While I hold no ill will, the Mephisto moment destroying Peter and Mary Jane's marriage was what ruined comics for me. It was the single worst comic book moment that I can ever remember reading. All those years of character development and history, destroyed for money.
Lowell, thanks for writing, and I appreciate your honesty. Not every comic is going to make everyone happy, and I'm sorry that this single story, or any single story, destroyed comics for anyone. But that was 16 years ago and I’m glad you found your way here to read my stories about the industry and join our discussion about the world of comics. Who knows, maybe it’ll rekindle your desire to start up again, or perhaps not. But regardless, I’m glad that you decided to join our community.
Hi Joe, I just wanted to say I loved this post/story. It's truly hard not to love Stan Lee.
On a side note, I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to you. I attended the Marvel Fanfare panel at SDCC 2023 (where they gave out the Captain America 750 SDCC Quesada variant). At the end of the panel, you were speaking to another gentleman outside the venue and was kind enough to let me take a selfie with you.
Fast forward a month, Fan Expo Canada 2023, and I was for fortunate enough to get you to sign that copy of that Captain America 750 SDCC Quesada variant. It will be definitely treasured for life. Thank you Joe!
Hey Joe - just wanted to say I love your regular emails and really appreciate your honesty! Plus, your new artwork is killer! A question - are you a fan of British artist Simon Coleby? You both share some similar artistic decisions.
One thing I've always been curious about is what exactly happened in '94 with Valiant & Ninjak? I've read little comments over the years from various people, but never a full-on story. You were quoted in interviews at the time that you were looking at the job as a long & committed run, but then you were off the book; supposedly there was a rude message on the cover of issue 2 directed from you to mgnt, but I couldn't see anything there.
When you talk about 387 Park Ave and the “Penthouse”, I want to know more. What was it? Is it still there? Because I saw this real estate listing, and it says the building is only 12 stories.
Joe, this is one helluva story. If I had a Rolodex, my wish would be to have your name on it because everyone needs a good mentor, me included. Your Marvel Knights reignited my love of Marvel and those books sit comfortably in my long boxes.
Entertaining reading about Stan Lee. I saw a documentary about Stan Lee on Netflix Stan Lee seems very enthused about comics. Looking forward to your new marvel project.
Love your insider tales and anecdotes! I’ve been a fan of yours ever since Batman: Sword of Azrael and it will always be my favorite work of yours bc it was the first. Can you share any fun facts or interesting experiences about that project?
Steve, I had a blast working on the project. It's hard to explain what it felt like being a rookie and suddenly working with Archie Goodwin, Denny O'Neil, Kevin Nowlan, Lovern Kindzierski, and Ken Bruzenak. I have some Azrael stories to tell in future columns, so stick around.
Artists have strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Mike Mignola has admitted often he HATES drawing cars. Is there anything that's not your "cup of joe" to draw? Conversely, what do you LOVE drawing?
Loving the newsletter. Always great to hear stories from behind the scenes.
A question you have probably heard a thousand times over.
If you have had work published by non big two companies and other book publishers what’s the best way to get the attention of and present your work to an editor for potential work for hire assignments?
LOL, Mark, one way is to call them by the wrong name.
I kid, of course, I do it all the time, but make sure if you're sending your work to Marvel, you don't label it for DC.
The honest answer is that if you've done work that's in print, then you have a head start. I would suggest trying to meet an editor at a convention or finding out what each company's email submission policies are. Many don't take unsolicited submissions. But if this is preexisting work that's already been published, then those rules may not apply.
Joe, I am so glad that I subscribed to this newsletter. Even though my path was art to game design to narrative writer to editor, so many of the things you say resonate with moments in my career too. You said you were panicking about editing others. At Decipher we were developing our own sci-fi IP, and I had tossed off a bunch of short stories about the characters and the universe. (I put "characters" first, right? Your Stan story was fabulous.) Anyway, some of the creative folks around the office wanted to write stories. So I edited them. I started messing with the first one from somebody else, and then I stopped. Hit me like a brick. I can't make this person sound like me; I have to make them sound like them! The best version of them. That's when I really became an editor.
While I hold no ill will, the Mephisto moment destroying Peter and Mary Jane's marriage was what ruined comics for me. It was the single worst comic book moment that I can ever remember reading. All those years of character development and history, destroyed for money.
Lowell, thanks for writing, and I appreciate your honesty. Not every comic is going to make everyone happy, and I'm sorry that this single story, or any single story, destroyed comics for anyone. But that was 16 years ago and I’m glad you found your way here to read my stories about the industry and join our discussion about the world of comics. Who knows, maybe it’ll rekindle your desire to start up again, or perhaps not. But regardless, I’m glad that you decided to join our community.
Hi Joe, I just wanted to say I loved this post/story. It's truly hard not to love Stan Lee.
On a side note, I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to you. I attended the Marvel Fanfare panel at SDCC 2023 (where they gave out the Captain America 750 SDCC Quesada variant). At the end of the panel, you were speaking to another gentleman outside the venue and was kind enough to let me take a selfie with you.
Fast forward a month, Fan Expo Canada 2023, and I was for fortunate enough to get you to sign that copy of that Captain America 750 SDCC Quesada variant. It will be definitely treasured for life. Thank you Joe!
I really enjoy your newsletters, great reads and insightful. Keep it up Joe.
P.S. I'm a huge fan of your artwork.
Don't have a good day, have a great day!
Hi Joe!
I would like to know if you are allow to share comic scripts from Marvel?
I was able to find lots of scripts from DC and other independant companies on comicsexperience.com/scripts
I would be interested in a demo script to practice my pencilling! (Far from industry pro, but I'll get there eventually :))
Hey Joe - just wanted to say I love your regular emails and really appreciate your honesty! Plus, your new artwork is killer! A question - are you a fan of British artist Simon Coleby? You both share some similar artistic decisions.
One thing I've always been curious about is what exactly happened in '94 with Valiant & Ninjak? I've read little comments over the years from various people, but never a full-on story. You were quoted in interviews at the time that you were looking at the job as a long & committed run, but then you were off the book; supposedly there was a rude message on the cover of issue 2 directed from you to mgnt, but I couldn't see anything there.
Great story and perspective story about Stan.
When you talk about 387 Park Ave and the “Penthouse”, I want to know more. What was it? Is it still there? Because I saw this real estate listing, and it says the building is only 12 stories.
https://tfc.com/office-space-for-lease-in-flatiron/387-park-avenue-south
You are 100% right, Ray.
"Legally" it only has 12 stories, but trust me, there's a 13th and it's still there. I have the photos to prove it.
Joe, this is one helluva story. If I had a Rolodex, my wish would be to have your name on it because everyone needs a good mentor, me included. Your Marvel Knights reignited my love of Marvel and those books sit comfortably in my long boxes.
Tim, I'm blushing at the moment.
You just inspired me to check out old school Rolodex's on eBay. Looks like you can get a used classic metal version for about $26.
Well you got me digging through my long boxes. Time to put those Marvel Knights on the office wall.
Entertaining reading about Stan Lee. I saw a documentary about Stan Lee on Netflix Stan Lee seems very enthused about comics. Looking forward to your new marvel project.
Lack of enthusiasm is something Stan was never accused of. Thanks for the kind words, Kevin.
This was a great read, Joe!
Thanks, Alex, glad to have you as part of the community. See you at SDCC?
Not this year, alas. But hope we can catch up soon, Joe!
Love your insider tales and anecdotes! I’ve been a fan of yours ever since Batman: Sword of Azrael and it will always be my favorite work of yours bc it was the first. Can you share any fun facts or interesting experiences about that project?
Steve, I had a blast working on the project. It's hard to explain what it felt like being a rookie and suddenly working with Archie Goodwin, Denny O'Neil, Kevin Nowlan, Lovern Kindzierski, and Ken Bruzenak. I have some Azrael stories to tell in future columns, so stick around.
Q for ya Joe!
Artists have strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Mike Mignola has admitted often he HATES drawing cars. Is there anything that's not your "cup of joe" to draw? Conversely, what do you LOVE drawing?
Great question, Taimur. I'm going to save this one for the newsletter.
Huzzah! Feels like we're back in my old New Joe Fridays "Spidey616" days! :)
Awesome story about Stan. Can't wait to pick up your upcoming book. Thanks for the entertaining stories.
Thanks, J. Hopefully I'll have more news on the book in the coming months.
Loved that Stan story!
Thanks, Scott.
Hi Jimmy!
Loving the newsletter. Always great to hear stories from behind the scenes.
A question you have probably heard a thousand times over.
If you have had work published by non big two companies and other book publishers what’s the best way to get the attention of and present your work to an editor for potential work for hire assignments?
LOL, Mark, one way is to call them by the wrong name.
I kid, of course, I do it all the time, but make sure if you're sending your work to Marvel, you don't label it for DC.
The honest answer is that if you've done work that's in print, then you have a head start. I would suggest trying to meet an editor at a convention or finding out what each company's email submission policies are. Many don't take unsolicited submissions. But if this is preexisting work that's already been published, then those rules may not apply.
Doh! Cheers Joe!
Joe, I am so glad that I subscribed to this newsletter. Even though my path was art to game design to narrative writer to editor, so many of the things you say resonate with moments in my career too. You said you were panicking about editing others. At Decipher we were developing our own sci-fi IP, and I had tossed off a bunch of short stories about the characters and the universe. (I put "characters" first, right? Your Stan story was fabulous.) Anyway, some of the creative folks around the office wanted to write stories. So I edited them. I started messing with the first one from somebody else, and then I stopped. Hit me like a brick. I can't make this person sound like me; I have to make them sound like them! The best version of them. That's when I really became an editor.
It's also the best way to keep them working for you. Try to amplify the work, not rewrite it.