I did SDCC from 1972 to 2014 (except one year when I was overseas in the service) and the change in culture was astonishing. For the first few years people like GRR Martin would show up, and he was just someone to bounce ideas with, and someone who could tell insider stories. It got bigger year after year, but it was not until Hollywood moved in that it became an Industry Show. And in big industry, the Bosses are not one of us. Sorry you had to experience that. I much preferred years like '85, when I went to a Syd Mead presentation and was the only one who showed up, so we just hung out for an hour, or sitting in a room with Paul Levitz bouncing Legion ideas around. My last 10 years there were working as a Minion for The San Diego Bookstore, and never feeling joy. Find the joy where you can.
I completely agree. I started going to Comic Con in 1987, and ran the projector in the films room. (My favorite was The Wizard of Speed and Time.) The group of fans I hung out with included Peter David, who was writing a couple of titles at that point. I went every year and hung out with friends. The last time I went, Peter was the guest of honor, the place was so packed I could barely make it through the mobs to get anywhere, and most of the programming was just the casts of the latest movies and TV shows. I never bothered to go back.
He’s been really sick for a couple of years. He had multiple strokes and has been in the hospital. I heard he was finally being released to go home, but then he had a major setback.
I really enjoyed your piece. Being the boss is tough. I retire as a Headmaster (I think you call them Principles in the US) after nineteen years on August 31st! It’s a relief and also a strange feeling. The Pheonix Art is stunning.
That's pretty hardcore stuff, Joe. For the record – I've only heard nice things about you from a guy that I chat with who went to college with you & I guess has worked with you. After writing/publishing 30+ books, 100+ songs, I began actively seeking getting into writing comics professionally this year. My means to do that is (#1) by putting comics & (#2) by networking. Let's just say that God has been good to me & continues to bless me. ...Perhaps, I'm finally reaping from the good seed that I've sown.
Currently, I have 4 comics that I put out. The first of those had to be put on ice, due to Zorro being a trademarked character. Still, with that said – I enjoyed the kind interaction with Zorro Inc. I like them quite a lot. They introduced me to some other folks within literature & whatnot too. Several more comics that I've independently written are being illustrated by people. There are a few artists who want to get into doing comics professionally – who I'm working with as a means to aid them & get them some experience. I sincerely try to treat others the way that I'd want to be treated. I don't just write comics & graphic novels – but I read & review other creators stuff. I read what I think I'll enjoy & keep reading things that I actually do.
Networking has genuinely opened doors for me. After all, people like to work with people who they feel comfortable with and trust – that won't be divisive and try to combat them. I play well with others & that is beginning to show up more and more – as I was hired a little bit ago as the head writer of iShook Comics. Currently, I've written them one graphic novel & am starting on the second one in a pretty decent series that the CEO has imagined. Being a novelist, lyricist, and whatnot – who is very well read – storytelling, world building, and filling in complex gaps seems natural to me. I'm blessed.
While I see far too many indie creators fighting – the comic book industry seems to be taking notice of me little by little. The opportunities that life has afforded you sound nice. In my life whether it be in music, ministry, literature, or whatnot people have either thought too much or too little of me – while not really seeing me for me at all. Others' perceptions can be trying.
That is awesome Phoenix art. I remember when Marvel Knights started. It was an exciting time. Of course, I had already known your work through Valiant - I still remember the awesome foil X-O Manowar cover from you. Your time at Marvel was a great ride. The bold storytelling and creators you brought to Marvel was revitalizing!
Joe, I'd really love to hear why Marvel (and DC) comics so rarely take place outside of the US.
My biggest time reading Marvel was during your turn as EIC, and while I didn't read every Marvel book I did read a lot, and I can think of maybe three or four stories that took place outside the US. I'm not saying every second start has to be, but surly Marvel knows the reach they have internationally.
Why are other countries not represented? International fans would like to think the heroes would supoort their countries, too. Apart from anything else, always bring set in America just gets boring.
I know this sounds like I'm down on Marvel and comics in general. I'm really not, they are my favourite medium, I just wish their borders were expanded somewhat
Like when Dan Slott wrote an Australian "hero"...dressed in a mechanised kangaroo costume carrying a beer everywhere he went. Yeah, that was greaaaaaat
Not quite the same, but the same: I became a manager in my IT job.
It somehow made me the funniest, most likable guy in the room!
Except one of my friends also worked for me -- and was happy to bring me back to earth. It does suck when people don't see you so much as a person, but an opportunity in waiting.
In some cases someone might see me as an opportunity in waiting, which I think is fair. Where I found it disheartening was when the person was someone I knew wouldn't give me the time of day if not for my title. But who can blame a young artist from seeing someone who is in a position to hire them not viewing that as an opportunity? In fact, to do otherwise wouldn't be a smart move.
Hey Joe. Following your 2nd confession on "your absolute favourite part"... how about hosting an online session with all of us? I know it does not have the same thrill as hosting a live session, but I'm positive that we will all have a great time, you can entertain us and we can ask questions. Just putting it out there 😉😁.
Joe, you might want to visit Balboa Park if you haven't been there. Lots of museums, koi pond, gardens, etc. I recommend checking out the Spanish Art Village and the Comic Con Museum. Seaport Village and walking along the beach to the Midway aircraft carrier and back, with lots of vendors along the way, is a nice relaxing stroll.
Hey Joe. Thanks for all the hard work and effort. Question? Can you let us know ahead of time when drawing up a cover or book? Missed Zorro and Space Ghost. Also, when will you submit a Kickstarter? Thanks.
BK, that's sometimes hard to do, especially when a company wants to keep it on the down-low and wants to be the first to break the news. But maybe in the future I can give a tease or two.
I hear San Diego has a magnificent zoo…
I did SDCC from 1972 to 2014 (except one year when I was overseas in the service) and the change in culture was astonishing. For the first few years people like GRR Martin would show up, and he was just someone to bounce ideas with, and someone who could tell insider stories. It got bigger year after year, but it was not until Hollywood moved in that it became an Industry Show. And in big industry, the Bosses are not one of us. Sorry you had to experience that. I much preferred years like '85, when I went to a Syd Mead presentation and was the only one who showed up, so we just hung out for an hour, or sitting in a room with Paul Levitz bouncing Legion ideas around. My last 10 years there were working as a Minion for The San Diego Bookstore, and never feeling joy. Find the joy where you can.
I completely agree. I started going to Comic Con in 1987, and ran the projector in the films room. (My favorite was The Wizard of Speed and Time.) The group of fans I hung out with included Peter David, who was writing a couple of titles at that point. I went every year and hung out with friends. The last time I went, Peter was the guest of honor, the place was so packed I could barely make it through the mobs to get anywhere, and most of the programming was just the casts of the latest movies and TV shows. I never bothered to go back.
Peter was great. He was one of our regulars. I stopped going to panels or anything by probably 2010 or so, but the good authors came to us.
He’s been really sick for a couple of years. He had multiple strokes and has been in the hospital. I heard he was finally being released to go home, but then he had a major setback.
Yes. I really miss the days when he would talk about taking his daughter bowling! He has been through several flavors of hell, though. :(
It definitely wasn’t ruining Spider-Man.
You seemed to enjoy that.
It was definitely Mary Jane and Peter being married, wasn’t it?
I really enjoyed your piece. Being the boss is tough. I retire as a Headmaster (I think you call them Principles in the US) after nineteen years on August 31st! It’s a relief and also a strange feeling. The Pheonix Art is stunning.
That's pretty hardcore stuff, Joe. For the record – I've only heard nice things about you from a guy that I chat with who went to college with you & I guess has worked with you. After writing/publishing 30+ books, 100+ songs, I began actively seeking getting into writing comics professionally this year. My means to do that is (#1) by putting comics & (#2) by networking. Let's just say that God has been good to me & continues to bless me. ...Perhaps, I'm finally reaping from the good seed that I've sown.
Currently, I have 4 comics that I put out. The first of those had to be put on ice, due to Zorro being a trademarked character. Still, with that said – I enjoyed the kind interaction with Zorro Inc. I like them quite a lot. They introduced me to some other folks within literature & whatnot too. Several more comics that I've independently written are being illustrated by people. There are a few artists who want to get into doing comics professionally – who I'm working with as a means to aid them & get them some experience. I sincerely try to treat others the way that I'd want to be treated. I don't just write comics & graphic novels – but I read & review other creators stuff. I read what I think I'll enjoy & keep reading things that I actually do.
Networking has genuinely opened doors for me. After all, people like to work with people who they feel comfortable with and trust – that won't be divisive and try to combat them. I play well with others & that is beginning to show up more and more – as I was hired a little bit ago as the head writer of iShook Comics. Currently, I've written them one graphic novel & am starting on the second one in a pretty decent series that the CEO has imagined. Being a novelist, lyricist, and whatnot – who is very well read – storytelling, world building, and filling in complex gaps seems natural to me. I'm blessed.
While I see far too many indie creators fighting – the comic book industry seems to be taking notice of me little by little. The opportunities that life has afforded you sound nice. In my life whether it be in music, ministry, literature, or whatnot people have either thought too much or too little of me – while not really seeing me for me at all. Others' perceptions can be trying.
That is awesome Phoenix art. I remember when Marvel Knights started. It was an exciting time. Of course, I had already known your work through Valiant - I still remember the awesome foil X-O Manowar cover from you. Your time at Marvel was a great ride. The bold storytelling and creators you brought to Marvel was revitalizing!
Joe, I'd really love to hear why Marvel (and DC) comics so rarely take place outside of the US.
My biggest time reading Marvel was during your turn as EIC, and while I didn't read every Marvel book I did read a lot, and I can think of maybe three or four stories that took place outside the US. I'm not saying every second start has to be, but surly Marvel knows the reach they have internationally.
Why are other countries not represented? International fans would like to think the heroes would supoort their countries, too. Apart from anything else, always bring set in America just gets boring.
I think a lot of this has to do with writers writing what they know.
I know this sounds like I'm down on Marvel and comics in general. I'm really not, they are my favourite medium, I just wish their borders were expanded somewhat
Chris Claremont set plenty of action in Canada.
Like when Dan Slott wrote an Australian "hero"...dressed in a mechanised kangaroo costume carrying a beer everywhere he went. Yeah, that was greaaaaaat
Funny, I'm attempting to go the other way in many ways. I applied to be create a panel for my local convention.
Not quite the same, but the same: I became a manager in my IT job.
It somehow made me the funniest, most likable guy in the room!
Except one of my friends also worked for me -- and was happy to bring me back to earth. It does suck when people don't see you so much as a person, but an opportunity in waiting.
In some cases someone might see me as an opportunity in waiting, which I think is fair. Where I found it disheartening was when the person was someone I knew wouldn't give me the time of day if not for my title. But who can blame a young artist from seeing someone who is in a position to hire them not viewing that as an opportunity? In fact, to do otherwise wouldn't be a smart move.
Hey Joe. Following your 2nd confession on "your absolute favourite part"... how about hosting an online session with all of us? I know it does not have the same thrill as hosting a live session, but I'm positive that we will all have a great time, you can entertain us and we can ask questions. Just putting it out there 😉😁.
That's a great suggestion, Annemie and I think there's a way to do that through Substack. Let me look into it after SDCC.
Try the Night and Day café in Coronado. Best hash browns in the free world
Michael, You should have led with Hash Browns. Adding it to the list.
Glad to help, sir!
im not really following the new comics. but i remember i love your Ash design
Thanks Space Wanderer. And you should try out some of the new stuff that coming out, there are a lot of good stories out there.
yes. will hunt tomorrow at a toy expo in Jakarta.
Joe, you might want to visit Balboa Park if you haven't been there. Lots of museums, koi pond, gardens, etc. I recommend checking out the Spanish Art Village and the Comic Con Museum. Seaport Village and walking along the beach to the Midway aircraft carrier and back, with lots of vendors along the way, is a nice relaxing stroll.
Thanks, Neil. I've been there once but it was to destroy DC at our once annual softball game.
That Jean Grey cover is great. Her eyes say forget all the rest of the books in the store. You will buy this one first. 😉😁
Thanks, Christopher, that means I did my job.
Hey Joe. Thanks for all the hard work and effort. Question? Can you let us know ahead of time when drawing up a cover or book? Missed Zorro and Space Ghost. Also, when will you submit a Kickstarter? Thanks.
BK, that's sometimes hard to do, especially when a company wants to keep it on the down-low and wants to be the first to break the news. But maybe in the future I can give a tease or two.