Jeph Loeb: New Editor in Chief, Marvel Comics

[Zombie Superman]

Rich broke the story first:

I understand that Jeph Loeb is going to be taking a significant creative role at Marvel and will be heavily involved with the future of Marvel Comics. Expect all sorts of announcements in the months ahead.

Basically, if you want to do well at Marvel, sucking up to Jeph Loeb is a great place to start right now.

So, Jeph, about that "Marville 2" idea I had...

Speculation: Official announcement will be at SDCC. Other announcements will be about when Quesada's "reign" ends and Loeb's begins, etc.

Personally, I think anyone is better than Joe Q. Here's hoping Dan Didio is replaced by Mark Waid.

Then we're talking a new Golden Age of comics...

Z\S/

[RichStanz]

Not trying to add too much fuel to the fire, but...

There was a Joe Fridays from long ago, where they asked "if he could pick anybody to be his replacement for EIC, who would it be?" And he said Loeb.

Hmm, what kind of involvement does Loeb have with "Heroes." Is he doing any other TV production work?

I wouldn't hate Loeb as EIC, but I just never picture him as "available" enough to take on the job. Between his high-profile writing gigs, and TV and movie and work. He would have to give almost all of it up.

[xarathos]

Can't say it makes me incredibly excited.

[witchboy]

Maybe he'll heavily delegate a lot of the work to assistant editors .
I really like Loeb's work as a writer , but I really have no idea if that will make him a good editor or not .

[Michael P]

Maybe he'll heavily delegate a lot of the work to assistant editors.

I think the editors at Marvel would feel rather slighted at that.

[Paul McEnery]

I think the editors at Marvel would feel rather slighted at that.

If they had any.

[JoeK32880]

I don't think he's going to be EIC anyway.

[Jack Zodiac]

All in all, Quesada had a decent run of things. If Loeb is going to take over, I hope he breaks away from the theme both Marvel and DC have had lately of finding one or two "golden writers" and heaping all their giant crossover-horseshit on 'em. Maybe we'll get a break for a while and see books going back to just telling good stories...

Maybe.

[Dan Apodaca]

All in all, Quesada had a decent run of things. If Loeb is going to take over, I hope he breaks away from the theme both Marvel and DC have had lately of finding one or two "golden writers" and heaping all their giant crossover-horseshit on 'em. Maybe we'll get a break for a while and see books going back to just telling good stories...

Maybe.

You know this is Jeph Loeb we're talking about, right?

I'm doubting that he'll actually get the EIC position, but if he does, at least it'll minimize the amount of writing he does.

[Forefinger]

All in all, Quesada had a decent run of things. If Loeb is going to take over, I hope he breaks away from the theme both Marvel and DC have had lately of finding one or two "golden writers" and heaping all their giant crossover-horseshit on 'em. Maybe we'll get a break for a while and see books going back to just telling good stories...

Maybe.

That's just crazy talk.

[Jack Zodiac]

I'm doubting that he'll actually get the EIC position, but if he does, at least it'll minimize the amount of writing he does.

Ah ha! So there's a slight chance at better storytelling.

Or, a possibility of a sequel to Marville.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

SINS PAST is screwed. How many of us will be happy now ?

[Omega Alpha]

Well, at least he won't be writing that much comics anymore...

But why would Quesada leave? Marvel's shape is the best in ages.

[Thomas Mauer]

Well, at least he won't be writing that much comics anymore...

But why would Quesada leave? Marvel's shape is the best in ages.

Leave on a high note before his star falls again, mayhaps?

Oh, and on Wordballoon, Loeb said that he's writing for Heroes as well as doing other producer related things.

[xarathos]

I don't know what Quesada is getting so much praise. ALl his stories are hype. I didn't care about Civil War. It didn't have an ending. He picked a writer for Spider-man that had clearly never read the book before. Look at the latest solicit for Sensational, four generic guys we've never heard of. Ruined the character. Now, only 198 mutants... OK, then what?

The point being: I don't think much of anything Quesada's done. You can change things all you want, but if the writings not there and the ideas are flat it's not going to be good.

Loeb works in TV too much, his stuff isn't as delayed as the other TV guys working in the industry but he certainly couldn't do both.

[dancj]

I don't know how much was Quesada and how much was Bill Jemas but between the two of them they made Marvel accessible for the first time in years. As far as I'm concerned the pair of them did an excellent job.

I've no idea how good Jeph Loeb will be as an editor but if it means he stops writing stories that is fine by me!

That said this could all be jumping the gun. I took that LITG article to mean that he was getting that title that Mark Millar had (and maybe still has) where they coordinate the Marvel Universe and set the general direction.

[Tobias March]

That said this could all be jumping the gun. I took that LITG article to mean that he was getting that title that Mark Millar had (and maybe still has) where they coordinate the Marvel Universe and set the general direction.

I took it to mean the same thing, that he's another of their 'Plotmasters', or whatever, setting the tone for the universe.

So generic superheroics for all I guess.

[StrikeForce Albert]

I don't care much for Loeb but if there is one man who heal the wounds between the MARVEL/DC editorial offices it's that man.

Waid is next in line a DC and then Geoff Johns depending on how things go.

Grant Morrison will never die and by the year 2073 will write every comicbook on the stands.

They will simply be call The 5,262 Soldiers of Victory

Byrne will still be bitter

[StrikeForce Albert]

All in all, Quesada had a decent run of things. If Loeb is going to take over, I hope he breaks away from the theme both Marvel and DC have had lately of finding one or two "golden writers" and heaping all their giant crossover-horseshit on 'em. Maybe we'll get a break for a while and see books going back to just telling good stories...

Maybe.

To bad Loeb is the same way. How many top of the line artist have been wasted on his mediocre writing?

[Infra-Man]

Whoa... so how likely is this anyways? I mean, Loeb as EIC at Marvel intrigues me, but Waid as the Exec Editor at DC? Man, Waid at the helm just sounds like a hundred kinds of awesome.

[Brian "Vash" Ashby]

IF Loeb takes over for Quesadilla my dick will be as hard as granite. Loeb likes gwen so maybe a sins past retcon?

Hope hope

[Gingold]

Quesada's certainly been far from perfect, but Loeb's got such a myopic view of what comics should be, makign him EIC would most certainly be a step or two backwards.

[Brian "Vash" Ashby]

consider how marvel is shaping, a couple of steps backwards might keep it from falling off the cliff.

[GRANT!]

If this happens I can't see it being a bad thing. Loeb is a smart guy who loves these characters and established some great relationships with other creators. Artists love working with him and other writers bounce ideas off of him all the time. He's a strong collaborator.

[FaithfulMonkeyButler]

Personally, I think anyone is better than Joe Q. Here's hoping Dan Didio is replaced by Mark Waid.

Then we're talking a new Golden Age of comics...…of Golden Age quality.

[jesse_custer]

Quite frankly, it's about time for Quesada to quit. If you look at the reigns of every Marvel editor in chief, you'll find that Quesada has had one of the longest tenures. Not only that, but it's obvious he's more interested in getting Marvel's name out as much as possible with big crossovers rather than great stories. Now that he's put Marvel in a great business position, it's time for someone like Jeph Loeb to come in and make the stories great again. The fact is that Loeb is a better storyteller and has done more enduring works than Quesada (e.g., The Long Halloween and A Man For All Seasons). I hope he gets the job.

[xarathos]

Quite frankly, it's about time for Quesada to quit. If you look at the reigns of every Marvel editor in chief, you'll find that Quesada has had one of the longest tenures. Not only that, but it's obvious he's more interested in getting Marvel's name out as much as possible with big crossovers rather than great stories. Now that he's put Marvel in a great business position, it's time for someone like Jeph Loeb to come in and make the stories great again. The fact is that Loeb is a better storyteller and has done more enduring works than Quesada (e.g., The Long Halloween and A Man For All Seasons). I hope he gets the job.

Quesada has made me stop reading certain Marvel comics for good. And that's really saying something, he let some guy do whatver he wanted with the main character and made him a joke in my mind. He also has some of the worst ideas I've ever heard of: Get rid of all but 198 mutants, let's have a series of book based on a government sanctioned super teams, let's get rid of all the super villians and just have stories where heroes fight each other.
Loeb's a part of this, and I don't expect anything better from him to tell you the truth.

[david r]

Quesada has made me stop reading certain Marvel comics for good. And that's really saying something

I agree with that statement. I've quit Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four, Avengers, Spider-Man, X-Men all under his tenure. Many of them I'd been buying for decades.

[david r]

If Jeph Loeb becomes the EIC, the $64,000 question is:

How Long Before John Byrne is Begging to Come Back to Marvel??

[Brian "Vash" Ashby]

If Jeph Loeb becomes the EIC, the $64,000 question is:

How Long Before John Byrne is Begging to Come Back to Marvel??

not until the day blonde latinas stop looking like prostitutes

[david r]

I'll be glad if Mr. Quesada leaves. Joe really had two tenures. The first I enjoyed, Joe seemed willing to take more risks and he and Bill Jemas rocked the boat more. He brought in new talent and tried to salvage past relationships with creators.

His second phase I have not liked. He has become "Big Event"-crazy with thousands of pointless tie-in issues. He has allowed incompetents to take charge of titles and has allowed zero new creative endeavors. MAX and Icon languish with little support. It's time for a change.

[The Xenos]

Dammit. I hope not. I think the thing that pisses me off most is that I was about to start a web comic with a friend. One running joke was that one character had a hatred of Quesada and his running or Marvel while my chracter despises Didio. Eh. I guess he can still hate Quesada after this reign.

[Crimson]

I don't know what Quesada is getting so much praise. ALl his stories are hype. I didn't care about Civil War. It didn't have an ending. He picked a writer for Spider-man that had clearly never read the book before. Look at the latest solicit for Sensational, four generic guys we've never heard of. Ruined the character. Now, only 198 mutants... OK, then what?


JMS saved Spider-Man.

Some people may disagree with his stories but he saved Spider-Man... you can't argue that. Spider-Man was in terrible shape and had been for years before he came on the book

[MartinRedmond]

Wow, I predict the new direction will be "push in as many tired cliches into your story as you can".

[StrikeForce Albert]

JMS saved Spider-Man.


I am amazed people think this way

[MartinRedmond]

Spiderman's been sucking non stop for 15 years. It's hard to turn around a strong tide of sucking and it'll never happen.

[scratchie]

IF Loeb takes over for Quesadilla my dick will be as hard as granite.Too much information, dude.

[xarathos]

JMS saved Spider-Man.

Some people may disagree with his stories but he saved Spider-Man... you can't argue that. Spider-Man was in terrible shape and had been for years before he came on the book

Stingers. Morlun guy. Cocoon. No supporting cast. Magic powers....


where should I stop?

[paulski]

I agree with that statement. I've quit Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four, Avengers, Spider-Man, X-Men all under his tenure. Many of them I'd been buying for decades.
I know that I've dropped a hell of a lot of books in the last few years. Some I've eventually come back to, but I haven't been overly impressed with the quality of most of them. I'd say the only Marvel title I've been consistently enjoying this year is New Avengers - most of the rest have been late (Mighty Avengers, Amazing Spider-Man, She-Hulk, Astonishing X-Men) or lousy event tie-ins. :(

JMS saved Spider-Man.

Some people may disagree with his stories but he saved Spider-Man... you can't argue that. Spider-Man was in terrible shape and had been for years before he came on the book
Agree with the last part - Spidey under Mackie & Byrne was abysmal - but don't necessarily subscribe to your first point. I wouldn't say he 'saved' the character. He told some really great stories in years 1-3 and maybe 4, but ever since JR Jr finished his run, the title's been rubbish. And then there's Sins Past... 'nuff said. ;)

[johncage1000]

I am amazed people think this way

Well, he did get back to basics in a way that freed the title up. By the time he started writing the book, Amazing Spider-Man had spent the better part of a decade tied up in stories that really limited the character. Not to say all the stories were bad, but by going back to basics it made the character 'new-reader friendly' and more accessible.

That said, Paul Jenkins was doing just that a year before, but even then he was stuck dealing with carry-over from the Byrne/Mackie relaunch for his first year.

Have a good day.
John Cage

[Stephane Garrelie]

I'll be glad if Mr. Quesada leaves. Joe really had two tenures. The first I enjoyed, Joe seemed willing to take more risks and he and Bill Jemas rocked the boat more. He brought in new talent and tried to salvage past relationships with creators.

His second phase I have not liked. He has become "Big Event"-crazy with thousands of pointless tie-in issues. He has allowed incompetents to take charge of titles and has allowed zero new creative endeavors. MAX and Icon languish with little support. It's time for a change.
I Agree With That Post.
:)

[Matt Linton]

Just to supply the opposing viewpoint, I've been reading Marvel comics for over twenty years now and I'm reading and enjoying more of them than I ever have. There are events but they're staggered and separated in such a way that I can read some as they happen and follow others in trades later on. Speaking of trades, Marvel's trade policy is better than it's ever been. Does anyone remember ten years ago when you'd be lucky to find any trades outside of the X-Men and Spider-Man? I'm in no hurry to see Quesada go anywhere.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Just to supply the opposing viewpoint, I've been reading Marvel comics for over twenty years now and I'm reading and enjoying more of them than I ever have. There are events but they're staggered and separated in such a way that I can read some as they happen and follow others in trades later on. Speaking of trades, Marvel's trade policy is better than it's ever been. Does anyone remember ten years ago when you'd be lucky to find any trades outside of the X-Men and Spider-Man? I'm in no hurry to see Quesada go anywhere.

I like seeing TPB's sometimes. Marvel however seems to be in a rush as soon as the mini-series or story=arc is over to rush out a TPB . Which isn't the worst thing. I'm sure fans who missed the issues would enjoy it. But hell....at least give it a month or 2 before TPB comes out.

One series ...and we all poked fun finished up and 2 weeks later heres Marvel issueing a TPB of it.

[StrikeForce Albert]

Jim Morrison FTW!

[david r]

Well, no Jeph Loeb news yet. Except he's writing some Ultimate thing. Riveting stuff.

You know who I'd like to see replace Joe Quesada: Tom Brevoort. Tom has earned the right after years of great editing. He seems well-liked by creators and knows the Marvel Universe as much as anyone. I cannot tell you how enthusiastic I'd be if this happened. Alas, it never will for that very reason.

[StrikeForce Albert]

Well, no Jeph Loeb news yet. Except he's writing some Ultimate thing. Riveting stuff.

You know who I'd like to see replace Joe Quesada: Tom Brevoort. Tom has earned the right after years of great editing. He seems well-liked by creators and knows the Marvel Universe as much as anyone. I cannot tell you how enthusiastic I'd be if this happened. Alas, it never will for that very reason.

NO

Tom plays favorites worst than Quesada

[paulski]

A few years ago I would have jumped at the prospect of Brevoort as EIC - I'd always greatly respected the job he did on the Avengers books - but I fear he's been hanging around the Marvel fratboys too long. These days he comes across as Mr Cranky in a lot of his internet interaction with fans. I'd suggest Marvel needs someone a little younger and with a much smaller mouth than Joe. Jeph Loeb would seem a pretty good choice to me but I can't see it happening.

[TheDrizzt]

I refuse to be excited about the prospect of the writer of YOUNGBLOOD taking over Marvel Comics. Even if he is replacing the creator of PAINKILLER JANE... ;)

[stealthwise]

As long as Loeb stopped writing when he took over, I'm cool with it.

[Brian Cronin]

A few years ago I would have jumped at the prospect of Brevoort as EIC - I'd always greatly respected the job he did on the Avengers books - but I fear he's been hanging around the Marvel fratboys too long. These days he comes across as Mr Cranky in a lot of his internet interaction with fans. I'd suggest Marvel needs someone a little younger and with a much smaller mouth than Joe. Jeph Loeb would seem a pretty good choice to me but I can't see it happening.

Mr. Cranky?!

There isn't a single editor working at Marvel OR DC who is as giving with his time to the online fan community as Tom Brevoort is, and in return, he mostly gets questions (and I know, since I've seen the questions before they're deleted) like, "Do you now admit that Civil War was a total failure?," and then, when he bristles at all to this rude level of discourse he is met with, he gets labeled with the title of "Mr. Cranky."

It's a wonder comic book professionals deal with online fans at all.

-Brian

[Reptisaurus!]

Mr. Cranky?!

There isn't a single editor working at Marvel OR DC who is as giving with his time to the online fan community as Tom Brevoort is, and in return, he mostly gets questions (and I know, since I've seen the questions before they're deleted) like, "Do you now admit that Civil War was a total failure?," and then, when he bristles at all to this rude level of discourse he is met with, he gets labeled with the title of "Mr. Cranky."

It's a wonder comic book professionals deal with online fans at all.

-Brian

I'm not sure that's really fair, though. That's just 96% of internet comic fans giving the other 4% a bad name.

[paulski]

Mr. Cranky?!

There isn't a single editor working at Marvel OR DC who is as giving with his time to the online fan community as Tom Brevoort is, and in return, he mostly gets questions (and I know, since I've seen the questions before they're deleted) like, "Do you now admit that Civil War was a total failure?," and then, when he bristles at all to this rude level of discourse he is met with, he gets labeled with the title of "Mr. Cranky."

It's a wonder comic book professionals deal with online fans at all.
That's purely from the interaction with fans that I saw while I was at Newsarama (and I was there a long, loooong time). I can only testify to what I observed, not what he might have done here or on other sites.

Sorry if this comes across as insulting towards the guy, someone that you obviously have a lot of time for, but it's an honest opinion and that's all I can give.

[dancj]

Marvel however seems to be in a rush as soon as the mini-series or story=arc is over to rush out a TPB . Which isn't the worst thing. I'm sure fans who missed the issues would enjoy it. But hell....at least give it a month or 2 before TPB comes out.

One series ...and we all poked fun finished up and 2 weeks later heres Marvel issueing a TPB of it.
What's the problem with this?

[Karl H]

What's the problem with this?

exactly.

Trades are actually the way to push the industry forward. Compelling titles which are sold in regular bookstores. What better way to push the brand?

[MartinRedmond]

exactly.

Trades are actually the way to push the industry forward. Compelling titles which are sold in regular bookstores. What better way to push the brand?

Writing comics that have an actual story in them.

[StrikeForce Albert]

Writing comics that have an actual story in them.

Why put a story in them when you pad 2 issues out to six, then do a cleection of them so people will buy them again

[Blade X]

Here are my list of people who I would like to see become EIC of Marvel after Quesada leaves (which I hope is real soon).

Jim Shooter
Tom Defalco (hopefully he has learned from his past mistakes as EIC)
Priest
Roger Stern
Chuck Dixon
Louise Simonson
Bobbie Chase
Dan Slott
Elliot Brown

[Adriel]

1 vote for Brian Michael Bendis as Marvel Editor in Chief!

[OnslaughtKILLS]

If Loeb gets promoted I am done reading Marvel.

[founder81]

Why put a story in them when you pad 2 issues out to six, then do a cleection of them so people will buy them again

More people are going "trade only" plus the trade has a much longer shelf life and gets more attention in regular bookstores.

The biggest problem with Marvel's trade policy is "If it isn't X-men/Spider-man its going out of print very quickly"

Here are my list of people who I would like to see become EIC of Marvel after Quesada leaves (which I hope is real soon).

(delete mine)
Priest
Roger Stern
Chuck Dixon
Louise Simonson
Bobbie Chase
Dan Slott
Elliot Brown

All these people have proven themselves at comic creating, but what do they know about the business end of things?

[Karl H]

Writing comics that have an actual story in them.

Why put a story in them when you pad 2 issues out to six, then do a cleection of them so people will buy them again

If Loeb gets promoted I am done reading Marvel.

Well I tell you what guys. Wonderfully inciteful comments there. Makes me wonder why you bother reading comics if they make you that miserable. Hint hint.

[MartinRedmond]

If you don't like the WWF, why are you still watching tv melonhead? That's the question.

[brundlefly]

All these people have proven themselves at comic creating, but what do they know about the business end of things?

The same can be asked about Loeb, though. A handful of production credits on Smallville and Heroes don't equate to knowing anything about running the business side of a comic book company. And with his current lackluster Marvel creative efforts (Wolverine, Fallen Son, Onslaught) to boot, I don't see any upside to him as EIC. Sounds like a lose-lose both from business and creative standpoints. At least with the likes of Blade X's aforementioned Stern, Simonson, Dixon, etc. you'd get someone who was proven strong creatively as Marvel EIC.

[Peter Svensson]

The same can be asked about Loeb, though. A handful of production credits on Smallville and Heroes don't equate to knowing anything about running the business side of a comic book company.
He used to be the EIC of Awesome Comics while Alan Moore was writing for them. He's got the experience running a successful comics company which talented creators want to work for. Whether he'd do a good job running Marvel based on how he ran Awesome is another story.

[brundlefly]

He used to be the EIC of Awesome Comics while Alan Moore was writing for them.

Huh; well, I stand corrected. I generally associated Awesome Comics with Liefeld as being the management side. Didn't know that Loeb logged time there as EIC.

[StrikeForce Albert]

Well I tell you what guys. Wonderfully inciteful comments there. Makes me wonder why you bother reading comics if they make you that miserable. Hint hint.

There is more than one comic being published

[Sonicjuce]

Unfortunately I don't see Joe Q's rain at marvel ending soon. I sincerely hope I am wrong, but the way sales have been for marvel the last couple years I don't see it happening. We all generally bit*c about CW but it killed sales wise. WWH seems to be doing well also. I hate Joe Q but unfortunately keeping him is just good business right now.

I don't much care who takes his place. As long as they don't get rid of MJ or bring her back if Joe Q has already done it.

[xarathos]

Unfortunately I don't see Joe Q's rain at marvel ending soon. I sincerely hope I am wrong, but the way sales have been for marvel the last couple years I don't see it happening. We all generally bit*c about CW but it killed sales wise. WWH seems to be doing well also. I hate Joe Q but unfortunately keeping him is just good business right now.

I don't much care who takes his place. As long as they don't get rid of MJ or bring her back if Joe Q has already done it.

Boy, just when I didn't think they could make Spider-man get any worse in quality, he allows it to get worse.... and now it looks like its going to get worse.

I mean, it's their most popular character and he won't even insist that they get somebody on Amazing that can actually write the character without changing him completely. The two Spider-man books are about to be cancelled, AMazing's sales are about to get low. Trust me.

[Sean Whitmore]

I mean, it's their most popular character and he won't even insist that they get somebody on Amazing that can actually write the character without changing him completely.

They've got someone on it who hasn't changed him completely. And they're putting new people on it who won't change him completely. So what's the whining about, exactly?


SEAN

[Trouble]

Put Tom DeFalco back on Amazing and I'll be back. I gave up reading Marvel a long time ago.

[Verminous]

Boy, just when I didn't think they could make Spider-man get any worse in quality, he allows it to get worse.... and now it looks like its going to get worse..

:o "titter"

I mean, it's their most popular character and he won't even insist that they get somebody on Amazing that can actually write the character without changing him completely. The two Spider-man books are about to be cancelled, AMazing's sales are about to get low. Trust me.

Slott and Guggenheim are 2 pretty good choices I think.

[Frank]

Rich broke the story first:

I understand that Jeph Loeb is going to be taking a significant creative role at Marvel and will be heavily involved with the future of Marvel Comics. Expect all sorts of announcements in the months ahead.

Basically, if you want to do well at Marvel, sucking up to Jeph Loeb is a great place to start right now.

So, Jeph, about that "Marville 2" idea I had...

Speculation: Official announcement will be at SDCC. Other announcements will be about when Quesada's "reign" ends and Loeb's begins, etc.

Personally, I think anyone is better than Joe Q. Here's hoping Dan Didio is replaced by Mark Waid.

Then we're talking a new Golden Age of comics...

Z\S/

It's gonna be a new Golden Age because both Loeb and Waid will return everything to the Golden Age.

[panjisudoyo]

Boy, just when I didn't think they could make Spider-man get any worse in quality, he allows it to get worse.... and now it looks like its going to get worse.

I mean, it's their most popular character and he won't even insist that they get somebody on Amazing that can actually write the character without changing him completely. The two Spider-man books are about to be cancelled, AMazing's sales are about to get low. Trust me.

The two Spiderman books ( i'm assuming Sensational and Friendly Neighbourhood ) are about to be cancelled?
Hmmmmm, interesting..Do you have any idea when this will happen? ( I'm predicting only one of the two to get cancelled ).
Amazing's sales low, you say?...That's interesting as well...Hasn't it been in the top 20's month-in, month-out? ( correct me if i'm wrong, though )

[gwor]

I wasn't going to follow the new Amazing Spidey three-issues-a-month gimmick, but Slott and McNiven is a rather sweet creative team...