Has it been confirmed that Gail's new project is at DC?

[PatrickG]

I recall her saying she was working on a major female character in a quote.

And she's leaving BoP.

But maybe the announcements are separate because the publishers are separate.

She said she tipped her hand a bit at the Con.

And she made comments here about how much she enjoyed hanging out with the MARVEL people at the Con.

Heck, here's a crazy thought:

You suppose Gail decided to go to Marvel and that a deal was worked out to "trade" her for McKeever to release her from her contract?

The question would then be what Marvel series Gail would go for.

She-Hulk, maybe?

Wasn't there talk of a "Lady Avengers" book awhile ago?

BoP has suffered some losses. Gail made the absolute best of things but maybe she was wooed with a higher profile book at Marvel: a team of Marvel's top females.

Who would the team be?

I'm thinking She-Hulk, Invisible Woman, maybe Storm, Ms. Marvel? Spider-Woman.

Enh. Time for the tinfoil hats.

[TCJohnson]

Well,

A) It was announced at the end of 2006 she signed another three year exclusive with DC so she won't be availalbe to work with another publisher this decade.


B) In an interview on Newsarama, she said that it was Dan Didio who offered her this project. This means it is DC, not Vertigo or Wildstorm.

But to answer your question, Astonishing X-Men

[TCJohnson]

GS: It was short notice, but completely an honor and a delight. It wasn't something pushed at me. On my recent visit to New York, Dan [Didio] asked me into his office and made the proposal, and my eyes just bugged out of my skull. I couldn't turn it down. It's something that almost feels like destiny, as goofy as that sounds, like something I've been working towards my entire career as a writer.


http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=107819

[PatrickG]

Maybe the proposal was a trade.

[BnL]

It's Wonder Woman.

There was a thread on comicbloc where someone posted a link to Rich Johnston's column about Kurt Busiek writing a 2 part Wonder Woman story, and Rich and Kurt got into a little back and forth about whether the story was meant to be published immediately following Jodi Picoult's arc (before the permanent writer took over), or if the story was going to be stashed away until a fill-in was needed down the line. They each mentioned having discussed this with Gail, who had dispelled the notion that Kurt's story would be immediately following Jodi's current arc on Wonder Woman. They presumably wouldn't need to go to Gail to confirm or deny this particular bit of info unless she had reason to be "in the know"...as the next Wonder Woman writer.

....

**squeals with glee**

[Larime]

It's Wonder Woman.

There was a thread on comicbloc where someone posted a link to Rich Johnston's column about Kurt Busiek writing a 2 part Wonder Woman story, and Rich and Kurt got into a little back and forth about whether the story was meant to be published immediately following Jodi Picoult's arc (before the permanent writer took over), or if the story was going to be stashed away until a fill-in was needed down the line. They each mentioned having discussed this with Gail, who had dispelled the notion that Kurt's story would be immediately following Jodi's current arc on Wonder Woman. They presumably wouldn't need to go to Gail to confirm or deny this particular bit of info unless she had reason to be "in the know"...as the next Wonder Woman writer.

....

**squeals with glee**

When in doubt, read LitG. :)

Yeah, he made a comment about "who knows who will write WW after that - well, Gail does."

[Kyuubi]

Then why can they talk about it so freely, but Gail can't?

[Larime]

Then why can they talk about it so freely, but Gail can't?

Because Rich, as a gossip columnist, can talk about anything he wants without violating NDAs.

I imagine Busiek let something slip and Rich published it.

[BnL]

Then why can they talk about it so freely, but Gail can't?

Rich and Kurt didn't directly state that Gail was the next writer, and she was brought up as sort of a tangential point in their "discussion," so they weren't really waving a big flag. But at the same time, it makes it pretty obvious that they would only be going to her for the info if she was the next Wonder Woman writer.

[BnL]

double post.

[Infra-Man]

Has it been confirmed that Gail's new project is at DC?

All-Star Vibe. You heard it here first.

[hellokittykat]

It's 'Humpeldink and the Exploding Pantyhose'.
You heard it here first.

[diana_fan]

Rich and Kurt didn't directly state that Gail was the next writer, and she was brought up as sort of a tangential point in their "discussion," so they weren't really waving a big flag. But at the same time, it makes it pretty obvious that they would only be going to her for the info if she was the next Wonder Woman writer.

Exactly. And they were both a little irritated, it seemed. So, it's understandable that something would slip out.

Anyhow, this isn't really news. Wonder Woman was really the only thing that fit, and she had the Wondy mug at the con.

I just hope to the stars that she is given the ability to do what she wants, and not continue with this ... well, this unfavorable portrayal. Let's call it that.

[matterconsumer]

Well the thread's been locked over at Comicbloc.

But I'll say this.

Pulling Busiek as writing Wonder Woman was more than a lucky guess. Can't say I recall Busiek expressing interest in writing Wonder Woman.

So Rich got this detail right and someone in the know told him. Obviously he's not going to reveal his source because it would likely cause that person to lose their job.

Gail, on the other hand, is different. Not only has she repeatedly expressed interest but many message posts have also asked her to do so.

[TCJohnson]

I am still holding out hope that Gail will be writing JLA. Would prefer that to Wonder Woman.

[diana_fan]

I am still holding out hope that Gail will be writing JLA. Would prefer that to Wonder Woman.

After this week's issue (which I didn't read or buy, just read spoilers for), Wonder Woman needs Gail more than ever before.

I'm even half-convinced to skip Amazons Attack!, which I was completely psyched for.

Really, when it is all said and done, it would have been better if they had killed Diana in IC, and been done with it. At least she could have gone out with some dignity, saving the universe or something.

I'd much rather have my favorite character killed than treated the way she is being treated at present.

[TomStillwell]

It's going to be Wonder Woman in some form. Trust me.

[hellokittykat]

It's going to be Wonder Woman in some form. Trust me.

I trust you Tom!
Now you better deliver!:p

[Tad Sivana]

Maybe it will be Wonder Woman, but I'm one of those hoping for JLA.
After Gail has spent years building up Black Canary's credibility and character, it would be great for Gail to pen her adventures as the newest Chair of the League. Plus the current lineup has a lot of interesting aspirational characters in it, including Hawkgirl.
I'm crossing my fingers for Gail's footprints in the Hall of Justice!

[Night Swordsman]

All Star Black Canary with Adam Hughes doing the art. :)

Naaaah.

[KevinTBrown]

It's Wonder Woman.

There was a thread on comicbloc where someone posted a link to Rich Johnston's column about Kurt Busiek writing a 2 part Wonder Woman story, and Rich and Kurt got into a little back and forth about whether the story was meant to be published immediately following Jodi Picoult's arc (before the permanent writer took over), or if the story was going to be stashed away until a fill-in was needed down the line. They each mentioned having discussed this with Gail, who had dispelled the notion that Kurt's story would be immediately following Jodi's current arc on Wonder Woman. They presumably wouldn't need to go to Gail to confirm or deny this particular bit of info unless she had reason to be "in the know"...as the next Wonder Woman writer.

....

**squeals with glee**

Here's the thread in question: http://www.comicbloc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46834 (Funny how someone can call someone a liar and that someone not be banned, hm?)

Any way, EVERYONE is assuming it's Wonder Woman or JLA. And let's face it, the odds are good it's one of those. Now we wait and see.

Whatever it is though, chances are I'll buy it.

[TCJohnson]

I am really hoping it would be JLA. For some reason I have never liked the Wonder Woman character, no matter who was writing her.

[Hybrid2]

got to agree with TC

If it's JLA i'm so there.

If it's Wonder Woman...not sure.

[Night Swordsman]

got to agree with TC

If it's JLA i'm so there.

If it's Wonder Woman...not sure.

I am going to have to agree with Hybrid. If it is JLA,then i am already buying it.
I have dropped Wonder Woman,and i hate to have to re-add the book on,especially as i am not a big Diana fan.

[Kurt Busiek]

I'll say this.

Pulling Busiek as writing Wonder Woman was more than a lucky guess. Can't say I recall Busiek expressing interest in writing Wonder Woman.

So Rich got this detail right and someone in the know told him.

I had posted in numerous places that I was writing a 2-issue WONDER WOMAN inventory story; that wasn't a hard detail to pull off the internet.

After SUPERMAN #661, there were a number of people who said they'd like to see this particular team do another WW story, or bring Khyrana back somewhere, so I noted that we're doing both of those.

Nobody's going to get fired because I posted on the internet that I'm writing a WW inventory story.

kdb

[matterconsumer]

I had posted in numerous places that I was writing a 2-issue WONDER WOMAN inventory story; that wasn't a hard detail to pull off the internet.

After SUPERMAN #661, there were a number of people who said they'd like to see this particular team do another WW story, or bring Khyrana back somewhere, so I noted that we're doing both of those.

Nobody's going to get fired because I posted on the internet that I'm writing a WW inventory story.

kdb

Obviously I haven't been paying close enough attention to your posts. Too many message boards :)

The main point I wanted to make is that Rich was correct in saying that you were going to write a 2 issue WW story. He was wrong on the other details.

I don't know if he's making this stuff up or if someone(s) is providing both correct and incorrect information to him or perhaps a combination of both methods. When I read his column I treat it as sometimes right and sometimes wrong.

[PatrickG]

Obviously I haven't been paying close enough attention to your posts. Too many message boards :)

The main point I wanted to make is that Rich was correct in saying that you were going to write a 2 issue WW story. He was wrong on the other details.

I don't know if he's making this stuff up or if someone(s) is providing both correct and incorrect information to him or perhaps a combination of both methods. When I read his column I treat it as sometimes right and sometimes wrong.

He has leaks at DC.

Management at DC knows who some of these leaks are... and feeds them disinformation sometimes.

[matterconsumer]

On this particular story, Busiek asserts that no DC employee told Johnston. Johnston asserts that a DC employee did.

[LtMarvel]

It's a new line of Pre-Johnny DC books.

First up:

Every New God Poops.

[BnL]

On this particular story, Busiek asserts that no DC employee told Johnston. Johnston asserts that a DC employee did.

Not that it would happen anyway, but just in case, I'd prefer not to reignite that "conversation" from comicbloc. I was vague on the details in my earlier posts for just that reason. As I said, it probably won't happen anyway, but better to be safe than sorry. :p

[matterconsumer]

Not that it would happen anyway, but just in case, I'd prefer not to reignite that "conversation" from comicbloc. I was vague on the details in my earlier posts for just that reason. As I said, it probably won't happen anyway, but better to be safe than sorry. :p

Well I was going to say that we're all just harmless kittens here...but we have been commanded to fight to the death. Death to the Infidels!

:)

[BnL]

As for the possibility that she's writing JLA, I think the original quote posted here from the con was along the lines of her writing "one of DC's top female characters." Maybe that was a misquote, but that makes it seem like it's a solo book, and not a team book. Plus a litany of other evidence:

--I believe there was a quote from Gail that this was a dream project for her. I've read more than one comment from Gail that Wonder Woman was one of the books on her wishlist, but I don't recall her ever mentioning JLA.
--She had a Wonder Woman mug at her panel at the con, and I read (Somewhere on this board, in fact. Just forgot where) that she pointed to it at one point. It's just hearsay at this point, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's true, since Gail obviously fully expected the news to have spread by now, and even said herself that she couldn't have been more obvious about it.
--Gail said that she'd be shaping DC history with her next project (or something like that). JLA is one of DC's top titles, but there hasn't really been much "history-making" happening in that book. In fact, it's almost seemed to take place in a separate continuity, because it's rare that anything that happens in JLA impacts the characters' individual books. If anything, it's the opposite. With Wonder Woman, on the other hand, we know that at least some of her history has been changed, since she's now a founding member of the JLA, which means she's been active as a hero for longer than she was pre-IC. As the next long-term writer on the title, Gail would have the power to reshape her history and fill in all those blanks.
--Even with all that "evidence," I was still skeptical, but in combination with what was revealed on comicbloc, it seems all signs are pointing in one direction. I'm 95% confident Gail's new project is Wonder Woman.

[BnL]

Well I was going to say that we're all just harmless kittens here...but we have been commanded to fight to the death. Death to the Infidels!

:)

Oh, I know. I've taken to this forum pretty quickly, but at the same time, I wouldn't wanna tangle with any of you crazy fucks. ;)

[Kurt Busiek]

The main point I wanted to make is that Rich was correct in saying that you were going to write a 2 issue WW story.

And since I announced that on the internet, it wasn't exactly information you need an insider to get.

But hopefully, people will like the story when it comes.

kdb

[matterconsumer]

I hope that we'll enjoy the story too.

It seems smart for DC to do this given all the issues with a timely WW release.

Is that Eduardo Barreto on art?

It's sort of funny how your announcement upstaged Gail's :)

Gail gave an incredible interview about it on Newsarama but as yet to acknowledge it here or as far as I know on other message boards. Folk were really excited about the announcement and she had hinted that it was going to be revealed which resulted in anxious anticipation. It's just frustrating to not know how long you're going to have to wait. You find yourself sitting around waiting on the board and just waiting.

[Kurt Busiek]

I hope that we'll enjoy the story too.

It seems smart for DC to do this given all the issues with a timely WW release.

Is that Eduardo Barreto on art?

It will be, unless something happens.

It's sort of funny how your announcement upstaged Gail's :)

Mine didn't -- I just said I was writing an inventory for the drawer and a bunch of people responding thought that sounded neat, which was a fine reaction.

It wasn't until Rich spun that into something else so he could announce "the new writer" on the book that people got confused. Getting it right by saying I was doing an inventory story for some unknown future date ain't much of a story, after all, and when getting a reaction's the name of the game...

kdb

[matterconsumer]

To me, learning that you and Barreto will be doing two WW issues is actually more of a shock than learning that Gail is takin' the gig.

I'm very interested in seeing what Barreto can do with WW and also what your story will read. I enjoyed Barreto's work on Cobb (recently released in trade) though I hope that WW won't be going around cutting off heads or slashing throats...

(OF COURSE I"M EXCITED ABOUT GAIL BUT THAT"S ANOTHER POINT)

Looking forward to reading it!

[Night Swordsman]

Is Gail going to write Detective Chimp: Year One yet?

[Kurt Busiek]

I enjoyed Barreto's work on Cobb (recently released in trade) though I hope that WW won't be going around cutting off heads or slashing throats...

The first time Ed Barreto and I worked on the same WW issue...

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/277/400/277_4_318.jpg

kdb

[KevinTBrown]

The first time Ed Barreto and I worked on the same WW issue...

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/277/400/277_4_318.jpg

kdb

Aug. of '84?? Damn. You're old. (He says affectionately.) :)

[Night Swordsman]

Aug. of '84?? Damn. You're old. (He says affectionately.) :)

I remember seeing that issue at the local 7-11 when i was younger. Wow..23 years later.

I miss the comic PRICES the most. :)

[KevinTBrown]

I remember seeing that issue at the local 7-11 when i was younger. Wow..23 years later.

I miss the comic PRICES the most. :)

I know I bought that issue.... from the same guy I currently buy my comics from! :eek:

Damn, I'm old too.

[Night Swordsman]

I know I bought that issue.... from the same guy I currently buy my comics from! :eek:

Damn, I'm old too.

=( I was not heavy into DC at the time. I remember that cover. The main books i was buying at the time were Legion of Super Heroes and The New Teen Titans. Then Crisis came out,and i started buying ALOT more DC. The new Infinite Crisis has actually done the opposite. :( If only books were 1.50ish again.

[matterconsumer]

Thanks Kurt.

I'll have to hunt down this issue.

This would have been around the time I stopped buying comics due to sorry art and rising prices. Now I look back and say, "Yah! Baxter paper!" but at the time it meant making hard choices. If I recall correctly the average comic was .60 and those more expensive comics were either $1 or $1.25. I'd read the DC team books like Justice League because it was cheaper than buying their solo titles.

It was thrilling to see Perez on the Avengers and Justice League but after he left the replacements were very poor. Perez would do Justice League covers and again and again I would get burned by the interior art. (In fact during those years that seemed to happen a fair bit. Killer covers with less than thrilling interiors.) And the prices just kept going up...

[Kurt Busiek]

Thanks Kurt.

I'll have to hunt down this issue.

Barreto only did the cover, so if it's Ed you're looking for, you've got his part.

It was thrilling to see Perez on the Avengers and Justice League but after he left the replacements were very poor. Perez would do Justice League covers and again and again I would get burned by the interior art. (In fact during those years that seemed to happen a fair bit. Killer covers with less than thrilling interiors.) And the prices just kept going up...

See, I liked the issues after Perez on JLA even better. Don Heck was doing some of the best work of his career, and somehow, he fit Conway's stories better. I think Conway may have switched from full script to plot style, and that improved things too. But those are some of my favorite JLA issues, particularly the Royal Flush Gang story and the Atom/Micro-World story.

After Perez left AVENGERS the first time, we got a young Dave Wenzel, which wasn't so good, and then Byrne, which was just fine. After the second time, it was a bunch of different pencilers, but Colan more often than anyone else, I think, and he was better suited to other books.

kdb

[Night Swordsman]

Barreto only did the cover, so if it's Ed you're looking for, you've got his part.



See, I liked the issues after Perez on JLA even better. Don Heck was doing some of the best work of his career, and somehow, he fit Conway's stories better. I think Conway may have switched from full script to plot style, and that improved things too. But those are some of my favorite JLA issues, particularly the Royal Flush Gang story and the Atom/Micro-World story.

After Perez left AVENGERS the first time, we got a young Dave Wenzel, which wasn't so good, and then Byrne, which was just fine. After the second time, it was a bunch of different pencilers, but Colan more often than anyone else, I think, and he was better suited to other books.

kdb

I remember ALL of this. Wow. I completely forgot about Wenzel's art,which improved INCREDIBLY over the years. I do agree about Colan being suited for other books,to the point i wished someone at Marvel would do ANOTHER Tomb of Dracula book and make him a premier villan again.
AND i agree with your statements about Don Hecks work. That Royal Flush Gang story was fun. Going to have to dig them out of the collection and reread them now. DARN you.

[matterconsumer]

See, I liked the issues after Perez on JLA even better. Don Heck was doing some of the best work of his career, and somehow, he fit Conway's stories better. I think Conway may have switched from full script to plot style, and that improved things too. But those are some of my favorite JLA issues, particularly the Royal Flush Gang story and the Atom/Micro-World story.

After Perez left AVENGERS the first time, we got a young Dave Wenzel, which wasn't so good, and then Byrne, which was just fine. After the second time, it was a bunch of different pencilers, but Colan more often than anyone else, I think, and he was better suited to other books.

kdb

My opinions of artists have changed over time. What I can remember is that Perez was my favorite and that those coming after him were not even close. Which is just to say that I wanted the JLA and the Avengers to look like Perez.

Byrne on Avengers was ok. Certainly preferred Byrne and Perez to the others. I seem to recall Infantino (and as you mention Colan) and it's just a shame that folk have to continue working when it's obvious that they're WAY out of their prime. And as you say and as you were supposed to have intuited, I meant Perez after Avengers #200.

I always thought it was awesome that Perez worked on both Avengers and JLA #200. If only he'd been able to do FF #200!

Red Tornado was one of my favorite characters along with Adam Strange. I really dug the much earlier Adams JLA cover where Adam Strange zaps the JLA. The story wasn't so great when I reread it a few years but the cover!

And that's it about the JLA. I tend to recall enjoying the artwork and not really remembering the storylines.

The Avengers on the other hand had more memorable storylines. Jocasta, Ultron, and the unfortunate pregnancy of Ms. Marvel. And boy if Perez couldn't draw a Ms. Marvel!

[RichJohnston]

He has leaks at DC.

Management at DC knows who some of these leaks are... and feeds them disinformation sometimes.

Not that I'm aware.

It does demonstrate, to me at least, how big DC as an organisation is and that it has its own internal grapevine - so what I get has already been through one rumour mill, and may well be further distorted - as it was in this case.

[PatrickG]

Then perhaps it's fair to say that DC editorial knows the grapevine and plants stuff, sometimes with the intention of it leaking.

As I'm sure you're aware, a lot of editors are very aware of your column.

[Lester C.]

Is the whole Wonder Woman thing official yet or are we still speculating?

[Kyuubi]

Is the whole Wonder Woman thing official yet or are we still speculating?


That turned out to be false. She's going to be taking over the writing for Scooby Doo.

[Cayman]

That turned out to be false. She's going to be taking over the writing for Scooby Doo.

Finally. I'm tired of these celebrity writers on Scooby Doo who can't commit to a deadline.

[Kyuubi]

Yeah, right? We didn't even get to see how the gang got out of that fun house or who the ghost pirate is.


My money's on old man Smithers.

[boolean]

My money's on old man Smithers.
The caretaker of the abandoned amusement park?

Nah, too obvious.

[the4thpip]

That turned out to be false. She's going to be taking over the writing for Scooby Doo.

Does that mean John Rozum can return to Midnight, Mass. or Kobalt?

[Cayman]

Does that mean John Rozum can return to Midnight, Mass. or Kobalt?

It does seem like an injustice that a talented guy like Rozum mainly seems to work on Johnny DC books. Not that there is anything wrong with writing comics that are actually aimed at kids, but still.