Omega the Unknown #10

[anthony!]

I'm a little sad to see this series conclude, even if it was only limited.

It was a fun, quirky book. And though I didn't always "get it" I really did enjoy the journey, both in writing and art.

Kudos to Marvel for publishing it, and I hope if finds life in the hardcover and trade format. Its definitely one of the more unusual books Marvel has ever put out.

[RolandJP]

Here. Here.

What a great experiment. I place this series on the same high altar as Agents of Atlas. I hope Marvel takes more chances.

[berk]

"Taking a chance" or rather, doing the right thing would have been to ask Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes to finish their story before letting Lethem do his. Too late now, though.

[Tetsuo_man]

"Taking a chance" or rather, doing the right thing would have been to ask Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes to finish their story before letting Lethem do his. Too late now, though.

Agreed. ANyway did gerber and skrenes ever say what their original intent for an ending was?

[berk]

No, as far as I know neither of them ever said anything about how they meant to end the story. Maybe some day Skrenes will get a chance to complete it.

It's too bad, because in other respects the Lethem Omega, which I haven't read, is sort of a model for how I think these revivals should be done: a writer feels driven to create a story based on some creative concept that's inspired them, so they try to get that story done. Which is exactly what hasn't happened with, say Marvel's recent Eternals revival, where instead we get management suggesting a project to Gaiman or the Knaufs because the company wants to enhance the commercial value of one of its properties. And the result is just the sort of uninspired execution you'd expect, precisely because the writer wasn't inspired by any particular interest in the concept, they just want to fulfill the employer's requirements.

[HaroldAllnut]

Here. Here. What a great experiment. I place this series on the same high altar as Agents of Atlas. I hope Marvel takes more chances.

Again, hear hear. Excellent.

The ending broke my heart. If there were ever an "instant-ongoing" button, this would be my first candidate for a test subject/designated target.

The beauty of this title, I think, was that, though it was published under the Marvel banner, very little of it took place in what many of us would refer to as the "mainstream" Marvel universe. In fact, the only real Marvel reference that I caught, the only bit of story linking it to the 616 universe was a bystander commenting on the Fonzie-Robot making its way to the Baxter Building.

If this mini was plagued with external references and guest-stars, it just would not have worked out the same.

I will probably buy multiple copies of the trade to give out as gifts.

If this isn't Eisner material, I can't tell you what is.

[Tetsuo_man]

No, as far as I know neither of them ever said anything about how they meant to end the story. Maybe some day Skrenes will get a chance to complete it.

It's too bad, because in other respects the Lethem Omega, which I haven't read, is sort of a model for how I think these revivals should be done: a writer feels driven to create a story based on some creative concept that's inspired them, so they try to get that story done. Which is exactly what hasn't happened with, say Marvel's recent Eternals revival, where instead we get management suggesting a project to Gaiman or the Knaufs because the company wants to enhance the commercial value of one of its properties. And the result is just the sort of uninspired execution you'd expect, precisely because the writer wasn't inspired by any particular interest in the concept, they just want to fulfill the employer's requirements.

I wouldn't go as far as you did but when your talking about steve gerber they should have known since well gerber has pretty much since the eighties made it pretty clear that he doesn't like his charcters being used without his permision. NOw with the Eternals i feel since kirby had already turned his back on the charcters long before he died and since he wasn't as apt at being bugged by it (not saying he was mad about it but he didn't make it a large part of himself unlike gerber who made it well known and since kirby had decades of dealing with others taking over his characters). Also i think gaiman did a pretty good mini, whereas the knaufs seem more of the trying to cash in on the commercial property especially after the success of gaiman's mini which while open ended didn't feel like it really was screaming "make me an ongoing". Also if marvel had let gerber and skenes make their real ending to omega and release it with the recent classic tpb and have it before the release of the mini (which would have been before gerber's untimely passing) then that would have probabbly made an even bigger splash. I think why it bugs me more about gerber is of any creator in the history of comics he had the biggest voice on people respecting his work and his asking for that if a creator is alive ask for their permision first which of course when this mini started a couple of years ago gerber was alive. If the mini had been pitched and start after gerber's death then it wouldn't bug me at all. Anyway i kinda got off track there.

[RolandJP]

I wouldn't go as far as you did but when your talking about steve gerber they should have known since well gerber has pretty much since the eighties made it pretty clear that he doesn't like his charcters being used without his permision. NOw with the Eternals i feel since kirby had already turned his back on the charcters long before he died and since he wasn't as apt at being bugged by it (not saying he was mad about it but he didn't make it a large part of himself unlike gerber who made it well known and since kirby had decades of dealing with others taking over his characters). Also i think gaiman did a pretty good mini, whereas the knaufs seem more of the trying to cash in on the commercial property especially after the success of gaiman's mini which while open ended didn't feel like it really was screaming "make me an ongoing". Also if marvel had let gerber and skenes make their real ending to omega and release it with the recent classic tpb and have it before the release of the mini (which would have been before gerber's untimely passing) then that would have probabbly made an even bigger splash. I think why it bugs me more about gerber is of any creator in the history of comics he had the biggest voice on people respecting his work and his asking for that if a creator is alive ask for their permision first which of course when this mini started a couple of years ago gerber was alive. If the mini had been pitched and start after gerber's death then it wouldn't bug me at all. Anyway i kinda got off track there.

\

Altho i agree, with the sentiment of letting creators finish their stories. the reality is they do not own the characters. they are contractually obligated as work for hire talent. And until that law is rescended, it is what it is.
That being said I believe the industry is about to be turned on its ear, with the new development in copyright law in terms of ownership of intellectual properties. See--Superman.
If the law is changed and publishing houses are granted time based ownership of properties..with the characters returning to their creators after a duration i believe all hell will break loose.

And if this indeed takes place, Mister Claremont if you read these boards can I be your best friend?? And will you spot me a few million dollars??

[Tetsuo_man]

Well it was gerber's belief that if a character's creator was dead that all bets were off but that if they were alive to have the courtesy to talk to the original creator ask them if what you plan to do would be ok with them and then weigh out whether to use said character or use another in it's place. It wasn't really about legalities but to be respectful of other creators creations.

[Comet Man]

It's too bad, because in other respects the Lethem Omega, which I haven't read, is sort of a model for how I think these revivals should be done: a writer feels driven to create a story based on some creative concept that's inspired them, so they try to get that story done. Which is exactly what hasn't happened with, say Marvel's recent Eternals revival, where instead we get management suggesting a project to Gaiman or the Knaufs because the company wants to enhance the commercial value of one of its properties. And the result is just the sort of uninspired execution you'd expect, precisely because the writer wasn't inspired by any particular interest in the concept, they just want to fulfill the employer's requirements.

You talked to the Knauf's or something? Because I really don't understand where you're coming from. I'm thoroughly enjoying the Eternals series right now, and I just do not see the uninspired execution you're talking about, in either the writing or art.

[Blade X]

"Taking a chance" or rather, doing the right thing would have been to ask Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes to finish their story before letting Lethem do his. Too late now, though.

I agree.

Let's be honest, if Gerber or Skrenes were either currently popular,currently receiving critical acclaim,or celebrity writers, the current Marvel regime would have bent over butt backwards to get them to either (a) write this series (b) finish their story or (c) get their blessings before green lighting this mini series. The current Marvel editorial regime are a bunch of hypocrites.

[drwho]

So is the Omega the same version as the original one? Did this mini bring anything new to the character?

[Cayman]

Great conclusion to a really special mini.

[HaroldAllnut]

So is the Omega the same version as the original one? Did this mini bring anything new to the character?

I think this was more like a remake than a story featuring the original character.

This mini was fantastic, in the words of the Ninth Doctor. Molto bene, if you prefer David Tennant. It was a complete reinvention, and an absolute success. If you have not read it, go out and get it; unless you prefer to buy it in a hardcover collection, because that one's coming out soon as well.

[Tetsuo_man]

well depsite what i have said in defense of gerber this does look awesome. just a shame the creators didn't talk to gerber and then convince marvel to do a proper ending to the original as opposed to the one steven grant did (don't worry steven grant fans, as i am a steven grant fan i know that he was a friend of gerber's and they both felt the conclusion steven grant created was unsatisfacoty).