The Dallas Morning News takes a look at writers who split their time between comics and television. Before anyone makes any cracks about late books, the article already has it covered:
Last year, DC relaunched one of its flagship series, Wonder Woman , and handed the reins to Allan Heinberg. The former producer for The O.C. and Sex and the City was fresh off a critically acclaimed run on Marvel’s Young Avengers.
Wonder Woman’s initial arc was supposed to last five issues. But around the same time that DC hired Mr. Heinberg, he became an executive producer on Grey’s Anatomy.
Wonder Woman No. 1 debuted June 7, 2006. After the fourth issue was published Feb. 21 of this year, DC announced that it was moving on with new writers starting with the fifth issue.
“Grey’s Anatomy took on much more of his time than what we originally allotted for,” Mr. DiDio said.
Wonder Woman has since arrived in stores on a monthly basis. Last month, the conclusion to Mr. Heinberg’s story was published as Wonder Woman Annual No. 1.
Meanwhile, Marvel commissioned Lost executive producer Damon Lindelof two years ago to write a six-issue series called Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk. The series debuted in December 2005, and the second issue came out in February 2006.
Readers are still waiting for the third issue.
“Frankly, a lot of writers and artists who work exclusively in comics miss their deadlines and face delays as well,” [Javier] Grillo-Marxuach, a former Lost producer, said in defense of his ex-boss’ defense. “It’s unfair to generalize and to disparage guys like Damon without walking a mile in their shoes. Damon is essentially CEO of a company responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in business.”
Marc Guggenheim, writer of Superman/Batman (among other titles) and a producer on Brothers & Sisters, is also interviewed.
(P.S. I totally swiped the post title from that Dallas Morning News illustration.)
October 16th, 2007 at 10:00 am
The excuse that “other people do it too” is a terrible excuse for lateness. Yes, some of them do (few though, as egregious a delay as two years), but that doesn’t mean they should be the benchmark. There’s nothing wrong with not having time to write a comic book. Just don’t commit to doing it in the first place.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Marc Guggenheim, on the other hand, is running a show this season and none of his books have been late.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:55 am
I have an idea how about DC and Marvel editors have a complete story/script written and in place from the big name writers before promoting it?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Marvel’s doing that with Lindelof’s book. Unfortunately, he’s only written #3 and #4.
October 16th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Not only is Marc Guggenheim’s stuff still on time, but it’s also awesome.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
here’s the enitre quote from the email interview…for what it’s worth…
The incidence of TV and movie writers who have been able to meet their deadlines in the comic world is much higher than those who have not…and frankly, a lot of writers and artists who work exclusively in comics miss their deadlines and face delays as well! It’s unfair to generalize — and to disparage guys like Damon without walking a mile in their shoes. Damon is essentially CEO of a company responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in business — a company whose output is scrutinized by shareholders, reporters, and — lest we forget — millions of viewers every single week: his comics work should have been scheduled in a manner sensitive to the unique pressures of his job. It’s very easy for us TV/movie writers to get caught up in the excitement of working in this medium we have enjoyed since we were children, and for companies to want the publicity associated with the high profile of TV and movies, but you have to look past the excitement and schedule the workload realistically.
In my case, I am very careful to only take projects only when I can handle the output, to be tough with myself about what I can and can’t realistically accomplish — even if that means passing on a dream project — and to make arrangements to not go to the artist — or to press — until the majority of the writing is done.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
It’s just like anything else; Frank Miller is obviously distracted by his film career and Kevin Smith had that problem whenever he was writing comics. Some guys just can’t write more than one monthly comic at a time without it taking over their life.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Well, if the WGA goes on strike, maybe these guys can use the downtime to catch up with their comics writing commitments….
October 17th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Like I’m supposed to feel sorry for these guys making 6 or 7 figure salaries. Either write or don’t write, but stop crying on my shoulder, cause I ain’t having none of it.