
LOVED them (even though I only have read the butchered German pocket book editions so far).

NEW MUTANTS SPECIAL EDITION #1 & X-MEN ANNUAL #9 (Chris Claremont and Art Adams)

Are they as good as "Mojo Mayhem" (I have both but they are on my to-read pile next to Darkhawk, Sleepwalker, nearly all of AWC and Spidey 2099 and hundreds of other comics)?

[tom daylight]

Can I ask you to point out the continuity discrepancies? I can't notice any.

It was just things like, MJ being keen on Spidey going after R.H.I.N.O. after what happened with Osborn (Peter says she's gone off Spider-Man in the next issue). Something with Gwen as well... it was a long time ago, man!

[SeaGhostBliss]

Hey Dan!

Big fan here, I have a question regarding the inmates featured in "Arkham Asylum: Living Hell". I did some searching, and from what I've seen, this hasn't been asked yet (at least on this forum).

Each character is so well defined and convincingly portrayed, that they seem natural and that they could have been around forever.

The thing is with a few of them, I'm unsure if they've been established previously or not. (aside from the obvious ones, of course, Joker, Two Face, Hatter, Scarecrow, Ivy, croc etc.) Even my good friend (who is a Huge DC nut) isn't entirely sure about a few of them.

Ones we're (pretty) sure of (but correct us if we're wrong): Lunkhead, junkyard Dog, Death Rattle, Doodlebug

Ones we're on the fence about: Magpie? Jane Doe? Humpty? (my DC friend has a vague recollection that he's been around before, but I doubt it)

Thanks!

[Dan Slott]

Hey Dan!

Big fan here, I have a question regarding the inmates featured in "Arkham Asylum: Living Hell". I did some searching, and from what I've seen, this hasn't been asked yet (at least on this forum).

Each character is so well defined and convincingly portrayed, that they seem natural and that they could have been around forever.

The thing is with a few of them, I'm unsure if they've been established previously or not. (aside from the obvious ones, of course, Joker, Two Face, Hatter, Scarecrow, Ivy, croc etc.) Even my good friend (who is a Huge DC nut) isn't entirely sure about a few of them.

Ones we're (pretty) sure of (but correct us if we're wrong): Lunkhead, junkyard Dog, Death Rattle, Doodlebug

Ones we're on the fence about: Magpie? Jane Doe? Humpty? (my DC friend has a vague recollection that he's been around before, but I doubt it)

Thanks!

Out of the guys you asked...

These characters were created for the mini:
Lunkhead, Junkyard Dog, Death Rattle, Doodlebug, Jane Doe, and Humpty.

Magpie was created by John Byrne. She first appeared in Byrne's MAN OF STEEL mini-series-- the one he did before taking over/relaunching all the Superman titles way back when. And I've ALWAYS thought she was nifty!

[SeaGhostBliss]

Out of the guys you asked...

These characters were created for the mini:
Lunkhead, Junkyard Dog, Death Rattle, Doodlebug, Jane Doe, and Humpty.


Thanks for the clarification, Dan!

Heh, this is going to drive my friend nuts. He swears he's read a story with Humpty before but can't remember in what. I wonder if he's mustering up memories of some other villain.


Magpie was created by John Byrne. She first appeared in Byrne's MAN OF STEEL mini-series-- the one he did before taking over/relaunching all the Superman titles way back when. And I've ALWAYS thought she was nifty!

She seems right at home in Arkham. I mean that in the good way.

Thanks again for the clarification!

(BTW, loved the bit with Nygma.)

[Dingo]

So Dan, can you tell us anything about your top-secret, ultra hush-hush, new post-civil war title yet.

Pleeeeaaaaasssseeee?

Even a very cryptic hint would be welcome.

Also, you should think up a cool viral internet marketing tool like the civil war banners to help promote this book. Or if you are too busy, you could tell me all the details of the new book and I will come up with one for you. ;)

[Dingo]

Some TPB questions for Dan, if you know.

How is the Thing TPB going?

Is there any plans for another printing of the SM/HT digest?
If it sold out surely that would be a candidate for reprint of turning into a TPB.

[Crimson]

Dan your a gamer, where you ever a fan of the old PC click and play games?
Maniac Manson, Day of the Tentacle, Sam and Max, Monkey Island etc?

Those types of games seem right up your alley. I used to play those all the time when I was younger, I miss those type of games.

[tom daylight]

I just played the Monkey Island games for the first time in over a decade, a couple of weeks ago... they really don't hold up.

[Crimson]

I just played the Monkey Island games for the first time in over a decade, a couple of weeks ago... they really don't hold up.

Heh.

I still loving playing those games. They made me fall in love with computer games... Broken Sword 1 and 2 were cool. Not in the same vein as Monkey Island, DOTT or Sam and Max but they were amazing adventure. Took ages to complete (or a fortune spent on the cheatlines for my brother).

[Patrick King]

I just played the Monkey Island games for the first time in over a decade, a couple of weeks ago... they really don't hold up.
Says you. I played Monkey Island 1 and 2 last spring for the first time, and replay Sam & Max, DOTT, and Indy Atlantis from time to time and they're still timeless classics in my mind.

[tom daylight]

Maybe they just didn't hold up to my too-high expectations :)

[Dan Slott]

Is there any plans for another printing of the SM/HT digest?
If it sold out surely that would be a candidate for reprint of turning into a TPB.

Well, according to amazon.com, it's now out of stock and unavailable...
http://www.amazon.com/Spider-Man-Human-Torch-Im-Stupid/dp/0785117237/ref=sr_1_1/102-6017309-0184943?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182801482&sr=1-1

But you never know... Maybe if some fans started writing some (politely worded) letters...

:)

[Edward J. Cunningham]

Dear Dan:

We already know that She-Hulk will make occasional appearances in The Avengers: The Initiative. Once "The Reckoning War" storyline kicks in, will those appearances (at least through the story arc) become more regular? Thanks!

Eddie

[Spidey616]

Thanks for the input, everybody!
But, like I said earlier in the thread, I've REALLY gotta get back to work!
Maybe we can do another of these in August?
ttyl
Dan

understandably, Dan's had a lot on his plate the past 2 months, and now that August has arrived, I hope we can restart this Q&A thread once he fully returns.

Here we go:
1) Hey Dan, you've said that you originally wanted to include Arnim Zola and US Agent as characters in A:TI but because they were already being used, you had to substitute them with Baron Von Blitzschlag and Gauntlet respectively. Any other Marvel character you had hoped to include?

2) When Gauntlet first appeared way back in She-Hulk #3/100 in that teeny tiny panel, did you always know you would bring him back into one of your books? And when you propsed A:TI did you see it as the perfect opportunity to bring him back?

3) Favorite Saturday morning cartoon? Cartoon in general?

4) Were you a fan of Ren&Stimpy before working on the comic, if so, favorite episode?

5) Last good film you saw this year?

that's all for now
ttyl and let's keep these questions rolling!

[tom daylight]

How do you prefer lettering: upper or mixed case? Do you think all-upper-case has a long-term future in comics?

[Dan Slott]

understandably, Dan's had a lot on his plate the past 2 months, and now that August has arrived, I hope we can restart this Q&A thread once he fully returns.

Here we go:
1) Hey Dan, you've said that you originally wanted to include Arnim Zola and US Agent as characters in A:TI but because they were already being used, you had to substitute them with Baron Von Blitzschlag and Gauntlet respectively. Any other Marvel character you had hoped to include?

2) When Gauntlet first appeared way back in She-Hulk #3/100 in that teeny tiny panel, did you always know you would bring him back into one of your books? And when you propsed A:TI did you see it as the perfect opportunity to bring him back?

3) Favorite Saturday morning cartoon? Cartoon in general?

4) Were you a fan of Ren&Stimpy before working on the comic, if so, favorite episode?

5) Last good film you saw this year?

that's all for now
ttyl and let's keep these questions rolling!

1) U.S. Agent. Totally wouda' snagged him as an Initiative D.I. if they hadn't grabbed him for Omega Flight. Heck, I probably would've used him INSTEAD of the Gauntlet.

2) Yes. And Yes.

3) Scooby Doo. Favorite cartoon in general? Either the Paul Dini/Bruce Timm Batman Adventures, or '67 Spider-Man.

4) Yes. But the only thing that had been released back then was the pilot, "Big House Blues"-- which I'd seen at an animation festival. We pretty much had a simultanious launch w/ the cartoon. My favorite episode was "Space Madness."

5) Too much work to do. Don't really get out much to see movies. Though me and the gal are going out to catch a flick this weekend so who knows? Maybe TRANSFORMERS, maybe LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD. (Saving SIMPSONS for the kids).

[Dan Slott]

How do you prefer lettering: upper or mixed case? Do you think all-upper-case has a long-term future in comics?

Depends on the flavor of the book. But you can't go wrong with the classics...

[Sam Johnson]

Planning any Spidey/Human Torch moments? :)

[Dan Slott]

Mmmmmmaybe.

[Spidey616]

Time for a DCAU flashback! Favorite episode(s) from Batman: TAS, Gotham Knights, Superman: TAS, Batman Beyond, Justice League, and finally JLU?

As a Deadman fan did you like his first ever animated appearance in the JLU episode "Dead Reckoning"? Wasn't Gorilla's Grodd's plan awesome? Reminds me of that Blackjack story. ;)

Raiders still your favorite movie?
Bendis: Favorite movie of all time?

Slott: "Raiders of the Lost Ark." This is going to sound really insane and crazy, but I've made it to the triple digits. I know every frame of it. I love that movie to death. Nothing even comes close to how much I love "Raiders."
safe to assume it's in your DVD collection? already asked Greg Horn this question, but what else is in the Slott DVD collection? any Marvel related films/shows?

ever seen Harvey Birmdan on adult swim particular the one where Harvey is sued by a former villain for physical and emotional damages, a total ripoff of Constrictor v. Hercules.

[Patrick King]

With the Reckoning War CLEARLY set up in the latest issue of She-Hulk, are we going to be seeing it in Avengers: The Initiative or perhaps as a full-on event in the relatively near future?

[Sam Johnson]

With the Reckoning War CLEARLY set up in the latest issue of She-Hulk, are we going to be seeing it in Avengers: The Initiative or perhaps as a full-on event in the relatively near future?

It's gonna be in A:TI (Dan's hinted that it's a war and the Initiative is an army).

[Edward J. Cunningham]

It's gonna be in A:TI (Dan's hinted that it's a war and the Initiative is an army).

I also remember Slott saying that he originally wanted to have a Reckoning War crossover storyline with Thing and She-Hulk. Thing is obviously out since that book has been cancelled, and Peter David may not necessarily want to write a crossover with The Reckoning War. (PAD doesn't care for crossovers, and this may be a remnant from his time at DC when mandatory crossovers were shoved down his throat, disrupting his storyline for Supergirl.) But that leaves another question.

Will there be a crossover with Amazing Spider-Man now?

[Sam Johnson]

I also remember Slott saying that he originally wanted to have a Reckoning War crossover storyline with Thing and She-Hulk. Thing is obviously out since that book has been cancelled, and Peter David may not necessarily want to write a crossover with The Reckoning War. (PAD doesn't care for crossovers, and this may be a remnant from his time at DC when mandatory crossovers were shoved down his throat, disrupting his storyline for Supergirl.) But that leaves another question.

Will there be a crossover with Amazing Spider-Man now?

I hope not. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is for Spider-Man stories.

[Edward J. Cunningham]

I hope not. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is for Spider-Man stories.

But Spider-Man has fought cosmic foes before. To me, the baseball equivalent would be calling up Babe Ruth from the minors to help your team for the pennant stretch. If Steve Wacker does not object, why WOULDN'T Dan try to tie Spidey into this storyline?

[Spidey616]

Speaking of ASM, how is the subscription service going to work now that it's being released thricely?

and speaking of subscriptions, hey Dan both Mighty and New Avenges are available for subscriptions but no A:TI? i would assume it was b/c it was a new series but thor's already avaible, so what's up with that and any chance of being able to subscribe to it through marvel?

[Juggernaut]

Hi Dan,

Curious to know...Trauma,when he becomes the fear of the opponent physically is he in control and does he have it's abilities? Say he were to face someone like Ares,would he become zeus or if he faced sentry would he become the void?

[tom daylight]

Hey Juggernaut,
is it true that you slept with She-Hulk? She always denies it.

[Juggernaut]

Hey Juggernaut,
is it true that you slept with She-Hulk? She always denies it.

Yeah I hit that,but she dumped me after she found out about my depowering....

[Spidey616]

Yeah I hit that,but she dumped me after she found out about my depowering....

come on Cain, stand up for yourself! you're reformed, you're part of New Excalibur, you even stood up to the HULK! Granted you got your ass handed to you....I'll just stop now.

While we're on She-Hulk #19 and that infamous pic Mallory showed the court, Dan where did that come from? Is it from an actual Marvel comic, if so which one?

[Miss Kitty Fantastico]

I actually saw that picture (Shulkie and Juggernaut) in a review of the She-Hulk Marvel Select figure, which is what got me into comics in the first place (a mention of the Byrne-era fourth wall shenanigans got me interested, not the image of Juggernaut with his shirt off). According to wikipedia it's in Uncanny X-Men #435.

So far as the Reckoning War and PAD's She-Hulk, there must be some acknowledgement of the War in She-Hulk when it rolls around - we've seen (in vol.2 #3) that Shulkie is there, that she knows the weight of what she's set in motion, and she gets belted by a Watcher for crying out loud. That's not something you shrug off. That's not something that would be 'forced' on PAD, that's established canon that he's inheriting, along with everything else about She-Hulk.

But that doesn't mean there need be a bunch of Reckoning War issues of She-Hulk. Look at World War Hulk - between the Prologue and WWH#2, Shulkie's had a fairly important role in events. Not a big role, but a role that's significant for WWH, and for she herself. But She-Hulk the comic skips over it, and thanks to deft writing, if you were just reading She-Hulk, you wouldn't have missed anything story-wise. It's not a magic reset button situation, but it's done in such a way that She-Hulk is part of WWH, as is fitting, but the crossover wasn't forced on her own title. Same goes for the Reckoning War - we just saw a few minutes of it, we don't know how much She-Hulk is involved in the war itself. She inadvertently set up the conditions under which it could happen, but that doesn't mean it revolves around her. What we saw could have been like the scene in WWH where Shulkie talks to Hulk - it's a big She-Hulk moment, but it didn't mean she had to be deeply involved in the whole event.

They've got time to plan this at Marvel - I don't see any reason why whatever level of involvement PAD wanted couldn't be accomodated fairly seamlessly. He's inherited a character who is going to go through this, and I think it's only fair to expect some mention of it in She-Hulk's book - but if PAD wanted to simply say 'the Reckoning War happens between issues Whatever and Whatever plus one', and just show Shulkie moping a bit about almost causing cosmic armageddon before picking herself up and getting back to whatever she's doing... it's technically feasible, and he and Dan and the rest of Marvel's people are all skilled writers, so I'm sure it could be done in a satisfying way.

[Sam Johnson]

Dan, how powerful is your Spidey? A lot of writers seem to have completely varying takes on his strength and resistance to injury. I've always thought that he's gonna have problems lifting and tossing more than one large-ish car for example, but at times he's been flipping tanks. (Back in the Ditko days it was a Herculean feat when he lifted that pile of machinery trapping him.) Also, I think he's gonna have high stamina and athleticism but if you get a powerful punch in he's going down - say, he'd have problems with guys like Kingpin or Daredevil. What are your thoughts, and will you be defining his powers more clearly?

[Jmd211]

Dan, I am enjoying everything that you had written for Marvel, and i love Avengers Initiative. I know you said that you wanted to use US Agent, but did you ever consider Taskmaster as drill instructor? He ran his own school, and he was a hardass. I loved Taskmaster in Agent X and his own mini. Did you ever consider using him, or weren't allowed because he was in Moon Knight?

Also bring back Hobgoblin in Spider-man!!! Come on. Thanks

[Kedd]

I'm just wondering about your take on the initiative: Why is it coming off as conscription when it was put forth as a volunteer thing? In A:TI the super powered people are forced into military service or they have their powers "taken" away from them. Do you plan to address the horrible stripping away of civil rights that this exhibits? I've enjoyed the first five issues of the series and I keep hoping that those questions get brought up. I know it's early still in the series and they've had a lot going on, but these seem like things that would be discussed because, well they're kind of big, especially considering characters like Cloud 9, Trauma and even Rage. The first two being clearly reluctant to fight( until issue 5 it seems) and all three being minors. Thanks.

[Spidey616]

hey dan, few questions about your love of Spidey

1) Besides ASM, what other Spider-Man titles/storylines have you enjoyed over the years?

2) Have you been keeping up with the other recent Spidey titles storylines particularily Peter David and RAS takes with Peter as a school teacher and his relation to his students. If you are able to say, will any of their concepts/characters/stories carry over into Brand New Day?

3) And finally, with you and Peter David essentially switching working on characters, and you being a big fan of his work, what have you thought of his last 2 years of FNSM? Did you read his last story which gave practically every Spidey fan the fight they've been waiting for, JJJ vs. Spider-Man!

[Crimson]

Will you do a quick interview for my blog?

No? Ok... though so.

Love you Slott.

[Spidey616]

Ok, I'm pressing the Mutant Zero button, meaning that Dan can only respond to this thread once every mission, so I'm going to make this count.

DAN! Have you seen the Iron Man teaser trailer, and if so, how did you like it? Did it give you a major nerdgasm as Joe Q. has promised readers the film itself would? What do you think of Jon Favreau as a filmmaker, you think he's up to the task seeing as how he's never done anything this scale or mainstream?

Finally, in your opinion, Tony Stark....under that armor... UNDERWEAR or NO UNDERWEAR?

[Novaya Havoc]

Yo, Dan!

What made you want to use Fabulous Dazzler v. Pink Dazzler in the last She-Hulk issue?

[danielsan]

Hey Dan,

Any chance you could bring Vincente (from Emplate's "hellions" in Generation X) to The Initiative? How about Mikie Silk A.K.A Poltergeist??

[Sy-Klone]

Hey Dan,

Big fan. :) Here's a question:

Where'd you get the idea to set MVP and his family (in Avengers: The Initiative) in Liberty, Kentucky?

Was it just a random Google search for patriotic town names? Because I was reading the first issue, and when I saw my small hometown mentioned as the home of a superhero, it blew me away and put a smile on my face.

(we're not a big town at all)

Just curious. Either way, I'm happy with your choice, and hope we'll revisit the Liberty of the Marvel Universe again soon. :)

Thanks so much,
Michael

[Jmd211]

Dan, I am enjoying everything that you had written for Marvel, and i love Avengers Initiative. I know you said that you wanted to use US Agent, but did you ever consider Taskmaster as drill instructor? He ran his own school, and he was a hardass. I loved Taskmaster in Agent X and his own mini. Did you ever consider using him, or weren't allowed because he was in Moon Knight?

Also bring back Hobgoblin in Spider-man!!! Come on. Thanks

I was right about Taskmaster and that is the reason you never reply to me. Come to think of it i have been asking many hobgoblin questions to you and you have never replied to those either. It is going to happen, I know it. You have made me the happiest person on the board.

[killerbass]

Dan,

Would you be the "hipster troublemaker" (according to Fabian) who's writing the last two issues of Cable & Deadpool?

--Tom

[Dan Slott]

Dan,

Would you be the "hipster troublemaker" (according to Fabian) who's writing the last two issues of Cable & Deadpool?

--Tom

Nope. I'm swamped with Spidey and The Initiative.
So swamped, that I have to keep all internet responses to under 25 words and one emoticon. :)

[Edward J. Cunningham]

Dan, if you do not have time to hype Ty Templeton and Juan Bobillo's Howard the Duck mini-series, can I do it here? People who LOVED Dan Slott's She-Hulk series (and who weren't complaining about how he was "ruining" her character by making the book a comedy) will love this book. Ty had me wondering if "Ty Templeton" was a pen name for Dan Slott like "Richard Bachman" is for Stephen King. The only thing missing was She-Hulk herself, and she's going to show up in December...

[Lemonade Lady]

I'm swamped with Spidey and The Initiative.

What's with that anyway? You're on two of Marvel's best selling direct market titles. Shouldn't you be writing Jack of Hearts and Aunt May Loves Wheatcakes?

But seriously, congratulations, you deserve it!

[Dingo]

Edited:written when drunk.

Never a good idea.

[killerbass]

Edited:written when drunk.

Never a good idea.

Congratulations on your 800th post! :)

--Tom

[Dingo]

Thanks.

I'm sooooo drunk. In fact I have corrected at least 10 spelling errors in this post.

Did I miss any? (Aside from the obvious 'sooooo').

[Dingo]

Kids, don't drink!

Respect yourself!

[PimpSlapStick!]

Hello everyone I'm new! yep..

[PimpSlapStick!]

Dan have you ever thought about writing a Spidey/Deadpool mini ala Spidey/Human Torch?

I think it would be a natural for you.

[DrBat]

Concerning your retconning of Hulkling and Wiccan being in the Initiative; does this mean that they're not registered and are fugitives like the New Avengers? Or are they still registered, and just not in the Initiative?

[Edward J. Cunningham]

You probably don't have time to watch the show, but have you catched The Bionic Woman yet? Jaime's not a lawyer, but she did remind me of a certain character that Dan used to write recently...

[mugiwara]

Hello Dan,

Do you have further projects for the Constrictor in the Initiative, or should we consider that it was him in the super villain meeting in New Avengers 35?

[Dan Slott]

Hello Dan,

Do you have further projects for the Constrictor in the Initiative, or should we consider that it was him in the super villain meeting in New Avengers 35?

There will be more Constrictor in the Initiative. And, no, that wasnt' him at the supervillain meeting in New Avengers #35.

My best guess? That was the Squid-- a supervillain that LOOKS a lot like the Constrictor. But isn't.

[mugiwara]

Thank you for the answer. I'm glad Frank is still in Avengers:Initiative. I really liked him in issue#5.

[Awkward Octopus]

Hay Slott,

I'm a huge Anaconda (y'know, from the Serpent Society?) fan, and I was just curious if she was going to be in the Pennsylvania team, since she's from Pittsburgh... or if you'll be using her at all ever. :D I think you're one of the few people who could really do her some well-deserved justice!

<3

[tom daylight]

There will be more Constrictor in the Initiative. And, no, that wasnt' him at the supervillain meeting in New Avengers #35.

My best guess? That was the Squid-- a supervillain that LOOKS a lot like the Constrictor. But isn't.

Not an Earth-A tourist then? Nor a Skrull?

[Dingo]

Hey Dan,

So are you still intending on eviscerating somebody on your first page of ASM to show you aren't just a "funny" guy?

If so, I hope it isn't Aunt May. That would kind of defeat the purpose of One More Day (as far as I can see).

[tom daylight]

I think we've seen the first page actually - that page with Spidey apparently holding a gun at a man reflected in his mask... although...

I think the man is actually pointing the gun at himself, and Spidey is attempting to talk him out of suicide.

[Dingo]

Well I guess that would kind of count. Not a funny story at all.

[beta-ray]

Everything That's Here:
Turbo Grafix Express, Gameboy Advance, Playstation One (with Japanese Mod chip), Sega Saturn (with Japanese Mod chip), Nintendo 64 (with Japanese Game Converter), Sega Dreamcast (with Japanese Converter Disc), Playstation 2, and X-Box.

Alright, time to pool our resources and get Dan a Wii & DS.

Virtual Console alone might be worth an internet connection.

;)

Just kidding (sorta), we don't want him to stop writing comics!

[beta-ray]

Dan, big fan. Loving Initiative and looking forward to your Spidey.

I've heard that you like toys...

What is the holy grail of toys to you?

If you could write one licensed property (toy and/or video game) which would it be?

If you could read one licensed property (toy and/or video game) which would it be?

Thanks for taking the time to respond to us!

[Dingo]

So what can you tell us about the scheduling of ASM 546? 545 has been put back to about the same time 549 was due out. Will they just be shifted to straight after 545 or back further?

[tom daylight]

It could go weekly through all of January and February to catch up. Alternatively they could do four issues in each of three months in 2008.

[Spidey616]

How much does A:TI #7 and A:TI Annual tie-in with the Sensational Spider-Man OMD issue? It seems like both of those issues have been pushed back as SSM has been delayed. Is it just or a coincidence, or is there some REALLY important OMD stuff in A:TI?

[tom daylight]

I thought ATI #7 was pre-OMD. At any rate, at this point I'm very tempted to look at Rich Johnston's spoiler. I don't mind artists spending as long as they need to on their comics, but it's not fair to hold back the entire line like this - especially when the work he's putting out is not of an especially high quality (in all honesty, I genuinely prefer the layout pages as shown in the back of the latest issue - and I doubt those took as long to produce!). For that matter, Joe promised they'd get another artist if he couldn't do it in time... and that hasn't happened.

I just hope they keep to the new schedule. I have bad Civil War memories.

[Dingo]

I have a question that I hope has had enough time pass so that it might get answered.

What was the deal with issue 9 of She-Hulk, specifically the dinner with Jonah bit. I think that it was Frenz/Buscema. Anyhow, was there a looming deadline with that issue? There were two or three pages of the same panel. It just doesn't seem like those guys (assuming I am remembering properly that it was them).

I am not asking who is to blame, just wondering if it was a deadline thing or an artistic choice.

[Sam Johnson]

I have a question that I hope has had enough time pass so that it might get answered.

What was the deal with issue 9 of She-Hulk, specifically the dinner with Jonah bit. I think that it was Frenz/Buscema. Anyhow, was there a looming deadline with that issue? There were two or three pages of the same panel. It just doesn't seem like those guys (assuming I am remembering properly that it was them).

I am not asking who is to blame, just wondering if it was a deadline thing or an artistic choice.

I kind of liked it, it really added to the comedy with them looking subdued throughout. But I have a feeling it was deadline motivated what with Paul Smith dropping out.

[tom daylight]

Dan hasn't commented on Paul Smith at all since She-Hulk #8 came out, I don't think he's going to any time soon (and I reckon these last three posts are headed for a speedy deletion!)

[Dingo]

Dan hasn't commented on Paul Smith at all since She-Hulk #8 came out, I don't think he's going to any time soon (and I reckon these last three posts are headed for a speedy deletion!)

I wasn't asking about Paul Smith at all. I just want to make that clear. I was asking if it was an artistic choice, as Sam Johnson pointed out it could have been to add to the comedy, or a deadline motivated choice.

And no, I don't really expect that it will be answered, but hope springs eternal.

[Spidey616]

HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLO DAN!

Ok this is one question you can't ignore....If you could date ONLY 1 Marvel character exclusively, who would it be? And don't say anyone but Psylocke, you gotta give 1 character ;)

Ok and one more. You haven't said if there'll be any references to Gauntlet's real name (Joseph Green) being similiar to a certain "MEAN" football player, but is he related to another Marvel character who goes by the name of Doreen Green? And shame on anyone who's read any of Dan's work and has to google that name! It's a character everyone here should be very familiar with :)

[SUPERsam]

Im really enjoying Avengers:TI.
With the new wave of soldiers coming after some have graduated, will some of these recruits be new, or a mix of old and new?
And can you name names?

[beta-ray]

Additional question...

Dan, if you ever write a Hawaii-based Initiative team, will you consult with me? :)

[mugiwara]

Hello, Dan...

A question about Mutant Zero.

I read two differents things on the forums/sites I consulted:
1) You asked the permission to use her to an editorial office, but you never said what editorial office it was.
2) You asked the permission to use her to the X-office.

So, which one is true?

Thanks...

[Dan Slott]

Hello, Dan...

A question about Mutant Zero.

I read two differents things on the forums/sites I consulted:
1) You asked the permission to use her to an editorial office, but you never said what editorial office it was.
2) You asked the permission to use her to the X-office.

So, which one is true?

Thanks...

The one that is actually true is the one that I actually said.
And I only actually said one.
Not to say that I said your 1 as my one.
If I said that, then that would be saying more than I'd really like to say.
Like I'd say that.
Really.

[mugiwara]

Uh.... Nice move. Thanks for the clarification!:lol:;-)

[Spidey616]

Sorry, can't help but pimp a question I asked in a NJF fill-in with X-Men editor Editor Nick Lowe that got answered, related to Mutant Zero :eek:

http://www.newsarama.com/NewJoeFridays/lowe.html

Q: Spidey616 10-29-2007 04:40 PM

With Avengers: The Initiative debuting the 199th mutant aka Mutant Zero, I was wondering if she'll have any role in Messiah CompleX or future X-Men stories to come? And I know you probably can't say, but have we at anytime seen Mutant Zero without her mask in recent X-Men books, and will she finally unmasked or appear in the X Books or only in A:TI?

NL: Tom Brevoort will kill me if I talk about this too much (that�s if he doesn�t kill me for talking about his cow-milking skills in our latest X-Office podcast), but here�s what I can say. You�ve definitely seen Mutant Zero before in X-Related titles. After Tom ran the idea behind it by us and I tried to steal it (only to get acquainted with Tom�s crowbar) it was maid clear that Mutant Zero�s place is in A:TI. Hopefully I�ll get my grubby little paws on her/him soon�

[Spidey616]

Hey Dan, I gots a A:TI question related to some big reveals about all those characters with giant robot limbs in the A:TI annual.

Ok, we know that Southpaw, Gauntlet, and Armory are (or were) in possession of one piece of the two robots, so when will the next one be officially revealed?

-How many pieces are there?
-Have we seen all the pieces before in one form or another in some of your past work?
-Can we expect the GLA to get involved, hint hint ;)
-And finally is this connected to the Reck, excuse me, :announce: THE RECKONING WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sam Johnson]

What does it feel like to have worked your way up through the industry and to be finally writing your favorite character's book? (Just asking a tough one to begin.) And also, what's your take on the Spider-marriage? Do you share Joe Quesada's thoughts?

[tom daylight]

For that last question, see THING #1... I think. :)

[Sam Johnson]

For that last question, see THING #1... I think. :)

That seemed more directed at MJ being a super-model, which has always been stupid... but if they were presented as a struggling young couple in the city...I could see it working.

[Dingo]

So, I know it is a bit in advance, but will you be writing 600?

[Dan Slott]

That's quite a ways away, sir. Even WITH the 3X's a month schedule. Lemme get through #559-561 and the summer 6-parter first! :)

[gregorv]

hey Dan...around what month will u be making the return of a classic Spidey villain you talked about?

[Dan Slott]

hey Dan...around what month will u be making the return of a classic Spidey villain you talked about?

More than one. And they'll be showing up this summer.
:spidey:

[Edward J. Cunningham]

Has the direction Peter David chosen to take She-Hulk necessitated plans in the way you intend to write....

*cue Richard Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra*

...THE RECKONING WAR????

[Spidey616]

More than one. And they'll be showing up this summer.
:spidey:

I believe August/September is the approximate months. Dan's got an arc May-1st week of June, and after that Marc Guggenheim and Zeb Wells take the batton, so if depending on their story lengths, our best bet is August, unless they do one issue stories, then we luck out and get Dan's 3rd arc with JrJr in July :D

I got a question for ya Dan, if A:TI Annual was true and there's a Skrull in every state, which member of the GLI is a Skrull?!!?!?!??! Not Squirrel Girl! Anyone but Doreen PLEASE!?!?!?!??!!?!?

[Spidey616]

That's quite a ways away, sir. Even WITH the 3X's a month schedule. Lemme get through #559-561 and the summer 6-parter first! :)

July 2009, see you at Jim Hanley's Universe Dan. I'm already waiting in line for the signing ;)

[gregorv]

More than one. And they'll be showing up this summer.
:spidey:

that sounds insanely awesome!

[wessner]

I got a question for ya Dan, if A:TI Annual was true and there's a Skrull in every state, which member of the GLI is a Skrull?!!?!?!??!
The Skrulls' goal was to have one of their agents on every team, but I don't think they've achieved that yet.

[Spidey004]

Hi, Dan!

A while ago, I posted a theory that you named Mr. Negative's alter ego -- Martin Li -- as an homage to MARTIN Goodman and Stan LEE. But I didn't realize I could just ask you directly! So, did you? Huh? Did you? Huh, huh??? :)

[danielsan]

Will there be any Initiative One-Shots featuring already developed teams? I would love to read more stories of The Rangers, Action Pack, or Seattle's Earth Force, even The Liberteens. What about the teams mentioned in Civil War(the mormon team, Force Works, Spacenights), will we learn who they are???

[Arion]

More than one. And they'll be showing up this summer.
:spidey:

How about some hints about what villain is going to be?

[Dingo]

So Dan, didn't you think it would be worth mentioning that you did layouts for JRjr (http://www.marvel.com/blogs/Spider-Office/entry/1052)?

For a guy who isn't really an artist you sure have some good layout credits, Horn and JRjr.

[tom daylight]

I believe August/September is the approximate months. Dan's got an arc May-1st week of June, and after that Marc Guggenheim and Zeb Wells take the batton, so if depending on their story lengths, our best bet is August, unless they do one issue stories, then we luck out and get Dan's 3rd arc with JrJr in July :D

I got a question for ya Dan, if A:TI Annual was true and there's a Skrull in every state, which member of the GLI is a Skrull?!!?!?!??! Not Squirrel Girl! Anyone but Doreen PLEASE!?!?!?!??!!?!?

That could be the title of the next special - "Great Lakes Skrulls"

[Dan Slott]

That could be the title of the next special - "Great Lakes Skrulls"

I actually pitched THAT!
But my plate is a little too full right now w/ ASM and A:TI.
*sigh* I really DID want to do GLS! Ah well...

I also pitched GLZ and GLU...

So who knows?...

[Dingo]

Zombies and Ultimates?

[Omega Flight]

I actually pitched THAT!
But my plate is a little too full right now w/ ASM and A:TI.
*sigh* I really DID want to do GLS! Ah well...

I also pitched GLZ and GLU...

So who knows?...

:(. Will we ever get GLS in the future if you happen to have a free moment. Maybe it could be a one-shot like Deadpool/GLI Summer Fun Spectacular!

[tom daylight]

I actually pitched THAT!
But my plate is a little too full right now w/ ASM and A:TI.
*sigh* I really DID want to do GLS! Ah well...

I also pitched GLZ and GLU...

So who knows?...

Couldn't you do it under the banner of an ATI annual? (They are part of the Initiative, after all...)

[Omega Flight]

Couldn't you do it under the banner of an ATI annual? (They are part of the Initiative, after all...)

But it'd be one of those things where if he puts Devil Dinosaur and Moon Boy he's going too far. Although maybe if we're lucky while we're knee deep in Skrulls the GLI will make a cameo of some sort.

[Dingo]

So I know this is probably ridiculously early, but can you tell us anything new about the
:announce:RECKONING WAR?

Anything at all? When? What? Who? How? Why? Where?

[ValeriaK]

Is Thor Girl really dead? :(

[Omega Flight]

Hey Dan what'd you think of the Spidey animated series? I thought it was very faithful and a good adaption of the Spidey mythos. Although the voice acting was pretty cheesy and the Maggia apparently are at the level of HYDRA in terms of tech.

And even regular criminals and cops have lasers :\.

[tom daylight]

Oh not the laser thing again? They had this in the Semper series - they weren't allowed to have guns on the show so everyone had to shoot lasers. (That's right, Uncle Ben was killed by a laser shot.)

[gregorv]

Hey Dan...I was just re-reading Swing Shift...and I was wondering if you guys have any plans to bring Overdrive and the dudes who make bets back?

[gregorv]

Hey Dan...I was just re-reading Swing Shift...and I was wondering if you guys have any plans to bring Overdrive back?

[tom daylight]

I heard Overdrive is coming back down the line. The Bookie has already reappeared in this month's storyline.

[gregorv]

oopss...sorry about the double post...

and thanks for the answer dude! I cant wait till I get my issue 2morrow =D

[Omega Flight]

Oh not the laser thing again? They had this in the Semper series - they weren't allowed to have guns on the show so everyone had to shoot lasers. (That's right, Uncle Ben was killed by a laser shot.)

No Uncle Ben didn't "die". Peter failed him if we believe the show.

[Zac Goyette]

Who is your favorite X-Man?
Who is your favorite Spider-Man villain?

[tom daylight]

So the burglar started an affair with May and that caused Ben to leave? Or did the burglar recruit Ben into his crime-ring and that caused Ben to get arrested and jailed? Or was the burglar really some cosmic entity that exiled Ben to another dimension? WE MUST BE TOLD!!!

[Dreg]

Dan, since the point of the Initiative is to train heroes to take part in legitimate superteams, will we see any Initiative regulars make their way into other Marvel books as they become more experienced?

[Dylan]

Hello Dan-

Avengers: The Initiative has been my introduction to your work. I picked it up about the time I started getting into comics again (after a 10 1/2 year break). I really appreciate your deep use of Marvel characters some would describe as obscure but to a fan of the OHOTMU guides of the 80's, many are my favorites. Anyway, I need to ask you:

Why permanently handicap Constrictor? What is the thought behind your choice of irrevocably changing him?

He is one of the most interesting villians in the Marvel universe, in fact, your writing of him has been great, but now this?? I get the irony of a guy who's power set is dependent on the use of his arms getting his arms sliced off, but you were just getting started it seem with bringing a very interesting new side to him. I appreciate your reading this.

Dylan

(Oh and I asked the guy at my LCS to give me a hint as to the death: Top, middle, or bottom row? He said "top" and I let out a sigh of relief, only to get home and see a far worse tragedy unfold...)

[HubDaddy]

n00b here. Does Dan answer questions every weekend? If I wanted to ask questions is it okay to just post them here?

Do my two previous questions count as actual questions?

[Dan Slott]

Hi. I'm actually pretty bad about this. I answer questions when I can. Right now I'm coming off of an all-nighter, so I'm probably gonna go to sleep. And there's so much stuff I GOTTA do. I'm so sorry for everyone who's asked a question that hasn't (or never) got an answer. :(

[Arion]

Hi. I'm actually pretty bad about this. I answer questions when I can. Right now I'm coming off of an all-nighter, so I'm probably gonna go to sleep. And there's so much stuff I GOTTA do. I'm so sorry for everyone who's asked a question that hasn't (or never) got an answer. :(

Don't worry. I am a patient guy.

[Dingo]

Here's one I have been meaning to ask for a while, in two parts...

Is there a Spider-man story that you have been sitting on, and wanting to tell for a long time?

If so, when will we see it?

[Dan Slott]

Here's one I have been meaning to ask for a while, in two parts...

Is there a Spider-man story that you have been sitting on, and wanting to tell for a long time?

If so, when will we see it?

YES! A couple of stories actually. But there's this ONE story that I've been sitting on for like... FOREVER! It's something I was telling guys like Fabian Nicieza and Tom Brevoort back when I was a college intern. Every beat, twist, and turn has been worked out for over 15 years. I've been dying to do it. It's one of the first Spidey-related side projects I'd like to pitch if a hole opens up in my schedule.
It's gruesome, bloody, and grisly at parts. I don't know if it belongs in AMAZING. It focuses on one of Spidey's longstanding foes-- showing his, until now, secret origin. And how events from that story are playing into a series of horrifying murders that are taking place today.

And, no, I don't want to give away any clues for now. :)

[Dingo]

YES! A couple of stories actually. But there's this ONE story that I've been sitting on for like... FOREVER! It's something I was telling guys like Fabian Nicieza and Tom Brevoort back when I was a college intern. Every beat, twist, and turn has been worked out for over 15 years. I've been dying to do it. It's one of the first Spidey-related side projects I'd like to pitch if a hole opens up in my schedule.
It's gruesome, bloody, and grisly at parts. I don't know if it belongs in AMAZING. It focuses on one of Spidey's longstanding foes-- showing his, until now, secret origin. And how events from that story are playing into a series of horrifying murders that are taking place today.

And, no, I don't want to give away any clues for now. :)

Now that is something for us to look forward to. :D
I think all long time comic fans have something like that lurking in thier subconcious. I think my one is good, but I sure as anything know that yours will be incredible!

It probably does belong in Amazing, but not just after a re-launch intended to make Spidey more fun again. Peter's life (I feel) should be fun with soap opera overtones, and then occasionally something like Kravens last hunt thrown in to keep us guessing. It feels like leading up to BND we had mostly dark stories, so who knows, in a few years it might fit into Amazing again.

[tom daylight]

If they could run FEARFUL SYMMETRY in Amazing, they can run that!

[Dan Slott]

Hmm... Y'know, you might have a point there... :)

Honestly though, one of the things about the new Thrice-Monthly ASM is how FAST it zips by! Every month: bam, bam, bam, and whoosh-- 3 issues are done! I think the stories need to take that hectic pace into account. And some stories are better served (IMO) by a breathing space between issues so readers can mull over things-- or give the book another re-read-- scrutinize clues-- and so on.

I remember reading WATCHMEN as it was coming out every month. And people would hang out at the comic shop-- or the burger place next door-- or "The Cooler" (a student run diner on my college campus) and try to piece together the mystery of the mask-killer-- what the deal was with Doctor Manhattan-- etc. That space between the issues was part of the fun.

Ever since WATCHMEN was released as a TPB, that part of the experience went out the window. The month between issues was a delightful agony-- and EVERY part of the comic was poured over-- even the Pirate Comics-- and especially the text pieces in the back. Everyone I know who's read WATCHMEN as a trade has skipped over those text pieces to move on to the next chapter.

If I ever got to do my (insert name of the secret Spidey villain here) mini-series, I don't think I'd want to do it in the pages of the Thrice Monthly ASM. I'd much rather have it come out monthly as its own thing. I just think it'd read better that way.

my two cents,
Dan
:spidey:

[tom daylight]

Again, what was the frequency of "FEARFUL SYMMETRY"?

Oh, that's right, three times a month...

[Dan Slott]

Touché. :)

[Dingo]

*SNIP*

If I ever got to do my (insert name of the secret Spidey villain here) mini-series, I don't think I'd want to do it in the pages of the Thrice Monthly ASM. I'd much rather have it come out monthly as its own thing. I just think it'd read better that way.



I know that there are always going to be things going on behind the scenes that we can't be privy to, but it seems to me that if you are (one of) the regular writers of ASM and you have a great Spidey story to tell, then that should be the end of the story*. Mini-series are great, but you are already playing with the real deal.

*you know what I mean

[Spidey616]

Ok Dan, admit it, you really enjoyed killing off Geiger, the character you created from your self-hated Doc Samson mini, which you still offer to buy from fans who bring it to signings for cover price? ;)

[Dan Slott]

Don't get me wrong. It really IS something I'd like to do as a mini-series. I just feel that the tone of the book would be way too... disturbing for ASM.

Which is weird, because after the NEW WAYS TO DIE story with John Romita Jr., the NEXT big, multi-part story I want to do is a much DARKER story than I've done in a while.

I dunno...

Maybe that's not it.

Hmmm....

Maybe it's just that I've ALWAYS thought of the (insert namer of the secret Spidey villain here) story AS it's own mini. :Ponder:

[Dingo]

Hey Dan, any plans for Amazing Spider-man annuals?

:crazy:


Serious question: Have there been many pitches for Initiative teams coming in?

[tom daylight]

Mark Guggenheim is writing an ASM Annual which I believe Mike McKone will be drawing. I think it's about Jackpot.

[Dingo]

Mark Guggenheim is writing an ASM Annual which I believe Mike McKone will be drawing. I think it's about Jackpot.

:surrend:


I just don't know what to say.

[Awkward Octopus]

Will we be seeing any non-related Spidey villains face off against Spidey eventually? I always thought Anaconda would be the perfect female opponent for him. :)

[tom daylight]

The Thunderbolts are mainly non-Spidey villains :)

You should check out Roger Stern's run on the books - Spidey facing off against other heroes' enemies is one of the central themes of it (Juggernaut, Moonstone, Nitro, etc).

[Spidey616]

Hey Dan, when will we see Kentucky's Initiative super team, The Action Pack again? They appeared briefly in #7, and then.....GONE! I really like Stefano's designs for the two new characters Vox and Prima Dona, and since they're only 3 members, is it safe to assume someone might be joing them? :D

[Dan Slott]

Here's one I have been meaning to ask for a while, in two parts...

Is there a Spider-man story that you have been sitting on, and wanting to tell for a long time?

If so, when will we see it?

Hey Dingo,
Remember back when you asked this question? And the discussion that kicked up? Well...

After that, I've been thinking a LOT about that Certain-Spidey-Villain-Mini that I've always wanted to do for the past 18 years or so...

I mentioned it to Steve Wacker this week, told him many of the twists and turns in the story...

...and now we're kicking around the idea of maybe doing it.

See what you've started. :)

Thanks!

ttyl
Dan
:spidey:

[Dingo]

Hey Dingo,
Remember back when you asked this question? And the discussion that kicked up? Well...

After that, I've been thinking a LOT about that Certain-Spidey-Villain-Mini that I've always wanted to do for the past 18 years or so...

I mentioned it to Steve Wacker this week, told him many of the twists and turns in the story...

...and now we're kicking around the idea of maybe doing it.

See what you've started. :)

Thanks!

ttyl
Dan
:spidey:

Wow. That is so cool.:D

God bless this age of the internet.

[ScottishGreenLantern]

Dan,

If you go for doing it in ASM or anywhere else you should give a shout out to Dingo for getting you thinking about it!

Well done Dingo!

Anyway,

I've got to say that I am not really familiar with your work. I've obviously heard of you and most people seem to say that you are doing tremendously well as a Marvel writer, but can you tell me what YOU recommend I read to get the best exposure to your work so far?

What stories and work are you mega-proud of that I can go pick up?

[Dan Slott]

I really like the first SHE-HULK TPB, SINGLE GREEN FEMALE

And the SPIDER-MAN/HUMAN TORCH: I'M WITH STUPID digest (if you can find it!)

I'm really digging the current arc of AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE that Chris Gage and I are doing. It's a four part story called "KILLED IN ACTION", going from #8 through #11. And the fallout from this story is SO big that there'll be a whole issue dealing with that-- and BIG changes for a LOT of the (surviving) characters in #12. All the issues that are out so far (#8-#10) should still be on the racks.

And on the 2nd week in May, I'm starting my second storyline in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, a three part story called "PETER PARKER: PAPARAZZI". It introduces two new Spidey villains (or rather villainesses).
It features the GORGEOUS art of Marcos Martin! And I've been super proud of every darn page of it!

Hope that helps!
ttyl
Dan

[ScottishGreenLantern]

Cool. I'll take a look at those.

Here's what my local library has on you:

http://librariesnl.northlan.gov.uk/vs/List.csp?SearchT1=slott&Index1=Author&Database=1&SearchMethod=Find_1&SearchTerm1=slott&OpacLanguage=eng&Profile=Default&EncodedRequest=*E0M*B1H*C2*02*83*B8*14*A6*93*BB*CE T*1C*13&EncodedQuery=*E0M*B1H*C2*02*83*B8*14*A6*93*BB*CET* 1C*13&Source=SysQR&PageType=Start&PreviousList=RecordListFind&WebPageNr=1&NumberToRetrieve=20&WebAction=NewSearch&StartValue=0&RowRepeat=0&ExtraInfo=SearchFromList&SortIndex=Author&SortDirection=1

I'll be working through these first!

[tom daylight]

Hey Dingo,
Remember back when you asked this question? And the discussion that kicked up? Well...

After that, I've been thinking a LOT about that Certain-Spidey-Villain-Mini that I've always wanted to do for the past 18 years or so...

I mentioned it to Steve Wacker this week, told him many of the twists and turns in the story...

...and now we're kicking around the idea of maybe doing it.


I am so glad to read that! I was thinking of going all JJJ on you (after all, if you're not writing your best Spider-Man stories in Amazing Spider-Man, why should anyone bother reading it?), what a relief I won't have to! :)

[Spidey616]

Hey Dan,

I know 2008 is the year of the Spider for you, and it's great to hear you might a new Spidey related project might be rolling, but ever since Shulkie #3/100 and the A:TI Annual you've had me PUMPED for a certain little event that you can see in my sig.

I gotta know, any hints WHATSOEVER on the future of.....:announce:THE RECKONING WAR!!!!!!!!!

It's taken the Bendisverse 3 1/2 years since Avengers: Disassembled to deliver with Secret Invasion, so by my calculations She-Hulk #3/100 released December 2005 + 3.5 years=THE SUMMER OF 2009! :cool:

If only :Please:

[tom daylight]

Is it the case that the reason we haven't seen any exploration of how "One More Day" changed things is because while you were writing, you weren't 100% certain of how that story would play out? Or is the brain trust simply brushing it under the carpet deliberately for the time being?

(Incidentally, the first issue by Zeb and Chris is am-ay-ZING! Really delighted how it turned out.)

[ValeriaK]

After re-reading the Thing 1-8 for the umpeteenth time I must ask this Mr Slott... why aren't you writing Fantastic Four? That series was brilliant, you really should be writing FF...

Also (though I know you will not answer it I MUST ask), who is Mutant Zero? :D

[Arion]

Wow. That is so cool.:D

God bless this age of the internet.

Internet is always helpful.

[HubDaddy]

Dan,
When you are writing the voices for separate characters, what do you do to "fix" their voice in your head and to make sure they speak true to character?

[superphil]

any chance you'll be using white cross (http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/shesentry.htm#whitecross) (member of S.H.E. (Super Heroes of Europe)) anytime soon in one of your books? :)

maybe in a GLA road trip to europe book :D

[superphil]

any chance you'll be using white cross (http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/shesentry.htm#whitecross) (member of S.H.E. (Super Heroes of Europe)) anytime soon in one of your books? :)

maybe in a GLA road trip to europe book :D

[superphil]

any chance you'll be using white cross (http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/shesentry.htm#whitecross) (member of S.H.E. (Super Heroes of Europe)) anytime soon in one of your books? :)

maybe in a GLA road trip to europe book :D

[superphil]

any chance you'll be using white cross (http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/shesentry.htm#whitecross) (member of S.H.E. (Super Heroes of Europe)) anytime soon in one of your books? :)

maybe in a GLA road trip to europe book :D

[krec99]

hi dan regarding bnd storyline is this harry osborn the real deal.

[Scott Mateo]

How stoked are you to be working with Roger Stern (on Newsarama he posted that he sent a plot into Wacker for ASM)?

[tom daylight]

Actually he said Spider-Man, didn't specify whether it was for ASM or something else.

[mugiwara]

Hi, Dan and Chris! Since the first year of ATI is over and huges changes happened, I have plenty questions for you all:

1) ATI had an huge cast of characters, but some of them, those we followed the evolution (Hardball, Komodo, Cloud 9, Trauma and the MVP brothers) were the core of the book.
Will it be the same with the new trainees? Will 4 or 5 of them be the core characters?

2) Now that Komodo, Cloud 9 and Hardball are out of Camp Hammond, does it mean that other writers will be allowed to use them if they have a story set, let's say, in Montana? And will they be abble to kill them :no: if they want or will you have a "right of veto"?

3) Now that Ultra Girl is in Georgia, will she still lead the Youth Guardsmen?

4) In a preview of Young Avengers/Runaways, there are Prodigy (David Alleyne) and Crusader (the villain) among the Initiative cadets. So, will they join the Camp Hammond or did somebody googled the wrong Prodigy and Crusader?

Anyway, thanks for this monthly love letter to the Marvel Universe!

[christosgage]

1) It will vary, but there will probably be a core. But don't assume the old cadets are gone from the pages of A:TI! Trauma is still in camp, for example, and you'll get an A:TI Special focusing on Komodo and Hardball.

2) Other writers can definitely use them if they want. But if they try to kill them they run the risk of whatever characters they write suddenly getting killed off in Amazing Spider-Man!

3) Keep reading New Warriors and see!

4) Haven't seen it, no idea.

Thanks for reading...the Marvel Universe loves you too! :)

[Spidey616]

Ask Chris,

Hey CHRIS! Did you or Dan come up with Butterball/Boulder? Manboobs :lol:

Will the Komodo/Hardball one-shot come out before the end of the year, and if so around when?

Will Tigershark, Mr. Hyde, and Boomerang be returning in your Thunderbolts SI arc or Arnim Zola?

THANKS!

[Arion]

any chance you'll be using white cross (http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/shesentry.htm#whitecross) (member of S.H.E. (Super Heroes of Europe)) anytime soon in one of your books? :)

maybe in a GLA road trip to europe book :D

A GLA road trip? Sounds funny.

[mugiwara]

Thanks for the answers, Chris! It's good to know that Trauma and others are still around. (I wonder if O'Grady would try to convince Terrence that his greatest fear is a nude Jessica Alba :lol:)


A GLA road trip? Sounds funny.

Vengeurs du Lac Léman, rassemblement!

[Dingo]

(I wonder if O'Grady would try to convince Terrence that his greatest fear is a nude Jessica Alba :lol:)



That could work if you coupled it with his man-parts spontaneously disappearing.

[christosgage]

Ask Chris,

Hey CHRIS! Did you or Dan come up with Butterball/Boulder? Manboobs :lol:

Will the Komodo/Hardball one-shot come out before the end of the year, and if so around when?

Will Tigershark, Mr. Hyde, and Boomerang be returning in your Thunderbolts SI arc or Arnim Zola?

THANKS!

1) Butterball sprang from my diseased mind. Sadly, I can relate to him.

2) I don't know exactly, but most likely this year. Not before October, since I just got done writing September solicits and it wasn't in there.

3) You'll just have to keep buying them to find out. ;)

Best,

CNG

[Dingo]

Hey Dingo,
Remember back when you asked this question? And the discussion that kicked up? Well...

After that, I've been thinking a LOT about that Certain-Spidey-Villain-Mini that I've always wanted to do for the past 18 years or so...

I mentioned it to Steve Wacker this week, told him many of the twists and turns in the story...

...and now we're kicking around the idea of maybe doing it.

See what you've started. :)

Thanks!

ttyl
Dan
:spidey:

Hey Dan,

Just curious whether the "kicking around" has become more concrete in the last month or two?

[Dingo]

This question isn't for Dan so much as the whole board.

Can someone please come up with a better photo of that comic signing at Jim Hanley's Universe? The one with Dan Slott and Peter David.

The one that is up on wikipedia is awful. It's so bad I'm not even going to link to it. I mean how the hell can you manage to find a picture of two intelligent men that looks like they both just got off the short bus? Both have their eyes closed and their mouths open. Uggghhh!

[Spidey616]

This question isn't for Dan so much as the whole board.

Can someone please come up with a better photo of that comic signing at Jim Hanley's Universe? The one with Dan Slott and Peter David.

The one that is up on wikipedia is awful. It's so bad I'm not even going to link to it. I mean how the hell can you manage to find a picture of two intelligent men that looks like they both just got off the short bus? Both have their eyes closed and their mouths open. Uggghhh!

I've got some worth showing.
PAD's and Dan's heads are looking down, but at least their mouths are closed ;)
http://shutter14.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/14/005/6F/9F/93/6D/ILfQP0i2lQeqF0g6U7IpNpLPA2jpcJZx0300.jpg

And this is just a funny one that always puts a smile on my face :D
http://shutter06.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/03/016/4F/9F/56/4F/tg2mYWUmXLNAP8FM6R6kzBf312TF-C-50300.jpg

[killerbass]

Hey Dan--

Just how many of those Avengers: The Initiative #14 variants are there? (I believe that it's called the Spotlight variant.) I'm trying to find one, and it sure is a hard one to track down...

Thanks in advance,
Tom

[qwaring]

This question contains a little spoiler for those of you that haven't read the latest issue of Avengers Initiative:

In the recent issue of Avengers: Initiative it was revealed that every team in the fifty-state initiative had a Skrull infiltrating it, does this mean there's a Skrull in the GLI? If so, will we find out who it is?

[Spidey616]

This question contains a little spoiler for those of you that haven't read the latest issue of Avengers Initiative:

In the recent issue of Avengers: Initiative it was revealed that every team in the fifty-state initiative had a Skrull infiltrating it, does this mean there's a Skrull in the GLI? If so, will we find out who it is?

Dan's been pretty hush-hush when it comes to upcoming stuff in A:TI. Luckily for us, his partner in crime Chris Gage is able to share with fans.

"You'll probably see the GLI briefly in #19. Gravity is coming in #17. Skrullowjacket did NOT hear Tony's message, the audio was fed directly into Rhodey's ear. The real She-Thing is wherever the real Hank Pym is...heh heh..."


http://www.newsarama.com/common/community/forums/?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat:46ada8ea-92e4-4618-9265-5be7cad0342bForum:eddf0de6-9daf-45e6-a15c-da5305371fbeDiscussion:8f93436f-5f58-4610-8f76-42feebb9a06c&plckCurrentPage=1&sid=sitelife.newsarama.com

[Arion]

Dan's been pretty hush-hush when it comes to upcoming stuff in A:TI. Luckily for us, his partner in crime Chris Gage is able to share with fans.

"You'll probably see the GLI briefly in #19. Gravity is coming in #17. Skrullowjacket did NOT hear Tony's message, the audio was fed directly into Rhodey's ear. The real She-Thing is wherever the real Hank Pym is...heh heh..."


http://www.newsarama.com/common/community/forums/?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat:46ada8ea-92e4-4618-9265-5be7cad0342bForum:eddf0de6-9daf-45e6-a15c-da5305371fbeDiscussion:8f93436f-5f58-4610-8f76-42feebb9a06c&plckCurrentPage=1&sid=sitelife.newsarama.com

Interesting news.

[Dingo]

Hey Dan, does this....

Hey Dingo,
Remember back when you asked this question? And the discussion that kicked up? Well...

After that, I've been thinking a LOT about that Certain-Spidey-Villain-Mini that I've always wanted to do for the past 18 years or so...

I mentioned it to Steve Wacker this week, told him many of the twists and turns in the story...

...and now we're kicking around the idea of maybe doing it.

See what you've started. :)

Thanks!

ttyl
Dan
:spidey:

have anything to do with this...?

Now that you mention it, I’d love to see JRJR draw the Prowler as well. Dan Slott’s had a great idea for a Prowler story floating around ever since the first Braintrust meeting, we just haven’t had the proper place to slot it into the book. But maybe at some point before too long…

It's something Tom Brevoort mentioned in his blog.

Or do we have two Spidey villain stories on the go?

[vitruvian23]

This question contains a little spoiler for those of you that haven't read the latest issue of Avengers Initiative:

In the recent issue of Avengers: Initiative it was revealed that every team in the fifty-state initiative had a Skrull infiltrating it, does this mean there's a Skrull in the GLI? If so, will we find out who it is?

Which of the four members of the Command in Marvel Zombies 3 #1 was one, then?

[Scott Mateo]

What exactly is "ode" and does it have to do with Vance?

[tom daylight]

Which of the four members of the Command in Marvel Zombies 3 #1 was one, then?

MZ3 may be pre-infiltration

[Omega Flight]

MZ3 may be pre-infiltration

Yep it takes place before Secret Invasion.

[Omega Flight]

This question contains a little spoiler for those of you that haven't read the latest issue of Avengers Initiative:

In the recent issue of Avengers: Initiative it was revealed that every team in the fifty-state initiative had a Skrull infiltrating it, does this mean there's a Skrull in the GLI? If so, will we find out who it is?

I'm going to take a guess and say it's Tippy Toe Joe (or whatever Squirrel Girl's newest buddy is named).

[Dingo]

I'm going to take a guess and say it's Tippy Toe Joe (or whatever Squirrel Girl's newest buddy is named).

That would be awesome!

Better than sex even, assuming it was fairly bad sex.

[tom daylight]

I don't think the GLI are really an official Initiative state team. I think they just think they are, and haven't been told otherwise; that there are other teams patrolling their area which they haven't yet encountered.

But if any of them was a Skrull... it must be Grasshopper. He's been trying to infiltrate that team for years now.

[Arion]

I don't think the GLI are really an official Initiative state team. I think they just think they are, and haven't been told otherwise; that there are other teams patrolling their area which they haven't yet encountered.

But if any of them was a Skrull... it must be Grasshopper. He's been trying to infiltrate that team for years now.

Grasshopper? Oh well...

[Spidey616]

So what is your favorite flavor of ice cream Dan? It's the last word in my crossword puzzle.

*******SI: Spidey #3 reference ;)

[Dingo]

So, can you tell us any other characters who will be in the Mighty Avengers roster for certain?

[Dan Slott]

So, can you tell us any other characters who will be in the Mighty Avengers roster for certain?

Nope.
;-)

[Dingo]

Nope.
;-)

Awwwww. :(

Oh well, can't blame a guy for trying. ;)

[Dingo]

Why is it that you still use the Marvel method of plotting and then scripting?

From what I can see, there we're two benefits that Stan got from doing that way in the old days. First off it was faster. He would write a fairly loose plot, just generally outlining the major story beats. Secondly, it really involved the artist in the story telling process, since they had to decide on how many panels, what to show in each panel, and to a certain extent the pacing of the story.

Having a look at the scripts you have shown us, it seems that you have each and every panel worked out in full detail at the plot stage, including a fairly specific idea of what is going to be said in that panel. Sure the artist is mostly choosing the angles and the page layout, but this isn't any more than they do with a full script. So they are no more involved in the creative process than with full script.

As for speed, it would seem to me that it would be faster to write the dialogue for a panel while you are in the right mental space. You are already thinking about the panel when you plot it, why not dialogue it then too rather than coming back? Sure if the art is taking you in a slightly different direction you could adjust the dialogue, but that is only a revision thing.

So I guess what I am asking is, what do you get out of doing Marvel style rather than full script?

[tom daylight]

Yeah, I tried doing that myself, it takes way too long, and I usually have too good an idea of what the characters are saying anyway. I can just write a full draft and tell the artist he has some leeway in how he follows it. Some of the dialogue might be placeholder. I presume it's just a method that Dan's become accustomed to and now can't do it any other way. It really decides whether it's the dialogue that defines the characters' attitude, or their appearance.

[Awkward Octopus]

I have a question:

Will we be getting a Great Lakes Avengers one-shot any time soon? Halloween was the perfect opportunity for a GLA Halloween Special! :cry: Maybe next year...

[tom daylight]

When Dan gets a spare minute, perhaps... but the GLA will appear soon in one of his INITIATIVE issues (possibly #20).