From Jersey to Coney: Gale talks “Amazing Spider-Man”

[andy khouri]

Peter Parker reached a personal milestone in this week's “Amazing Spider-Man," but things won’t be getting easier for him if Bob Gale has any say. CBR News spoke with the writer about what’s in store for the webslinger in the months ahead.

http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16699

[Rahul]

First time I've ever seen a writer comment on the smoking ban in Marvel. Although I have to admit he's kind of right, I mean you have a character that smokes meth and thats not banned. Although I can understand HQ'S stance on the subject as well.

Back on topic, Gale has been a major diappointment in the writing department in every way, so I dont expect anything great from this arc, anyway, sounds like a filler until the next subplot. The art is great though....

[Tetsuo_man]

I may have not liked what Gale has said in the past but that whole equating the no smoking rule along the lines of Wertham type thinking was cool.

[ZT4]

...How Peter can hit a "personal milestone" when he's hit the same one multiple times in his life? That's not a milestone anymore, that's just routine.

Ugh. I hate this boring, redundant bollocks. Gale can f*ck off.

[Bugaboo-X]

It's wild! Wacky! Adventurous!
... Boring.

If Marvel wants to cultivate next-generation readers, they should seriously consider investing in a truly remarkable NEW character that can stand on its own, not hitting the reset button so they can rehash all the old crap.

[ZT4]

I've never been more embarrased to be a Spider-Man fan. There's seriously nothing to hype until "New Ways To Die", yet all these glorified fillers are made to look like there close to "Final Crisis" levels. BOOOOOOOORIIIIING...

[cpahl2000]

I´ve been enjoying Gale´s Spider-Man and I think he really got the BND spirit.

[BlackToe]

Wow I like that art. Sometimes I wish Marvel would shoot out a ink issue everynow and then.

[Cody H]

...How Peter can hit a "personal milestone" when he's hit the same one multiple times in his life?You're not supposed to remember that.I've never been more embarrased to be a Spider-Man fan.Really? Never?

[ReggieWhiteJr]

Ugh. Again with Gale? For the love of all that his holy, get this man off the book!!!

[ZT4]

Really? Never?

Never more embarrased. I just shake my head at this joke of a mainstream franchise these days.

I´ve been enjoying Gale´s Spider-Man and I think he really got the BND spirit.

Dry, cynical crud with customary profanity?

Yeah, suits the pedantic BND spirit alright

[DasPoppen]

I´ve been enjoying Gale´s Spider-Man and I think he really got the BND spirit.

I enjoyed his stuff, too. Not the best comic I've ever read but overall quite entertaining.

[Prof. Warren]

That cover with Spidey and The Enforcers on the bumper cars is genius! One of my favorite Spidey covers ever. Looking forward to these two issues - I just hope that Gale's overuse of thought balloons is reigned in a bit.

[The Shadow]

Gale can f*ck off.
Wow... over-react much?

And I think that's a violation of rule #1 :cool:

[Nick MB]

I've never been more embarrased to be a Spider-Man fan. There's seriously nothing to hype until "New Ways To Die", yet all these glorified fillers are made to look like there close to "Final Crisis" levels. BOOOOOOOORIIIIING...

"Glorified fillers"? You realise not every story can be an event? And I'm not talking about the level of hype, I'm talking about the stories. Stories where Spidey just goes about his business are "glorified fillers" now?

[Billy Parker]

Can anyone copy and paste what Gale said about smoking? It's been removed I think. I didn't find it.

[Keith!]

I´ve been enjoying Gale´s Spider-Man and I think he really got the BND spirit.

I agree with the "spirit"...But, sadly, nothing Gale says makes me want to give his Spidey story a shot as much as I was hoping I'd want to (but it's Bob Gale!!).

Each story so far has felt...lazy. We're hearing all these things about a "Spidey brain trust" and there's this roster of fantastic artists, but, as I've said elsewhere (ad infinitum), the stories and new characters all seem so juvenile.

While the books should be accessible to all ages, should the stories and characters -- with names like Anti-Venom and Mr. Negative -- really read like they're meant for no one over 10?

Now go read my blog (see below).

[ZT4]

I love those scripts man...shows how much better the title would be again under one writer.

[Matt Linton]

I agree with the "spirit"...But, sadly, nothing Gale says makes me want to give his Spidey story a shot as much as I was hoping I'd want to (but it's Bob Gale!!).

Each story so far has felt...lazy. We're hearing all these things about a "Spidey brain trust" and there's this roster of fantastic artists, but, as I've said elsewhere (ad infinitum), the stories and new characters all seem so juvenile.

While the books should be accessible to all ages, should the stories and characters -- with names like Anti-Venom and Mr. Negative -- really read like they're meant for no one over 10?

Now go read my blog (see below).

How is "Mr. Negative" or "Anti-Venom" any more juvenile than "Spider-Man" or "Green Goblin"?

[Magneto Rocks]

So everything that isn't an event is now filler? :confused:

I have no real problem with Gale. Some of his issues are better than others and he's the weakest link so far, but still a fairly strong writer- albeit better in some areas than others. I enjoyed his take on the Bookie etc. Should be an interesting arc.

...And how exactly is one interview suddenly Final Crisis-level hype?

[Mister Mets]

Ugh. Again with Gale? For the love of all that his holy, get this man off the book!!!I believe Gale's not going to write any more stories, although like Wells, he'll remain a member of the braintrust, which might be a good idea. He's made some good suggestions to the other guys.

First time I've ever seen a writer comment on the smoking ban in Marvel. Although I have to admit he's kind of right, I mean you have a character that smokes meth and thats not banned. Although I can understand HQ'S stance on the subject as well.

Back on topic, Gale has been a major diappointment in the writing department in every way, so I dont expect anything great from this arc, anyway, sounds like a filler until the next subplot. The art is great though....Methinks the smoking comments disappeared when the article was updated.

I've never been more embarrased to be a Spider-Man fan. There's seriously nothing to hype until "New Ways To Die", yet all these glorified fillers are made to look like there close to "Final Crisis" levels. BOOOOOOOORIIIIING...Given that we haven't seen the issues yet, it's way too early to call them glorified fillers. I'm pretty sure they're going to move some plots forward. Plus, Peter explaining to Vin that he doesn't have a job seems slightly relevant to his status quo. It is worth noting that one of the best received BND arcs (the Wells/ Bachalo one) was the least consequential.

[ZT4]

Plus, Peter explaining to Vin that he doesn't have a job seems slightly relevant to his status quo.

Seen it all before. Boooooorring.

t is worth noting that one of the best received BND arcs (the Wells/ Bachalo one) was the least consequential.

I didnt say "fillers" were bad, but BND ought to be hard and heavy with what Lee/Ditko and Stern were dishing out back in their prime, "progressive filler". Inconsequential storylines that build and build. Hobgoblin's Kingpin blackmail? Gave Harry food for though for multiple issues, that sort of thing (and we hadnt seen an Osborn be slapped with blackmail of that magnitude before...FRESH)

[Matt Linton]

I didnt say "fillers" were bad, but BND ought to be hard and heavy with what Lee/Ditko and Stern were dishing out back in their prime, "progressive filler". Inconsequential storylines that build and build. Hobgoblin's Kingpin blackmail? Gave Harry food for though for multiple issues, that sort of thing (and we hadnt seen an Osborn be slapped with blackmail of that magnitude before...FRESH)

Every arc so far has had that, whether it's the Menace/Hollister/Crowne arc, the Spider-Tracer killer subplot, Bennett/Jameson and the Bugle, the Jackpot/Sara Ehret mystery, etc. Just because you may not like those subplots, or feel they've all been done before (and I disagree), it doesn't mean they aren't there.

[Rahul]

Excellent examples of good filler include the recent Shocker story in Ultimate Spider-Man 122, and the Wolverine one issue fill ins by Jason Aaron and Stuart Moore, and Mark Millar(the concentration camp one). Now if Gale can do something like that, I'll give credit where credit is due, but so far his run is not giving me any reason to do so.

[Mister Mets]

Seen it all before. Boooooorring.



I didnt say "fillers" were bad, but BND ought to be hard and heavy with what Lee/Ditko and Stern were dishing out back in their prime, "progressive filler". Inconsequential storylines that build and build. Hobgoblin's Kingpin blackmail? Gave Harry food for though for multiple issues, that sort of thing (and we hadnt seen an Osborn be slapped with blackmail of that magnitude before...FRESH)I haven't really heard arguments against "progressive filler" before, though I understand your point . It's still too early to determine what stories are going to be "inconsequential storylines that build and build," except for the blizzard. Though that story did build on Vin and Carlie's relationship. Freak going to Oscorp custody shows even that plot may be leading somewhere consequential.

Though of course "consequential" is a matter of opinion.


Excellent examples of good filler include the recent Shocker story in Ultimate Spider-Man 122, and the Wolverine one issue fill ins by Jason Aaron and Stuart Moore, and Mark Millar(the concentration camp one). Now if Gale can do something like that, I'll give credit where credit is due, but so far his run is not giving me any reason to do so.
I'm not sure if the Shocker story is filler, as it did feature some developments between Mary Jane & Kitty. And it could easily be referenced whenever the Shocker reappears. It was also the payoff to something we'd seen since the eighth issue. As a general rule, payoff isn't filler.

Unless it's "progressive filler."

But I do agree that sometimes filler stories are excellent standalone issues.

[CyberHubbs]

I'm seeing some serious McFarlane influence in Siquiera's art.

[DanCMH]

It must be cool to be a writer at Marvel these days when all you have to do is go back into the archives twenty years ago and pull out scripts to copy over for plot points...

"Peter lost his job and cant pay his rent? Omigod!"

"Peter has a roommate he has to worry about finding out his secret identity? Omigod!"

Brand new day my ass...

[BlackToe]

It must be cool to be a writer at Marvel these days when all you have to do is go back into the archives twenty years ago and pull out scripts to copy over for plot points...

"Peter lost his job and cant pay his rent? Omigod!"

"Peter has a roommate he has to worry about finding out his secret identity? Omigod!"

Brand new day my ass...

Then dont buy it and let the ones that enjoy it, enjoy it?

[Matt Linton]

It must be cool to be a writer at Marvel these days when all you have to do is go back into the archives twenty years ago and pull out scripts to copy over for plot points...

"Peter lost his job and cant pay his rent? Omigod!"

"Peter has a roommate he has to worry about finding out his secret identity? Omigod!"

Brand new day my ass...

If that's all you're getting from the stories, then you're definitely reading them wrong. Gosh, Captain America's been dead and replaced before, so Ed Brubaker MUST just be copying the old stories! And the Skrulls tried to invade the Earth by replacing heroes way back in FF #2! Brian Bendis is ripping off Stan Lee!!! The X-Men are feared and hated and fighting evil mutants??? Again???

[ZT4]

Condescending to him isnt helping anyone. Endorsing this repetititve crud doesnt make it justifiable in the eyes of fans who have seen and read much better things done with these characters.

And Ed's run is probably the best "replacement Cap" story ever written, every issue has been a gold record. I cant say the same of BND at all.

[Matt Linton]

Condescending to him isnt helping anyone. Endorsing this repetititve crud doesnt make it justifiable in the eyes of fans who have seen and read much better things done with these characters.

it's not condescending if I'm pointing out something accurate, which is that there's more to the stories being told than what he seems to have gotten from them. And if you held most books, including Spider-Girl, to the same standard, it'd be easy to find repetition.

And Ed's run is probably the best "replacement Cap" story ever written, every issue has been a gold record. I cant say the same of BND at all.

Ed's run on Cap is the best the book has ever seen, as far as I'm concerned. That wasn't the point, though. The point was that it's technically just as repetitive as anything in Amazing Spider-Man.