Leaving Action

[Gail Simone]

Man, I hate to leave this book. There's a story about it on the front page of CBR today for details.

I didn't want to leave, but I do understand the creative team rotation idea. I think it's to keep the books nice and fresh.

Just wanted to say thank you for all the supprt and kind words. I loved writing this book and am going to miss it terribly.

Gail

[Lunar Daydreamer]

Can you give us any hints on where you'll be landing next?!

[Super Sonic]

Take over Nightwing.

<.< >.>

What?

[LibrarianThorne]

Man, I hate to leave this book. There's a story about it on the front page of CBR today for details.

I didn't want to leave, but I do understand the creative team rotation idea. I think it's to keep the books nice and fresh.

Just wanted to say thank you for all the supprt and kind words. I loved writing this book and am going to miss it terribly.

Gail

I'd feel better about this if any of the other authors could write Lois & Clark, but they tend to focus far too much on the Super, not so much on the man.

On top of the rumor of a divorce between Lois and Clark, this is really bad news. You're one of maybe three authors who can write a good Lois & Clark, and your absence on Action will be sorely felt.

[matterconsumer]

Perhaps one day you'll see Action again or take a swing with another Superman title...

[sk716]

CBR News caught up with former CBR columnist Simone

Caught up? What? She's here all the time! What's with the catching?

I've had the bizarre good fortune to work with people like Michael Golden, Jose Garcia Lopez, Ed Benes, Dan DeCarlo, Udon, Jill Thompson, Dan Jurgens, Bruce Timm, Dale Eaglesham, Joe Bennett, and lots lots more of the best people in this industry...

Ain't that the truth, who are you paying off in editorial? I'm waiting for the Simone/Lee match-up. That'll be my final proof that Gail has blackmail photos.

Oh, no, I'm turning into The Question.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

It'll be a shame to see you drop the book. I may give it a hook unless Byrne and company convinces me to keep reading. Now I can see what thier doing. Giving writers 8-10 issue story-arcs and all.


I wonder who will get the book next ? Go a long way to convincing me to pick it up. Since Phieffer is doing a solid job with Byrne on Blood of the Demon he can do this one.

[Altered Ego]

I have enjoyed your recent run with Byrne.
Best of the bunch right now. Fun and well-executed.
Hope to see you do more work with Byrne on another book and see you write the MOSteel soon again.


Bo

[Gail Simone]

Nice to meet you, Bo!

The honest truth is, I have no idea who is taking over Action. I hope it's someone great!

Gail

[Kyuubi]

It'll be sad to see you leave the book, but maybe because you're so good with the Superman supporting cast they'll put you on a Lois Lane or Jimmy Olsen book where they try to kill Superman every issue like in the old days.



A fan can dream. That and send threatening letters to DC like I have. :D

[Altered Ego]

Nice to meet you, Bo!

The honest truth is, I have no idea who is taking over Action. I hope it's someone great!

Gail


And you too, Gail. I am very much enjoying The BOP too. You have a great handle on the characters.

I am sure they have a good replacement team in mind but I sort of disagree with them changing teams every year. Seems like needless change for change's sake.
Don't fix what isn't broken.

[jerrymcl89]

Sorry to see you leaving the book, although hopefully you'll have some equally good new assignment to take it's place. I think the stories you've done have been excellent, although I wish you could have had a longer stretch uninterrupted by crossovers to tell some longer stories.

[Lex]

Gail, we're going to miss reading your Action Comics as much as you're going to miss writing! :)

I'm just excited about your run is getting a trade. Now I'll have a big book to show my friends how Superman and Lois are supposed to be written. :D

[TCJohnson]

"First, let me say that there's nothing malicious or punitive in this," Simone explained to CBR News. "Dan DiDio's got an idea to keep creative teams on Superman for around a year, to keep the books fresh, which is a perfectly valid approach that will probably make for some great stories for Superman readers.

"The fact that we weren't told directly is just an oversight. The Super-office is one of the busiest in comics, we're right in the middle of all this 'Crisis' stuff, and I think it was simply a matter of people working their tails off to get the books out, and accidentally omitting this piece of the deal. It's not intentional or in response to anything, as far as I'm aware of.

If anybody asks me why I have so much respect for Gail, this will do nicely as exhibit A.

[steeler80]

I can understand the idea of wanting to switch creative teams to an extent. But, I still say if the creative team is having a good time and the fans are happy with the result, then let them keep rolling.

[YoGo]

Aw shucks....I'm sorry Gail. I still remember how excited I was when I wrote to the newspaper here in Singapore about BOP #81 and was giving glowing praise on about your (then recent) gig on Action Comics.

Sigh.

Would you like to come over and maybe shoot me in the arm? The doc says I wont survive another hit to the internal organs as I already have too many bullets lodged too closely to major organs that they can't remove safely. But limbs are ok.

But aim for the right arm ok? I'm left handed.

Hope it makes you feel better.

Best regards,

Yogo.

[Kevinroc]

It's such a shame that DC didn't inform you and Byrne of their plans beforehand but I respect how professionally you are handling this. I really enjoyed your (all to brief for my tastes) run on Action.

[Selina Quinzel]

I just finished reading the interview, and I just want to add that you're such a super classy lady. The position you were put in is pretty jarring, and I admire that you're not complaining or putting anyone down. Good thing there's us fans on the internet for that! ;)

I loved the issues you guys did, and personally the Crisis tie-ins entertained me, no complaints. But my favorite was the Dr. Psycho/Black Atom team-up, very funny and unique. I've never really been a fan of Lois Lane's portrayal in comics, but I actually dug her on the issues you wrote- so I know I'll miss that. I know me and thousands of others can't wait to see your next project in the comic universe, and hopefully down the line you can write Superman again. Thanks for the ace issues and congrats on a fabulous job well done you crazy kids!

[Night Swordsman]

Gail..just wanted to know that it was your wonderful writing that got me BACK on reading Action Comics again(and the wonderful artwork by Byrne didn't hurt either!). I wanted you to know i will miss your work on this title alot,and hope to see your work that you hinted about very soon.

And Villans United rocked! TY for the most in-character usage of Cheshire in a long while,as well as Deadshot(i felt i was reading a continuation of that great mini of his from a few months back). And i always had a soft spot for Catman,and you really made him great again. Many thanks!

[Mart]

Aw fooey, I want my Simone/Byrne/Nelson Action. I'm with the posters who say if it ain't broke, leave well enough alone and perhaps even pay the creators who've put sales up a bonus. Why bother refreshing the book when it's been feeling thoroughly shiny and new over the last several months? Yes, if the Superman titles are floundering, DC should by all means throw some, er. stuff at the wall and see what sticks. But this is stickig nicely.

If creative teams must rotate, please rotate over to Adventures of Superman or Superman, Gail.

[Weetomuncher]

I felt Gail's talents were wasted on Action as Superman is a little too inflexible compared to the other characters Gail works with.

I felt her run on Action was of her usual high standards but Superman is a character that can't really change without major ramifications to the entire DCU (and a bundle of discussions with other writers) unlike the incredible work that Gail has done with upper B-listers like Black Canary, Oracle and Huntress as well as the characters in Villains United.

Gail seems to be a writer who has a slightly different view of the DCU than most of the 'establishment' and she has a brighter, more enjoyable world than many of the 'dark and moodies' that float around DC.

I like to see what Gail will do with a character next rather than knowing that the same stories and plotlines will have to be recycled because that is the path chosen for them by other members of staff who may not have the same love and dedication to the characters as Gail obviously has.

I know Gail was really happy getting a Superman book and that it was really her first big A list title but she shouldn't be disappointed as she has done well (especially with Lois) and she is likely to get other titles that will give her more creative input.

WeetO

[Pariah2004]

I am a huge fan of your Villians United book as well as your Action Comics run. I also loved your Birds of prey run. Is there anyway Villians United will become a monthly title??? I heard something about this at Crisis Counseling session at Wizard World Chicago, so I thought I would ask. It would make a great monthly title.

One last question, were all the Villians in the comic already created or did you and the artist create some of them??? We will be seeing some of them in any of your other comics??? I see a few on the cover of an upcoming Birds of Prey.

Chris

[canucklehead]

Can you give us any hints on where you'll be landing next?!

What Lunar Daydreamer said.

I've been enjoying your run on Birds Of Prey. How about a Huntress series?

[rismo63]

I enjoyed your run on Action Comics, Gail. I agree with Selina Q., #831 "Black and Blue" is a particular favorite of mine; and I second what's been said about the class with which you're handling DC's communication malfunction about your being rotated out of the title.

I eagerly await Oracle's head-to-head with the Calculator, and found Villains United to be thoroughly entertaining. Of all the Crisis lead-ins, I thought it was the best plotted, and successfully brought each of the various characters to life.

Jesús

[Gail Simone]

Wow, lots of new posters! COOL!

I hope you guys stick around. Feel free to post threads or add to existing ones. We have a good time here.

And thanks for the kind words!

No Huntress series coming yet, but Bop readers may be very happy with an upcoming book!

:)

Gail

[TCJohnson]

Think we should write in letters to DC to get you back on the book? I mean, it worked for Mark Waid and FF. I really wanted to see what you were going to do with the marriage if you had stayed on long term.

[JeffreyWKramer]

No Huntress series coming yet, but Bop readers may be very happy with an upcoming book!

Josh is taking over as Nightwing, right??

[Gail Simone]

JOSH IS NIGHTWING!

Gail

[YoGo]

JOSH IS NIGHTWING!

Gail

And with that Geoff Johns' world comes crashing down.

[TCJohnson]

And Anthony Yeoh is the new Josh!

[JeffreyWKramer]

JOSH IS NIGHTWING!

Gail

Copy forwarded to Newsarama...

[Trey Krimsin]

Gail, it's disappointing to see you leave Action. Your run on the book was an exceptionally fun read. I'm looking forward to the remaining issues. Here's hoping you get another shot at The Man of Steel.

[Guapo Méndez]

Man, I hate to leave this book. There's a story about it on the front page of CBR today for details.

I didn't want to leave, but I do understand the creative team rotation idea. I think it's to keep the books nice and fresh.

Just wanted to say thank you for all the supprt and kind words. I loved writing this book and am going to miss it terribly.

Gail


Just make sure they put out a "When Gail Byrned Superman" TPB.
Such quality of work deserves a good place among the TPB treatment and collection.

[Spackling Compound]

Just make sure they put out a "When Gail Byrned Superman" TPB.
Such quality of work deserves a good place among the TPB treatment and collection.
At least now she can be free of having to defend the madman rantings of the dentally challenged one...

Best on your new ventures, Gail.
Just think. You worked on the title that started the comic book industry with the prototype of all superheroes. That's awesome.

[khuxford]

I'd feel better about this if any of the other authors could write Lois & Clark, but they tend to focus far too much on the Super, not so much on the man.

On top of the rumor of a divorce between Lois and Clark, this is really bad news. You're one of maybe three authors who can write a good Lois & Clark, and your absence on Action will be sorely felt.


That's a good point. In Geoff or Didio mentioned on Newsarama that Clark has been lost in the books...blaming it largely on his being married, though. Well...who better to make sure Clark gets his screen time? Rucka and Simone...no doubt about it.

[Dr Manolis Dooplove]

Man, I hate to leave this book. There's a story about it on the front page of CBR today for details.

I didn't want to leave, but I do understand the creative team rotation idea. I think it's to keep the books nice and fresh.

Just wanted to say thank you for all the supprt and kind words. I loved writing this book and am going to miss it terribly.

Gail


this was the first time i ever read a superman book. u made me actually enjoy my least favourite comics character, and your dazzling influence managed to revert John Burne's art back to the old high standards!

is it anything you can't do?

(flattery overload imminent)

(system crash)

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