Retro Thursday: Len Wein, Marv Wolfman
In spring of 2004, I attended Planet Comicon in Overland Park, Kan., and heard two of the most successful comic-book creators of the 1970s and 1980s: Marv Wolfman and Len Wein. Julius Schwartz, longtime DC editor, had recently died, and so he was on the minds of both creators. A few things discussed at the show four years ago that still haven’t come to fruition: Wein was working on a “Swamp Thing” movie script, and Wolfman was hopeful his long-delayed “Teen Titans: Games” graphic novel would be finished by George Perez. As of 2005, the “Games” graphic novel was on indefinite hiatus. I haven’t heard any updates recently about a “Swamp Thing” film. The following article was originally published April 9, 2004.
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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Two former editors in chief of Marvel Comics talked about their work in comics and other media adaptations of some of their most famous creations at the recent Planet Comicon. Marv Wolfman created many of the New Teen Titans for DC with artist George Perez. He’s written episodes of the “Teen Titans” series for the Cartoon Network based on his comic and has more episodes in the pipeline.
Wolfman also created Blade, the vampire hunter who will be featured in a third motion picture this year, and Bullseye, a villain in the recent “Daredevil” film.
Len Wein is working on a screenplay for “Swamp Thing,” which he co-created with artist Berni Wrightson.
Wein said the new “Swamp Thing” would be a true horror movie, with the creature done in CGI rather than a “guy in a rubber suit.”
Wolfman and Wein both had hits in the 1970s horror resurgence in comics, following the relaxation of the comics code to allow more horror elements. Wolfman’s “Tomb of Dracula,” with Gene Colan, introduced “Blade,” and Wein’s “Swamp Thing” brought a philosophical slant to a horror staple.
Wein and Wolfman broke into DC in the late 1960s, when Julius Schwartz was one of the top editors at the company.
Wein and Wolfman paid tribute to Schwartz, who died Feb. 8.
Wein told how he received his first assignment from “Julie.” He was waiting in the DC offices to pitch a story for “Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane,” when Schwartz barreled into the office.
“What are you doing here?” Schwartz said.
Wein responded, saying he was pitching a “Lois Lane” story.
“No, you’re not,” Schwartz said, grabbing Wein by the collar.
Schwartz sat Wein down in his office and said, “You’re writing the Flash.”
When Wein protested that he hadn’t prepared anything for the Flash, Schwartz said, “You couldn’t be any worse than that S.O.B. I just fired!”
While Schwartz could be gruff, he also was very influential.
“It’s astonishing when you look at one man’s impact,” Wein said, noting that Schwartz’s revival of Flash, Green Lantern and the Justice League motivated Marvel’s 1960s output.
Wolfman and Wein, who each briefly served as editor in chief of Marvel in the 1970s, trail only Marvel’s Stan Lee in the number of characters they have created or co-created that have been adapted into film or television. Besides Swamp Thing, Wein also co-created Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Storm and Colossus of the X-Men.
Though these creators appreciate the opportunity to bring these characters to a larger audience, they feel some in comics are trying too hard for movie success without noting what makes a good comic.
“Comics used to be ahead of the curve; now we’re following the curve,” Wolfman said.
Wolfman also wrote the hit series “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” of which Wein served as a consulting editor. The artist was Perez. The landmark miniseries aimed to clear the barnacles off DC Comics’ continuity, which at the time included multiple universes and versions of main characters. The series, released in 1985-1986, will reach its 20th anniversary next year.
“Crisis on Infinite Earths” was targeted at hard-core Marvel fans, who at that time didn’t follow DC Comics.
“And wouldn’t,” Wolfman said, “because it was too confusing to them.
“We needed to do something incredibly large and incredibly loud to say to these people, ‘Come on over and take a look. DC has great characters.’”
“Crisis” merged all the continuities into one Earth. In the process, Flash and Supergirl were killed, and the multiple Earths were destroyed.
Wolfman said despite its sales and critical success, “Crisis” didn’t clear up continuity problems as much as he would have liked.
Characters weren’t supposed to remember the Crisis, and all the books were supposed to start new with No. 1 issues, with no recollection of what had gone before, Wolfman said.
“It failed only because the people (in charge) in 1986 and on decided to go in a different direction,” Wolfman said.
However, the books made a mark in sales and in readers’ minds. “The ‘Crisis’ was a way of getting (Marvel) fans over. … We actually succeeded and got them to come over … we were 100 percent successful in that,” Wolfman said.
To commemorate the series, still popular in trade paperback, Wolfman is writing a “Crisis” novel.
Another series still with a strong fan following is the Wolfman-Perez issues of “New Teen Titans,” which DC will release in trade paperback. Also expected late thisyear or next year is the long-awaited “Titans: Games” graphic novel reuniting Wolfman with Perez.
The release date isn’t set yet, as Perez is still recovering from a wrist injury he suffered drawing “JLA-Avengers.”
“Games” was originally set for a 1989 release, but stalled after Perez was “burned out” on drawing the Titans. Now, Wolfman said, the project is back on track.
While DC would like the graphic novel out for Christmas, Wolfman said, he’d prefer it to come out in 2005 for the 25th anniversary of the first Perez-Wolfman issue of “New Teen Titans” in 1980.
Stardust Kid review at Extremely Graphic
Sadie Mattox, at Extremely Graphic, a manga and graphic novel focused blog here at NewsOK, takes a look at “Stardust Kid,” by the creative team of J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog.
From the review:
“The full color, bright and even *sparkly* illustrations are enchanting. Most of the story takes place in an underground world where plant life comes to life and the creatures who inhabit this land are lush. If you have a child who’s into fantasy, this may be a good pick.”
“Chronicles of Narnia” writers tapped for “Cap”
According to Variety, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have been hired by Marvel Entertainment to write the screenplay for the upcoming “Captain America” film. The pair wrote the screenplays to both “Chronicles of Narnia” movies.
– Matt Price
See “Friends” for Thanksgiving
Over at TheWB.com, all nine of the Thanksgiving-themed “Friends” episodes are available to watch for free. From Joey’s maternity pants, to the trifle, to the turkey on the head, check out the holiday-themed humor. (Most of the Thanksgiving episodes hold up pretty well.)
– Matt Price
Is Wolverine the sexiest man alive?
In the latest issue of “People,” Hugh Jackman, star of the “X-Men” films and the upcoming “Wolverine: Origins” has been named the sexiest man alive.
Jackman co-stars with Nicole Kidman in this month’s “Australia,” and she told People:
“Women’s jaws drop when Hugh walks into a room.”
– Matt Price
I got an e-mail from Lex Luthor
I signed up last week for some free Clawshun Industries stock at the Metropolis Stock Exchange. Today I got this ominous message from Lex Luthor:
Thank you all sincerely for inflating the price of Clawshun Industries’ stock portfolio.
Unbeknownst to you, CI is a shadow corporation for my baby, LexCorp, and we have some very ambitious plans in store for the Superman: Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England. So, in order to move forward on our construction initiatives, I’ve cashed out your quarterly returns and pocketed the revenue (I can do that – after all, I own the company).
Be sure to visit us at ClawshunIndustries.com
Warmest Regards,
Lex Luthor
Comics shipping, 11-19-08
Comics this week: The second issue of the Sterling Gates-Jamal Igle run on ”Supergirl” comes out this week, as part of the “New Krypton” crossover. Jack Kirby’s “Demon” omnibus is released, and Warren Ellis’ “Freakangels” gets a print release after debuting on the web. Also of nostalgic or other interest – the recolored and remastered original “Youngblood” issues, debuting in hardcover. Full list and commentary after the break.
“Supergirl” 38 cover and solicitation revealed
Newsarama has the full DC Comics solicitations for Feb. 2008. (The link address says Mar. 2009, but I think that’s a typo.) Among them is “Supergirl” #38, by OU graduate Sterling Gates.
From the solicit:
Written by Sterling Gates Cover by Joshua Middleton
Art by Jamal Igle & Keith Champagne
“Who is Superwoman?” part 2! The mystery of the year continues! Supergirl uncovers a vital clue to Superwoman’s identity, but the Woman of Steel is more than willing to fight to protect her secrets! Plus, just what is Reactron up to – and what does a certain Metropolis police inspector have to do with it?
On sale February 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
New trailer for “Star Trek”
There’s a new trailer for J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” film at the official site. The site has also undergone a redesign. However, it did ask me for a password to download desktop themes, not sure what that’s about. The film is set for a May 2009 release.
– Matt Price
Monday movie quote challenge #6
“This…. is my boomstick!”
Identify who said this quote in what film in the comments!
