Dan Didio--writing more and more mags...

[tim_cbr]

I noticed in the announcement for the Blackest Night tie-ins that revive old series as one-shots, Dan Didio is writing the "Weird Western Tales" installment.

According to newsarama, he is taking the helm of Outsiders in 2010.

In the Red Tornado miniseries, he is "editor" with a not-big-name writer doing the scripting (in other words, Didio is probably dictating the scripting).

I didn't read Didio's piece in Wednesday comics, but didn't object to the idea. Wednesday Comics was after all an experimental work in which writers were pulled in to have fun. Seeing the Editor-in-Chief try his hand, just seemed like part of the fun.

But, he's not stopping at that and nobody can say no to him.
At least he gives us fair warning so we know what mags to avoid.
And, it's not about his writing (which I'm not terribly familiar with). It's the idea of a guy you can't say no to turning our comics into his vanity projects...

I just hope DC doesn't become short for "Didio Comics"...

[Jarath]

It seems a little unfair to be so critical when we've not read his outsiders or wild west blackest night tie in. Personally I think didio is doing a pretty good job as eic. Some things have fallen flat but alot of the stuff has been brilliant. So I'm going to save judgment until we read his stuff as I would with any writer.

[Alex Smith]

It seems he's just worried about the fact that he has no boss and can essentially do whatever he chooses. He's not complaining about the quality of writing, but the lack of oversight, which I can understand.

[Jarath]

No he doesn't have a boss as such but he does have his reputation among his staff and customers. If he goes nuts a ruins a title then he'll lose respect which is potentially worse than getting a telling off from the boss.

[RyleKayner]

Do you think James Robinson is losing any respect at the moment? Or Loeb? Or Winnick?

[galactica]

In the Red Tornado miniseries, he is "editor" with a not-big-name writer doing the scripting (in other words, Didio is probably dictating the scripting).



Why do you think he is doing this? Do you think all non0bif name writers do nothing but write dialogue for scripts provided by editor? I think you are selling both the writers and editors short.

And how could you possibly know if he was overstepping his bounds as editor? Have you been talking to the writer?

[Thok]

It seems he's just worried about the fact that he has no boss and can essentially do whatever he chooses. He's not complaining about the quality of writing, but the lack of oversight, which I can understand.

He has a boss. It was Paul Leyritz, now it's Diane Nelson. The former is known to have approved of some of his writing assignments.

[Sean Walsh]

He's been with DC for almost a decade now; if he was trying to make a statement and taking over creative reigns in nefarious ways, he's probably several years too late for it to matter.

He started with DC by co-writing Superboy with Jimmy Palmiotti, has written virtually nothing while he was Executive Editor (outside of short stories in one-shot holiday specials), and only now seems to be expanding on his writing resume with another one-shot, a Wednesday Comics strip and a lower-tier ongoing series.

As the top editor, it's his role to be a creative part (and ultimately, the yes or no guy) for anything major that happens in the DCU. So he's been more than just a writer for several years now. If his writing jobs were, say, taking over GL CORPS or DETECTIVE COMICS or something more high-profile, then I think the case could be made that there's something fishy or improper going on and his role in the company should be questioned.

But he's working on smaller/side projects, and the ongoing is a book that's been low-selling for a while now - where one can have more creative freedom than in a higher-selling sales-driven book.

And why would he be dictating the script for a RED TORNADO miniseries?! How is RT vital to the ongoing DCU? If he's willing to take over the OUTSIDERS book, why not just *write* the Red Tornado mini?

[Gavin G.]

If he were taking over writing chores on Action Comics or Justice League, I might, might be inclined to agree with you. As it is, though, he's taking over The Outsiders, is writing a one-shot for Blackest Night based around Weird Western Tales, and wrote the Metal Men strip for Wednesday Comics, which by the way was actually pretty darn good, I thought. He's hardly trying to make himself the face of the company, and I doubt if his Outsiders slides in sales it will continue to be published due simply to his name being in the credits.

Really, my only worry is he's not going to be able to function properly in his role as EIC (or whatever it is at DC) because he'll be too busy writing and editing individual books. Although I'm sure some people would say that's actually a good thing.

[Mr. Bungle]

I liked his Metal Men and I am interested in seeing what he does in the future.

[Seven_Ride]

This is nothing new. Carmine Infantino was DC's publisher in the 70s, and he wrote and drew stuff while serving as publisher. In the 80s, many of DC's biggest writers served as their own editors. Dennis O'Neil, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Doug Moench, etc. Dick Giordano was the main editor then and also did some writing. And plenty of drawing.

When Mike Carlin was the main editor in the 90s, he sometimes wrote scripts. But with Carlin and Didio, for the sake of these projects, they would have to work for another editor.

But the writers seem to make their own rules at DC anyway. If anything, this just puts Didio on the same playing field as your average, moderately well-known creator. Most of them seem to be free to ignore old stories and requested revisions, and turn in work late without worrying about whether it will affect their ability to get further projects.

[Mr. Bungle]

When Mike Carlin was the main editor in the 90s, he sometimes wrote scripts. But with Carlin and Didio, for the sake of these projects, they would have to work for another editor.

I'd love to see some crazy self-edited books like 1970s Marvel (and maybe DC?)

[neverman]

I will avoid any Didio work. I do not even like his choices as an editor so I definitely won't buy one issue of anything he writes.

[disco stu]

Didio = win Fact.

[Babylon23]

Unlike some people, I can seperate Didio the writer from Didio the editor. I enjoyed his work on Metal Men in Wednesday Comics and I'm interested to see what he and Tan can do with Outsiders. I've been a fan of this team since the Barr/Aparo days. I think the book was slow to start but I quite liked what Tomasi did. Hoping Didio can keep up the momentum.

[Will.S]

I haven't really read anything from Didio but I don't feel inclined to check out his upcoming work either.

Him teaming up with Philip Tan who's not really doing a great job on Batman makes me want to check out Outsiders even less. Most likely I'll read his Metal Men stuff in the Wednesday Comics hardcover out of curiosity but that's pretty much it for the moment.

[Den]

Unlike some people, I can seperate Didio the writer from Didio the editor. I enjoyed his work on Metal Men in Wednesday Comics and I'm interested to see what he and Tan can do with Outsiders. I've been a fan of this team since the Barr/Aparo days. I think the book was slow to start but I quite liked what Tomasi did. Hoping Didio can keep up the momentum.

Yeah, while I haven't liked all of Didio's calls as EIC (Others I've liked), he might be quite a fun writer. I rather liked his Metal Men take in Wednesday comics, it wasn't ground breaking, but it was solid and amusing :)

[titanfan]

I think it's interesting for an EIC to put himself out there like this. While he's EIC, the criticism on his work is kind of still at the corporate level. But by writing a book, he's opening himself up to be slammed in a way that's different.

That said, I wouldn't worry, if his work sucks and sales of his title drops (I hope not, I love Outsiders), then he'll have pressure to take himself off the book.

[americocaine]

Or he could be pushed aside into another role like Levitz?...slowly but surely.

[tim_cbr]

Do you think James Robinson is losing any respect at the moment? Or Loeb? Or Winnick?

God, I hope so...
That's my "cry for justice"!!!


And why would he be dictating the script for a RED TORNADO miniseries?! How is RT vital to the ongoing DCU? If he's willing to take over the OUTSIDERS book, why not just *write* the Red Tornado mini?


Didio has a reputation for having an... extremely forceful personality.
Read some of the controversy behind "Countdown" and "52" in which Didio would storm down the hall bellowing that he hated "52", while his editors did the best they could to screen their writers from his demands.

That being said, I can't see Didio editing Red Tornado with a light hand.

To his credit, he seems to be a fanboy at heart. To his discredit, he seems to be a juggernaut you'd better not cross. I can see Grant Morrison or Gail Simone being able to deal with Didio, but a lesser known writer (who is afraid to lose his job) likely has very little creative clout in the face of Didio's strong opinions.

-Tim

[joao_miranda]

Didio has a reputation for having an... extremely forceful personality.
Read some of the controversy behind "Countdown" and "52" in which Didio would storm down the hall bellowing that he hated "52", while his editors did the best they could to screen their writers from his demands.

That being said, I can't see Didio editing Red Tornado with a light hand.

To his credit, he seems to be a fanboy at heart. To his discredit, he seems to be a juggernaut you'd better not cross. I can see Grant Morrison or Gail Simone being able to deal with Didio, but a lesser known writer (who is afraid to lose his job) likely has very little creative clout in the face of Didio's strong opinions.

-Tim

See, you're overeacting. The one who said that was Mark Waid, who has a strong personality and can at times exagerate.

Didio later explained what Waid meant. Didio thought Countdown was better editorialy speaking, since it interconnected every DCU title, while 52 worked without any kind of restrains.

And Kevin VanHook is a movie director. I don't think he needs DC's money.

[neverman]

Unlike some people, I can seperate Didio the writer from Didio the editor.


Congratulations. I wish I could be as highly evolved as you.

[Shellhead]

Didio should write JLA. His interference has been hurting that title for a long time, so he might as well as write it himself without interference.

[Babylon23]

Congratulations. I wish I could be as highly evolved as you.

Yeah, I realise that actually came off sounding far worse than I'd intended it to. Apologies.

[TOAA]

That is interesting, i was rather surprised by his Metal Man.

Didio should write JLA. His interference has been hurting that title for a long time, so he might as well as write it himself without interference.

Crap writers didn`t help JLA either.

[tim_cbr]

See, you're overeacting. The one who said that was Mark Waid, who has a strong personality and can at times exagerate.

Didio later explained what Waid meant. Didio thought Countdown was better editorialy speaking, since it interconnected every DCU title, while 52 worked without any kind of restrains.


Oh, so Didio explained what Waid meant...

Even if Didio found "Countdown better editorially speaking" does that change the story that he would storm down the hall shouting how much he hated "52"?

-Tim

[TOAA]

Even if Didio found "Countdown better editorially speaking" does that change the story that he would storm down the hall shouting how much he hated "52"?


What is there to ask? If he liked Countdown better for some reason then for same reason he obviously disliked 52.

[joao_miranda]

Oh, so Didio explained what Waid meant...

Even if Didio found "Countdown better editorially speaking" does that change the story that he would storm down the hall shouting how much he hated "52"?

-Tim

Do you really believe that happened?

[RyleKayner]

You guys are not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel here. Didio writing more is probably going to equate to him moving out of the EiC chair. Which is a major win as far as I'm concerned.

There are only so many books you can futz up as a writer, but as EiC, your scope is limitless. I can avoid every Johns book and still enjoy corners of the DCU, but Didio's grubby paws seem to maul many a title that I once enjoyed.

So let him write Outsiders, JLA and friggin' Action for all I care as long as he leaves everything else alone.

[Mundungus]

I think the OP is being a little critical. Dan Didio isn't perfect, but as E-I-C he's been hitting a lot of home runs lately.

I wouldn't consider any of these assignments to be vanity projects. I don't know for sure, but I'm sure he still had to pitch his take for each individual project. Can he give himself any book he wants? Maybe, but then if he really wanted to he could have just told everyone he was taking over Batman or Superman.

A Metal Men feature? Weird Western Tales? The Outsiders? This is fringe stuff. He really isn't going out of his way to put his foot in the middle of the DC Universe.

What I like about Didio is he will own up to mistakes in his interviews. That is humbling to me.

[bad trotsky]

EiC is a difficult job to have right now. Joey Q takes alot of heat nowadays too. Didio IS trying things and taking chances. A Magog ongoing? Wendsday Comics? A Powergirl ongoing? WTH? Thats a good thing. I think pretty much anyone that was EiC for the big two would eventually get a hard time from online fandom.

[KET]

I think the OP is being a little critical. Dan Didio isn't perfect, but as E-I-C he's been hitting a lot of home runs lately.


Not really. DC's recent successes are pretty much the result of two writers that DC can't afford to lose right now. And DiDio's direct involvement is pretty much "hands off" on both of their work.

Anything else that comes along either looks like a happy accident (Wednesday Comics) or more universe-wide editorial-mandated chaos (the Titans, JLA and now JSA books) which usually results in merely increasing the endless mediocrity (the Superman books).

I would also point to the fact that too many DCU ongoings are being saddled with a lot of poor to middling artistic 'talent' to be one of Dan's biggest ongoing problems right now. I suppose we should all feel lucky that DiDio hasn't yet tried to turn himself into a penciller. :wink:


A Metal Men feature? Weird Western Tales? The Outsiders? This is fringe stuff. He really isn't going out of his way to put his foot in the middle of the DC Universe.

He's trying to ramp up his "I'm a geek just like you" quotient, which is nothing new for him, as he's been flailing away at this executive deception tactic for awhile.

What I like about Didio is he will own up to mistakes in his interviews. That is humbling to me.


Must be reading different interviews than I do. The guy often goes out of his way to redirect the most repetitive and self-damning questions somewhere else.

[Jarath]

How does wedneday comics look like a "happy accident"?

Not everything is down to MOrrison and JOhns. REBELS is Bedard, Detective Comics is Rucka and Williams, Tomasi has written some brilliant stuff as well. Secret Six is Simone. Also there are the artests such as Manapul, Kollins, Manke, Reis, Gleason, Frank, Quietly, Tan, and Scott. And there are plenty of other people doing great work in both writing and art.

Sure Didio has had some failures, Countdown, DotNG, JLA, and Titans. But I'd say the positives far outweight the negatives in recent years. It's his decision where artists and writers go, which stories get the green light, etc. Personally I think he has done a great job.

And as for "ramping up his "I'm a geek like you" quotient". He's the EiC of one of the major comic book companies. He spends his days talking, reading and writing about comic book characters. I'm pretty sure he must have an amount of geek in him, otherwise he'd shoot himself.

[DonC]

Did people bitch this much when Tom DeFalco was EIC and a writer for Marvel? Or are we just supposed to hate Dan DiDio because he's "raping our childhoods?"

[Batman was taken]

Did people bitch this much when Tom DeFalco was EIC and a writer for Marvel? Or are we just supposed to hate Dan DiDio because he's "raping our childhoods?"

Nah, it's just the cool thing to do. Bitch out people on a faceless message board.

[Mat001]

Did people bitch this much when Tom DeFalco was EIC and a writer for Marvel? Or are we just supposed to hate Dan DiDio because he's "raping our childhoods?"

They probably did. We just didn't know about it due to the limitations of the internet back in the day. Not everyone was on and so information and bitching didn't spread as fast.