Would you like to see Priest return to Panther?

**Greg Anderson** · 08-03-2012, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Genki Sudo

Ok, because I know in a interview he mentioned how he wrote Spidey in a guest appearance and loved writing him but had gotten turned down in writing the main Spidey book for who he felt at the time was being handled by a writer who was bringing the title down

Well, that was probably the case, but I think Daredevil was his dream book, though.

**Wellman** · 08-03-2012, 06:32 PM

I'd love to see Priest writing almost any Marvel character, at this point. Not necessarily Black Panther as I believe he probably wouldn't approach it the same gusto and may feel compelled to try to recreate his legendary run. Heck, Priest as an architect or editor would probably lead to a lot better comics all around.

**Hindsight lad** · 08-03-2012, 07:34 PM

It's hard. Priest writes complex, funny, scripts with subtle but often devastating social commentary. He did great character work, and he wrote some great crazy white people (Woody, Boris, Ross). His run on Steel, Panther, and Quantum and Woody are classic, and hopefully will last the test of time.

And yet...

Well, some of Priest's work, either as Priest or as James Owlslym just wasn't very good. I didn't care for his Falcon mini, Ka-zar was bad, his run on Deadpool never really gelled, and Captain America and the Falcon was just a mess (I'm well aware that there were problems with the artist and editorial interference, but it was still confusing and often just bad.)

That said, I think I'd love to see Priest get the chance to shine again. Especially if he had the chance to write a big, non-black character. I love that he brings diversity to his work, but he often complains that he was stuck in the "black character ghetto."

Hindsight lad

**Hatut Zeraze** · 08-03-2012, 10:51 PM

It's hard for me to say no to this.

I get that "you can't go home" argument, but I still can't, after all these years, get over one of my favorite runs on any superhero comic ever. I can't be trusted to be objective, rational, or likely even coherent concerning these matters.

**tingray** · 08-03-2012, 11:12 PM

Hell yes. BP was my favourite book when he wrote it.

**Iron Maiden** · 08-04-2012, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by FLEX HECTIC

First of all...

Priest has done the right thing by going to church and teaching kids Gospel music and leaving the racial office antics of Marvel behind!

Why would he subject himself to more of the same when it comes to Marvel who still hasn't released his run in an essential trade?

What he should do is unite with other writers like Image did and get back into the game via independent publishing.

His talents are too much too be contained by micro managed editorial mandates.

I saw him featured on a special and he seems more happy and at peace with where he is right now.

Oh, was this on a local TV show? I'd like to have seen that. I guess he's still living in Colorado, right?

I agree that he shouldn't be relegated to just black characters if was starting to feel like he was being pigeon-holed. I think he gave BP everything he had and was disappointed when it was being cancelled.

IIRC he once expressed interest in doing a sort of Super-villain Team-up relaunch but with a rotating cast of characters. That would be a way for him to touch a lot of corners of the MU and I could see him bringing some humor into that.

Found this entry on his blog/website

There are two instant “yes”-es in my vocabulary: Batman and Iron Man. Yes. Without question. That’s the smallest piece of fanboy remaining in me. But that’s had 30 years to happen and it hasn’t thus far. Beyond that, I’ve said, repeatedly, that if a publisher wants to get real and offer me a gig—not an opportunity to run in circles and then jam me—I’d look at it. Flash, Green Lantern, Thor, Deadpool. But if my name only comes to mind when looking for a writer to helm The New Black Mambo, thanks but no thanks. It really won’t bother me to never write comics again. That’s not a choice I’ve made, but I have made a choice to be a writer, not a black writer. I am more than busy doing work that actually matters—feeding the hungry, comforting the lowly, preaching the Good News. Doesn’t pay nearly as well, but the gig comes with amazing fringe benefits.

Christopher J. Priest

**FLEX HECTIC** · 08-04-2012, 12:44 AM

Priest is practically literally a priest.

He was featured on one of the Christian channels where he was talking about his faith and his life in comics.

He seemed much happier and at peace with where he was at.

I don't think returning to the Marvel office is the best spiritual decision at this point.

He needs a place where he is allowed room to create without all the extra overhead drama.

**finfangfool** · 08-04-2012, 12:49 AM

No, I loved his run but even as it was getting its best it was cancelled. I'd rather see him reboot Quantum & Woody for the Valiant relaunch.

**B. Kuwanger** · 08-04-2012, 06:47 AM

I think Marvel, Priest, and many fans have moved on.

a shame for the character because for whatever reason they seem to have nothing to really do with him.

Maybe Priest can actually come back and have Namor and T'Challa rent an apartment from Black Bolt on the moon. Iron Man being a 4th wheel as the Murray to their Bret and Jermaine.

**XPac** · 08-04-2012, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by Iron Maiden

Oh, was this on a local TV show? I'd like to have seen that. I guess he's still living in Colorado, right?

I agree that he shouldn't be relegated to just black characters if was starting to feel like he was being pigeon-holed. I think he gave BP everything he had and was disappointed when it was being cancelled.

IIRC he once expressed interest in doing a sort of Super-villain Team-up relaunch but with a rotating cast of characters. That would be a way for him to touch a lot of corners of the MU and I could see him bringing some humor into that.

Found this entry on his blog/website

There are two instant “yes”-es in my vocabulary: Batman and Iron Man. Yes. Without question. That’s the smallest piece of fanboy remaining in me. But that’s had 30 years to happen and it hasn’t thus far. Beyond that, I’ve said, repeatedly, that if a publisher wants to get real and offer me a gig—not an opportunity to run in circles and then jam me—I’d look at it. Flash, Green Lantern, Thor, Deadpool. But if my name only comes to mind when looking for a writer to helm The New Black Mambo, thanks but no thanks. It really won’t bother me to never write comics again. That’s not a choice I’ve made, but I have made a choice to be a writer, not a black writer. I am more than busy doing work that actually matters—feeding the hungry, comforting the lowly, preaching the Good News. Doesn’t pay nearly as well, but the gig comes with amazing fringe benefits.

Christopher J. Priest

I'd almost be curious to see how Priest would handle Iron Man. He used Stark quite a bit in his BP book, with T'Challa often getting the upperhand on Stark (understandable given that it was T'Challa's book). If he were writing an Iron Man book, I wonder if Stark would end up getting the last word on T'Challa instead.

Either way, he's a good fit for that character too. But I imagine because Iron Man is such a hot movie franchise now, only "architects" would be allowed at the helm. And any writer doing Iron Man probably wouldn't be allowed to completely do their own thing since Iron Man is probably going to be involved in just about any and every comapny wide story now. Hence him likely needing to be handled by an architect guy.

**Kieran_Frost** · 08-04-2012, 11:33 AM

I would much rather see Priest return to write a new DAKEN solo; more than anything. The manipulation, power struggles and danger of Daken would be perfect.

A character without bounds. A man who just wants to watch the world burn!!!

**Iron Maiden** · 08-04-2012, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by XPac

I'd almost be curious to see how Priest would handle Iron Man. He used Stark quite a bit in his BP book, with T'Challa often getting the upperhand on Stark (understandable given that it was T'Challa's book). If he were writing an Iron Man book, I wonder if Stark would end up getting the last word on T'Challa instead.

Either way, he's a good fit for that character too. But I imagine because Iron Man is such a hot movie franchise now, only "architects" would be allowed at the helm. And any writer doing Iron Man probably wouldn't be allowed to completely do their own thing since Iron Man is probably going to be involved in just about any and every comapny wide story now. Hence him likely needing to be handled by an architect guy.

I would be loathe to think that Marvel would have that kind of policy, i.e only the Chosen get to write a book. They were willing to take a chance on a Hickman and Gillen so you would hope that things would be the same for a proven talent like Priest. If you read a little more on his blog, Priest was expressing his frustration with how projects were being processed back when he was still with Marvel. I was surprised to read that unless that was because Jemas was still around. But initially he was disappointed that Joe Q only offered him Black Panther when Joe Q was running the Marvel Knights books. Later he felt the Crew was dead on arrival because it was tied to another promo, maybe referring to the Tsunami titles Jemas was promoting, which subsequently got cancelled. Maybe he if he came back to Marvel he would be frustrated by all the events.