Comments on: Where have you gone, Sal Buscema? http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sun, 8 Nov 2009 12:01:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: jonnynyc http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-2517 Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:36:33 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-2517 hitchy is this years brownie youre doing a heck of a job hitchy is this years brownie youre doing a heck of a job

]]> by: Rob http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1960 Sat, 19 Aug 2006 16:45:56 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1960 Y'know, the problem isn't that Steve McNiven ain't no Sal Buscema. Few people are total masters of storytelling like Sal or Steve. The problem is the *editors* and the *editors in chief.* So Sal can do two books a month. Fine. He can be scheduled that way and I for one *looooooooved* his long run on Spectacular Spider-Man (1st series, not counting the magazine). But Steve McNiven, we know he takes six weeks to turn out each fantastic issue. That's fine, that's great. No harm, no foul. He does a seven issue book, that means it's going to take him at least a full year to do that seven issue project. That means, if you're an editor, you don't solicit even *one* issue until he's *finished* the *fourth* issue. Or halfway through the series. Steve turned in his first pages of Civil War #1 in January -- that means that the first issue shouldn't have been solicited until JULY. Don't tell me as an editor or editor in chief that your economics can't handle holding off on soliciting a project the scope of Civil War until your star artist can handle it. We know that as a multitensofmilliondollarcorporation that you *can* schedule these super projects with something more closely resembling sanity for the artist, and therefore for the retailers and therfore for the readers like me. Don't tell me that you're going to make another Steve McNiven essentially start his amazing work three months behind just by saying yes to it. It isn't fair to any of us that you've done this to him. Get your g-----n acts together and give your artists realistic lead times. And if your writers from TV and Film can't get their acts together and turn in their scripts -- FIRE THEM. There are more than enough writers to pull the weight that these TV and film writers can't. Y’know, the problem isn’t that Steve McNiven ain’t no Sal Buscema. Few people are total masters of storytelling like Sal or Steve. The problem is the *editors* and the *editors in chief.* So Sal can do two books a month. Fine. He can be scheduled that way and I for one *looooooooved* his long run on Spectacular Spider-Man (1st series, not counting the magazine). But Steve McNiven, we know he takes six weeks to turn out each fantastic issue. That’s fine, that’s great. No harm, no foul. He does a seven issue book, that means it’s going to take him at least a full year to do that seven issue project. That means, if you’re an editor, you don’t solicit even *one* issue until he’s *finished* the *fourth* issue. Or halfway through the series. Steve turned in his first pages of Civil War #1 in January — that means that the first issue shouldn’t have been solicited until JULY. Don’t tell me as an editor or editor in chief that your economics can’t handle holding off on soliciting a project the scope of Civil War until your star artist can handle it. We know that as a multitensofmilliondollarcorporation that you *can* schedule these super projects with something more closely resembling sanity for the artist, and therefore for the retailers and therfore for the readers like me. Don’t tell me that you’re going to make another Steve McNiven essentially start his amazing work three months behind just by saying yes to it. It isn’t fair to any of us that you’ve done this to him. Get your g—–n acts together and give your artists realistic lead times. And if your writers from TV and Film can’t get their acts together and turn in their scripts — FIRE THEM. There are more than enough writers to pull the weight that these TV and film writers can’t.

]]> by: Sphinx Magoo http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1948 Sat, 19 Aug 2006 14:28:28 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1948 Wow, what a match Marvel could make if they paired up Sal Buscema and Brian Michael Bendis.... Wow, what a match Marvel could make if they paired up Sal Buscema and Brian Michael Bendis….

]]> by: Chad http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1705 Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:37:08 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1705 yeah, but look at the level of detail in work by a Hitch or a McNiven compared to more reliable, consistent artists like Buscema, Romita JR (even Bagley and Larocca). These guys are all brilliant storytellers and I love their work. I whole-heartedly applaud their ability to produce high quality work on often a bi-weekly schedule - it's truly amazing. It's also the exception, not the rule. I'm more than happy to wait for my next Cassady comic, Hitch comic or McNiven comic. Their art is worth the wait. I don't want these guys to rush - i want them to amaze me when i pick up an issue. Of course, if they COULD put out multiple issues a month I'd be even happier... yeah, but look at the level of detail in work by a Hitch or a McNiven compared to more reliable, consistent artists like Buscema, Romita JR (even Bagley and Larocca).

These guys are all brilliant storytellers and I love their work. I whole-heartedly applaud their ability to produce high quality work on often a bi-weekly schedule - it’s truly amazing.

It’s also the exception, not the rule.

I’m more than happy to wait for my next Cassady comic, Hitch comic or McNiven comic. Their art is worth the wait. I don’t want these guys to rush - i want them to amaze me when i pick up an issue.

Of course, if they COULD put out multiple issues a month I’d be even happier…

]]> by: Joe Willy http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1688 Thu, 17 Aug 2006 02:20:03 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1688 Don't you think the REAL reason Marvel decided to not go with a fill in artist is because they know what the sales of the complete hardcover are going to be if it's all McNiven versus if they just throw it out there with whatever artists was walking through the office at that time? I was in a shop today doing a signing and the owner groused to every single customer about this whole issue and, while I agree with Heidi that some people like to bitch and still buy the books, I do wonder how much this could hurt retailers which is the last thing the industry needs especially as it seems to finally be picking up some steam after years of stagnation and depression- then again if fans have extra money in their pocket maybe they'll finally start checking out some really great independent books they've been walking past with their nose in the air as they seek out their spandex fix. Don’t you think the REAL reason Marvel decided to not go with a fill in artist is because they know what the sales of the complete hardcover are going to be if it’s all McNiven versus if they just throw it out there with whatever artists was walking through the office at that time?

I was in a shop today doing a signing and the owner groused to every single customer about this whole issue and, while I agree with Heidi that some people like to bitch and still buy the books, I do wonder how much this could hurt retailers which is the last thing the industry needs especially as it seems to finally be picking up some steam after years of stagnation and depression- then again if fans have extra money in their pocket maybe they’ll finally start checking out some really great independent books they’ve been walking past with their nose in the air as they seek out their spandex fix.

]]> by: Sphinx Magoo http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1684 Thu, 17 Aug 2006 01:16:02 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1684 Where have you gone, Sal Buscema? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you Woo woo woo What's that you say, Ms. MacDonald, Our pal Sal has left and gone away? Hey hey hey Hey hey hey Where have you gone, Sal Buscema?
Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you
Woo woo woo
What’s that you say, Ms. MacDonald,
Our pal Sal has left and gone away?
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey

]]> by: Sphinx Magoo http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1683 Thu, 17 Aug 2006 00:41:36 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1683 Let's see... if memory serves correctly Sal Buscema used to do Captain America, Avengers, and Defenders (plus any number of fill-in issues) all at one time. Later on, he'd do Marvel Team-Up, Spectacular Spider-Man, and Rom (and again with any number of fill-ins, like Daredevil, Marvel Two-In-One and on and on). Even John Byrne, at his peak, was doing Fantastic Four, the Avengers and the X-Men all in one month. But I'm sure if they had the page rates then that artists do now, they might've taken things a little bit easier. When putting bread on the table is an issue, and a missed deadline might affect future earning potential, it's important to make sure that deadline is met. Let’s see… if memory serves correctly Sal Buscema used to do Captain America, Avengers, and Defenders (plus any number of fill-in issues) all at one time. Later on, he’d do Marvel Team-Up, Spectacular Spider-Man, and Rom (and again with any number of fill-ins, like Daredevil, Marvel Two-In-One and on and on). Even John Byrne, at his peak, was doing Fantastic Four, the Avengers and the X-Men all in one month.

But I’m sure if they had the page rates then that artists do now, they might’ve taken things a little bit easier. When putting bread on the table is an issue, and a missed deadline might affect future earning potential, it’s important to make sure that deadline is met.

]]> by: Chaka Sidyn http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1668 Wed, 16 Aug 2006 21:09:33 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1668 John Romita Jr is still working, and always in schedulle. An on the Planetary side, it's just a bad editorial decision, instead of being releasing 1 or 2 floopies a year they could wait thil they had at least 3 comics complete a launch 3/4 comics or go the Hellboy road. Mike Mignola as keep the numering the hellboy comics in the inside cover but releases it as mini-series. It seems the best way to work with top talent. Release as mini-series. Maybe I have to wait a year ot two, but then it pays of, for a few month you get to read a story. Everytime i pick up a new issue of planetary .... it's just because of adiction, i can't even remember the subplots... John Romita Jr is still working, and always in schedulle.

An on the Planetary side, it’s just a bad editorial decision, instead of being releasing 1 or 2 floopies a year they could wait thil they had at least 3 comics complete a launch 3/4 comics or go the Hellboy road.

Mike Mignola as keep the numering the hellboy comics in the inside cover but releases it as mini-series. It seems the best way to work with top talent. Release as mini-series. Maybe I have to wait a year ot two, but then it pays of, for a few month you get to read a story. Everytime i pick up a new issue of planetary …. it’s just because of adiction, i can’t even remember the subplots…

]]> by: The Four Color Media Monitor http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1653 Wed, 16 Aug 2006 18:53:50 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1653 <strong>One more reason why comics get ruined: costly dela...</strong> There is a lesson to be learned here. The question is if the editors themselves are willing to sit up and listen. Depending on how you view it, some of this is bad news: both of the big two are having massive delays in when a book goes to press:... One more reason why comics get ruined: costly dela…

There is a lesson to be learned here. The question is if the editors themselves are willing to sit up and listen. Depending on how you view it, some of this is bad news: both of the big two are having massive delays in when a book goes to press:…

]]> by: Brian Spence http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1648 Wed, 16 Aug 2006 18:27:36 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1648 This is good news. I have to give Marvel credit for wanting to have a solid book with a consistent creative team from start to finish. Of course, if the delay gets worse, McNiven may not have a choice but to be replaced. Hopefully the tie-in books will have the issue after their tie-in come out on time. That would be good for retailers. This is good news. I have to give Marvel credit for wanting to have a solid book with a consistent creative team from start to finish. Of course, if the delay gets worse, McNiven may not have a choice but to be replaced. Hopefully the tie-in books will have the issue after their tie-in come out on time. That would be good for retailers.

]]> by: Damian http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1647 Wed, 16 Aug 2006 18:17:59 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1647 I was also looking for more Sal Buscema info. Is he still drawing stuff or what? His run on Spectacular Spider-Man was some of the best Spidey art this side of Romita. I was also looking for more Sal Buscema info. Is he still drawing stuff or what?
His run on Spectacular Spider-Man was some of the best Spidey art this side of Romita.

]]> by: John Platt http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1643 Wed, 16 Aug 2006 17:25:13 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1643 Oh, wait, I thought this post was about Sal Buscema! I want to know more about Sal Buscema!!! But seriously, even though I think Sal and Jack are/were gods among men, the art of comic book art is different than it was even 10 years ago. The computer coloring techniques alone on Civil War are light years ahead of the flat color on Spectacular Spider-man. Sal was almost a one-man show, and as amazing as he is, I doubt even he could have done Civil War on the same schedule! Oh, wait, I thought this post was about Sal Buscema! I want to know more about Sal Buscema!!!

But seriously, even though I think Sal and Jack are/were gods among men, the art of comic book art is different than it was even 10 years ago. The computer coloring techniques alone on Civil War are light years ahead of the flat color on Spectacular Spider-man. Sal was almost a one-man show, and as amazing as he is, I doubt even he could have done Civil War on the same schedule!

]]> by: Tony Bussert http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1629 Wed, 16 Aug 2006 16:15:19 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1629 The thing that I find weird is the system that the publishers work on. What kind of business model relies on the timeliness of artists, some of the most flaky people in the world? It seems to me that it would make more sense to attach timelines and drop dead dates to these projects. OK, I can see leaving some of the regular monthlies alone, but when you have something like Civil War where you are counting on it to be huge and bring in new reader it would make more sense to plan this out better. They shouldn't even announce a series like this until it's at least 3/4 of it is done so that any production hangups can be taken care of without messing up the shipping schedule. To me this all smacks of stupidity by the publishers or them just not really caring about their consumer base (if we'd all grow some cajones maybe we'd let our dollar speak for us, but we are weak people that cannot live without our comics). Like you said, we all seem to be there every Wednesday. It could be that it's just because I'm in the high tech industry and every project is written in up in a Project Management software so we know how far along we are in the whole thing as well as when the drop dead dates are. It really isn't that different, software engineers are a flaky bunch as well. The thing that I find weird is the system that the publishers work on. What kind of business model relies on the timeliness of artists, some of the most flaky people in the world? It seems to me that it would make more sense to attach timelines and drop dead dates to these projects. OK, I can see leaving some of the regular monthlies alone, but when you have something like Civil War where you are counting on it to be huge and bring in new reader it would make more sense to plan this out better. They shouldn’t even announce a series like this until it’s at least 3/4 of it is done so that any production hangups can be taken care of without messing up the shipping schedule. To me this all smacks of stupidity by the publishers or them just not really caring about their consumer base (if we’d all grow some cajones maybe we’d let our dollar speak for us, but we are weak people that cannot live without our comics). Like you said, we all seem to be there every Wednesday.

It could be that it’s just because I’m in the high tech industry and every project is written in up in a Project Management software so we know how far along we are in the whole thing as well as when the drop dead dates are. It really isn’t that different, software engineers are a flaky bunch as well.

]]> by: Elayne Riggs http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1624 Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:10:22 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/16/where-have-you-gone-sal-buscema/#comment-1624 I dunno, I think some people have rose-colored memories. And you can't really cite exceptionally fast artists (as you have here) to prove a point about artist speed, especially when even those guys had off-months where inventory stories filled in. (I miss the luxury of inventory stories!) Not to mention many books in Ye Olde Days weren't actually monthly anyway (and had much simpler production values than many of today's hyper-illustrated stuff). I think demands on today's artists are a bit heavier than they were of yore (and that's even noting, as some will, that higher page rates are commensurate with those higher demands). And I know a lot of fast and reliable artists besides the one I married. So I really don't think the work ethic has gone downhill as much as some fans may believe it has. I think they're just misremembering (or selectively remembering) the past. It happens to a lot of us when we get old... so very old... I dunno, I think some people have rose-colored memories. And you can’t really cite exceptionally fast artists (as you have here) to prove a point about artist speed, especially when even those guys had off-months where inventory stories filled in. (I miss the luxury of inventory stories!) Not to mention many books in Ye Olde Days weren’t actually monthly anyway (and had much simpler production values than many of today’s hyper-illustrated stuff).

I think demands on today’s artists are a bit heavier than they were of yore (and that’s even noting, as some will, that higher page rates are commensurate with those higher demands). And I know a lot of fast and reliable artists besides the one I married. So I really don’t think the work ethic has gone downhill as much as some fans may believe it has. I think they’re just misremembering (or selectively remembering) the past. It happens to a lot of us when we get old… so very old…

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