I never really got how that was an insult. I've read some fanfics that I thought were really well done. And some professional writing that were horrible.
One thing that's interesting about Jim Shooter offering this guy the chance to write the story, is that's how Shooter got into writing comics. When he was 13, he submitted a Legion of Super-Heroes story to DC, and they hired him to be the regular writer on the book.
I agree totally. Unlike watch John or screen rant sasha and others I have seen on here actually have experience with these comics and know what they are talking about and you can hear their passion for these characters
The only thing that bothers me about the notes is the rampant use Excalmation Points! This are written notes with constructive criticisms, I don’t know why you felt the need to established you are YELLING!!!
At 56 covered in tattoos long hair and goatee, with a 6'4" frame I do not resemble any preconceived notion of a nerd. But when I am riding my Harley part of me pretends I am ghost rider. So ya I'm a nerd as well.
These notes are probably what a professional writer would have received if they had turned in the exact same pitch. However, since this was a solicited submission by a fan, I think I would have prefaced it or written a cover letter that said something like "Love the story. I hope these notes don't seem harsh, but we want to make your idea the best comic it can be. It's just the process that results in the comics you love. Thanks again!" And maybe a little less "WHY" and more "remember to...." I don't think they were trying to dump on a fan (I could be wrong, of course), but maybe an overworked editor didn't remember exactly what he was dealing with.
So, I’m a writer. I’ve worked in radio as a comedy writer and film as a consultant, had some short stories published, have ghostwritten both novels and “autobiographies,” and currently do a lot of work in marketing, writing copy. I can tell you, with complete alacrity, that the notes given on this pitch were mild compared to some of the ones I’ve seen in the past. They might seem blunt but every one is important to the story and it’s the editor’s job to understand that. When he’s asking ‘what’ or ‘how’ it’s because he doesn’t want readers to have to start thinking between panels. It was Hitchcock who said that an audience that is thinking isn’t emoting. Any questions your reader gets stuck on will pull them out of the story. Plus, some of the notes in here are clearly so the artists know what they need to draw. It does seem harsh from the outside but it’s that blunt, professional detached style that writers get to accept and appreciate from their editors over time.
This is accurate. In its way its respectful to treat even a novice as a pro. And when it comes to writing, the default when it comes to feedback is none. Form rejections were the typical response, a "we liked it but didn't like it enough. Our opinion is subjective, so you can shop it around to others, though. Good luck and don't bother us anymore." This has even given away to the newest form of rejection "No response means no. If we want it, we'll contact you." It's even gotten abbreviated as NoRMN or NoRMAN (No Response Means A No). I get the harshness can be off-putting. I've had some of my students hate my blunt style, but it's all in the service of trying to improve the writer. To couch comments nicely using softer language would take a lot of time when there's always more to edit.
I've been a journalist for more than 20 years and I can tell you that it is normal to have an editor whip out the Red Pen of Doom and rip apart a story. I remember a reporter telling me that an editor actually printed out her story and set it on fire in the middle of the newsroom and told her to go and write it again. However, I like to think that I have never been that harsh.
As an Illustrator I can say that this is very accurate to my experience as well. Art directors will often give very harshly worded feedback, not to discourage you but to make you see where the problematic elements of your piece are. It’s seen as a waste of time to sugarcoat criticism, because softer criticism can be ignored.
The term "fashion plate" refers to the publishing practices of the 19th century. Magazines used to be illustrated with steel engravings (or "plates") of the most recent fashions of the day, the Vogue of its day. Hence, any woman following this news closely came to be referred to as a "fashion plate".
A long time ago, Marvel had a contest to give an origin of the Silver Surfer, I entered and though I did not win ( I could not think of a good name, my bad) I got my name mentioned in issue 4,vol4 of the Fantastic Four. Yay hehe real time laughing about now.
Yeesh, those comments on the pitch gave me flashbacks to college film studies. As for the comic, it seems alright for a one-off adventure, nothing spectacular. Strangely, the story around it is more interesting to me, and a little inspiring.
The way the edits were made, and by the tone of the edits shows that he was truly trying to help the fan to the next level. I have experienced it in my own profession. Back then if a professional gleamed something in someone many times a harder edge approach was taken to help push the person in taking a more critical thinking path. Mentor to student psychology. I take it as he was trying to get the fan to expand his thinking and to consider all avenues. Thanks and love the channel!
7:47 that would be a dangerous tack to take since his boss at the time Jim Shooter, literally got his start as a fan writing in (to DC) when he was 14.
Defining the line between fan and professional often seems fairly tricky to me, especially with legacy/serial fiction where the stories change hands over time. Even if you're paid by Marvel to write Spider-Man, if you aren't Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, you're going to be writing based on your interpretation of who Spidey is and what you think would be interesting to have happen. To my mind, that sounds an awful lot like fan fiction, only sanctioned by the owner of the IP. Creator-owned work is different, and I am much more willing to accept that Todd McFarlane has ultimate authority on Spawn for as long as he is alive and cares to have it. But I feel like licensed and legacy work would be much better seen as a dialogue between people across space and time. Even if Marvel The Company says that Dan Slott's run of the Fantastic Four is part of canon, Dan Slott is really just sharing what he thinks F4 is about, and there can be just as (if not more) valuable insights into the team provided by someone who writes fan fiction about them.
I started reading comics in the 60's, and in the 80's I was part of a group of talented individuals who were big scifi/comics fans. (I was not one of the drawing/writing/acting talents in the group.) They'd often write to comics writers and artists, and I got to see a lot of the responses. (And I remember when the Marvel envelope changed from having a red & blue Spider-man on it, to a black and white one. (Cost savings?)) Some of the responses where kind, some not, some blunt, mostly I'd say encouraging. And hey, two of my friends went on to work at Marvel for a time. Another one became (and last I heard still is,) an artist at ILM. (As is his son now there too... man I'm old.) One even went from working at a theater in San Jose, (next to the Winchester Mystery House,) to having his name on the marquee for his first head-line film. And another did a self-published comic for a time. (Didn't "take-off") So like with life, there were a lot of responses, but mostly I'd say most artists and writers were fans, who were usually not "elites" or "snobs", but more often interested and encouraging, and kind. And thank you so very much for your video.
GV GV GV ( GV: Great VIdeo), nice to see the inside story of the Black suit, I heard about it, yet never knew the full story. I love the black and red theme, I wish you wore all black with red accents for this video, yet you are always on point. I hope he dons the Black and Red suit soon again, better than his webbed blue and red. IMHO Peace
Never tell a kid their super villian parent is dead... Even if they ARE dead. There's always a reboot round the corner! Either that or it only leads to tragic revenge driven origins for their own super villain career
I did send in a hero, and had it published. DC used to have a book called Dial 'H' for Hero in the late 70's/early 80's. They wanted submissions from readers, so I sent in a couple. I was either 13 or 15, and wasn't good at art, but I made a sketch as best as I could. In the very first premiere of the comic (as a free insert in Legion of Super Heroes) I noticed a character similar to mine, but with a much less colorful costume. Turned the page, and it was my character, name and all, and I was credited below as the creator (name, age, city and state). Now, this was only the first of many heroes the character became, but the character was seen twice more: once in a flashback of the first change, and again in a double page spread showing all the characters they had been up to that point. No credit given again, as they did say upfront that you would get credit the first time, but then they got creative control if they wished to use the character again, with no compensation or credit (we were supposed to get a T-shirt if they used our character, but i never received one). Nevertheless, it was pretty cool at the time.
You are a hero for making a video like this. From what I saw the letter wasn’t harsh but it did treat Randy like seasoned professional. It’s almost cool but probably unnecessary.
I haven't ever submitted a story pitch, but when I was trying to develop my artwork specifically for comics, I went to an open portfolio viewing with Shelly Bond (Vertigo - notably edited Fables among other things, worked directly under Karen Berger for a long time) - I don't think she was blunt, if anything she was very friendly and supportive, but she was direct - I think maybe she deliberately found things to compliment along with critiquing, so I came away saying to myself "Okay, so I need to do more life drawing, work on my fundamentals, but Shelly Bond thinks I'm good at creating mood!" - it was instructive, she didn't candy coat my shortcomings, but she didn't make it seem final at all, encouraged me to keep her posted in the future. I never did
Maybe it didn't help that the life drawing sessions I went to were also attended by Dylan Teague and David Roach, both pro comics artists, so I kept looking at what they were doing and felt crappy about my own work!
Another great job!! As an almost exclusive DC reader, this one was full of new information to me!! You asked about other costume changes that were not well received, and I immediately thought of two. The Zatanna leotard outfit that she was given when she joined the Justice League in 1978. The other is the legless, shoulderless disco era Cosmic Boy costume created by Mike Grell!
1. Some people are naturally more harsh/blunt critics. Is it always pleasant to deal with? No, but you’ve gotta learn to roll with the punches. Whether or not such critics are the norm for a person or industry can only really be known with further interactions. 2. Wanting acknowledgement is a normal and valid feeling, especially as a fan. 3. Sometimes in order to deal with overzealous or entitled fans creators become harsh or do what they feel is necessary to create a distance between them and fans. However, not all fans are crazy and creators open themselves to criticism and people taking their work and running with it when it’s put in the open. Most fan works are done to show one’s enthusiasm and love for a work, or at least one’s takeaway.
I must admit to being torn as well. There is part of me that wants to think that DeFalco's brusqueness is the way things are done--they don't have time to be "nice." Another part of me thinks that your initial reaction was right; this was the attempt by a "pro" to keep us fans in our lane. Without hearing DeFalco's side of it, we may never know.
Oh Sasha... I heart you 😊. I'm a big fan and I loved your video. I see you have a firm hold on comics and that really makes me a fan of yours. Keep up the good work.
I find it interesting that Defalco was such a hardass as an editor. As a writer he himself was a mediocre hack whose storytelling abilities never rose above entry level competence. Physician, heal thyself.
Q is my favorite character from Star Trek next generation. The last episode when Q showed Picard the goo of humanity. Chills. I have to start watching Picard.
Sasha, you are good! You cover as much as you can with all the pieces of information related to the topic; that's exactly what I try to do in my written column: www.spidermancrawlspace.com/category/weblines/ I wish I could encompass all the comics I've read from Marvel and DC, but I've decided to stick to Spider-Man (my favorite) only - otherwise, I'd spend the rest of my days writing about everything I like and dislike about comics because I am unable to stand in front of a camera and speak. On a more personal note, I wish I could have more friends like you - deep nerdy talk is missed. Still, thanks a lot for it; I have subscribed to your channel. Cheers!
In my youth I attempted to write comic book treatments but never submitted anything serious because in the end I found the format too restrictive. You need to show and not tell. It's very difficult to convey what's going on in one's head and convert it into snapshot panels on a page. Had I kept at it I probably would have eventually cracked the code, but I didn't and that's that.
Love the channel! Always down for more Marvel stuff! I like your DC stuff as well. DC kind of lost me after the mess that was the New 52. Though the Rogers, Giffen, Hamner run on Blue Beetle is one of my favorites.
Nope, I think the notes were on point, from what I see he was reading it the same way a fan would read it and his points where questions that fans would ask, for instance in a recent issue of the The Man of Tomorrow we see Superman get taken out by Titano and him ACTUALLY STRUGGLING to lift the paw he was under, no hint of Kryptonite, no hint of magic, no red sun and Titano actually manages to knock him out!!!!! Where the hell was the editor for this?? I know it's only a comic but THIS IS THE GUY THAT WENT ONE ON ONE WITH DOOMSDAY and got knocked out by a GIANT APE, yeah the "bluntness" was required otherwise we get issues like that.
I have the fan distinction of creating the world's first Firefly Audio Drama. It was one of the first AD's I did. And if you can struggle through the acting, it still pretty well holds up. We had an original sound track as well from a friend of mine and you can still buy the CD for your next "Shindig". For those interested, go look up "Badger Books Audio Drama" and "Firefly Old Wounds"... Six episodes, and then a special afterwards called "Firefly Wedding Day". Fun times.
I might be a couple years late but I can confirm that these sort of notes are normal. It's not that they're trying to be an asshole, they're trying to be concise. When you have to go through numerous letters like this a day you go though them as quick as possible. The fact that he got a response with notes and suggestions at all is actually quite remarkable. It showed that they thought it had promise, but needed refinement. You NEVER want an editor that kisses your ass. You don't want one that completely destroys you either. It's a fine line and I don't personally feel like this crossed it.
4:02 Something so scandalous, my screen just died. Lizard, Scorpion, Mysterio, Doc Ock, Vulture, Sandman ( shirt), Green Goblin, Beetle . Yup. flee from Green. I had a marvel Editor teach a writing class and he gave notes like this. SOmetimes they just want clarification, but mostly i think they have a standard and they dont turn that on and off. The standard is the standard no matter who is submitting. Now if this was Jim Shooter, I would have said he wrote those things to be an ass.
AWESOME editing Sasha!!!!! Great job as well, lipstick, eye shadow, and hair match wonderfully. Superb!!! Those were standard critiques, they were dickish ALWAYS. Probably still are. PEACE amazing Lady, till next we meet around the screen.
The awesome 1999 6-issue series "Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold" fairly definitively states that Hal and Barry are best friends. Which at the time I found blasphemous because I flipped through my uncle's early 70's GL/GA comics in the late 70's when I was short.
I once sent some fanart to Dark Horse for when they were publishing the Shinji Ikari Raising Project manga. They added both drawings in issue #12. Kinda proud of that.
I'm glad I found this video because no one else explains the story better, they just hold the book in their hands and ramble. About Completely different things but it's really sad to think that marvel doesn't completely know that fans could even know more than them. Like marvel, writing today is really bad, look at spiderman today like spider boy seriously. Don't get me started on the ultimates
I've really been enjoying your channel. Sorry to hear you hate my favorite hero, I know its pretty trendy to hate on Mr. Fantastic but I still love him. Loving the videos too!
When I was a kid my dad’s cousin was an editor for marvel so one thanksgiving I got to edit a black widow comic! As a fanboy I thought it was the coolest thing even though all I did was capitalized a word or two 😂
I like the red and black color scheme: they made a similar costume for the PS4 Spider-Man game and it's one of my favorites. My problem with this story and the original pitch: why would Spidey give up the suit? It's so much better than his regular cloth uniform!
1) Sasha's top looks like the 90s trickster costume on the Flash TV show. 2) Peter David's most enjoyable work is his New Frontier series. I wanted Ca[tain Calhoun to timetravel and meet James T. Kirk.
This video came across my feed today and I am so glad it did. I really enjoyed the video and how you presented all the info. You just gained a new fan. Can’t wait to watch your other videos 😁👍🏻
In Secret Wars Spider-woman (version ???) had the black costume on first, so isn't the idea for Spidey's suit from that (his thought bubble in panel hints at this?), but no red hair...that's hers...and she owns it!!
Oh yeah. Once during planet hulk and the civil war crap, I sent back an idea to Marvel alright. Two in fact. One where the Hulk comes back from Planet hulk with a thirst for vengeance, and that leads to, long story short (also I don't remember the details of my pitch anymore), Tony stark being put out of commission for a while and a woman picks up his mantle at least for a while. I never heard from Marvel again, and that was the last time I ever wrote them shit.
I love these videos more than I should do, I watch them while I work (well during isolation "working") I'm a bit concerned you've highlighted my nefarious side 1. My favoutire colour is green 2. I scare kids even though I'm actually doing something nice. And just like you Sasha, I would go hysterical from being hyper sensitive about a slightly harsh criticism. *flips occasional table *😬😤🤬🙈 Which makes me wonder is the real reason Dr Doom is here because one day Reed, obnoxiously critiqued one of his equations in uni with a red pen and it all snowballed from there?!
Who likes green in the Marvel Universe? Dr. Doom, Mad Thinker, Molecule Man, Kang, Jack O'Lantern, Will-O-the Wisp, Super-Adaptoid, the Red Skull, Baron Mordo, Loki, Enchantress, Jester, Plant Man, Nightmare, Psycho-Man, Cobra, Mr. Hyde, Viper, Anaconda, the Fixer, Annihilus, the Unicorn, Titanium Man, Hydra, and the entire Skrull empire.
I think those notes are actually pretty good and average. Blunt notes are always the best. I know when I started writing the people I would ask to look over my stuff did ask a lot of "why?" and "how?" as well as pointing out inconsistencies and unrealistic dialog and actions. Schuler wasn't a writer and Defalco should have been more helpful and less blunt, but DeFalco is used to working with professionals, so those blunt simple notes are generally good enough for the writers to make adjustments. Point being, if you start taking notes from bros, prepare to be hurt and angry, cause they won't hold back and they shouldn't hold back
Bruh… those notes in the pitch were soooo tame. That’s how creators should treat each other as contemporaries; after all, our ideas are not just good because we are special little flowers, our ideas are good if they’re good. And if they’re NOT good, you need to call that out.
When you submit any material, music, writing, otherwise, taking rejection- hard rejection, with no input- or harsh critiques with harsher notes, is par for the course. As a professional musician/songwriter, you learn to let go of each song once completed. The more detached, the better you can take rejection, or criticisms. Many people cannot take it, and sadly give up, even though they might be diamonds in the rough..... It’s good to get a different take on something you create. It makes you a better creative
Sent in something as a fan. Well.. kind of? Not for something like this... So, when I was growing up, I loved banana NesQuick (then just called Quick), and it suddenly vanished from the shelves. So I sent in to Nestle to ask why and if I could buy it direct (I was that kind of kid). Turns out, I lived in a test area, and the banana flavor was just a test and it didn't do so hot so they pulled it. But they also sent me like, $200 worth of coupons for Nestle products. I was a very happy 10 year old. It all went to strawberry quick and candy. No chocolate. I can't stand it (I'm also mildly allergic).
I always thought Tom DeFalco to be a really ordinary and hacky writer whose scripts are every warmed-over concept in comics. However, while he was no Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, Steve Englehart, Denny O'Neil, etc, he probably did a lot for Marvel Comics as an organization.
As a teen I sent a pitch to Marvel for a new character series. The idea was that it would examine the hero from the periphery, so the first issue starts with the titular hero saving a woman from a mugging, but of the rest of the issue follows the woman, who eventually figures out the identity of the hero. The notes I got back from Tom DeFalco were brutal, stressing that it didn't explain the hero or his motivations. I was crushed, as that was sort of the point of my pitch, but in retrospect I see that I probably didn't make my intentions super clear. I never wrote another comic pitch, though. 😀
Jim Lee said you know they like you when they rip you a new one. It’s when they are nice that you have a long way to go lol. But that’s with art. Idk about story.
I submitted an idea for a 5th ninja turtle with a gold bandana to the 90s Archie TMNT comic. They sent me a postcard that basically said thanks but no thanks politely
I always thought when they did the costume in the movies, they should have ended the previous movie with Spider-Man seeing other heroes heading for the Beyonder's construct and following them, just like the book. And then the next movie starts with him leaving the construct in the new suit. Did they ever explain why the creature was in that lab? I never cared for Venom either, but if you're doing Spider-Man movies, you've got to do Venom.
After the new 52, I was so upset that I made my own New 52 on DeviantArt. 52 complete sketches with character backstories, ranging from a “Bruce Wayne leads Checkmate” book to a Superman reboot to a “Teen Titans vs Young Justice” battle book. I loved the ideas at the time, but looking back on them, I’m happy just to have my nice little slice of fan fiction on the internet.
That actually sounds cool! I recently, 2017-2019 began posting on DeviantArt the first drawings of my own DC/Marvel fanfic. I am still working on it as I am very disappointed with the current messy continuity in both universes.
Although, Reed being Reed, this isn't a surprise, he could have been more considerate of Peter's preferences and either stuck to the existing design or consulted with Peter about the design.....
DeFalco sounds like he wants a full script, not a story pitch. The pitch isn't going to give you all the visuals as Spidey considers keeping the costume.
This is probably why most people who have ideas either keep them to themselves or just not submit them Marvel or DC comics. Now I don't feel so bad about SONY making Marvel bow to them just to get Spider-man into their movies.
![Gunna - HIM ALL ALONG [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HiCxoDeo0hc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Chino Pacas - Smith (ft. Junior H & Fuerza Regida) [Video Visualizador Oficial]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BVK6k56X30Y/mqdefault.jpg)
I want to see Sasha go full super villian and get fanfic writers justice and validation. Be our avenging angel. Go hard.
She would be called... The Salt Shaker! Or is that vering too far towards sounding like a henchman for Condiment King?
I never really got how that was an insult. I've read some fanfics that I thought were really well done. And some professional writing that were horrible.
Like her shipping channel?
One thing that's interesting about Jim Shooter offering this guy the chance to write the story, is that's how Shooter got into writing comics. When he was 13, he submitted a Legion of Super-Heroes story to DC, and they hired him to be the regular writer on the book.
Bro....I'm glad I found this channel😂, each video has so much enthusiasm and I love it💀
Couldn't agree more. This is one of my favorite channels!!!
I agree totally. Unlike watch John or screen rant sasha and others I have seen on here actually have experience with these comics and know what they are talking about and you can hear their passion for these characters
The only thing that bothers me about the notes is the rampant use Excalmation Points! This are written notes with constructive criticisms, I don’t know why you felt the need to established you are YELLING!!!
At 56 covered in tattoos long hair and goatee, with a 6'4" frame I do not resemble any preconceived notion of a nerd. But when I am riding my Harley part of me pretends I am ghost rider. So ya I'm a nerd as well.
I once saw a grown man driving a black van with a bunch of Punisher decals on it; you guys should do a crossover issue!
@@Deoxys911 lol
Trust me, nerds are getting tattoos. They’re just of in-jokes about Internet stuff.
I like to imagine that Bill demott actually wrote this comment
You just humanized the biker clique better than the entirety of the 90s.
These notes are probably what a professional writer would have received if they had turned in the exact same pitch. However, since this was a solicited submission by a fan, I think I would have prefaced it or written a cover letter that said something like "Love the story. I hope these notes don't seem harsh, but we want to make your idea the best comic it can be. It's just the process that results in the comics you love. Thanks again!" And maybe a little less "WHY" and more "remember to...." I don't think they were trying to dump on a fan (I could be wrong, of course), but maybe an overworked editor didn't remember exactly what he was dealing with.
So, I’m a writer. I’ve worked in radio as a comedy writer and film as a consultant, had some short stories published, have ghostwritten both novels and “autobiographies,” and currently do a lot of work in marketing, writing copy.
I can tell you, with complete alacrity, that the notes given on this pitch were mild compared to some of the ones I’ve seen in the past.
They might seem blunt but every one is important to the story and it’s the editor’s job to understand that. When he’s asking ‘what’ or ‘how’ it’s because he doesn’t want readers to have to start thinking between panels.
It was Hitchcock who said that an audience that is thinking isn’t emoting. Any questions your reader gets stuck on will pull them out of the story. Plus, some of the notes in here are clearly so the artists know what they need to draw.
It does seem harsh from the outside but it’s that blunt, professional detached style that writers get to accept and appreciate from their editors over time.
This is accurate. In its way its respectful to treat even a novice as a pro. And when it comes to writing, the default when it comes to feedback is none. Form rejections were the typical response, a "we liked it but didn't like it enough. Our opinion is subjective, so you can shop it around to others, though. Good luck and don't bother us anymore."
This has even given away to the newest form of rejection "No response means no. If we want it, we'll contact you." It's even gotten abbreviated as NoRMN or NoRMAN (No Response Means A No).
I get the harshness can be off-putting. I've had some of my students hate my blunt style, but it's all in the service of trying to improve the writer. To couch comments nicely using softer language would take a lot of time when there's always more to edit.
I've been a journalist for more than 20 years and I can tell you that it is normal to have an editor whip out the Red Pen of Doom and rip apart a story.
I remember a reporter telling me that an editor actually printed out her story and set it on fire in the middle of the newsroom and told her to go and write it again.
However, I like to think that I have never been that harsh.
As an Illustrator I can say that this is very accurate to my experience as well. Art directors will often give very harshly worded feedback, not to discourage you but to make you see where the problematic elements of your piece are. It’s seen as a waste of time to sugarcoat criticism, because softer criticism can be ignored.
It's nice to know that after all these years, a fan was given credit for an idea that helped shape Spidey's history.
The term "fashion plate" refers to the publishing practices of the 19th century. Magazines used to be illustrated with steel engravings (or "plates") of the most recent fashions of the day, the Vogue of its day. Hence, any woman following this news closely came to be referred to as a "fashion plate".
A long time ago, Marvel had a contest to give an origin of the Silver Surfer, I entered and though I did not win ( I could not think of a good name, my bad) I got my name mentioned in issue 4,vol4 of the Fantastic Four. Yay hehe real time laughing about now.
Yeesh, those comments on the pitch gave me flashbacks to college film studies. As for the comic, it seems alright for a one-off adventure, nothing spectacular. Strangely, the story around it is more interesting to me, and a little inspiring.
"I am such a nerd." -Also me
The way the edits were made, and by the tone of the edits shows that he was truly trying to help the fan to the next level. I have experienced it in my own profession. Back then if a professional gleamed something in someone many times a harder edge approach was taken to help push the person in taking a more critical thinking path. Mentor to student psychology. I take it as he was trying to get the fan to expand his thinking and to consider all avenues. Thanks and love the channel!
7:47 that would be a dangerous tack to take since his boss at the time Jim Shooter, literally got his start as a fan writing in (to DC) when he was 14.
DeFalco once told me that I would never work at Marvel, about 9 years before I did.
What did/do you do at Marvel?
Defining the line between fan and professional often seems fairly tricky to me, especially with legacy/serial fiction where the stories change hands over time. Even if you're paid by Marvel to write Spider-Man, if you aren't Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, you're going to be writing based on your interpretation of who Spidey is and what you think would be interesting to have happen. To my mind, that sounds an awful lot like fan fiction, only sanctioned by the owner of the IP.
Creator-owned work is different, and I am much more willing to accept that Todd McFarlane has ultimate authority on Spawn for as long as he is alive and cares to have it. But I feel like licensed and legacy work would be much better seen as a dialogue between people across space and time. Even if Marvel The Company says that Dan Slott's run of the Fantastic Four is part of canon, Dan Slott is really just sharing what he thinks F4 is about, and there can be just as (if not more) valuable insights into the team provided by someone who writes fan fiction about them.
I started reading comics in the 60's, and in the 80's I was part of a group of talented individuals who were big scifi/comics fans. (I was not one of the drawing/writing/acting talents in the group.) They'd often write to comics writers and artists, and I got to see a lot of the responses. (And I remember when the Marvel envelope changed from having a red & blue Spider-man on it, to a black and white one. (Cost savings?)) Some of the responses where kind, some not, some blunt, mostly I'd say encouraging. And hey, two of my friends went on to work at Marvel for a time. Another one became (and last I heard still is,) an artist at ILM. (As is his son now there too... man I'm old.) One even went from working at a theater in San Jose, (next to the Winchester Mystery House,) to having his name on the marquee for his first head-line film. And another did a self-published comic for a time. (Didn't "take-off") So like with life, there were a lot of responses, but mostly I'd say most artists and writers were fans, who were usually not "elites" or "snobs", but more often interested and encouraging, and kind.
And thank you so very much for your video.
Yes, as I tell people. I'm a big boy, I can take criticism, I want to get better, and fluffing around isn't going to get me there.
GV GV GV ( GV: Great VIdeo), nice to see the inside story of the Black suit,
I heard about it, yet never knew the full story. I love the black and red theme,
I wish you wore all black with red accents for this video, yet you are always on point.
I hope he dons the Black and Red suit soon again, better than his webbed blue and red. IMHO
Peace
Never tell a kid their super villian parent is dead... Even if they ARE dead. There's always a reboot round the corner! Either that or it only leads to tragic revenge driven origins for their own super villain career
Getting critiques is very important for improving. Getting a critique from a professional in what you’re workin in, well that’s extra valuable
I love their friendship. I also love when Bobby Drake hangs with either or both of them.
I did send in a hero, and had it published. DC used to have a book called Dial 'H' for Hero in the late 70's/early 80's. They wanted submissions from readers, so I sent in a couple. I was either 13 or 15, and wasn't good at art, but I made a sketch as best as I could. In the very first premiere of the comic (as a free insert in Legion of Super Heroes) I noticed a character similar to mine, but with a much less colorful costume. Turned the page, and it was my character, name and all, and I was credited below as the creator (name, age, city and state). Now, this was only the first of many heroes the character became, but the character was seen twice more: once in a flashback of the first change, and again in a double page spread showing all the characters they had been up to that point. No credit given again, as they did say upfront that you would get credit the first time, but then they got creative control if they wished to use the character again, with no compensation or credit (we were supposed to get a T-shirt if they used our character, but i never received one). Nevertheless, it was pretty cool at the time.
You are a hero for making a video like this. From what I saw the letter wasn’t harsh but it did treat Randy like seasoned professional. It’s almost cool but probably unnecessary.
I just noticed Reed’s costume looks like Knulls armor.
I haven't ever submitted a story pitch, but when I was trying to develop my artwork specifically for comics, I went to an open portfolio viewing with Shelly Bond (Vertigo - notably edited Fables among other things, worked directly under Karen Berger for a long time) - I don't think she was blunt, if anything she was very friendly and supportive, but she was direct - I think maybe she deliberately found things to compliment along with critiquing, so I came away saying to myself "Okay, so I need to do more life drawing, work on my fundamentals, but Shelly Bond thinks I'm good at creating mood!" - it was instructive, she didn't candy coat my shortcomings, but she didn't make it seem final at all, encouraged me to keep her posted in the future. I never did
Maybe it didn't help that the life drawing sessions I went to were also attended by Dylan Teague and David Roach, both pro comics artists, so I kept looking at what they were doing and felt crappy about my own work!
Another great job!! As an almost exclusive DC reader, this one was full of new information to me!! You asked about other costume changes that were not well received, and I immediately thought of two. The Zatanna leotard outfit that she was given when she joined the Justice League in 1978. The other is the legless, shoulderless disco era Cosmic Boy costume created by Mike Grell!
I'm so glad I found this channel, it has quickly and legitimately become one of my favorite and most frequented.
1. Some people are naturally more harsh/blunt critics. Is it always pleasant to deal with? No, but you’ve gotta learn to roll with the punches. Whether or not such critics are the norm for a person or industry can only really be known with further interactions.
2. Wanting acknowledgement is a normal and valid feeling, especially as a fan.
3. Sometimes in order to deal with overzealous or entitled fans creators become harsh or do what they feel is necessary to create a distance between them and fans. However, not all fans are crazy and creators open themselves to criticism and people taking their work and running with it when it’s put in the open. Most fan works are done to show one’s enthusiasm and love for a work, or at least one’s takeaway.
I never knew any of this. Sasha's record for teaching me something new with each video continues.
"If you see somebody in green, just immediately run away."
Which is why leprechauns are immediately arrested and deported at Ellis Island.
I must admit to being torn as well. There is part of me that wants to think that DeFalco's brusqueness is the way things are done--they don't have time to be "nice." Another part of me thinks that your initial reaction was right; this was the attempt by a "pro" to keep us fans in our lane. Without hearing DeFalco's side of it, we may never know.
I've heard Shooter would actually do something similar when he had time. Really gave a prospective artist some Tough Love.
I love your enthusiasm and your videos are really informative and fun to watch!
Aaaaahhh you bring back so many memories of joyful comic reading in school. I remember the black suit I was so loved it at the time
It's fine. His TNG novel "Imzadi" was beautiful. I read it in high school, and it's one of the few books to bring tears to my eyes.
Oh Sasha... I heart you 😊. I'm a big fan and I loved your video. I see you have a firm hold on comics and that really makes me a fan of yours. Keep up the good work.
I find it interesting that Defalco was such a hardass as an editor. As a writer he himself was a mediocre hack whose storytelling abilities never rose above entry level competence. Physician, heal thyself.
Exactly! LOL. He was never a god writer and MC2 would have been good if he wasn`t involved.
But you don't have to be a great writer to recognize bad writing.
Q is my favorite character from Star Trek next generation. The last episode when Q showed Picard the goo of humanity. Chills. I have to start watching Picard.
I love your content keep up the awesome job
I think you just made Randy's day
Sasha, you are good!
You cover as much as you can with all the pieces of information related to the topic; that's exactly what I try to do in my written column: www.spidermancrawlspace.com/category/weblines/
I wish I could encompass all the comics I've read from Marvel and DC, but I've decided to stick to Spider-Man (my favorite) only - otherwise, I'd spend the rest of my days writing about everything I like and dislike about comics because I am unable to stand in front of a camera and speak.
On a more personal note, I wish I could have more friends like you - deep nerdy talk is missed.
Still, thanks a lot for it; I have subscribed to your channel.
Cheers!
Q In Law, by Peter David was peak petty Worf.
Picard - Lwuxana is smacking the taste out of Q! What should we do?
Worf - Sell tickets. 😂😂😂
Those notes sound very reminiscent of many of my scripts I submitted to my professors.
"I go hard!" 🤣
This channel is so happy wtf I like it so much.
I loved the Stark Trek TNG/X-Men crossover fic by David!
In my youth I attempted to write comic book treatments but never submitted anything serious because in the end I found the format too restrictive. You need to show and not tell. It's very difficult to convey what's going on in one's head and convert it into snapshot panels on a page. Had I kept at it I probably would have eventually cracked the code, but I didn't and that's that.
Quitter
Love the channel! Always down for more Marvel stuff! I like your DC stuff as well. DC kind of lost me after the mess that was the New 52. Though the Rogers, Giffen, Hamner run on Blue Beetle is one of my favorites.
Nope, I think the notes were on point, from what I see he was reading it the same way a fan would read it and his points where questions that fans would ask, for instance in a recent issue of the The Man of Tomorrow we see Superman get taken out by Titano and him ACTUALLY STRUGGLING to lift the paw he was under, no hint of Kryptonite, no hint of magic, no red sun and Titano actually manages to knock him out!!!!! Where the hell was the editor for this?? I know it's only a comic but THIS IS THE GUY THAT WENT ONE ON ONE WITH DOOMSDAY and got knocked out by a GIANT APE, yeah the "bluntness" was required otherwise we get issues like that.
Ur channel is amazing!! Keep em coming !
I have the fan distinction of creating the world's first Firefly Audio Drama. It was one of the first AD's I did. And if you can struggle through the acting, it still pretty well holds up. We had an original sound track as well from a friend of mine and you can still buy the CD for your next "Shindig". For those interested, go look up "Badger Books Audio Drama" and "Firefly Old Wounds"... Six episodes, and then a special afterwards called "Firefly Wedding Day". Fun times.
I might be a couple years late but I can confirm that these sort of notes are normal. It's not that they're trying to be an asshole, they're trying to be concise. When you have to go through numerous letters like this a day you go though them as quick as possible. The fact that he got a response with notes and suggestions at all is actually quite remarkable. It showed that they thought it had promise, but needed refinement. You NEVER want an editor that kisses your ass. You don't want one that completely destroys you either. It's a fine line and I don't personally feel like this crossed it.
4:02 Something so scandalous, my screen just died. Lizard, Scorpion, Mysterio, Doc Ock, Vulture, Sandman ( shirt), Green Goblin, Beetle . Yup. flee from Green.
I had a marvel Editor teach a writing class and he gave notes like this. SOmetimes they just want clarification, but mostly i think they have a standard and they dont turn that on and off. The standard is the standard no matter who is submitting. Now if this was Jim Shooter, I would have said he wrote those things to be an ass.
AWESOME editing Sasha!!!!! Great job as well, lipstick, eye shadow, and hair match wonderfully. Superb!!! Those were standard critiques, they were dickish ALWAYS. Probably still are. PEACE amazing Lady, till next we meet around the screen.
The awesome 1999 6-issue series "Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold" fairly definitively states that Hal and Barry are best friends. Which at the time I found blasphemous because I flipped through my uncle's early 70's GL/GA comics in the late 70's when I was short.
I once sent some fanart to Dark Horse for when they were publishing the Shinji Ikari Raising Project manga. They added both drawings in issue #12. Kinda proud of that.
Did you get paid or credited?
2019 NY was still a sleazy place to be but not like 83 when I lived there , Loved NY then anything could happen good or bad and crazy as hell.
Spidey's difficulty with the cybersystem actually reminds me of Tom Holland's Spiderman's issues with the Stark suit and tech he was given.
I love the way you think. This was wonderful. You give way too much...OMG.....Thanks for great video.........and yes, you look lovely.
I admit I pitched a Super Friends script. Still have the rejection letter.
I'm glad I found this video because no one else explains the story better, they just hold the book in their hands and ramble. About Completely different things but it's really sad to think that marvel doesn't completely know that fans could even know more than them. Like marvel, writing today is really bad, look at spiderman today like spider boy seriously. Don't get me started on the ultimates
I've really been enjoying your channel. Sorry to hear you hate my favorite hero, I know its pretty trendy to hate on Mr. Fantastic but I still love him. Loving the videos too!
When I was a kid my dad’s cousin was an editor for marvel so one thanksgiving I got to edit a black widow comic! As a fanboy I thought it was the coolest thing even though all I did was capitalized a word or two 😂
I like the red and black color scheme: they made a similar costume for the PS4 Spider-Man game and it's one of my favorites. My problem with this story and the original pitch: why would Spidey give up the suit? It's so much better than his regular cloth uniform!
1) Sasha's top looks like the 90s trickster costume on the Flash TV show.
2) Peter David's most enjoyable work is his New Frontier series. I wanted Ca[tain Calhoun to timetravel and meet James T. Kirk.
This video came across my feed today and I am so glad it did. I really enjoyed the video and how you presented all the info. You just gained a new fan. Can’t wait to watch your other videos 😁👍🏻
In Secret Wars Spider-woman (version ???) had the black costume on first, so isn't the idea for Spidey's suit from that (his thought bubble in panel hints at this?), but no red hair...that's hers...and she owns it!!
Oh yeah. Once during planet hulk and the civil war crap, I sent back an idea to Marvel alright. Two in fact. One where the Hulk comes back from Planet hulk with a thirst for vengeance, and that leads to, long story short (also I don't remember the details of my pitch anymore), Tony stark being put out of commission for a while and a woman picks up his mantle at least for a while. I never heard from Marvel again, and that was the last time I ever wrote them shit.
I love these videos more than I should do, I watch them while I work (well during isolation "working")
I'm a bit concerned you've highlighted my nefarious side
1. My favoutire colour is green
2. I scare kids even though I'm actually doing something nice.
And just like you Sasha, I would go hysterical from being hyper sensitive about a slightly harsh criticism. *flips occasional table *😬😤🤬🙈
Which makes me wonder is the real reason Dr Doom is here because one day Reed, obnoxiously critiqued one of his equations in uni with a red pen and it all snowballed from there?!
Who likes green in the Marvel Universe?
Dr. Doom, Mad Thinker, Molecule Man, Kang, Jack O'Lantern, Will-O-the Wisp, Super-Adaptoid, the Red Skull, Baron Mordo, Loki, Enchantress, Jester, Plant Man, Nightmare, Psycho-Man, Cobra, Mr. Hyde, Viper, Anaconda, the Fixer, Annihilus, the Unicorn, Titanium Man, Hydra, and the entire Skrull empire.
I think those notes are actually pretty good and average. Blunt notes are always the best. I know when I started writing the people I would ask to look over my stuff did ask a lot of "why?" and "how?" as well as pointing out inconsistencies and unrealistic dialog and actions. Schuler wasn't a writer and Defalco should have been more helpful and less blunt, but DeFalco is used to working with professionals, so those blunt simple notes are generally good enough for the writers to make adjustments. Point being, if you start taking notes from bros, prepare to be hurt and angry, cause they won't hold back and they shouldn't hold back
Bruh… those notes in the pitch were soooo tame. That’s how creators should treat each other as contemporaries; after all, our ideas are not just good because we are special little flowers, our ideas are good if they’re good. And if they’re NOT good, you need to call that out.
Another amazing video by Empress Sasha
That's how Spidey might have gotten the BLACK SUIT if this were EARTH 2, but in the REAL UNIVERSE, he got the suit in SECRET WARS...lol
well done piece; glad I watched it. :)
I'm glad that you woke up that PC that went to sleep. Good editing
When you submit any material, music, writing, otherwise, taking rejection- hard rejection, with no input- or harsh critiques with harsher notes, is par for the course.
As a professional musician/songwriter, you learn to let go of each song once completed. The more detached, the better you can take rejection, or criticisms.
Many people cannot take it, and sadly give up, even though they might be diamonds in the rough.....
It’s good to get a different take on something you create. It makes you a better creative
Sent in something as a fan. Well.. kind of? Not for something like this... So, when I was growing up, I loved banana NesQuick (then just called Quick), and it suddenly vanished from the shelves. So I sent in to Nestle to ask why and if I could buy it direct (I was that kind of kid). Turns out, I lived in a test area, and the banana flavor was just a test and it didn't do so hot so they pulled it. But they also sent me like, $200 worth of coupons for Nestle products. I was a very happy 10 year old. It all went to strawberry quick and candy. No chocolate. I can't stand it (I'm also mildly allergic).
I always thought Tom DeFalco to be a really ordinary and hacky writer whose scripts are every warmed-over concept in comics. However, while he was no Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, Steve Englehart, Denny O'Neil, etc, he probably did a lot for Marvel Comics as an organization.
Cynical me. I always thought it was because the Secret Wars toy licensee didn’t want paint red and black and all the web lines on the action figure.
As a teen I sent a pitch to Marvel for a new character series. The idea was that it would examine the hero from the periphery, so the first issue starts with the titular hero saving a woman from a mugging, but of the rest of the issue follows the woman, who eventually figures out the identity of the hero. The notes I got back from Tom DeFalco were brutal, stressing that it didn't explain the hero or his motivations. I was crushed, as that was sort of the point of my pitch, but in retrospect I see that I probably didn't make my intentions super clear. I never wrote another comic pitch, though. 😀
Jim Lee said you know they like you when they rip you a new one. It’s when they are nice that you have a long way to go lol. But that’s with art. Idk about story.
"Green is the true villain colour of the Marvel universe" Poor Hulk, you should still run the other way, but still poor hulk.
had this went down today it be fan story and never seen past the internet
2:51 DC also has a “fight the man” Firebrand. They’re way more obnoxious.
I spent a lot of times trying to get firebrands separated on stashmycomics
I submitted an idea for a 5th ninja turtle with a gold bandana to the 90s Archie TMNT comic. They sent me a postcard that basically said thanks but no thanks politely
I haven’t read comics in years but i sent this one idea to marvel where he sells his marriage to the devil...
I always thought when they did the costume in the movies, they should have ended the previous movie with Spider-Man seeing other heroes heading for the Beyonder's construct and following them, just like the book. And then the next movie starts with him leaving the construct in the new suit. Did they ever explain why the creature was in that lab? I never cared for Venom either, but if you're doing Spider-Man movies, you've got to do Venom.
I like the origin black suite Spidey in Marvel Secret Wars.
Dope outfit
Thanks!
Thank you sooooooo much for this. I prefer spidy's black costume.
I don’t think those notes are harsh at all, he’s just trying to make it a better story
I want this suit in some games
After the new 52, I was so upset that I made my own New 52 on DeviantArt. 52 complete sketches with character backstories, ranging from a “Bruce Wayne leads Checkmate” book to a Superman reboot to a “Teen Titans vs Young Justice” battle book. I loved the ideas at the time, but looking back on them, I’m happy just to have my nice little slice of fan fiction on the internet.
That actually sounds cool! I recently, 2017-2019 began posting on DeviantArt the first drawings of my own DC/Marvel fanfic. I am still working on it as I am very disappointed with the current messy continuity in both universes.
As an artist, this is how a lot of is critique each other. Blunt= unfiltered suggestions for improvement
They should have used this red n black good together n there in the original suit.
Although, Reed being Reed, this isn't a surprise, he could have been more considerate of Peter's preferences and either stuck to the existing design or consulted with Peter about the design.....
DeFalco sounds like he wants a full script, not a story pitch. The pitch isn't going to give you all the visuals as Spidey considers keeping the costume.
This is probably why most people who have ideas either keep them to themselves or just not submit them Marvel or DC comics. Now I don't feel so bad about SONY making Marvel bow to them just to get Spider-man into their movies.