My Favorite Hap Kliban StoryThe Hap Kliban story took place in San Diego, but the back story begins in Chicago. I believe this was in 1981. Could be wrong. Anyway, that year, the Chicago Con was the weekend before the San Diego Con. Because the trade show part of the San Diego Con started Wednesday […]
Morality in ComicsIn 1980, or around then, at the San Diego Comic-Con there was a panel discussion on the program entitled “Morality in Comics.” I had no conflicting obligations so I went to see what that was all about. Usually, when I went to panels, I found a seat in the back somewhere. The room […]
Mean Old MarvelThere were many battles between Marvel and creators over creators’ rights and creators’ wrongs. But, lest you think that it was all battles all day every day at Marvel, here are a few instances where big old, mean old Marvel actually resolved potentially contentious issues peacefully. Barefootz Howard Cruse sent me a letter […]
John Byrne Is Ruining the Fantastic Four Near the end of 1980 or very early in 1981, Stan turned up at my office door as he did occasionally, usually when there was something bothering him. He closed the door—always a bad sign—and sat down in the guest chair. He had a letter in his hands. […]
Years LaterIn the spring of 1984, Roy and I exchanged several letters about various topics. In one dated May 14, he said the following: “Dear Jim, Despite disagreeing considerably with a number of points you make in your letter of April 9 (as you obviously did with some of mine, made in the previous letter), […]
“I’ll Never Doubt You Again.” One afternoon toward the end of April, 1980, I got a call from Marvel President Jim Galton. He said that Roy Thomas had asked for a meeting with him to discuss renewing his contract with Marvel. Roy had written a letter dated April 10 (I have the original) to Galton […]
Roy The tale of the contract negotiations with Roy is too long to tell in blow-by-blow detail. I’ll tell you a bit of what I understand to be his side and a little of mine. I think we both sincerely believed in the validity of our positions. I think each of us handled things badly […]
“How Could You Let This Happen?” or, “What Do You MEAN Roy’s Quitting?” Roy Thomas leaving Marvel? Unthinkable. Almost as unthinkable as Stan Lee leaving Marvel. Seriously. In 1980, it was that big a deal. If Roy were leaving to go write movies or TV shows or novels, well, that would be traumatic but manageable. […]
First, This Sorry about not posting for the last two days. Tuesday, I had to go to the city for a meeting and when I arrived home I discovered that my hot water heater had sprung a leak. There was a flood in my place and a worse one in the apartment below mine. What […]
The Tenth Level of Hell The first time I ever heard the term “writer/editor” was shortly after arriving for my first day as associate editor of Marvel Comics on the first working day of January, 1976. At first I thought it must mean a part-time writer who also served as an editor for other writers. […]