JMS on the Surfer, THE TWELVE, and I'm gonna write me a letter

[thehefner]

BABYLON 5 mastermind J. Michael Straczynski interviewed about his screenplay for the SILVER SURFER movie. God, I hope this happens. If anyone could do justice to Norrin Radd (and pull off a badass Kirby-esque Galactus), it'd be Joe.

By the way, if you're not reading THE TWELVE from Marvel, you are missing out. It's already getting likened to WATCHMEN, which is bullcrap for a number of reasons... but it's not unreasonable bullcrap, if you know what I mean. I'd personally liken it to THE GOLDEN AGE and NEW FRONTIER, it definitely belongs to their ranks (so far, I think it's even surpassed the former). If this story keeps the momentum going and packs a powerful ending, we just might have one of the best superhero stories of the decade on our hands.

And yes, disc_sophist, the Blue Blade is indeed magnificent. Not to mention hilariously out of touch.



A major reason why I posted that Harvey Dent comic yesterday was because I was and still am deeply disappointed and frustrated that it was being excluded from the BATMAN VS. TWO-FACE trade paperback, a collection of classic Two-Face stories released to coincide with THE DARK KNIGHT. It's the definitive Harvey Dent comic, and it was snubbed in favor of what-- that horrible Doug Moench/Kelley Jones two-part story from the 90's and (even more insultingly) "that" scene from FACE THE FACE? Ugh.

My anger mellowed some when I posted the scans, finding some measure of contentment in knowing I gave that little-read comic a touch more exposure than it had before. We take our victories where we can, right? But then I went into the comic store and actually read BATMAN VS. TWO-FACE, and it started all over again. I decided it wasn't enough to just go on a message board and bitch. I needed to write to DC, specifically to the editor in charge of the collection.

Problem was, I couldn't find his e-mail address, and DC (wisely) only lists business contact info on their website. I thought all was lost, I'd just need to swallow it and try not to be bitter. But then I remembered, no, wait, what did I use to do in these situations? How did I write to someone before I learned to do e-mail?

My god. It... could it be done? Could I actually write them... a letter? My Jove, it's so crazy it just might work!

I'm rather proud of the letter I wrote to the editor. Mom insisted on reading it, perhaps fearing I'd write something too fan-bitchy and ranting, and she agreed it's an excellent letter. Of course, chances are good that the editor will just shrug it off, especially nothing can be done*, but we'll see.

Hopefully at least my voice will be heard, which is about as much as anybody can hope for when standing up to The Man.



*Unless, as I suggested in the letter, they were to do a Volume Two, which could additionally include Matt Wagner's "Faces." I wonder what else would go well in there?

Comments

[kali921.livejournal.com]

Well, give us the text of the letter! C'mon, don't leave us in the dark! :-)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Oh! Okay, um... yeah, here it is:

Dear Mr. ____,
I’m writing with the assumption that you—as the editor of the Batman vs. Two-Face trade paperback—were in charge of selecting the stories included in the collection. If you are not, forgive me and please refer this letter to the proper sources.
As a lifelong fan of Batman and especially Two-Face, I was overjoyed to learn of this collection, as we hadn’t seen one of its kind since 1997. However, while the majority of the stories were excellent selections, truly essential for this kind of collection, I must express deep disappointment and frustration at the exclusion of what is surely the definitive Harvey Dent story: 1990’s “Eye of the Beholder,” from Batman Annual # 14.
This is the story that single-handedly introduced the history of child abuse (adding a powerful level of real-life tragedy and realistic psychological weight), the rooftop meeting of Dent, Gordon, and Batman and the partnership that followed, and even his treacherous assistant, Fields. The Long Halloween is virtually tailored after “Eye of the Beholder” in many respects (as will, I’m assuming, The Dark Knight) yet the portrayal of Harvey Dent in that 1990 story remains unsurpassed.
As an assistant manager at Big Planet Comics in Bethesda, MD, and in Washington, DC, I’ve done my meager part to champion that little-read gem, and virtually everyone to whom I’ve lent my ratty old copy has been blown away. But as it remains out of print, it’s become increasingly difficult to give it the exposure it deserves.
So I cannot for the life of me fathom why the closest thing Two-Face has to a Killing Joke would be excluded from what is essentially a Greatest Two-Face Stories Ever Told collection, especially in favor of the Doug Moench/Kelley Jones two-parter and the single issue from Face the Face. The former has to be one of the worst portrayals of Two-Face I’ve ever seen, a one-note reduction that casts him virtually as a villain before the acid even hit, while the latter is a segment from the middle of a storyline that—I need not point out—is still in print. Its inclusion is pointless and redundant.
Perhaps most bizarre of all, even the two-page origin from Countdown—included in this very collection—lists Batman Annual #14 first and foremost as one of Two-Face’s “Essential Storylines!” I cannot imagine the story ever being reprinted in any other format but precisely Batman vs. Two-Face, and its exclusion is a real crime and loss for lovers of Batman and his rogues gallery.
I realize that nothing can be done, barring the publication of a “Volume 2,” which would certainly be fitting for the character. Heck, if you did that, you could even include Matt Wagner’s “Faces.” Until or unless that even occurs, I nevertheless remain puzzled, frustrated, and deeply disappointed.

Sincerely,

So on and so forth.

[kali921.livejournal.com]

Why did you redact the editor's name? Who was the editor on the collection, btw? (I was actually thinking of buying the collection this week - should I?)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Eh, just trying to be safe, for whatever reason I can't think of off hand. But it's probably a little silly, since you can look in that or any DC collection and see his name as the editor of collections, Bob Joy.

Should you buy the collection? Well, my frustration aside, I say yes. Because really, the majority of the stuff there is good (just not as good as "Eye of the Beholder"), and it's especially a treat to see the Neal Adams' Two-Face comic with tasteful modern cool coloring. And hey, if they sell enough, maybe it'll encourage DC to go ahead and publish that second volume!

Personally, I was so sickened and frustrated that I didn't buy the book myself. Me! But if he writes back and says a second volume could be a possibility, heck, maybe I will.

You've read "Eye of the Beholder," right?

JMS + Silver Surfer Movie = Awesome!

[american-arcane.livejournal.com]

Yeah... that could work very well. Very well, indeed.

Also, good letter. Here's hoping you get a response... I bet they're not all that used to reasonable suggestions. :)

Re: JMS + Silver Surfer Movie = Awesome!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I can't think of anyone off-hand who does philosophical space opera better.

And thanks. Ooh, if nothing else, the second volume could also collect the upcoming new Harvey Dent origin TWO-FACE YEAR ONE. I don't care if it's any good or not, just as long as we get that one story back in print! Eh, if Mr. Joy responds to my letter, maybe I'll suggest it to him.