Mike, talk to us about "The Other"

[Spider-Man]

I know you're constrained by editorial as far as giving away anything, but could you at least try to allay our fears?

This story seems to be yet another "status quo changing event!" in the life of a character whose status quo changed realistically pretty much every day. I'm frankly concerned as to what this story is going to mean for Spidey.

I'm also disappointed that you and PAD have to start off what I feel will be the best-written Spidey title right in the midst of this crossover?

Can you give us some feedback here? If not, I understand.

By the way, your work continues to amaze and delight. Keep it up!

[Spider-Man]

Sooo...yeah.

[Spider-Man]

Can you tell us anything? For example, are you enjoying working on Spidey again? What do you think about this story? Is it a stunt or a classic waiting to happen?

Throw us a bone, man!

:D

Spidey

[Crash-Man]

I can't believe he's ignoring Spider-Man. How ungrateful is that? :P

[Mike Wieringo]

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond to this topic, guys.

I'm afraid that I'm not going to be of much help in allaying your fears for SPIDER-MAN's future. I'm simply not 'in the loop', so to speak, when it comes to all the details of what 'THE OTHER' means-- and will mean-- for Peter's future. I can tell you this much: I've just about finished my second issue, and I've enjoyed myself so far. ESPECIALLY on issue #2... it's been a fun thrill ride and a blast to draw. If I told you any of the details of what actually HAPPENS in those issues, though, I'm sure that I could look forward to Joe Quesada and a couple of his 'boys' at my doorstep, baseball bats at the ready, looking to break my kneecaps ;). And since I still enjoy the act of walking, I'll have to remain mum.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.

BTW-- I like your avatar.... :D

[Spider-Man]

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond to this topic, guys.

I'm afraid that I'm not going to be of much help in allaying your fears for SPIDER-MAN's future. I'm simply not 'in the loop', so to speak, when it comes to all the details of what 'THE OTHER' means-- and will mean-- for Peter's future. I can tell you this much: I've just about finished my second issue, and I've enjoyed myself so far. ESPECIALLY on issue #2... it's been a fun thrill ride and a blast to draw. If I told you any of the details of what actually HAPPENS in those issues, though, I'm sure that I could look forward to Joe Quesada and a couple of his 'boys' at my doorstep, baseball bats at the ready, looking to break my kneecaps ;). And since I still enjoy the act of walking, I'll have to remain mum.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.

BTW-- I like your avatar.... :D

Well, Mike, I figured you're hands are tied.

No need to apologize. I understand.

You're outdoing yourself with the work I've seen thus far (including my avatar :D ) and I can't wait for you and PAD's book to hit.

I just wish the circumstances were different. "The Other" is worrying me just a bit.

At any rate, I do know this: from the preview pages I saw over at Newsarama, "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" will be the best written and best drawn Spidey title, hands down.

Mike, thanks for taking the time to respond.

Spidey

[onizuka]

from the preview pages I saw over at Newsarama, "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" will be the best written and best drawn Spidey title, hands down.
now we all know it was.

[Rae Rodriguez]

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond to this topic, guys.

I'm afraid that I'm not going to be of much help in allaying your fears for SPIDER-MAN's future. I'm simply not 'in the loop', so to speak, when it comes to all the details of what 'THE OTHER' means-- and will mean-- for Peter's future. I can tell you this much: I've just about finished my second issue, and I've enjoyed myself so far. ESPECIALLY on issue #2... it's been a fun thrill ride and a blast to draw. If I told you any of the details of what actually HAPPENS in those issues, though, I'm sure that I could look forward to Joe Quesada and a couple of his 'boys' at my doorstep, baseball bats at the ready, looking to break my kneecaps ;). And since I still enjoy the act of walking, I'll have to remain mum.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.

BTW-- I like your avatar.... :D
I'll take on Joe Q for you. :p
I can't wait to see it! I was just talking about Spider-Man: The Other with my boyfriend not ten minutes ago. I've got the hard cover waiting on my wish list at Amazon; it'll be released in time for my birthday. I'm so excited! :D

[Citrus-Man]

Mike, I'll say without hyperbole that you draw one of my favorite Spideys in recent years. It's a nice blend of the Romita Sr. look and more modern takes. I also like the way you portray him in motion. It really feels like Spidey's acrobatics are plausible.

I find it funny, though, that the two times you've been assigned to a Spidey book, they change his costume on you. First Ben Reilly, and now the upcoming red and gold Spidey.

I hope you'll get to draw plenty of the traditional Spidey costume, just because I like to look at it.

Boy, fanboy gush, much? Well, I've been a fan since Flash. ;)

[Sabrinaset]

I'm going to agree with the previous poster, I really enjoy your take on Spider-man.

True Confession time: When I heard you were going to draw the FF, I cringed. I thought you were NOT suited for the job.

I admit it. I was wrong.

You and Waid made the book fun. I couldn't wait to get the FF, not just because of Waid's writing, which was on a par with Lee/Kirby and Byrne, but your art as well. When I found out you were on Spidey, I put it on my pull list. I was that impressed.

I'll take on Quesada for you too. I'll just have some chloroform ready when he arrives...!

[Mike Wieringo]

now we all know it was.

I thank you, onizuka... and Peter would thank you too if he was here.


I'll take on Joe Q for you.
I can't wait to see it! I was just talking about Spider-Man: The Other with my boyfriend not ten minutes ago. I've got the hard cover waiting on my wish list at Amazon; it'll be released in time for my birthday. I'm so excited!


LOL....! Thanks, Rae... but now that the big event's all done, you won't have to ride to my rescue. I'm looking forward to seeing the hard cover edition myself. One of the greatest thrills I've had in my time drawing comics was seeing my FF work collected into those three hc editions. I'd never had anything treated like that up 'til then.



Mike, I'll say without hyperbole that you draw one of my favorite Spideys in recent years. It's a nice blend of the Romita Sr. look and more modern takes. I also like the way you portray him in motion. It really feels like Spidey's acrobatics are plausible.

I find it funny, though, that the two times you've been assigned to a Spidey book, they change his costume on you. First Ben Reilly, and now the upcoming red and gold Spidey.

I hope you'll get to draw plenty of the traditional Spidey costume, just because I like to look at it.

Boy, fanboy gush, much? Well, I've been a fan since Flash.

Thank you so much, Citrus. I really appreciate the comments. It's funny-- SPIDER-MAN was one of those characters that --when I had only been working professionally for a year or two-- I thought I'd never get a chance to draw. Maybe as a guest star in a small book here and there... or in a one-panel appearance. But now here I am on a second run on a SPIDER-MAN title. It just goes to show that sometimes reality exceeds expectations. I feel very fortunate.

And yeah-- it is odd that in my two different times on the character there is a costume change. It's like deja-vu. Except this time it's in reverse. When I took over SENSATIONAL, he was already in the Ben Reilly costume (he WAS Ben Reilly) and now he's getting the IRON SPIDEY treatment.

I'm going to agree with the previous poster, I really enjoy your take on Spider-man.

True Confession time: When I heard you were going to draw the FF, I cringed. I thought you were NOT suited for the job.

I admit it. I was wrong.

You and Waid made the book fun. I couldn't wait to get the FF, not just because of Waid's writing, which was on a par with Lee/Kirby and Byrne, but your art as well. When I found out you were on Spidey, I put it on my pull list. I was that impressed.

I'll take on Quesada for you too. I'll just have some chloroform ready when he arrives...!

Thanks, Sabrinaset. That's one of the greatest barriers for us comix pencilers who draw in a more cartoony style-- winning over fans who have preconcieved notions. It seems that the major trend in favor now is a realistic style which makes it harder for those of us who are doing a more open and animated style of drawing.

My own favorites include folks like Humberto Ramos, Skottie Young, Carlos Meglia, Damion Scott and many others in that category. Although-- J. Scott Campbell and Joe Maduriera (to other huge favorites of mine) who's works are very cartoony as well have become major popular favorites in comics.

But again-- thanks for the wonderful comments...!

[Rae Rodriguez]

LOL....! Thanks, Rae... but now that the big event's all done, you won't have to ride to my rescue. I'm looking forward to seeing the hard cover edition myself. One of the greatest thrills I've had in my time drawing comics was seeing my FF work collected into those three hc editions. I'd never had anything treated like that up 'til then.
Whatever you say Mike, but if you change your mind I'm told he'll be at the NY Comic-Con. So will I. :p
Your work with FF is what led me to you in the first place (my bf introduced me to it, and I loved the art).

[Will.S]

And yeah-- it is odd that in my two different times on the character there is a costume change. It's like deja-vu. Except this time it's in reverse. When I took over SENSATIONAL, he was already in the Ben Reilly costume (he WAS Ben Reilly) and now he's getting the IRON SPIDEY treatment.
Ey Mike, just stopping by to tell ya you're doing a great job on Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and I can't wait to see your rendition of the Iron Spider costume.

If you don't mind me asking, what are your thoughts on the overall design and is it more of a challenge to draw or less than the old one?

[Mike Wieringo]

Ey Mike, just stopping by to tell ya you're doing a great job on Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and I can't wait to see your rendition of the Iron Spider costume.

If you don't mind me asking, what are your thoughts on the overall design and is it more of a challenge to draw or less than the old one?

I think the level of difficulty is pretty much the same, but for different reasons. The original classic SPIDER-MAN costume has all those webs in the design... but after a while, it becomes pretty easy to do them. You get used to it.

The new one is difficult just because it's new-- and the eyes are going to be hard to master. They're lower on the face... and slightly different in shape. Plus there's more black/shadowing on the costume, so there's more of that to take into consideration.

But I like both of them. You can't beat the classic, of course.. it's timeless. But the new design is pretty cool.

[Will.S]

I think the level of difficulty is pretty much the same, but for different reasons. The original classic SPIDER-MAN costume has all those webs in the design... but after a while, it becomes pretty easy to do them. You get used to it.

The new one is difficult just because it's new-- and the eyes are going to be hard to master. They're lower on the face... and slightly different in shape. Plus there's more black/shadowing on the costume, so there's more of that to take into consideration.

But I like both of them. You can't beat the classic, of course.. it's timeless. But the new design is pretty cool.
Awesome, thanks for the input :D

Keep on rocking \m/