tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471799055212978504.post7484690464911806309..comments2023-10-03T04:15:19.412-07:00Comments on General Eclectic: Marvelous Tales: Making Comic Book EditorsCarl Pottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324208070766818833noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471799055212978504.post-69021303649290042042008-12-22T08:53:00.000-08:002008-12-22T08:53:00.000-08:00Assistant Editor School anecdote:In one class, we ...Assistant Editor School anecdote:<BR/><BR/>In one class, we were working on how to review a story concept submission. At the beginning of the class, Tom and Mark passed out a single sheet, typewritten submission with no name attached. <BR/><BR/>The concept was for a new Sub-Mariner series, where Namor would use his access to the riches of the deep to set himself up as a businessman and attempt to combat the surface world in the boardrooms, rather than the battlefield. Tom and Mark invited the assembled assistant editors to review the concept.<BR/><BR/>Every assistant present panned the idea, tearing it to shreds as an asinine, boring concept- except for me. I commented on how it was an interesting twist, a literal 'fish out of water' story, and that it would present a lot of opportunities for interesting conflict.<BR/><BR/>The reason for my differing opinion was not because I had a mature or superior sense of story- it was because I recognized the distinctive dropped 'e' from Tom DeFalco's typewritten plots and scripts on the typewritten submission. The concept was indeed his, and did become the basis for the Namor series that John Byrne ended up writing and drawing. I don't know that I ended up any better for praising one of Tom's stories that my comrades panned, but I sure felt a sense of 'near miss' that day in the room.Marc Siryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11350810409954066004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471799055212978504.post-37854389631142976272008-12-19T14:12:00.000-08:002008-12-19T14:12:00.000-08:00That's interesting to hear that editors brought in...That's interesting to hear that editors brought in from other field's of publishing didn't usually work out. Always wondered about that.<BR/><BR/>I guess there's no reason why someone from intern to editor can't work out as long as you pick the cream of the crop.<BR/><BR/>Still, though there are exceptions, the best editors seem to be experienced writers or artists.<BR/>Or, even better, an artist/writer like you :-).<BR/><BR/>-B*Bill Reinholdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06347794773657949816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471799055212978504.post-14564799386951483002008-12-17T17:10:00.000-08:002008-12-17T17:10:00.000-08:00Thanks for the lengthy response to my query, Carl....Thanks for the lengthy response to my query, Carl. These things do always seem to turn into nostalgia fests, but I think there's a really good reason for that: things really were a heck of a lot better in the biz back then than they are now. I sometimes feel a bit guilty encouraging my students at SCAD to enter such a diminished field, but I tell myself at least w/ the help of myself & my fellow teachers they'll have a better chance than they would have going at it on their own.Prof. Roy Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01769095527412322298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471799055212978504.post-35847591154371227832008-12-17T14:28:00.000-08:002008-12-17T14:28:00.000-08:00The story at Antioch was that Galton wanted to do ...The story at Antioch was that Galton wanted to do something for his old alma mater that didn't involve giving them money (which sounded cheap at the time, but, knowing what I now do about Antioch's finances, was probably just good business sense). So he created the Marvel internship. It was always listed on the "co-op" job sheet and it was a reasonably well-paying job compared to most of them.<BR/><BR/>And I second Steve's comment about enjoying the reminiscences. He just sent me a link to your blog, which I'm enjoying very much. Plus, I know so much more about bass fishing now than I ever did before.Sara Kocherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01707328981781256037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471799055212978504.post-53600622432768745912008-12-15T16:57:00.000-08:002008-12-15T16:57:00.000-08:00Another great post, Carl. These posts and all the...Another great post, Carl. These posts and all the "Friends of Old Marvel" stuff happening on Facebook, have been a real joy. The proverbial trip down memory lane. I feel really blessed to have "Grown Up" at Marvel--on staff from '85 to '89, and freelance for many years after. It was like college for me. I learned so much, and had a ball, but sometimes I feel like it didn't really prepare many of us for professional life outside comics. I guess that's why we're all waxing nostalgic on the internet.Steve Buccellatohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07465853293584074247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471799055212978504.post-42257244833023452382008-12-15T15:30:00.000-08:002008-12-15T15:30:00.000-08:00Mark's editorial classes are just one example of w...Mark's editorial classes are just one example of what was, I think, a pretty laudable commitment toward bringing up new talent. I credit Mark's Solo Avengers -- a showcase to try out new writers and artists -- as a crucial turning point in my career. Not just the title as a venue, but the fact of Mark taking the time to come by and walk me through where my story was of course, and how it could be improved. Even on essentially asinine tales featuring characters like Dr. Druid. It was calm, insightful, non-judgmental stuff. I realized it was pretty unique even then -- and it stands out to me even more so now.D.G. Chichesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01404795296663383809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471799055212978504.post-54928882748079134612008-12-15T15:24:00.000-08:002008-12-15T15:24:00.000-08:00The lack of confrontation was almost comical at po...The lack of confrontation was almost comical at points. I can't count the number of times I'd hear from certain editors, "Writer X is ruining the book! Artist Y can't draw Heroman, and he's a lousy storyteller, and he's always late!"<BR/><BR/>And this on books where said editor *was* the editor. And had complete control over Writer X and Artist Y's fate and direction. Or lack thereof. Mind-boggling.D.G. Chichesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01404795296663383809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471799055212978504.post-32052818675291798242008-12-15T13:59:00.000-08:002008-12-15T13:59:00.000-08:00I always found it interesting that comics editors,...I always found it interesting that comics editors, even the best ones, often have a hard time dealing with confronting people, even though much of the job is about having to confront writers and artists about work, money, deadlines, etc. Some editors will do anything to avoid confrontation, others love it too much. Obviously, a balance is needed. The editor's job involves the introvert's strengths (thinking deeply about story, art, and other creative topics), but also the extrovert's strengths of managing people, including directing their work. It's rare to find someone who naturally has both these skill sets from the get-go, although they can be developed over time.Danny Fingerothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01563233435674872640noreply@blogger.com