The Big Question with Mark Waid, Part 2: 8-30-00
The Big Question with Mark Waid
Part 2
Interview with: Troy Brownfield
As you know, Mark Waid recently visited the Big Question. At that time, however, he hadn’t made the HUGE announcement that he would soon be moving to Florida, and CrossGen Comics! CrossGen, the new company that has roared out of the gate this year with an impressive studio system, a money-back guarantee on its books, and high-quality product, managed to obtain Waid as a new Senior Writer. Waid is best-known for The Flash, Kingdom Come, Impulse, Captain America and his creator-owned Empire (with Gorilla Comics). Currently, he’s also the writer on JLA.
So, once again, here’s Mark Waid!
THE BIG Q&A
Q1: With your move to CrossGen, you now have a definite “end date” on your JLA run. Will you take advantage of that to build your plot threads to a BIG FINISH as Morrison did, or will you simply work harder at establishing a framework for the continuation of the book?
A1. I honestly haven’t yet given it much thought, but now that you mention it, I’d better have one hell of a finale planned. Oh! I know! But I can’t tell you.
Q2. I understand that “Empire” will continue for several months. Does this mean that you won’t be releasing more Gorilla work after your work begins for CrossGen?
A2. That’s the way it looks right now–but keep reading EMPIRE!
Q3. Can you give us any details at present about your plans for “Sigil”, and are you developing new titles?
A3. Barbara Kesel and I have yet to sit down and have our Official Sigil Hand-Off Talk. I am indeed developing a new title. At this time, it’s too early to discuss it, but trust me–what they have in mind for marketing alone would have swayed me to take the assignment somehow, some way. It’ll be the biggest writing challenge of my career, that’s for sure.
Q4. The “fan” reaction to your move seems to be one of complete shock. However, given your apparent problems with Marvel editorial and other issues in recent years, it seems fairly logical. Could you tell us about some of the particulars of your decision?
A4. Really, what it comes down to is this: the industry’s in trouble, and having worked in every aspect of it over the past 16 years…well, I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to HELP in an administrative capacity, but there’s ABSOLUTELY nothing I can do strictly as a freelance writer. I want to be with a well-financed company that’s willing to experiment, to grow, and to find new markets.
Q5. What, in the long run, do you hope to accomplish with a tenure at CrossGen?
A5. I want to help Mark Alessi create a new paradigm for the way freelancers should be treated by publishers–with respect rather than with contempt.
We’d like to thank Mark Waid for dropping by once again! I’d like to note that some of us got the chance to see Mr. Waid speak at Chicago at Wizard World and briefly speak to him ourselves; he’s a remarkably personable and funny guy who honestly loves comics. We wish him all the best with his new endeavor. Visit the CrossGen web site at www.crossgen.com. And oh yeah, read Empire.
Troy Brownfield is the Editor-In-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. He can’t believe that he got Mark Waid as guest once, let alone twice. Email Troy at psikotyk@aol.com.
