The ROGER STERN Thread!

[Gail Simone]

Roger Stern just popped in here, AND he said he likes some of my comics.

YIKES.

I think Stern is a KILLER writer and had no idea he posted here at CBR. Wow!

I have way, way too many Stern comics I love to list them, so let's hear from you guys.

Do you have a favorite Stern issue or series, and why?

Wow!

Gail

[stealthwise]

AMAZING SPIDERMAN HOBGOBLIN SAGA ZOMG


Er... I was a big Spidey fan growing up, and his run, reprinted in Marvel Tales issues, was always my favourite Spider-Man story.

Stern's Spider-Man IS Spider-Man to me.

[David Atkins]

I always enjoyed Stern's novelization of the Death and Return of Superman, as well as that other Superman novel he wrote. Can't remember... I think it was called 'The Never Ending Battle' or something along those lines. I don't have it immediately on-hand to look and see. :)

[Mike_Norton]

I was just talking the other day about my favorite Spidey stories... A buddy and I both agreed that Roger's run on Amazing was probably a integral chapter in our comics upbringing.

I'm kinda intimidated by his presence... thank goodness it's just the internet :)

[Red Berens]

His run on Captain America with John Byrne back in the early 1980's was the best. Seriously, if you ever get a chance to read them - do! Brubaker is the only one who has come close to doing as good of a job. He made Captain America larger than life, and really nailed the sense of patriotism and honor in that character.

[TCJohnson]

The only thing I remember reading by him was the Avengers stuff. I know that when I was a kid his name was enough to try it out...but I have trouble remembering which was his and which was Mark Gruenwald (sorry...if it helps Gruenwald was one of my favorites.)


I do think he is not getting enough work these days, however.

[heystacy]

I liked the Avengers. The She-Hulk issues. I remember a scene where her car didn't work, and she compacted it, and threw it in the garbage. I also liked the addition of Captian Marvel.

[Papergirl]

His run on Captain America with John Byrne back in the early 1980's was the best. Seriously, if you ever get a chance to read them - do! Brubaker is the only one who has come close to doing as good of a job. He made Captain America larger than life, and really nailed the sense of patriotism and honor in that character.
Going to have to agree with Red here. Stern's Cap was the BEST ever written. I wish he'd write it again! ;)

~Bev

[Corrina]

His run on Captain America with John Byrne back in the early 1980's was the best. Seriously, if you ever get a chance to read them - do! Brubaker is the only one who has come close to doing as good of a job. He made Captain America larger than life, and really nailed the sense of patriotism and honor in that character.

What Red Berens said, all the way.

Thank you, Roger Stern.

[Lester C.]

Long before I ever began reading comics I read and greatly enjoyed the novel The Death and Life of Superman by Mr. Stern.

[Kevinroc]

Roger Stern's best, in my eyes, is his Amazing Spider-Man run.

One of my favorite super hero stories is "Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut."

Spidey struggles against a foe far more powerful than himself. But because he never gives up, he finds a way to win.

I've met Roger Stern at a convention and he was very nice. He's very talented and very nice. That's a good combination.

Stern is the kind of creator that if he wants to do anything, I think he should.

We've recently seen many creators return to prominence. Folks like Chris Claremont, Dwayne McDuffie, Keith Giffen, Marv Wolfman and others. So why not Roger Stern?

[stealthwise]

Roger Stern's best, in my eyes, is his Amazing Spider-Man run.

One of my favorite super hero stories is "Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut."

Spidey struggles against a foe far more powerful than himself. But because he never gives up, he finds a way to win.


THAT story was Stern too? Holy crap!

[Roger Stern]

What the --?!

I step away to run a few errands, and the next thing I know, there's a whole thread about me?

Cool.

I always enjoyed Stern's novelization of the Death and Return of Superman, as well as that other Superman novel he wrote. Can't remember... I think it was called 'The Never Ending Battle' or something along those lines. I don't have it immediately on-hand to look and see. :)

http://www.simonsays.com/assets/isbn/0743417143/C_0743417143.jpg

His run on Captain America with John Byrne back in the early 1980's was the best. Seriously, if you ever get a chance to read them - do! Brubaker is the only one who has come close to doing as good of a job. He made Captain America larger than life, and really nailed the sense of patriotism and honor in that character.

What? This...?

http://www.imwan.com/phpBB2/files/capw_r.jpg

There's supposed to be a new printing available (patriotically) in July...http://www.amazon.com/Captain-America-War-Remembrance-Printing/dp/0785126937/ref=sr_1_19/102-9977710-9494554?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173559479&sr=1-19

The only thing I remember reading by him was the Avengers stuff. I know that when I was a kid his name was enough to try it out...but I have trouble remembering which was his and which was Mark Gruenwald (sorry...if it helps Gruenwald was one of my favorites.)

Let's see...where's that checklist? Oh, here it is: http://members.aol.com/bestrogerstern/checklist.htm
That may be a little out of date, but I think most of my work is there.

I do think he is not getting enough work these days, however.

I can't argue with that! (Give me a call if you ever become an editor.)

-- Uncle Rog

[Michael P]

Well, since we're gushing...

It of course goes without saying that "The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man" is one of the best Spidey stories ever done.

I, too, greatly enjoyed both Superman novels. The scene with Martian Manhunter and the rescue workers in "Never-Ending Battle" was particularly well-done.

Avengers... Under Siege was pretty neat. Some really good work with Wasp and Black Knight there. Avengers Infinity was pretty cool, too; I wish Sean Chen had gotten to do the regular book.

*checks checklist* That *was* you on that Avengers 1 1/2 book. That was good. I also liked the -1 issue of Untold Tales of Spider-Man. (People give me crap about geeking over about the Wolverine appearance, but screw them. That was cool.)

[Michael P]

Well, since we're gushing...

It of course goes without saying that "The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man" is one of the best Spidey stories ever done.

I, too, greatly enjoyed both Superman novels. The scene with Martian Manhunter and the rescue workers in "Never-Ending Battle" was particularly well-done.

Avengers... Under Siege was pretty neat. Some really good work with Wasp and Black Knight there. Avengers Infinity was pretty cool, too; I wish Sean Chen had gotten to do the regular book.

*checks checklist* That *was* you on that Avengers 1 1/2 book. That was good. I also liked the -1 issue of Untold Tales of Spider-Man. (People give me crap about geeking over about the Wolverine appearance, but screw them. That was cool.)

[TheWraith]

Roger Stern is one of the greatest comic book writers ever. His Spider-Man, Superman and Avengers (the last time the Avengers were well written IMO) stories alone are some of the finest comic book storytelling I've ever come across. I only wish I had a fraction of that man's talent. I wish the industry would hire him more often, as opposed to these "flavour of the month" creators who seem more interested in creating constant controversy, or view comics as a hobby, more than anything else.

[Corrina]

A reprinting the Captain America stories!

Yay!

Mr. Stern, you are one of the people who made me love comics. Thank you.

[stealthwise]

Well, since we're gushing...

It of course goes without saying that "The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man" is one of the best Spidey stories ever done.


Wait, he wrote that issue as well???

[Spike-X]

He certainly did. first comic book ever to make me...er...get something in my eye. Yeah, that's it.

That entire run with JRjr on Amazing Spider-Man in the eighties was some fantastic comics.

[Matt Doc Martin]

Avengers #236 was my first comic book.

Stern is cool!

[Cam63]

I've read his Death of Superman and The Never-Ending Battle stuff.





Hmmm...

If he strongly advised Rick Olney to pay creators what he owed them, would that be a Stern warning ?

*Prepares for onslaught of rotten vegetables*

[shrike]

Roger Stern just popped in here, AND he said he likes some of my comics.

YIKES.

I think Stern is a KILLER writer and had no idea he posted here at CBR. Wow!

I have way, way too many Stern comics I love to list them, so let's hear from you guys.

Do you have a favorite Stern issue or series, and why?

Wow!

Gail

Oh wow. Does that mean you just got a .... STERN talking to?

*dodges tomatoes*

[Ian Boothby]

I've always liked Roger Stern's work too. I'd say more but he's on here now and that makes me shy.

[Inkpot1965]

Roger Stern was the last person to write Cap that I feel truly understood both the character and the true meaning of the word hero. I think that's missing in superheroes these days.

[DungeonmasterJim]

His Avengers have always been the standard bearer for that book in my eyes. I absolutely LOVED the Masters of Evil attacking the mansion and then the Avengers travelling to Hades. I haven't read an Avengers story I've enjoyed more than those.

DM Jim

[Red Berens]

Roger Stern was the last person to write Cap that I feel truly understood both the character and the true meaning of the word hero. I think that's missing in superheroes these days.

Absolutely. I was 10 years old, and this was one of the comics that got me hooked, and still reading/collecting to this day. Thank you Mr Stern, for giving us one of the better comics to ever come out.

[Inkpot1965]

Absolutely. I was 10 years old, and this was one of the comics that got me hooked, and still reading/collecting to this day. Thank you Mr Stern, for giving us one of the better comics to ever come out.

Geez, I was hitting the tail end of high school. Hear me creak.

Seriously, if Cap can't be the way he was meant to be, it's probably for the best that they killed him.

[Matt Doc Martin]

His Avengers have always been the standard bearer for that book in my eyes. I absolutely LOVED the Masters of Evil attacking the mansion and then the Avengers travelling to Hades. I haven't read an Avengers story I've enjoyed more than those.

DM Jim

The MoE story....with drunk Herc getting a beatdown, was awesome.

[Night Swordsman]

Oh wow. Does that mean you just got a .... STERN talking to?

*dodges tomatoes*

If it helps..the same pun came into my head as well,but you beat me to it.

The tomatoes are all yours. :)


And Roger Stern is awesome,and his runs on Cap,Spidey,and the Avengers are classic reads,of which is one of several reasons i am a huge fan of those books to this day. Thank you Roger,i STILL reread those books to this day.

[Michael P]

They really oughta do Visionaries collections of his Avengers and Spider-Man runs.

[Night Swordsman]

They really oughta do Visionaries collections of his Avengers and Spider-Man runs.

Agreed. I even bought the best Of Marvel Comics when i saw it offered in a sears catalog one year,and was very happy to see Mr. Stern's "The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man" story in that collection,and in a nice hardbound collection for me to reread from time to time. One of the all time best,period.

[Tobey Cook]

His Avengers run is some great stuff. I also loved his work on Legionnaires - probably some of my favorite modern-day Legion stories.

[Cam63]

Oh wow. Does that mean you just got a .... STERN talking to?

*dodges tomatoes*

He was gunna be cloned, but it was decided he'd be two Stern.

*Looks up*

INCOMING !

[JKCarrier]

One I don't think has been mentioned yet: he wrote a run of Spectacular Spider-Man somewhere around issue #50, mostly drawn by Marie Severin. I thought that was a great combination, and some really fun stories with Belladonna, the Smuggler, Mysterio, etc.

[TheWraith]

Roger Stern was the last person to write Cap that I feel truly understood both the character and the true meaning of the word hero. I think that's missing in superheroes these days.

J.M. DeMatteis also wrote a superb Cap, and Mark Gruenwald did quite well too. Both much better than the current incompetant crop.

[David Bedlam]

All these great Stern works, and I heven't read any of them! *cries*

The only Stern masterpiece I have read is Avengers Under Seige, which is astounding. In my mind, Zemo's Masters of Evil was the finest super-villian team up in Marvel history.

I mean, they call themselves The Masters of Evil! How can you have a bad story with foes named like that?

[Night Swordsman]

All these great Stern works, and I heven't read any of them! *cries*

The only Stern masterpiece I have read is Avengers Under Seige, which is astounding. In my mind, Zemo's Masters of Evil was the finest super-villian team up in Marvel history.

I mean, they call themselves The Masters of Evil! How can you have a bad story with foes named like that?

I honestly can not argue this one. There might be ones that rival it,but i would find it hard to imagine one surpassing it.

[J. Morgan (Bat) Neal]

Everything?

[danny_acab]

Roger Stern just popped in here, AND he said he likes some of my comics.

YIKES.

I think Stern is a KILLER writer and had no idea he posted here at CBR. Wow!

I have way, way too many Stern comics I love to list them, so let's hear from you guys.

Do you have a favorite Stern issue or series, and why?

Wow!

Gail

It's probably already been said but...the run he did with Byrne on Captain America was probably some of the best comics I saw as a youngun. Great stories, Byrne never got better as an artist.

Pity that Shooter had to come along and stuff it up though.

[Roger Stern]

They really oughta do Visionaries collections of his Avengers and Spider-Man runs.

You mean, like this?

http://www.comicbloc.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=434&d=1171830147

Spider-Man Visionaries: Roger Stern Volume 1 is scheduled to go on sale April 25, 2007, and collects the stories written by Yours Truly for AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #206 and SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #43-52 and #54.

And if it sells well enough, there will probably be a second volume, and a third, and...

It may be too late to place an order with your Friendly Neighborhood Comic Shop, but there's always Amazon, Tales of Wonder.com, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Powell's, and Books-A-Million...among others.

-- Uncle Rog

[Michael P]

Well, hot diggity damn.

[Roger Stern]

Well, hot diggity damn.

Hey, watch yer mouth while you're on Gail's board!

That's a nickel in the Cuss Box for you!

-- Uncle Rog :cool:
(Strict, but fair)

[Papergirl]

Uh oh... You better not see some of MY posts, then! :eek:

*scrambles for the edit button on many, many posts!*

~Bev

[TCJohnson]

Hey, watch yer mouth while you're on Gail's board!

That's a nickel in the Cuss Box for you!

-- Uncle Rog :cool:
(Strict, but fair)



And then, when we have enough money in the box, we rent Quentin Tarantino flicks!

[Papergirl]

Rent???

With my posts alone, we could go buy a dozen copies of each of them!

:eek:

~Bev

[JeffreyWKramer]

Good news on that Visionaries book.

Count me in as a huge fan of Mr. Stern. Others have mentioned his excellent work at Marvel, including that incredible CAPTAIN AMERICA run and some outstanding Spider-Man and Avengers stories, but I'd like to mention an oft-ignored run of his at DC.

Stern's STARMAN was not as full-out great as his work on CAP or his better AVENGERS or Spidey tales, but it was a pretty good, traditional superhero book in its time. I think it had some things going against it, including being a traditional book during a time when gritty, edgy comics were "in", and the main character being saddled with an astoundingly ugly first costume, but it wasn't bad despite that, and I think would be better-remembered if it hadn't been replaced and pretty much rendered irrelevant by the even better, subsequent James Robinson STARMAN.

[Jamie Coville]

I grew up on Roger Stern comics. The very first one I bought was Avengers #276. My favorite of his works is the story after the Masters of Evil/Mansion Seige, one where Avengers battle Hercules Family and at the very end, Zeus himself. And yeah, Nothing can stop the Juggernaut is a fantastic timeless story.

Also: When I graduated from college and didn't have any work I had to cut down on my comics buying down quite a bit. I began re-reading my back issues and rediscovered how great Roger Stern stories stood out from the rest.

Oh and Stern had a short FF run after Byrne and it too is pretty good. It was around the #300 mark, possibly just before.

[Night Swordsman]

Uh oh... You better not see some of MY posts, then! :eek:

*scrambles for the edit button on many, many posts!*

~Bev


You..swear?!? Since when?!?!?

Ut UH! This is a pirate trick. :D

[TCJohnson]

Stern's STARMAN was not as full-out great as his work on CAP or his better AVENGERS or Spidey tales, but it was a pretty good, traditional superhero book in its time. I think it had some things going against it, including being a traditional book during a time when gritty, edgy comics were "in", and the main character being saddled with an astoundingly ugly first costume, but it wasn't bad despite that, and I think would be better-remembered if it hadn't been replaced and pretty much rendered irrelevant by the even better, subsequent James Robinson STARMAN.

See, that is what I mean. Back in those days I did not follow creator names as much (this was when I was 15 or 16). But tell me a story line and I will remeber that! I really liked the Will Payton series.

[titanfan]

Easily his Starman. I actually liked it better than Robinson's version.

[JeffreyWKramer]

See, that is what I mean. Back in those days I did not follow creator names as much (this was when I was 15 or 16). But tell me a story line and I will remeber that! I really liked the Will Payton series.

I really liked Will Payton as a character - I thought he was a charming, everyman sort of hero - and thought his demise during one of the stupid crossover non-events was a real waste, but that's when the trend started of superhero comic = reading about people in costumes dying. I'm still pretty mixed about what Robinson's take on the character - essentially, the real Will Payton died during his origin - but at least he didn't ignore the series, and he did carry over Will's sister as an important supporting cast member.

[stealthwise]

I really liked Will Payton as a character - I thought he was a charming, everyman sort of hero - and thought his demise during one of the stupid crossover non-events was a real waste, but that's when the trend started of superhero comic = reading about people in costumes dying. I'm still pretty mixed about what Robinson's take on the character - essentially, the real Will Payton died during his origin - but at least he didn't ignore the series, and he did carry over Will's sister as an important supporting cast member.

I felt pretty much the same way about both the Payton character and the Robinson take on it. It's funny that Robinson pulled a "Swamp Thing" on the character, but I'd really like to see a double Starman teamup written by Stern and Robinson, I think it'd be a lot of fun.

[Flamebird]

Hey, watch yer mouth while you're on Gail's board!

That's a nickel in the Cuss Box for you!

-- Uncle Rog :cool:
(Strict, but fair)

So THAT'S how she makes the big bucks around here.


Damn, we're making her rich! :eek:


(yeah, yeah, here's my nickel :( )

[Cam63]

Hey, watch yer mouth while you're on Gail's board!

That's a nickel in the Cuss Box for you!

-- Uncle Rog :cool:
(Strict, but fair)

Where do we keep that fuckin' thing anyway ?

[Roger Stern]

Good news on that Visionaries book.

Count me in as a huge fan of Mr. Stern. Others have mentioned his excellent work at Marvel, including that incredible CAPTAIN AMERICA run and some outstanding Spider-Man and Avengers stories, but I'd like to mention an oft-ignored run of his at DC.

Stern's STARMAN was not as full-out great as his work on CAP or his better AVENGERS or Spidey tales, but it was a pretty good, traditional superhero book in its time. I think it had some things going against it, including being a traditional book during a time when gritty, edgy comics were "in", and the main character being saddled with an astoundingly ugly first costume, but it wasn't bad despite that, and I think would be better-remembered if it hadn't been replaced and pretty much rendered irrelevant by the even better, subsequent James Robinson STARMAN.

See, that is what I mean. Back in those days I did not follow creator names as much (this was when I was 15 or 16). But tell me a story line and I will remeber that! I really liked the Will Payton series.

Easily his Starman. I actually liked it better than Robinson's version.

I really liked Will Payton as a character - I thought he was a charming, everyman sort of hero - and thought his demise during one of the stupid crossover non-events was a real waste, but that's when the trend started of superhero comic = reading about people in costumes dying. I'm still pretty mixed about what Robinson's take on the character - essentially, the real Will Payton died during his origin - but at least he didn't ignore the series, and he did carry over Will's sister as an important supporting cast member.

I felt pretty much the same way about both the Payton character and the Robinson take on it. It's funny that Robinson pulled a "Swamp Thing" on the character, but I'd really like to see a double Starman teamup written by Stern and Robinson, I think it'd be a lot of fun.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's have a big hand for the entire readership of STARMAN!

(Well, not really, but it sometimes seemed that way.)

-- Uncle Rog

[Roger Stern]

Where do we keep that f---in' thing anyway ?

You owe a dollar, junior!

-- Uncle Rog
(The big bombs should be saved for when they're really needed!)

[Night Swordsman]

You owe a dollar, junior!

-- Uncle Rog
(The big bombs should be saved for when they're really needed!)

Cam is big on donating to the swear jar,Mr. Stern. He is Australian. :)

[JeffreyWKramer]

Ladies and gentlemen, let's have a big hand for the entire readership of STARMAN!

(Well, not really, but it sometimes seemed that way.)

-- Uncle Rog

The local store sometimes does up sets of back issues - long or entire runs of a title - and sells them at a discount. I think I once saw the entire run of the Will Payton STARMAN going for something like $2.50. Ouch.

Sales don't always reflect quality, though. Keep in mind the poor sales of books like CHASE and CHRONOS and YOUNG HEROES IN LOVE.

[Papergirl]

You owe a dollar, junior!

-- Uncle Rog
(The big bombs should be saved for when they're really needed!)
Like the Olney thread, where I have dropped more than my fair share... :D

~Bev

[danny_acab]

Cam is big on donating to the swear jar,Mr. Stern. He is Australian. :)

Ain't nothing wrong with swearing. It's part of the way we talk in this fine land. I love the fact that someone can call another person a bastard and it's considered to be a term of endearment. Brilliant!

[Cam63]

You owe a dollar, junior!

-- Uncle Rog
(The big bombs should be saved for when they're really needed!)

Yank or Aussie dollar ?

[melike2]

Cam is big on donating to the swear jar,Mr. Stern. He is Australian. :)

I have to agree - its hard to live in Australia and not swear. Im a social outcast.

Let me also say how pleased i am that Mr Sterns Spidey stuff is STARTING (and hopefully continuing) to be collected in Visionary formats - one of my favourite runs on the book. (im just now reading your stuff on Avengers Roger - another brilliant comic run IMO)

[Cam63]

I have to agree - its hard to live in Australia and not swear. Im a social outcast.

Don't let the bastards get you down, mel'. :)

[melike2]

Yeah - i try. I also dont drink beer .

Total outcast.

[Cam63]

*Puts down beer and cigar falls from agape mouth*




...Hmmm.

Good for you, mate.

[Inkpot1965]

*Puts down beer and cigar falls from agape mouth*




...Hmmm.

Good for you, mate.

[Puts down his 7&7 and tries not to choke] Yeah. That's admirable.

[Papergirl]

~puts down her Jack & Coke before she spews it~

Very admirable.

~Bev

[Inkpot1965]

~puts down her Jack & Coke before she spews it~

Very admirable.

~Bev

Almost 39 and drinking Jack. I'm in love

[Papergirl]

Almost 39 and drinking Jack. I'm in love
Jack & Coke is my all-time favorite drink. ;)

~Bev

[Flamebird]

Ladies and gentlemen, let's have a big hand for the entire readership of STARMAN!

(Well, not really, but it sometimes seemed that way.)

-- Uncle Rog

HEY! I bought every issue of that series, and I'm a cheapskate.

So you must have been doing something pretty good. :D

[TheWraith]

Yeah - i try. I also dont drink beer .

Total outcast.

Un-Australian! Terrorist!! :D :D :D ;)

[OzBat!]

"Ummm.... Hi. My name is OzBat!" ("Hi OzBaaaat!") "... and I'm an australian. It's been several years now since I last read Starman, it was really good! But then they turned it all inside out and upside down for some cult favourite series about a guy who didn't even wear a costume or something silly like that.

Oh, and I also don't like beer."






crickets chirp

[Papergirl]

"Ummm.... Hi. My name is OzBat!" ("Hi OzBaaaat!") "... and I'm an australian. It's been several years now since I last read Starman, it was really good! But then they turned it all inside out and upside down for some cult favourite series about a guy who didn't even wear a costume or something silly like that.

Oh, and I also don't like beer."






crickets chirp
Oh, now you're just TRYING to give Cam a stroke!

~Bev

[Cam63]

Stop giving gift quotes for Lester to reuse !

[Roger Stern]

"Ummm.... Hi. My name is OzBat!" ("Hi OzBaaaat!") "... and I'm an australian. It's been several years now since I last read Starman, it was really good...

Oh, and I also don't like beer."

Wow, I didn't remember STARMAN even making it to OZ. (Though if it did, I'm sure Tom Lyle and I saw royalties for it.)

And as for not liking beer, that's quite all right. Just means more for the rest of us!

Cheers!
-- Uncle Rog

[TheWraith]

Everything makes it down here, we import all the US stuff.

[Cam63]

Cam is big on donating to the swear jar,Mr. Stern. He is Australian. :)

Maybe that's why I'm so fuckin' broke.

[Cam63]

Wow, I didn't remember STARMAN even making it to OZ. (Though if it did, I'm sure Tom Lyle and I saw royalties for it.)

And as for not liking beer, that's quite all right. Just means more for the rest of us!

Cheers!
-- Uncle Rog

I like Unca Rog'.

[Spike-X]

Ain't nothing wrong with swearing. It's part of the way we talk in this fine land. I love the fact that someone can call another person a bastard and it's considered to be a term of endearment. Brilliant!
"All right, which one of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?"