JMS Giving Up Superman & Wonder Woman

[Jan]

Article here.

No word on what issue it'll be effective.

I'm bummed. I really liked these!

Jan

ETA: Better link and info posted by Frulad in another thread. Thanks, Frulad!

“I’d originally come to DC to do the Superman Earth One book which, at the time, was top secret so nobody knew about it,” Straczynski said, “and filled out on Brave and the Bold for a while to have fun and get up to speed on the DCU. When I was done with SEO I took on the Superman and Wonder Woman monthlies on the theory that I’d have time to script the full 12 issues before bounding back onto Earth One. But when the huge numbers started coming in on Earth One, and the need to fastrack the next volumes became evident in order to keep the momentum going, I knew there was no way in god’s green earth that I could write that and the monthlies simultaneously. Since DC has had my notes and outlines from day one on both titles, so they’re still my stories, it makes sense to let Chris and Phil keep going from the story beats I’ve set up. I’ll dive in on occasion as needed for important story points. It’s still my story, I’m involved in both books, and they’re going to continue in the direction we set up. I’m looking forward to seeing what Chris and Phil have in store.

“Meanwhile, I’m taking full advantage of the situation to take a one- to five-year sabbatical from writing monthlies in order to go exclusively into writing graphic novels like Superman Earth One and Samaritan X, along with the occasional high-visibility minseries. I think that’s where the business is going, and creatively, limited series and graphic novels have always been my strong suit in that they let me tell cohesive stories with a beginning, middle and end. They can also be written and drawn before anything is ever announced or solicited, as was the case with Earth One, which has been one of the greatest and most creatively rewarding experience of my career. At some point I’m sure I’ll come back to monthlies — it’s just too darn much fun — but for the next one to five years, it’s strictly GNs and miniseries, with Superman Earth One being the first priority, followed by Samaritan X.”

[Karachi Vyce]

IÆm taking full advantage of the situation to take a one- to five-year sabbatical from writing monthlies

[David Panzer]

I don't know anyone that still heads out to the comic shop every month to get individual issues.

[sftv]

Side note

I knew something was coming, and thought it might be related to the success of the Superman: Earth One GN. Joe had passed on an invitation to a local con, indicating something was to be announced soon. I would imagine he'd still try to make San Diego, though.

Several updates including a short interview with Joe is at www.bleedingcool.com

[Whyruss]

Good with me since I don't buy monthly issues.
Sorry for the noobish question (I'm not up to date with JMS' comics) is Samaritan X already released?!

[Jan]

Sorry for the noobish question (I'm not up to date with JMS' comics) is Samaritan X already released?!

Not yet. JMS mentioned it in passing at the NY comic-con but no word yet on when it might come out.

Jan

[JDSValen]

iFanboy.com did a great write-up of this, saying that Superman 707 and Wonder Woman 605 will be the first issues with the new writers.

http://www.ifanboy.com/content/articles/J__Michael_Straczynski_off_of_SUPERMAN_and_WONDER_WOMAN

One has to wonder, though, if sales were down and that's what precipitated this.

[Jan]

One has to wonder, though, if sales were down and that's what precipitated this.

Not from what I've read. I don't remember exactl numbers but I read that WW had moved up about 20 places in the sales ranks. Not sure about Superman.

Jan

[sftv]

I think the main reason for the change is the big success of the Earth One graphic novel. If Joe hadn't been slowed down by the illness, he probably would have gotten more scripts done, but DC pretty much made the decision to have him get the next GN written so that the much longer lead time for art and production can get going ASAP.

[SmileOfTheShadow]

Looks like it's effective within the next couple issues, superman 707 and wonder woman 605. This sucks!

http://comicrelated.com/blog.php#strazcyznski-drops-titles

[Jan]

As long as the arcs are finished from JMS' outlines, I'm okay with it. I realized that my initial disappointment was just because I want my 'JMS story fix' as regularly as possible and, face it feature films and Graphic Novels aren't exactly going to be coming fast and furious. But...he's right. What does come along will be better for having his undivided attention.

Here's an interview with JMS that explains some things in detail:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/J-Michael-Straczynski-leaving-montly-comics-101112.html

Jan

[earzmundo]

JMS off the ship?

After all those editorial run-ins with Joe Q and the Marvel posse over Spiderman and Thor's Siege...I think JMS needs to simply devote his time to writing and avoid any drama or inhibitions to his work...
Clearly, DC kept Shane Davis off interiors so that if E1 took off, he'd be readily available...and JMS did reinvigorate the sales of SUPERMAN AND WW (which both floundered compared to BN, BD, GL books) but I'm sure DC were stunned when the E1 took off....with such venom...so from a business POV, it makes sense to cash in asap!
I wish JMS got chance to finish his runs on the series as I felt he was doing 'GROUNDED' well and making up for the crap that was 'NEW KRYPTON', and he was doing something intriguing with WW (though not as solid as Simone); but he wants to deliver to DC the cash cow, and frankly, Superman and WW, were not selling like E1, so it made sense to go to E1 V2!
Now, we get to follow up on those mysteries from E1 V1 and dangling plot threads with a great writer and great artist!
And Roberson and Hester get the chance to attack Superman and WW, and if DC has faith in these young writers, then I think we should give them the benefit of the doubt...as it's only when their runs are done, can we say that JMS leaving was either a good or a bad thing...and who knows? Maybe they will do the books better than JMS had planned...
and note that JMS will still be helping out on these books!!!

I'm glad for vol 2 E1 cuz I think Johns, Didio, Lee etc see that this may be a possible source material for the new Superman film in conjunction with Goyer's work and the Nolans fine-tuning!!

[Jan]

Hi, Earzmundo, welcome!

I learned from reading the Babylon 5 trilogies that if the right writer is doing the story from a JMS outline it can be *really* good. While I'd have rather had him finish the arcs, I'll still be following these books when he leaves because I care about the characters again.

Jan

[earzmundo]

JMS off the ship?

Hi Jan,

Thanks for having me on this site...huge fan here

I agree with you that even minus JMS, WW and Kent are 2 immaculate characters that we need to follow up on, despite who the writer is. In fact, if i got an arc to write where i felt the plot was left muddled and up in the air, I'd be giddy as I'd get a chance to fix something that's 'broken' and that shows my mettle and skill as a writer!!!
Roberson has done great scifi work and Hester has a nice resume to him, so why not get these guys to try and have at it! I will only judge if JMS' leaving was good or bad...once I read the books in total completion, then can I pass my 2 cents
And Green Lantern is the cash cow along with the new Batbooks, and BD books, so maybe the spotlight on these main books, such 'lesser known' writers will get the chance to spark WW and Superman back into the light again...JMS attached to these books did bring a high expectation and sales so maybe 'smaller' names will be better for these books!

I'm glad cuz these writers have vision and I'd bet they'd do well...and with more E1 coming around, it's win-win for me...

WW/SUPERMAN existed before JMS and will do so after JMS
unto the E1 V2 plz :P

[sftv]

Based on the most recent news from DC, it appears that Superman might be getting killed again, with Doomsday returning. Or it may be a counter move to the upcoming "Death of Spiderman" Marvel appears to be starting up.