CCI: Tye & Waid Discuss the Storied History of Superman

[CBR News]

Writer Larry Tye discusses his new book "Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero" with Mark Waid at CCI 2012, highlighting the creation and lasting legacy of the Man of Steel.


Full article here.

[jloder24]

I don't know if Mark Waid is Marvel exclusive or not (and I love his DD), but he would be the perfect choice to take over Action after Morrison. I think a younger, less-continuity-encumbered Superman is the perfect version of the character for Waid to pick up the ball and write the best Superman run in years. In a time where comic writers are getting back to multi-year arcs on books, give MW at least three years on Superman and watch the awesomeness fly.

[Bone2pick]

I don't know if Mark Waid is Marvel exclusive or not (and I love his DD), but he would be the perfect choice to take over Action after Morrison. I think a younger, less-continuity-encumbered Superman is the perfect version of the character for Waid to pick up the ball and write the best Superman run in years. In a time where comic writers are getting back to multi-year arcs on books, give MW at least three years on Superman and watch the awesomeness fly.

I second that. I'd love to see Waid do a run in Action.

[Fate's Faith]

I was under the impression that DC and Waid have had a falling out.

[Desaad]

They largely have, but he's always said that if they asked he'd do something for them. Superman is his dream job, and Idleson was an editor who was always on his side and who he was close to. But then he again, he turned down Action during the New Krypton era (perhaps because there was to be no Superman), and it looks like he'll be doing 2 Marvel books (which is usually prohibitive to doing high-level work at DC, and vice-versa) along with a number of digital and creator owned initiatives for Legendary.

[Mat001]

I don't recall hearing that he turned down Action Comics because Superman wasn't going to be involved. The story I heard was that there was a problem with James Robinson and Waid was asked to step in and before he could get going, he was told that the matter had been settled.

[Desaad]

I don't recall hearing that he turned down Action Comics because Superman wasn't going to be involved. The story I heard was that there was a problem with James Robinson and Waid was asked to step in and before he could get going, he was told that the matter had been settled.

Different situation. That rumor was a bleeding cool rumor. There was an incident at a panel in which Mark Waid told some of the audience members at his panel to ask DC why he wasn't writing Superman/Action. Someone did so, and apparently Ian Sattler and Greg Rucka were aghast and Rucka said something like "That's not fair, he was offered the book but turned it down" specifically I believe in reference to Action Comics (although Superman at the time also did not actually feature Superman, and World of New Krypton put him in such a radically different status quo that a number of desired stories/directions might have been impossible).

I know that Waid sincerely believes that DC will never allow him to right the modern, in continuity adventures of Superman. HE's said so on multiple occasions.

[AndItsOn!]

Still wish Mark Waid can do it (taking over AC). Just read first few issues of "iredeemable" out of curiosity, and I was totally stunned by Mark's affection for superman.

[Sacred Knight]

I was under the impression that DC and Waid have had a falling out.

He has his issues with Didio. Beyond that though I never really got the impression it was anything that is keeping him away from DC altogether, though, if the right opportunity arose.

[manofsteel1979]

I don't care what has to happen to make it so...but Mark Waid needs to take ACTION when Grant leaves. Otherwise, I see little to reverse the slide Superman is in as a comic book franchise.

[Kurosawa]

I'm sure Maggin is pretty much retired, so Waid is my second choice. I really think that DC not only needs to have Waid write Superman, I think they need to have any use of Superman approved first by him or by someone like him, someone who actually loves and respects the character. At this stage particularly, Superman is in a delicate position and could decline easily if they go backwards after losing Grant. I also wish Chris Roberson had stuck around, but he has too much integrity to work for a scummy corporation like WB/DC so I understand why he's gone.

[An Ear In The Fireplace]

I just finished listening to Larry Tye speaking in an interview on the CBC. I look forward to reading his book.

I wonder though if Tye's premise still holds true today--that every generation gets the Superman they need for their time. At least, I think this is the author's premise. And I say every generation gets what they need--rather than what they want. Because what we want and what we need are two different things.

Maybe some people are getting what they want from Superman, but are they getting what they need?

Superman should lift people up. Superman should inspire people to be better. He does that in a different way for every generation, but Superman's primary mission is to give people hope in desperate times.

However, Superman is locked in a battle for his own survival as a concept. If Superman can't be saved, then there's not much hope for the rest of us.

[Kurosawa]

I just finished listening to Larry Tye speaking in an interview on the CBC. I look forward to reading his book.

I wonder though if Tye's premise still holds true today--that every generation gets the Superman they need for their time. At least, I think this is the author's premise. And I say every generation gets what they need--rather than what they want. Because what we want and what we need are two different things.

Maybe some people are getting what they want from Superman, but are they getting what they need?

Superman should lift people up. Superman should inspire people to be better. He does that in a different way for every generation, but Superman's primary mission is to give people hope in desperate times.

However, Superman is locked in a battle for his own survival as a concept. If Superman can't be saved, then there's not much hope for the rest of us.

The Superman that is needed today, IMO, is what Grant has started with, but it needs to be just a little more pronounced. The way to get rid of the stigma of Superman as being too square, or straight-arrow, or establishment is what Morrison has been doing and what Siegel and Shuster started with-the Champion of the Oppressed. Superman needs to stand for the common man again, and once Grant's gone they don't need to go backwards. A balance of cosmic conflicts and championing of human causes is the future for Superman and what we need him to be today. A populist Superman would stand in stark contrast with Nolan's Randian Batman.

[DonC]

I was under the impression that DC and Waid have had a falling out.

They largely have, but he's always said that if they asked he'd do something for them.

Back when James Robinson quit for like a day and a half, Mark Waid was the writer they hired to replace him. So, for the right job, he would work for Dan DiDio again.

I think should be the number one choice to replace Morrison.