In his second Cup o’ Joe on Marvel.com and MySpace, Joe Quesada answers Jim McLauchlin’s questions about Spider-Man:
JM: We’re a few weeks into “Brand New Day” in the Spidey books, and there are still a fair amount of voices in the wilderness calling for your head on a platter. There seems to be a real undercurrent of people who seemingly just won’t be satisfied until you say, “Okay, I’m sorry, and I was a real dick for unmarrying Spidey and Mary Jane in ‘One More Day.’” I’m guessing you don’t feel that way. Can you satisfy these folks? At this point, is it even “worth it” to you?
JQ: Well, first let me say that the reason some are calling for my head on a platter is because in many countries, my head is considered a delicacy.
Is it worth it to me to satisfy everyone? No. Because therein lies madness, my friend. But I don’t think that’s really the point, anyway. Some people didn’t dig the outcome, and that’s cool. It’s their opinion and I respect that. But hey—we can look down a long list of things that have happened at Marvel that people weren’t happy with that many are still sore about to this day, and many of those things are things that helped save our publishing division.
He also talks about the differences in reactiosn from fans in person and fans on the ‘net:
JM: Yeah, you see it a lot. You see the “Joe Quesada must hate Spider-Man.” On the other side of the street, you might see a “Dan DiDio is ruining DC on purpose,” which is insane. You guys are just doing your jobs to the best of your abilities, and you wouldn’t have jobs for long if that was the case!
JQ: Yeah. Unfortunately, some people can completely disregard that we actually do have feelings, family, and actually live in the real world. It’s a distinction that I believe gets lost on the ‘net more than anywhere else, because it’s a behavior that I’ve never encountered in person. As a matter of fact, it’s always been the exact opposite. Almost all the fans I’ve encountered in person have been fantastic, and even the ones that disagree with something we did are always intelligent, honest and civil in the way the pose their disapproval.
But here’s the honest truth: the ‘net will always be what it is when it comes to stuff like this, so the best we can do is have fun with it and play with what it offers. Believe it or not, sometimes I just say things on the ‘net just to get people angry and talking about stuff…or at least that’s the rumor on the ‘net! [laughs]
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
So… Joephisto is trying to say that OMD/BND may, potentially, save Marvel? Save it from what?
Yes, I’m sort of putting words in Joey’s mouth… I’m just curious to know if that’s what he was implying. It’s not like Marvel was exactly hurting before, and it’s not like Spidey’s sales were bad either. If anything, ASM’s numbers are dropping. Whether that’s due to BND or the fact that book comes out 3 times a month now (or both) is hard to say.
If the sales for ASM continue to outsell what the old ASM and the other two “616″ Spidey books combined did, then it’s probably a success. But nothing that “saves” the company. Anyone care to guess what he’s talking about when he says some past unpopular decisions saved Marvel?
One last question… I referred to the “616″ Marvel U. What the hell does 616 mean, anyhow? I’ve always wanted to ask, but was too embarrassed to (until now).
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
“What the hell does 616 mean, anyhow?”
Among the set of alternate Earths that exist in the multiverse, Earth “616″ is considered the mainstream Marvel Universe Earth.
If you want to give yourself a mild headache some time, figure out the difference between the Earth of another dimension (e.g., the Squadron Supreme’s Earth) and the Earth of an alternate timeline. Is there a significant difference, is another dimension just an alternate timeline with a very early divergence point, are there infinite numbers of dimensions and timelines, etc.
SRS
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I thought alternate Earths were just alternate timelines.
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Thanks Steve, but I guess what I meant is what does the actual number “616″ mean in regards to the regular, mainstream Marvel U? Why isn’t it just “Earth-1,” for instance, aside from the fact that it’s already being used elsewhere?
Are there at least 616 alternate Earths at Marvel? And I thought 52 known Earths at DC was ridicluous…
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
In Captain Britain, Alan Moore had the Captain Britain Corps, a takeoff of the Green Lantern Corps. Each member was a Captain Britain from a different dimension/timeline.
In opposition to DC naming their Earth, Earth One, Alan decided to make our Captain Britain’s reality, Earth 616. It has no more significance than Douglas Adams’ 42, it’s a joke, showing how insignificant Cap’s reality was to the Multiverse as a whole. It wasn’t intended to catch on for the Marvel universe as a whole, there was no indication that anyone in the USA would ever read Captain Britain anyway.
Chris Claremont loved Alan’s run on Captain Britain and used much of it in his X-Men run, including the 616 tag.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I’ve always sort of wondered if the ’616′ tag was another level of joke from Mr. Moore since I’ve read numerous times that 616 is actually the correct translation for the ‘number of the beast’ (not 666).
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Now I understand. Thank you, Rich!
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
By the way, did I mention that this Jim McLauchlin is the best SOFTBALL pitcher I’ve ever seen?
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:13 am
He’s the best indignant poker I’ve ever seen. Seriously. He poked me incessantly for not reading the Savage Dragon.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:51 am
All,
I’m primarily a corner guy, first base and third base, when I play softball. I can also play shortstop, and pitch a little. I’m not exactly fleet afoot, but I do have a very quick first step, so I’m more an infield guy; not outfield.
Jim McLauchlin
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:26 am
Ed, Alan Moore’s son-in-law confirmed that the number had no significance Moore was aware of when he wrote it.
http://johnreppion.proboards33.com/index.cgi?board=Comics&action=display&thread=1115772466
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:48 am
Well, you pitched some mighty fine softballs in this Cup o’ Joe interview, Jim.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:26 am
Joe isn’t cool like he used to be…
“JQ: rialb, There are a few parts to this question. First, I don’t think there have been any more or any less $3.99 cardstock mini-series than in the past. The prestige style, higher-priced, mini has been a part of the comic’s industry since DC first released Skreemer back around 1990 or so. (By the way, for those of you who have never read it, run out and get yourself a copy of Skreemer if you can; it’s brilliant!) Also, you answered the question yourself, if it’s not to your liking, then by all means, you should pass on the projects. However, I will say that you’re passing on some pretty amazing stories that are worth the extra coin.”
Thats completetly f***ing stupid, that doesn’t reflect on the project, cardstock for 4 bucks might make you pass on something you WANT to read, sure its only one more dollar, but that adds up…I refused to support the Logan series cuz of this (I don’t want it to set a precedent).
So I’ll go read it for free.
Problem solved, thats what happens when you start pricing your fans out of the market.
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:59 am
Dave –
Thanks for the info and the link!
April 4th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I find it hard to believe—impossible, in fact—that Alan Moore didn’t know about 616 actually being the number of the beast. He has such a knowledge of arcane information that not knowing this would seem odd.
616 is truly fitting for today’s Marvel Universe.