The Editor's Job

[Mister Mets]

It seems that some of you guys think that the primary purpose of the Editor is to be a continuity cop. That's one aspect of it, and it's certainly noticeable if there's a continuity based error (IE- a writer depicted Curt Connors as getting his bachelors from Harvard, while a Marvel Team-Up issue clearly established that he was an Undergrad in Cornell.)

But it seems worth discussing what comic book editors do, and what we think that comic book editors do (which may be slightly different). Editing comics is a somewhat thankless job, and the fans are going to notice mistakes rather than what actually works. We'll pay a disproportionate amount of attention to a book that ships a month late with multiple artists and a glaring continuity error.

[CyberHubbs]

In Nerd Dollars, $3.99 is equivalent to $399. And that's how much the new limited-edition Doctor Who diorama costs. Therefore, I will not have my precious time wasted on continuity errors when it could be better spent tracking down a replica of the scarf Tom Baker wore as the fourth Doctor.

[Sighphi]

The editor's job is to edit.
And make sure everything makes sense.

In conclusion, the editor edits.

[Alan2099]

Editors are there to be blamed for things the fans don't like.

[Mister Mets]

The editor's job is to edit.
And make sure everything makes sense.

In conclusion, the editor edits.

So you're saying that making sure that the artist and writer are working at the right pace isn't part of the Editor's job description?

And neither is putting together the creative teams in the first place?

[CyberHubbs]

I thought editors were there to get paid more than the actual creative staff and hog all the glory when the comic becomes popular.

[Sighphi]

So you're saying that making sure that the artist and writer are working at the right pace isn't part of the Editor's job description?

What is this "right pace?"
Arent there deadlines they have to meet so the comic can reach a store in time.

And neither is putting together the creative teams in the first place?

I thought writers pitch their stories and they just say coolies or noolies.
Maybe they bring artists in but for the high profile titles pretty much have the same artist just bounce around like playing musical chairs.

Or maybe that's the job of the Executive Producer/Producer/Production i keep seeing in the credits of comics.

And what does the Assistant/Associate/Executive Editor do?

Each comic seems to have it's own unique sets of credits which is probably why people dont really fully know what certain jobs are or do in Marvel Comics.

[Scott Taylor]

What I think they do is to look for internal problems with an issue. This could include trivial things like spelling errors or larger things like references to other source material. They also walk into the creative team's offices once in a while and crack the whip.

[CyberHubbs]

I think the editor also -- and, really, most importantly -- keeps an ear to the ground for trends, and acts as someone for the writer to bounce ideas off of. He or she needs good instincts, perhaps be familiar with the fans, past, present and future, knows what to give them, how much and when.

And he or she has to be licensed to operate a firearm.

Just in case.

[StoneGold]

So you're saying that making sure that the artist and writer are working at the right pace isn't part of the Editor's job description?

And neither is putting together the creative teams in the first place?

That's most of it. Having worked as an editor, something like 60-70 percent of the job is time management. Just making sure everything is in the right place at the right time.

[Dog]

If only there were someone with firsthand experience who posts here that could tell us...

[Verminous]

If only there were someone with firsthand experience who posts here that could tell us...

HIM.........? He's not an editor, he's a ruiner of lives!!!

[Darrell D.]

It seems that some of you guys think that the primary purpose of the Editor is to be a continuity cop. That's one aspect of it, and it's certainly noticeable if there's a continuity based error (IE- a writer depicted Curt Connors as getting his bachelors from Harvard, while a Marvel Team-Up issue clearly established that he was an Undergrad in Cornell.)

Is mistaking the school that Curt Conners received his Bachelor's from really that big of a continuity glitch, though? Who would care?

[Chris N]

Is mistaking the school that Curt Conners received his Bachelor's from really that big of a continuity glitch, though? Who would care?

I would call that a minor glitch, easily forgivable.

I do consider avoiding major glitches to be part of the job description.

Pointing out to a writer for example that the last time we saw a character, he was dead.

[Mister Mets]

Is mistaking the school that Curt Conners received his Bachelor's from really that big of a continuity glitch, though? Who would care?

I gave it as a possible example because it's something that's rather inconsequential.