Robert Weinberg's press release
Paul O'Brien
me by Robert Weinberg, I'll post it myself...
=====
For Immediate Attention and Distribution:
WEINBERG DEPARTING CABLE
The last surviving title of the March 2000 "X-Men Revolution," CABLE,
will be undergoing radical changes in the months to come. The most
surprising development regarding the book is that highly praised, fan-
favorite author, Robert Weinberg is being replaced by comic writer and
artist, Howard Chaykin. No decision has been made on whether artist
Michael Ryan will remain as the comic's penciller.
Discussing his departure, Weinberg stated in no uncertain terms that he
was told he was off the book as writer last Friday. While the call came
from X-Men editor, Mark Powers, the decision was made by Editor-in-Chief
of Marvel, Joe Quesada, and CEO, Bill Jemas. Weinberg had no idea that
his job writing Cable was in jeopardy and was busily working on a new
script when informed by Powers that he was no longer in charge of
stories.
Weinberg, who was planning Cable stories many months ahead of schedule,
had just recently spearheaded an internet drive to save Cable from being
cancelled. The story of his efforts is highlighted in the new issue of
Wizard Magazine, and concludes with the thought that sometimes fans can
make a difference. Evidently, fan emails convinced Marvel to save the
book, but the pleas didn't persuade Quesada to keep Weinberg as writer.
Artist Michael Ryan has not commented on the change in writers and it's
not sure if he will continue working on CABLE or not.
Weinberg haa already turned in the plot for CABLE # 92, the April issue,
and Mark Powers describes the story as the best yet in the series.
While it was assumed that Howard Chaykin would take over the book in the
major X-Men change, that's not yet been confirmed. Weinberg has agreed
to continue writing the book until Chaykin is ready to take over, but is
not sure if he will be allowed to do it or another interim writer will
be set in place.
As to why he was removed as writer, Weinberg could only speculate:
"Sales of Cable have remained fairly steady, but they've not been
increasing. I suspect Bill and Joe feel a better-known comic writer
might bring more fans to the comic. They may be right, I don't know. I
do know that lack of any sort of publicity hurt the book. My two part
story returning Raceh Summers to the mainstream Marvel Universe received
no advertising or promotional push. And, my Dark Sisterhood storyline
has been listed now three times in a row in PREVIEWS without any covers
to attract readers and retailers. That's not a good way to promote and
sell a lesser known comic."
Weinberg says he hopes to stay and work on other projects at Marvel. "I
thought Mark Powers and Pete Franco were two of the nicest guys I've met
in my life. I hope to work with them both on my Darkside project as
well as my X-Men horror mini-series, Citadel of Night. I had a great
time working for Marvel. It was a dream come true. I'm only sorry that
I didn't get to finish the three-year storyline I had planned for
Cable. I suspect a lot of his deepest secrets are going to remain
unexplained."
Weinberg is talking with several other comic book companies about
several new concepts. Along with his comic work, he is discussing
working for several major film studios as well as preparing to once
again to write some full length novels.
Recently, a number of writers outside the mainstream comic field
remarked on Weinberg's Cable run. Some of the quotes received includ:
Bob Weinberg -- Weird Tales expert, bookseller, fantasy art fan and
collector, editor, author, and many other things weird and wonderful --
is now the writer on Marvel's X-Men spinoff, Cable. Science Fiction,
Fantasy, Horror ... knowing Weinberg's penchant for all three facets of
the fantastic, it's hardly surprising that his storylines cross genres.
But with such aplomb! Marvel fans, look out for some great tales from
Cable's new writer. And be sure that Weinberg won't disappoint you...
Brian Lumley
Robert Weinberg's comic work is fast-paced, exciting and full of
surprises.
I highly recommend it.
Joe R. Lansdale
I'm a 90-year-old writer with three Lifetime Achievement Awards and a
new novel out this year that is getting classy reviews-- AND I READ BOB
WEINBERG'S COMIC BOOKS WITH PLEASURE. That ought to tell you something.
Hugh B. Cave
Robert Weinberg blends the best of old-style adventures with the most
fantastic elements of modern times. He's a true heir to the Weird Tales
tradition.
Andrew Greenberg, co-creator of Fading Suns and the original developer
of Vampire: the Masquerade
Bob Weinberg brings all of his novelist skills to Cable, making it the
most enjoyable X-title in years.
Martin Harry Greenberg
World's Most Prolific anthologist
In closing, Weinberg said the following: Marvel tells everyone that
they remain the most fan-friendly publisher in business. If so, then
fans should write editor-in-chief Joe Quesada at jque...@marvel.com and
ask why he decided to change authors for a comic that was definitely not
duplicating stories in any of the other X-titles, and that was the only
Marvel comic written by as a science fiction, fantasy and horror author
from outside the comic book field. I'm sure Joe will have some
interesting answers.
Weinberg plans to remain active on the various X-sites for the next few
months and is even talking about running a trivia contest giving away
unusual Cable items - like a copy of his original script for Cable # 87
that was never used. More details will be forthcoming in the weeks
ahead.
====
I should add that Marvel's Bill Rosemann has issued a personal
response to this press release, denying the allegations of lack of
publicity and setting out in some detail what promotional efforts were
made for the title. His response is quoted at length at:-
http://www.fandom.com/comics/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=254137
Paul O'Brien
THE X-AXIS REVIEWS - http://www.esoterica.demon.co.uk
From the relatively fashionable west end of Glasgow.
Jefferson Lee Eng
"Sales of Cable have remained fairly steady, but they've not been
better-known comic writer might bring more fans to the comic. [...]"
If Jemas and Quesada (and by inference, Weinberg himself) are
classifying Howard Chaykin as being "better-known", why do I have no
clue who the guy is?
--
Jefferson Eng
You can't let people get away with shoddy service. It starts with overcooked
meat and ends with Microsoft.
John C. Baker
(Jefferson Lee Eng) wrote:
> Weinberg:
> "I suspect Bill [Jemas] and Joe [Quesada] feel a
> better-known comic writer might bring more fans to the comic. [...]"
>
> If Jemas and Quesada (and by inference, Weinberg himself) are
> classifying Howard Chaykin as being "better-known", why do I have no
> clue who the guy is?
You were probably born too soon, son. :-) Howie Chaykin, to me, was the
original Marvel Star Wars artist, pre-Carmen Infantino. Most folks know
him from American Flagg, a lauded independent comic in the mid-80s. I've
never read it.
--
John C. Baker; jc...@humboldt.edu; AOL IM: jcbaker10
South San Francisco, CA, USA
http://www.humboldt.edu/~jcb10/
SETI@Home: 1168 units, 10669 hours
Jefferson Lee Eng
Baker) wrote:
>You were probably born too soon, son. :-)
Or too late as the case may be...:)
Howie Chaykin, to me, was the
>original Marvel Star Wars artist, pre-Carmen Infantino. Most folks know
>him from American Flagg, a lauded independent comic in the mid-80s. I've
>never read it.
And if my recollection of the title is correct, then I guess I was
classifying a lot of those indies as being a bit too art nouveau for
my pre-adolescent mindset of the time. I guess American Flagg was one
of those things that escaped my narrow focus.
Bill Kte'pi
> You were probably born too soon, son. :-) Howie Chaykin, to me, was the
> original Marvel Star Wars artist, pre-Carmen Infantino. Most folks know
> him from American Flagg, a lauded independent comic in the mid-80s. I've
> never read it.
And "The Shadow" at DC, and Thrillkiller, and I think Batman/Houdini.
--
----
Bill Kte'pi /// bwk...@hampshire.edu /// http://ktepi.freeservers.com
Do not taunt Happy Fun Bill.
Bill Kte'pi
> And if my recollection of the title is correct, then I guess I was
> classifying a lot of those indies as being a bit too art nouveau for
> my pre-adolescent mindset of the time. I guess American Flagg was one
> of those things that escaped my narrow focus.
There was a profile on the series on Comics Newsarama (fandom.com/comics)
not long ago, probably still in their features archives - and I
periodically fill in my gaps from the quarter bin ... so if you wanted to
check it out, you wouldn't be risking much :) Generally speaking you can
pick up any of the early issues and grok what's going on.
Off-topic (even more so): Isn't AF where J.M. DeMatteis got his start
(when he was still, iirc, going by Mark DeMatteis), after Howard left?
NyteKrwlr
run is over :(
Craig
Fuzzy Elf Lover!
"I miss.....I need.......your laughter"
Ororo Munroe stands over her fallen comrade Kurt Wagner.
my web site
http://members.aol.com/nytekrwlr/theatercomica.html
" Honey, we talked about that shirt!" Karen from "Will and Grace
Paul O'Brien
<jeff...@kiwitek.com> writes
>
>If Jemas and Quesada (and by inference, Weinberg himself) are
>classifying Howard Chaykin as being "better-known", why do I have no
>clue who the guy is?
Because his major stuff in comics was a few years back (in fairness,
I understand he's been working in TV for a while). But yes, in his
day Chaykin was a big name in comics, responsible for some highly
influential books like American Flagg.
Christian Henriksson
<pa...@esoterica.demon.co.uk> allt detta:
>In article <3a5e56fc...@monger.netaxs.com>, Jefferson Lee Eng
><jeff...@kiwitek.com> writes
>>
>>If Jemas and Quesada (and by inference, Weinberg himself) are
>>classifying Howard Chaykin as being "better-known", why do I have no
>>clue who the guy is?
>
>Because his major stuff in comics was a few years back (in fairness,
>I understand he's been working in TV for a while). But yes, in his
>day Chaykin was a big name in comics, responsible for some highly
>influential books like American Flagg.
But doesn't this actually go against the whole "bringing in new
readers"-idea, since the people they'd want to bring in wouldn't have
heard about someone who was a big name in comics before they were
born?
Christian Henriksson
(ora...@hem.passagen.se)
(The artist formerly known as "Orange")
--
"These are the days of miracle and wonder
And don't cry, baby, don't cry, don't cry"
- Paul Simon
Erlik K
>readers"-idea, since the people they'd want to bring in wouldn't have
>heard about someone who was a big name in comics before they were
>born?
It depends. Before American Flagg! came out, I'd never heard of Howard
Chaykin. But that book went a long way towards hooking me on comics. Before
Flagg!, Chaykin had gained notoreity for books like Ironwolf, which I'd had no
knowlege of whatsoever.
Wolf Mercury
>>In article <3a5e56fc...@monger.netaxs.com>, Jefferson Lee Eng
>><jeff...@kiwitek.com> writes
>>>
>>>If Jemas and Quesada (and by inference, Weinberg himself) are
>>>classifying Howard Chaykin as being "better-known", why do I have no
>>>clue who the guy is?
>>
>>Because his major stuff in comics was a few years back (in fairness,
>>I understand he's been working in TV for a while). But yes, in his
>>day Chaykin was a big name in comics, responsible for some highly
>>influential books like American Flagg.
>
>But doesn't this actually go against the whole "bringing in new
>readers"-idea, since the people they'd want to bring in wouldn't have
>heard about someone who was a big name in comics before they were
>born?
>
I think the new readers they want to bring in are in two groups. Those who are
either already in the shops for the Pokemon and those who pick up a title here.
These "new readers" are already in the shops, and if the books are good, then
word of mouth will spread through the employes or other customers. They may
know some of the names by themselves or through employes or customers. Those
who have never been into a comic shop are a different story. I think Marvel
wants to get them in through the Ultimate Magazine, and then once they are in
the shop, Marvel has good titles to show them.
Wolf
------------------------------------
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sound...@my-deja.com
Christian Henriksson <ora...@hem.passagen.se> wrote:
> Fri, 12 Jan 2001 19:09:31 +0000 sade Paul O'Brien
> <pa...@esoterica.demon.co.uk> allt detta:
>
> >In article <3a5e56fc...@monger.netaxs.com>, Jefferson Lee Eng
> ><jeff...@kiwitek.com> writes
> >>
> >>If Jemas and Quesada (and by inference, Weinberg himself) are
> >>classifying Howard Chaykin as being "better-known", why do I have no
> >>clue who the guy is?
> >
> >Because his major stuff in comics was a few years back (in fairness,
> >I understand he's been working in TV for a while). But yes, in his
> >day Chaykin was a big name in comics, responsible for some highly
> >influential books like American Flagg.
>
> But doesn't this actually go against the whole "bringing in new
> readers"-idea, since the people they'd want to bring in wouldn't have
> heard about someone who was a big name in comics before they were
> born?
>
> Christian Henriksson
You raise a very interesting question. My bet is they are trying to win old
timers with the "flashy" name and the new readers with solid, quality
material for which Chaykin was known back in the eighties.
I'm not so sure about the second group though, since Weinberg was already
doing very solid work, and at this point, Chaykin has to prove he can do a
better Cable.
Soundchazer
Sent via Deja.com
http://www.deja.com/
Paul O'Brien
>
>But doesn't this actually go against the whole "bringing in new
>readers"-idea, since the people they'd want to bring in wouldn't have
>heard about someone who was a big name in comics before they were
>born?
I'd agree that his name isn't worth much in terms of bringing in new
readers. We'll have to wait and see whether the content is.