Little off topic, but this post reminded me of how awesome ur X-men/FF mini was. I was excited about seeing what came next for Franklin and his family with the Krakoa agenda going on. Was there ever meant to be a follow up to that from u? I know Dan kinda killed that with his retconing Franklin as a non mutant, but I can help but imagine u had more to tell with that particular thread.
Oh, thanks! That was a real dream book to write. A little tricky dealing with the two different departments, but I was happy with the result.
I didn't have any follow-ups planned, but the X-Office kindly left their door open if I wanted to pitch something. I may have done more with Franklin straddling those two worlds? I liked him as a link between the FF and X-Men.
But yeah, the nature of these books, the shared universe, is that you need to swerve a lot depending on what other writers are doing. Dan de-mutanted Franklin, which didn't bother me at all because, hey, first and foremost Franklin is an FF character and that writer gets to determine what happens with them!
Very interesting to hear. I always assumed this new line of X books were all going to continue their stories started by the writers even after one series ended, especially urs since it was such a great little story that, to me, demonstrated both sides of the krakoan argument and highlighted the pros and conc of the X-men and their new mentality they have embraced for themselves.
You make a valid point about Franklin being a FF character first before anything. I suppose I was just so jarred by how out of nowhere Dan’s change to the character was that I felt a little insulted he’d do this out of the blue, and cut off any further stories that, like u said, could have focused on little Franklin straddling both worlds, both as a bridge, while also being pulled in each direction by one side or the other.
Also Charles and Erik still need to answer for invading Me Fantastic’s mind and stealing/erasing his own memories like they did, even if he was misguided in his view on protecting his child from a rash decision.
I mean, I was definitely building off what Hickman started, and I was writing the mini with the idea in mind that he and the other X-writers were going to continue the mutant side of Franklin's story. And I definitely didn't feel insulted by Dan's choice! Everything's constantly shifting story-wise in these books
Oh I understand, apologies if it sounded like I’m sounding pissed at Dan. Writers do what writers do, like it or not it gets done, and it’s not a super big deal. I have enjoyed what he had done with the FF as a whole in his run, I was just thinking it was kinda sad that particular thread for Franklin was tied off, so to speak, imo.
Again sorry if is sounded like I was trying to demonize what he did, or assume you felt upset over anything.
Awesome 👍. Nothing sucks more then miscommunication over an online conversation because it’s difficult to express yourself without sounding like ur being an ass, 🤣
I'm reading this now alongside the script for issue #1, and makes me curious about what the process of a mini like this is. Does Marvel come to you with the idea, or do you pitch them? Do you write an outline first that gets notes from an editor? The script is all addressed to Terry - does that mean it goes straight to the artist, and doesn't get read by an editor first?
Sorry, this is another obnoxious multi-part question. You don't have to answer it! But I'd be curious about a process post about something that is completely finished, unlike Batman or Daredevil, so you don't have to worry about spoilers. And I imagine the vast majority of these possible steps involving editors don't exist for something like Afterlift or Newburn (oh god, that was basically another question...)
Thanks for mentioning this, as I remember seeing the mini but didn't realize Chip had written it. It also happens to be one for which there is a director's cut edition, so we can see again precisely how an artist turns his terrible writing into amazing comics ;)
Well if u wanna go that direction, u could say there’s plenty of folks out in the world carrying around multiple autographs of his on their persons, lol
Wow, I never noticed that before, and I have seen many autographs from him from friends over the years. If u wanna challenge any X writers to meet ur idea, then Ben Percy is ur guy. He’s the best at what he does, and what he does is Wolverine.
Also, how long have u wanted to kill off Penguin? Was this from before u took over Batman or after u came on and wrote Failsafe?
Oh it became a natural part of the Failsafe story idea. I knew I'd have to kill a villain as part of the storyline, and Penguin made the most sense , especially tying it in to the ideas of wealth and status. I literally had zero Batman story ideas before DC approached me about the title. That's how I always work!
Very nice. And honestly I think it’s a death that works very well. Yes he’s a well established character, but he’s also one who’s death wouldn’t be fought too hard against by editorial I imagine. Plus that last act is spite of his was the perfect knife in the side to Batman that Oswald could do to him.
I am curious if there was any pushback on ur killing penguin before it was finalized ?
That’s true about the show (I almost forgot that) but now just think of how much penguin Kerch and stories will go for now that he’s squawked his last squawk
True, but there’s now a whole flock of Penguin babies out there to inherit his empire. I’m certain there’s at least one or two of them capable of filling their father’s custom made shoes and top hat
This is such an incredibly earnest comments section today! I almost felt like I stumbled on the wrong substack. And in keeping with the spirit of today's REALLY GOOD questions, I have a question too: Will elements of "The Knight" eventually play out across the current Batman? (You may have answered this one previously. It also feels like I'm asking if your Batman book will be influenced by Batman. ) But from when that book was announced, I don't think you knew yet you'd be on ... Batman. Or I could save all the meta Batman questions for Ram!
Yeah, all of The Knight was planned out before I got the Batman call. But, that being said, if I'm on Batman for a long while then it's always possible that I'd pick up threads of characters from The Knight!
Holy shit was Batman 126 fantastic. One of the best superhero fights/action scenes I've read in ages - and being a wise/grumpy 30 something, I usually bounce off the frenetic fisticuffs action. That two page Nightwing entrance in particular is a masterpiece of panel design.
Just finished 126! Great stuff!! Plus I heard that if a Batman movie starring Failsafe ever makes more than one billion dollars you get a Starbucks giftcard!
Little off topic, but this post reminded me of how awesome ur X-men/FF mini was. I was excited about seeing what came next for Franklin and his family with the Krakoa agenda going on. Was there ever meant to be a follow up to that from u? I know Dan kinda killed that with his retconing Franklin as a non mutant, but I can help but imagine u had more to tell with that particular thread.
Oh, thanks! That was a real dream book to write. A little tricky dealing with the two different departments, but I was happy with the result.
I didn't have any follow-ups planned, but the X-Office kindly left their door open if I wanted to pitch something. I may have done more with Franklin straddling those two worlds? I liked him as a link between the FF and X-Men.
But yeah, the nature of these books, the shared universe, is that you need to swerve a lot depending on what other writers are doing. Dan de-mutanted Franklin, which didn't bother me at all because, hey, first and foremost Franklin is an FF character and that writer gets to determine what happens with them!
Very interesting to hear. I always assumed this new line of X books were all going to continue their stories started by the writers even after one series ended, especially urs since it was such a great little story that, to me, demonstrated both sides of the krakoan argument and highlighted the pros and conc of the X-men and their new mentality they have embraced for themselves.
You make a valid point about Franklin being a FF character first before anything. I suppose I was just so jarred by how out of nowhere Dan’s change to the character was that I felt a little insulted he’d do this out of the blue, and cut off any further stories that, like u said, could have focused on little Franklin straddling both worlds, both as a bridge, while also being pulled in each direction by one side or the other.
Also Charles and Erik still need to answer for invading Me Fantastic’s mind and stealing/erasing his own memories like they did, even if he was misguided in his view on protecting his child from a rash decision.
I mean, I was definitely building off what Hickman started, and I was writing the mini with the idea in mind that he and the other X-writers were going to continue the mutant side of Franklin's story. And I definitely didn't feel insulted by Dan's choice! Everything's constantly shifting story-wise in these books
Oh I understand, apologies if it sounded like I’m sounding pissed at Dan. Writers do what writers do, like it or not it gets done, and it’s not a super big deal. I have enjoyed what he had done with the FF as a whole in his run, I was just thinking it was kinda sad that particular thread for Franklin was tied off, so to speak, imo.
Again sorry if is sounded like I was trying to demonize what he did, or assume you felt upset over anything.
No no don't worry! I totally get it, I do!
Awesome 👍. Nothing sucks more then miscommunication over an online conversation because it’s difficult to express yourself without sounding like ur being an ass, 🤣
I'm reading this now alongside the script for issue #1, and makes me curious about what the process of a mini like this is. Does Marvel come to you with the idea, or do you pitch them? Do you write an outline first that gets notes from an editor? The script is all addressed to Terry - does that mean it goes straight to the artist, and doesn't get read by an editor first?
Sorry, this is another obnoxious multi-part question. You don't have to answer it! But I'd be curious about a process post about something that is completely finished, unlike Batman or Daredevil, so you don't have to worry about spoilers. And I imagine the vast majority of these possible steps involving editors don't exist for something like Afterlift or Newburn (oh god, that was basically another question...)
Thanks for mentioning this, as I remember seeing the mini but didn't realize Chip had written it. It also happens to be one for which there is a director's cut edition, so we can see again precisely how an artist turns his terrible writing into amazing comics ;)
We're just going to breeze past the fact that he signed that picture to "Goo Goo Goggles"?
Which totally sounds like a 90s mutant
Backup vocals for Dazzler concerts
Nobody in the MU wants a Wolverine signature. The guy ain't fond of ink, if you catch my drift. Bub.
Well if u wanna go that direction, u could say there’s plenty of folks out in the world carrying around multiple autographs of his on their persons, lol
"This one I was in Hydra...this one I was volunteering w/ Friends of Humanity, this was from Greater Westchester Area Intra-mural Kickball...."
Oh the stories those could tell...
Wow, I never noticed that before, and I have seen many autographs from him from friends over the years. If u wanna challenge any X writers to meet ur idea, then Ben Percy is ur guy. He’s the best at what he does, and what he does is Wolverine.
Also, how long have u wanted to kill off Penguin? Was this from before u took over Batman or after u came on and wrote Failsafe?
Oh it became a natural part of the Failsafe story idea. I knew I'd have to kill a villain as part of the storyline, and Penguin made the most sense , especially tying it in to the ideas of wealth and status. I literally had zero Batman story ideas before DC approached me about the title. That's how I always work!
Very nice. And honestly I think it’s a death that works very well. Yes he’s a well established character, but he’s also one who’s death wouldn’t be fought too hard against by editorial I imagine. Plus that last act is spite of his was the perfect knife in the side to Batman that Oswald could do to him.
I am curious if there was any pushback on ur killing penguin before it was finalized ?
There WAS reluctance from DC for sure. Mostly because there's a Colin Farrell Penguin TV show in the works!
That’s true about the show (I almost forgot that) but now just think of how much penguin Kerch and stories will go for now that he’s squawked his last squawk
True, but there’s now a whole flock of Penguin babies out there to inherit his empire. I’m certain there’s at least one or two of them capable of filling their father’s custom made shoes and top hat
Penguin but like that late 80s cartoon, Muppet Babies.
This is such an incredibly earnest comments section today! I almost felt like I stumbled on the wrong substack. And in keeping with the spirit of today's REALLY GOOD questions, I have a question too: Will elements of "The Knight" eventually play out across the current Batman? (You may have answered this one previously. It also feels like I'm asking if your Batman book will be influenced by Batman. ) But from when that book was announced, I don't think you knew yet you'd be on ... Batman. Or I could save all the meta Batman questions for Ram!
Yeah, all of The Knight was planned out before I got the Batman call. But, that being said, if I'm on Batman for a long while then it's always possible that I'd pick up threads of characters from The Knight!
Holy shit was Batman 126 fantastic. One of the best superhero fights/action scenes I've read in ages - and being a wise/grumpy 30 something, I usually bounce off the frenetic fisticuffs action. That two page Nightwing entrance in particular is a masterpiece of panel design.
Thanks! Yeah, most of my job there was just getting the hell out of Jorge's way. He's so damn good!
Just finished 126! Great stuff!! Plus I heard that if a Batman movie starring Failsafe ever makes more than one billion dollars you get a Starbucks giftcard!