Millar & Edwards talk "Marvel 1985" #1

[andy khouri]

On sale now is "Marvel 1985" #1, a labor of love by Mark Millar and Tommy Lee Edwards, who speak with CBR News about the long awaited project, its personal meaning to them, and what clues as to its villain can be found throughout the Marvel Universe.

http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16584

[Jim Hall]

From the article:
"And the comic book store with all the toys and posters and t-shirts?

TLE: I lived in Michigan in 1985. I was in the sixth grade, and once-in-a-while was lucky enough to have my Dad take me to Classic Comics in Livonia. It was huge back then, and had a lot more than comics. They had shirts! They had tons of old model kits and some toys! They had movie memorabilia! Scripts! Years later, I came home from college and visited Classics. This was now 1992 and post-direct sales. Comics had entered a dark era in my opinion. Classics was now one third of its original size. It may be gone now.

I based the comic shop in “Marvel 1985” off of my memory of Classic Comics. I know it's not really a completely accurate depiction, as we tend to see those types of childhood memories with rose-tinted glasses. I've also added in things I always wanted from that era. Things like “Shogun Warriors” and “Battlestar Galactica” and “Robotech.” I know that some goober is going to post on some forum that "Battlestar came out in 1978". That's right, it did. But it didn't go away. In a way, Toby's surroundings are based on all of my childhood influences "up-to" 1985."

Except its based on Ultimate Comics in Chapel Hill, NC...near where Tommy lives. He may very well have used memories from his childhood, but he used Ultimate for photo reference and the shop owner is photo referenced from Jon Newman, the manager (not a rip on "Comic Book Guy" from The Simpsons like some have alleged.)

[Siddon]

Yeah I can confirm that, that is in fact Jon Newman it just so happens he acts just like the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons. He didn't even show up today.

[pjperez]

Based on this interview, it sounds like the photo shoots for the original photo-comic concept for this series were at least started. Am I the only one who would LOVE to see those "outtakes" at some point? I figure when Marvel collects the series in trade, that would be the time, but it would be AWESOME if CBR could get a hold of those SOON.

Oh, did I mention how excited I am about this series? Going. To. LCS. TODAY.

[vjamesv]

Classic Comics in Livonia is indeed gone. I think it closed sometime around 2004.

[Zawisza]

Sadly, Classic Comics closed up shop a few years back. Theyhad their own version of the Comic Book Guy, though.

I wasn't going to even bother checking this book out, but now, knowing a little more about the story and the creators, I'm thinking it might bump something else from my weekly haul.

[Jim Hall]

Yeah I can confirm that, that is in fact Jon Newman it just so happens he acts just like the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons. He didn't even show up today.

LOL, he's at a show in Knoxville, TN. Was Lee there? I'll be at the Durham store today. Stop by and say "Hi."

[Siddon]

LOL, he's at a show in Knoxville, TN. Was Lee there? I'll be at the Durham store today. Stop by and say "Hi."

No Lee wasn't there it was the new older guy(40's bald about 5'8) I don't know his name. He was bitching about being left there while Jon was out partying.

[Superboy-Prime]

This was an actually good read. Despite of what you might think of millar. And Mark is right, this does feel like a classic 80's movie. IF you liked the Mod Squad,which this books feels like and will probably end up being similar too, then you'll enjoy this issue.

[Jim Hall]

No Lee wasn't there it was the new older guy(40's bald about 5'8) I don't know his name. He was bitching about being left there while Jon was out partying.

That was the Lee that I meant. That was Lee Newman, Jon's brother. Lee Lewis (the one you're thinking of) dropped off the map about a year ago.

Incidentally, Lee Newman writes comic book reviews at www.brokenfrontier.com

[apoehler]

I thought this was surprisingly dull, especially for a project so long in the making. Nice art, but not Millar's best work.

[thefourthman]

wait, Thursday or Wednesday... I was there on Wednesday... Tony was there on Thursday and Jon and Alan are in Philly....

Evidentally Tommy doesn't want to be blasted for swiping... although this isn't... Alex Ross has documented his reference models for years.... Tommy should do the same...

and if you were refering to me: 40's?!?!?!?!? I am balding and 6 ft thank you. Jeez most people guess I'm younger than Jon not older.

[rusty]

Sadly, Classic Comics closed up shop a few years back. Theyhad their own version of the Comic Book Guy, though.

I wasn't going to even bother checking this book out, but now, knowing a little more about the story and the creators, I'm thinking it might bump something else from my weekly haul.

Classic Movie and Comic Center aka Classic Comics closed in April 2005. I was a customer at Classic starting in 1977 when it was still in Farmington, Michigan and was an employee at the store from 1986-2005, when it closed. The closing was a sad time for all of us and for the many customers as well.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the reference to Classic in the article. The store was full of all sorts of great stuff. Stephen King even stopped by one time when he was in town for a Red Sox game. The store was still the same size until 1996 when we moved to a smaller location in the same plaza, but we did cut back on some of our products that were slow sellers, including tshirts, paperback books and model kits. They weren't totally eliminated, though, just downsized. We still carried press kits, movie stills, movie one sheets, other posters, comics (new and old), sports cards, trading cards and many other products up until the time we closed. Still, the heyday for the store was definitely the 1980s when it was at its peak.

There was a Comic Book Shop Clerks of America tshirt that came out around that time and we had fun figuring out which employee matched up with which character on the shirt. We certainly had a few people who were close to the stereotypes, but it was a fun, eclectic bunch.

I was planning on checking the 1985 miniseries out when it came out in trade paperback, but now I might seek out the individual issues instead.

[Cash Lone]

Classic Movie and Comic Center aka Classic Comics closed in April 2005. I was a customer at Classic starting in 1977 when it was still in Farmington, Michigan and was an employee at the store from 1986-2005, when it closed. The closing was a sad time for all of us and for the many customers as well.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the reference to Classic in the article. The store was full of all sorts of great stuff. Stephen King even stopped by one time when he was in town for a Red Sox game. The store was still the same size until 1996 when we moved to a smaller location in the same plaza, but we did cut back on some of our products that were slow sellers, including tshirts, paperback books and model kits. They weren't totally eliminated, though, just downsized. We still carried press kits, movie stills, movie one sheets, other posters, comics (new and old), sports cards, trading cards and many other products up until the time we closed. Still, the heyday for the store was definitely the 1980s when it was at its peak.

There was a Comic Book Shop Clerks of America tshirt that came out around that time and we had fun figuring out which employee matched up with which character on the shirt. We certainly had a few people who were close to the stereotypes, but it was a fun, eclectic bunch.

I was planning on checking the 1985 miniseries out when it came out in trade paperback, but now I might seek out the individual issues instead.

Rusty - the store in Farmington; did it have posters plastered everwhere at the top level and the comics were in a lower level with superheroes painted in the stairwell?

Classic Comics & Movie was the best comic store ever. 20% off all purchases and free bags n boards. That store was unbeatable - tons of merchandise, paperbacks, posters, buttons - you name it.

I did move out of state for college (and did not move back to Mich) but loved visiting the store when I could.

[rusty]

Rusty - the store in Farmington; did it have posters plastered everwhere at the top level and the comics were in a lower level with superheroes painted in the stairwell?

That's the one. It was right near the Farmington Civic Theater. You had to go down a winding stairway to get to the basement where the comics, books, and cards were kept. It was dark, dingy and had lots of atmosphere. The upper level was bright and open and filled with movie stuff.

The store opened in 1974 as a book store and soon added comics and other merchandise. I started going there in 1976 with my older brother and started buying stuff in 1977 when I started collecting comics (mainly Richie Riches at first). The store moved to Livonia in 1981, which was great for me since it was only 3 miles from my house. It seemed so open and spacious when they first moved in, but soon got that lived in look with merchandise throughout the store. I loved the enormous supply of back issues at a variety of prices from 10 cents and up.

I was lucky that they had an opening when I turned 16 and was looking for a summer job. It turned into a bit more than that. I ended up running the card section in later years, but my first love was/is comics.