“I don’t seem to remember this reaction when Gail Simone (happy birthday, Gail!) started writing after her column – or when Pete Tomasi went from editor to writer, or Stuart Moore either, for that matter. Reading scripts by Slott, Meltzer, and Cooke should give her the insight to know how to craft a great story.”

Gail got lots of ridicule and scorn when she got her break, it just wasn’t well received here at CBR and often nipped in the bud almost immediately. And she still has plenty of detractors, despite her reasonable success. (But hey, who doesn’t?)

And Peter Tomasi and Stuart Moore both stopped being editors to become writers. Had they kept their editorial positions, I assure you many of us would have ripped them a new one, and I would have been one of the first to do so. I’ve always stood against editorial writing on the side when there’s other established and aspiring writers available. (Mainly because having been an editor myself, I feel that if you’re doing your job properly, you don’t have the time to be writing your own stuff and trying to get it published. And seeing as you already have a paying job, you have to be all kinds of asshole to prevent a freelancer from acquiring a spot on the publishing schedule – and limit their income potential – just to fulfill your own vanity.)

*********

Matt D wrote:

“They hold off for years and years with Quesada saying they still just haven’t gotten the right pitch and this is what we end up with?”

Joe Quesada emailed me and told me not to submit my 3 issue Cloak & Dagger miniseries proposal in 1999 because he “does not like” the characters and “cannot see using them in any capacity in the Marvel Knights lineup” (while soliciting Chuck Dixon’s MARVEL KNIGHTS featuring Guess Who? the following month). He physically refused Randy Zimmerman’s pitch in 2001 (as in shoved it back into his hands and said he would not even consider it). He returned David Elyea’s pitch unopened in 2001; returned Anthony Hamm’s pitch unopened in 2002.

So I have to say that Marvel could have a C&D project by SOMEBODY before this, likely could have had a good one at that. It’s apparently a situation where Joe Quesada personally didn’t want one. Because one can’t say ‘the right pitch never came in’ when one won’t even accept or review them for consideration.

**********

As for THIS project.

It’s not Val’s fault, but when you work for a publisher that is the major rival of the company that just mistreated you and you publicly state you’re leaving the business due to that mistreatment, and you’re the President of an organization set up to represent women creators, AND you have an all female creative team to boot, you might as well have Marvel parade you around Times Square next. It’s sadly one big PR Play on Marvel’s part.

But I also know Val’s not stupid and I’m sure she realizes that she’s set herself up for this scrutiny and that she and Irene have their work cut out for them to produce a work that stifles such perspective. The pressure is on, ladies. I wish you luck.

Acclaim Comics

* The Tick – A World Full of Pain(t), (assistant editor)
* Darque Passages, (assistant editor)
* Shadowman, (assistant editor)
* Magus: Robot Fighter, (assistant editor)

DC Comics

* Aquaman, 4th Series – Ongoing Series, #1-4 (assistant editor)
* Catwoman: Selina’s Big Score, (assistant editor)
* Batman: Black and White, Volume II, (assistant editor)
* The New Frontier – Limited Series, #1-6 (assistant editor)
* Identity Crisis – Limited Series, (assistant editor)
* JLA – Ongoing Series, #91-99 (assistant editor)
* JLA: Scary Monsters – Limited Series, #1-6 (assistant editor)
* JSA: All Stars – Limited Series, (assistant editor)
* Justice League Elite – Limited Series, (assistant editor)
* Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, (editor)
* Rose and Thorn, (assistant editor)
* Hawkman, (assistant editor)

*Which, if you’re interpreting her take as such, you’re deluded.

There’s really nothing to lose here for anyone concerned….

My main worry is her lack of experience. Being a copy writer for Previews and a blogger aren’t exactly things that lend themselves to being a writer (no offense intended to people who do those jobs). Has she done anything else at all? I’m surprised Marvel didn’t give her a few smaller assignments first as a sort of test run.

“If you like the ‘Runaways,’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ ‘The Sandman,’ or ‘Strangers in Paradise’ you will love ‘Cloak & Dagger,’” she said. “ I’m not saying I’m comparing myself to Brian K. Vaughan, Joss Whedon, Neil Gaiman, or Terry Moore. I’m just an incredibly lucky girl with a blog who sort of got her life’s wish dropped into her lap. But I’ve also had a lot of experience writing ad copy for Previews. So, ‘If you like the “Runaways,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “The Sandman,” or “Strangers in Paradise,” you will love “Cloak & Dagger.” Guest-starring Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Ghost Rider!”’

“No, just kidding!”

-Valerie D’Orazio (via an interview with Dave Richards)

Oh my god!! HOW AWFUL IS SHE?!?

I can’t believe Marvel did not even THINK to see if Joe Simon was interested in writing Cloak and Dagger before giving her the gig!

I’ll give this one a look when it comes out, finances permitting.

Happens to the best of us, Alan. One day you’ll get your chance. Just keep on swinging for the fences.

The comments from Michael through Nessor Sille show that on the whole, this site has intelligent readers.

And then Alan Coil spoke up again. What’s up with that dude?

Did she, like, punch your mother in the face or something?

I could understand your attitude towards her if that were the case. Otherwise, not so much.