1984 Marvel Shooter Column
Oct 10, 2008 9:53:07 GMT -5
Post by starbrand on Oct 10, 2008 9:53:07 GMT -5
I found this online. From Shooter's Marvel column, circa 1984.
When I was a bit younger, one day it occured to me that Marvel Comics could be even better than they were, if only the people who made them would hire a bright, knowledgeable fan--like me--to read over the stuff they were doing before it went out, catch some of the little gaffs, check the continuity, give creative advice from the fan point of view, and in general, guard the integrity of the Marvel Universe.
Well, they did hire such a person--me, in fact--back in 1978. Since them, I've learned how hard it is to do all of the above--even when you're vested with the absolute, staggering authority and wonderfully nifty title of Editor in Chief.
It still amazes me sometimes, being Editor in Chief--being pretty much in charge of all the comics and magazines Marvel publishes and all of the editors and other people who work on them.
But, I haven't forgotten what the title really should be--something like Executive Fan Representative, or maybe Designated Fan. And, I haven't lost sight of what I'd hoped to accomplish way back when, before I got this job.
Like I said, as it turns out, it isn't easy.
But, I'm still trying. And I'm getting better at it, I think. I hope you'll agree, after reading about what each of our Marvel Editors has coming up, and I hope you'll agree even more after you've seen it all unfold in the comics issue by issue.
If you don't...or even if you do, let me know. You know my address, and you know I read every single letter. Hey, if I'm going to be the DF here, I've got to keep in touch, right?
That's it! To those who already read the above, thanks for your patience, and to those who hadn't, I hope you liked it. Tune in next month for an all-new column. Guaranteed!
Best,
Jim Shooter
Editor in Chief
When I was a bit younger, one day it occured to me that Marvel Comics could be even better than they were, if only the people who made them would hire a bright, knowledgeable fan--like me--to read over the stuff they were doing before it went out, catch some of the little gaffs, check the continuity, give creative advice from the fan point of view, and in general, guard the integrity of the Marvel Universe.
Well, they did hire such a person--me, in fact--back in 1978. Since them, I've learned how hard it is to do all of the above--even when you're vested with the absolute, staggering authority and wonderfully nifty title of Editor in Chief.
It still amazes me sometimes, being Editor in Chief--being pretty much in charge of all the comics and magazines Marvel publishes and all of the editors and other people who work on them.
But, I haven't forgotten what the title really should be--something like Executive Fan Representative, or maybe Designated Fan. And, I haven't lost sight of what I'd hoped to accomplish way back when, before I got this job.
Like I said, as it turns out, it isn't easy.
But, I'm still trying. And I'm getting better at it, I think. I hope you'll agree, after reading about what each of our Marvel Editors has coming up, and I hope you'll agree even more after you've seen it all unfold in the comics issue by issue.
If you don't...or even if you do, let me know. You know my address, and you know I read every single letter. Hey, if I'm going to be the DF here, I've got to keep in touch, right?
That's it! To those who already read the above, thanks for your patience, and to those who hadn't, I hope you liked it. Tune in next month for an all-new column. Guaranteed!
Best,
Jim Shooter
Editor in Chief
