So Next Week Is Marvel's Editorial Retreat...

[Simps]

What's the point if Marvel can sell the floppies and the collected work? It isn't as though this hasn't been discussed countless times . . .

What's the point? People are saying that's what they want, that's why. Instead of getting a story that should rightly be 96 pages, it's instead padded to 6 issues, where you get forced climaxes at the end of each issue, rather than one big story that unfolds as a writer may intend it to.

[Simps]

If it's the epic storytelling that's irking you, then I can't imagine how you've been reading either of Marvel's or DC's books before the Infinite Crisis/OYL/afterwards hullabaloo. Not every book is Ultimate Spider-man or Spider-man Loves Mary Jane.

It's the way they're presenting it. With DC, it's been a slow buildup to one big event.

With Marvel, the way Quesada has been talking, each storyline is a "HUUUUUGE EVENT". They can't all be huge, nor should the be, otherwise they lose impact. And Quesada has also gone on record saying how much more relatable Marvel characters are, but instead of holding true to that, it seems more and more he just wants big events.

[King of Mars]

What's the point? People are saying that's what they want, that's why. Instead of getting a story that should rightly be 96 pages, it's instead padded to 6 issues, where you get forced climaxes at the end of each issue, rather than one big story that unfolds as a writer may intend it to.

That's not what I want. Keep them floppies comin'.

Mmmmm...floppies.

[nny]

The number 1 thing I'd like to see in comics is longer issues. I think the more decompressed storytelling nowadays is just the natural evolution of the medium. Sure, you can tell a great story in 1 page if you really wanted to, but for the most part, stories should take a long time to read. But I bet most people don't feel like they're getting quite enough story every month. I believe the 22 page comic is a little antiquated now. I think comics should maybe be more like 40 pages and if that means the comic becomes bimonthly, I'm all for that. When I read my new comics, I'd rather try to remember a sizable chunk of story from 2 months ago than try to remember half a story from a month ago.

I know people might just say that I can already do this by just reading my monthlies every other month, but I feel that the 22 page comic is throwing off pacing and really constraining modern writers. If the writer wants to do a shorter story occasionally, he can still do that and use the remaining space for a back-up story.

[Rubedo]

Next year I would like to see stories featuring NEW kinds of threats than just the usual alien-mutant-robot-whatnot gig. And I know you sir, are able to take the challenge, even though it is a tricky one. I am myself writing a super-hero stuff for free in France (even if it is a bit parodic), and I've been working a lot to come up with this kind of ideas. I think it's very important now to discover new ways of creating dangerous villains.

SHIELD downfall triggering a new world order would be interesting too.

Daredevil and Ultimate Spider-Man having joyful days sometimes

A C-list character suddenly becoming the most dangerous guy on Earth (with a good story behind this of course)

Mack on a Echo solo book.

A major strengthening of the "dead is dead" policy. Hawkeye and Colossus should not have to be brought back. I know you did this because of the fan-pressure and all but... )

No more cosmic stuff, please. The nineties are over, may they rest in peace and stop annoying us mortals.

A major USM villain that would be totally Ultimate exclusive.

Apart from that, I would like to see DrDoom revamped and put on the frontline again like Magneto was these two last years, but this is just a fanboy fantasm.

[Allen Y]

i was making up my list of things i wanted to talk about with the other writers and editors. plans and ideas for any and everything.

so i thought, lets open the floor, what would you bring up? what do you want to see next year?

I'd like to see each writer approach their book as though the next twelve issues are their last. Enough floundering and prolonging subjects, go for great storytelling when and if you can (see Peter's new girlfriend in Ultimate Spider-man) and work from there. It's not a surprise to see readers often prefer a limited series or a year-long run than an ongoing. It's as though writers are taking for granted that they will be on a book, falling into complacency and meandering occassionally.

That's an impression I get from time to time (and no, it's not a thinly-veiled crack at Bendis), and it's hardly limited to Marvel at the moment - it seems even worse at DC currently. Either get the job done or start working on another proposal. Let's have some accountability in lower-selling books like New Thunderbolts and Marvel Team-Up. There was a time when Brian Bendis and Mark Millar couldn't sell Marvel books on their name alone, they built that trust and excitement with readership through their work.

I suppose this emotional edict could begin after Marvel Civil War.

Allen

[modalman]

I didn't read the whole thread... but has anyone suggested MAX Power Pack?

(or is that a little too Brian K Vaughan?)

No, wait... ULTIMATE MAX Power Pack... just, like, really give it a chance to sell...

[Olivier E.]

A black&white Westerns series and more black&white projects
A mini series about a new non-powered villain who's taking over NY while the heroes and villains are busy with Civil war.
Once upon a time I was a super-hero, a mini series like Generation m, portraying heroes who gave up their capes due to to Civil War

[Niall]

I think more Ultimate Spiderman books such as another Ultimate Spiderman Super Special or Ultimate Spiderman Team up books etc, and give Mark brooks another go at drawing in the Ultimate Universe

[J. Wilson]

I'd bring up a way to make this House of M thing like Bobby Ewing's death on Dallas.

Wiping out Danielle Moonstar's mutant powers is a sin against gawd and man.