Articles by glenn-hauman
Wed Sep 9, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
'Paul is dead' and other reactions to the DC Comics restructuring
It's ironic that on a day that many people in the world are talking about the Beatles in one form or another, people in the comics industry are asking if Paul is dead.
Certainly, you don't see this amount of coverage of a man's life until his funeral. It reminds one of Twain: "They say such nice things at a man's funeral that it's a shame I'm going to miss mine by only a couple of days." Paul Levitz has had many, many nice things said about him. Mark Evanier may have the best post placing Paul's place in historical context so far:
DC and Marvel could not now interface with Time-Warner and — assuming the deal goes through — Disney if they had not evolved from hot dog joints into real businesses.
Many have taken credit for that evolution, including some who fought it until it became inevitable and a few who resisted even after that time. Among those who honestly do deserve great credit is Paul Levitz.
Kurt Busiek also sums up:
Paul has been at the forefront of just about every industry development of the last couple of decades, and has been key to how the industry’s shaped itself over those years. Shifting from a periodicals-only business to a strong backlist-oriented business with trade paperbacks and hardcovers, adding imprints like Vertigo, creating new opportunities for creators and for creator ownership, seeing that DC gave a fair (or at least fairer) deal to the creators who originated the concepts that turned up in DC-based movies, from Arkham Asylum and Lucius Fox to Robin’s motorcycles (yeah, because they called Chris O’Donnell’s ride the “Redbird” in one of the movies, Paul Levitz saw to it that Chuck Dixon got money) and more, Paul was an important part of a huge number of changes that DC’s seen, and that the whole industry’s seen. Some of them big changes everyone’s noticed, some of them behind-the-scenes stuff few people know about.
Heidi MacDonald, another one of us who toiled in the vineyards under Paul, said: "Paul is one of the smartest, kindest people I’ve ever worked with. He changed comics for the better in such vast ways that it’s hard to imagine where the industry would be without his stewardship. I wish him all the best."
Marv Wolfman said: For years now, Paul has talked about retiring someday soon and returning to writing, his first love. For that reason alone I am so happy for him because I know that's what he deeply cares about and has been wanting. As readers, we are in for some major treats. I can also say, without fear of rebuttal by anyone who is in the know, Paul is probably the best, the smartest, the most creative and the most moral Publisher the business has ever seen. Most fans have no idea how important Paul is, not only to DC, but to the entire industry. I have often said, and mean, that without Paul there very well might not be a comics industry today. I am not speaking in hyperbole. I am being literal; I mean exactly what I wrote.
And I'm fond of Rich Johnston's comment: I asked Keith Giffen what was up with Ambush Bug. He told me “He’s taking Paul’s job.”
One more thing that I've been told that I haven't seen mentioned: Paul contributed tremendous numbers of comics to Len Wein when he lost his collection in the recent fire. Huge numbers.
So now what? Me, I'm just waiting for those great Legion stories... hey, and what is it with guys who write Legion going on to become head honchos at comics companies? Paul Levitz, Jim Shooter with Marvel, Valiant and Defiant, Mark Waid at BOOM!... what makes it such a prerequisite?
Wed Sep 9, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
Meet the new boss: Diane Nelson's first comments as head of DC
From the DC Blog:Dear DC Colleagues and Friends,
As hopefully each of you now know, this morning Warner Bros. announced the formation of DC Entertainment, and I’ve been entrusted with the honor of heading up this exciting new venture, reporting to Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.
DC Entertainment’s mission is to deeply integrate the DC brand and characters into all of Warner Bros.’ creative production and distribution businesses, while maintaining the integrity of the properties and DC’s longstanding commitment to and respect for writers, creators and artists. The founding of DC Entertainment is about Warner Bros. taking DC to the next level and giving DC an even greater degree of focus and prioritization in all the businesses in which we operate—films, television, home entertainment, digital, consumer products and videogames.
You are all an integral part of the success DC has achieved to date and your expertise and support will be essential moving forward – as we raise this brand and collection of characters to even greater heights. Together we can make the next 75 years even more successful and productive than DC’s illustrious 75-year history.
Jeff and I will be in the DC offices next week and will say hello personally at that time. Until then, thank you in advance for your support and continued contributions to DC Comics and the new DC Entertainment.
Best regards,
Diane
Hat tip to Occasional Superheroine for seeing it first. Wed Sep 9, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
Why did the coyote think he could outsmart a roadrunner? Well...
...based on the available evidence, it should have been a slam dunk.
Hat tip: Teresa Nielsen Hayden.
Tue Sep 8, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
Richard Curtis ('Blackadder') writing 'Doctor Who' episode
Proving that everybody knows everybody in the British entertainment system, Richard Curtis, well known for writing Blackadder, Mr. Bean, Notting Hill, Love Actually, and the Bridget Jones screenplays, will be writing an episode of Doctor Who for the upcoming season, according to the BBC.
Considering Curtis's long association with Rowan Atkinson, we feel we must show you Doctor Who: The Curse Of Fatal Death, starring Atkinson as the Doctor. Curtis didn't write this, it was written by... new showrunner Steven Moffat. Hmmm...
Tue Sep 8, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
'GrimJack: The Manx Cat' #2 in stores now
How backed up have things been here? I didn't even get a chance to note that GrimJack: The Manx Cat #2 is already in stores. Silly me, I thought this was coming out this week.
Since new books aren't shipping until Thursday this week, if you find yourself in a store on Wednesday, go pick this up along with issue #1. Ostrander and Truman at their bestest. IDW at their publishiest. And us, as always, at our busiest.
Tue Sep 8, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
$140 million kill fee if Disney doesn't get Marvel
I'm a sucker for extra details like this, and ICv2 picked up a doozy:
My question: does that kill fee have to be paid if government scuttles the deal? Say, if antitrust in the US or Europe says no? I gotta read the SEC filing more when I have a chance to breathe...
Sat Sep 5, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
DragonCon Weekend!
Who said convention season was slowing down? Dragon*Con is this weekend in Atlanta, Pittsburgh is next weekend, Mid-Ohio, Baltimore, and Wizard Big Apple are next month... this is going to get exhausting.
Our favorite photo so far from the convention is from the lovely Felicia Day above: "Me and zombie Lincoln and zombie John Wilkes Booth at the zombie ball."
Not sure how much news we're going to get out of the convention, or whether this is just going to be a sultry summer con to wind down the season. Depends on what Marvney has to say...
Fri Sep 4, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
Disney Kiddy Ride Fail
Since we haven't picked on Disney in hours, and since we've heard people wondering if Disney is going to have trouble with potentially adult situations coming from Marvel, we'd just like to refresh people's memory of the Disney character from the 90's, Marsupalami...
Don't ask where the rest of his tail is, either.
Thu Sep 3, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
Comics (Company) Buyer's Guide
Let's review the scorecard:
- Disney just picked up Marvel, and already owns the assets from CrossGen.
- AOL Time Warner, through Warner Bros., owns DC Comics and subsidiary imprints Wildstorm, Vertigo, and CMX; and has a distribution and publishing arrangement with Archie for some characters.
- IDW is 50% owned by Starz.
- Dark Horse has a first look deal with NBC/Universal.
Who's left on the table?
On the movie studio side: Viacom/Paramount, Fox/NewsCorp, and Sony/Columbia. MGM and United Artists are a bit small to go shopping for their own comics company, although they could set up first look deals.
On the comics side: BOOM! must be looking very tempting. Dark Horse could still be bought. Image-- who would you deal with? Top Cow, possibly. Dynamic Forces licenses stuff from movie studios, not the other way around. Avatar is mostly writiers who probably control their sub rights, so there's little to be gained in an acquisition. Who after that? Slave Labor? Archaia? Aspen? Archie? Radical? Top Shelf?
My guess for a sleeper acquistion? Oni probably looks tempting to somebody.
But that's just my take on it. What about you? What do you think the next big move is going to be?
Wed Sep 2, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
Meanwhile, in 'Superman' movie news...
If you ever wonder why DC can't catch a break in movies while Marvel's going gangbusters, consider this piece from the New York Post about the producers of Superman:
MOVIE mogul Jon Peters has been ordered to stay 100 yards away from his "Superman: Man of Steel" co-producer, Brian Quintana -- for allegedly threatening to kapow! him.
The battle between the producers flared up on Aug. 12 when Peters was giving a deposition at a Los Angeles law office for a sexual harassment lawsuit Quintana filed against him. According to a transcript of the deposition, Peters shouted, "I am going to cross this table and beat the [bleep]ing [bleep] out of you. I am going to kick your ass."
Quintana, 41, told Page Six that Peters lunged at him during the session, adding, "His lawyer had to hold him back."
A police report Quintana filed Aug. 14 reads: "Mr. Peters threatened to break my legs. I am afraid, nervous and anxious that Jon Peters is going to hurt or kill me."
Then, on Aug. 19, Quintana got a court order forbidding Peters from threatening, assaulting or harassing him. A hearing is set for Sept. 9 to decide how long the order remains in effect.
Relations between the co-producers have been more charged than kryptonite. As we first reported last year, Quintana filed a suit claiming Peters sexually roughed him up and subjected him to "continuous and pervasive sexual harassment," including "multiple instances where he was physically [and] sexually harassed by Peters."
Peters' lawyer, Joe Yanny, told us, "This restraining order is ridiculous. Mr. Peters did not threaten Mr. Quintana. He is trying to manipulate the system." He said Peters "lost his temper" at the deposition because Quintana was throwing kisses at him. He also said Peters obtained a restraining order to prevent Quintana from saying he was an "employee" of Peters.
Remember, if there isn't a Superman theatrical movie in production by 2011, the Siegel estate gets millions. I wonder if DC can take it out of Peters's scalp.
Wed Sep 2, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
'Lobo' goes to Hollywood (really!)
Heidi has the goods:
Manly director Guy Ritchie is set to direct the LOBO movie... let’s start the campaign to cast defining artist Simon Bisley in a supporting role NOW! There’s gonna be so much bonus testosterone on this project that Megan Fox is gonna turn into a sprint champion. Warner Bros. has locked Guy Ritchie to direct “Lobo,” the live action adaptation of the DC Comics drama about an alien interstellar bounty hunter. Don Payne wrote the most recent script draft, and Joel Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Andrew Rona will produce.
In the meantime, expect a price bump in back issues of the book to the right.
Wed Sep 2, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
Does Disney buying Marvel mean 'Spider-Man: Turn On The Dark' is back to Broadway?
The Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark may not be as dead as previously thought.
According to a report in Variety, the rumor mill is spinning with word that the financially troubled production will resume production this week or maybe next, with at least some folks being called back to work. The production stalled earlier last month due to "cash-flow" issues. There is no official word as of yet.
They're saying there is no connection to production on the musical picking up again and Disney acquiring Marvel, but I don't believe that for a minute. Disney has tremendous experience working on Broadway, including Julie Taymor's previous adaption of The Lion King for Broadway.
No word yet on if the musical will open on time... it had been set to begin previews on February 25, 2010, and officially open in March.
Tue Sep 1, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
And you thought MM stood for Marvelman...
Tue Sep 1, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
Who makes money when Disney buys Marvel?
Well, if I'm reading these stock forms correctly, Avi Arad's stock holdings jumped about $10 million dollars yesterday with the stock bump.
And Issac Perlmutter's stock holdings went up about $282 million, with his total holdings worth about $1,391,049,355. Put another way, when they say that Disney bought Marvel for four billion dollars, over a third of it goes to Issac. And since this is a 60% cash/40% stock deal, Issac pulls in $830 million in cash.
Yowza. That's a lot of variant covers.
Mon Aug 31, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman
Jack Kirby draws Mickey Mouse as Disney gets Marvelized
In a case of incredibly lucky timing, Craig Yoe, the author of Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman’s Co-Creator Joe Shuster, The Art of Ditko, The Complete Milt Gross Comic Book Stories and Life Story, The Bizarre Comics of Boody Rogers, and The Great Anti-War Cartoons, has started blogging again on Super I.T.C.H. (International Team of Comics Historians) with a well-timed piece: Jack Kirby's drawing of Mickey Mouse:
Back in 1991, I did a coffee table art book “The Art of Mickey Mouse”, I got artists from around the world to do their interpretation of “The World’s Favorite Mouse.” One of the first people I called was Jack Kirby. He and his wife Roz were very excited about the idea. He sent me two drawings, as I recall, and I chose this one. I colored it “animation style,” with the black line on an overlay and the background colors underneath. Jack’s contribution was part of a touring exhibit of art from the book throughout Japan. So, Marvel is called by some fans “The House that Jack Built” (not, in my opinion to take ANYTHING away from the brilliant genius Stan Lee’s more than vital part.) And here’s Jack doing Mickey! Is this weird, or what?
