2000 is over, and the new millennium of the common era is undeniably upon us. With that in mind, I asked some comics creators and other industry insiders to share with us their wishes for the new year.
Ben Abernathy (Marvel reprint editor)
Love and understanding for a troubled world! Pretty cheesy, huh?
Anthony Bozzi (Image publicity)
I'd like everyone who has never actually read an issue of Erik Larsen's Savage Dragon to finally give it a try. (Any issue from #76 onward will do.) I'd also like that store owner to refrain from yelling at our potential new Dragon fan for reading it before they've make their final purchases.
I'd like Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immomen to do a Superstar mini-series for 2001.
I'd like Patty Jeres, Peggy Burns, Bill Rosemann, and Michael Martens to start spending a little more time marketing Image Comics.
I'd like to buy a new comic series written by Andy Helfer.
I'd like Joe Quesada to pledge lots more money towards additional Image artists drawing again. (Q, please send us your fax number for the most current list.)
And finally, I'd really like to know who's stronger -- The Incredible Hulk or Chynna Clugston-Major.
Mike Carlin (DC Comics)
My wish for 2001 is that the comics biz has reason to be more positive. Failing that reason... we should be more positive anyways... couldn't hurt!
Howard Chaykin (writer, with David Tischman, of American Century, Angel & The Ape, and Green Lantern: Evil's Might)
I'd like to be taller and younger.
Peter David (writer of stuff)
The monolith lands on George W. Bush.
Matt Hawkins (Top Cow)
My wish for 2001 is that more people will read. This is a win-win for all involved.
Tony Isabella
That I have the time and opportunities to accomplish the things I want to do for me and mine.
John Morrow (TwoMorrows Publishing)
For a huge upturn in the comics industry, so all the talented creators who've had to seek work elsewhere of late can come back to doing what they love most: comics.
Denny O'Neil (Writer, Azrael)
My wish for both the comics world and the whole benighted, anxious, wonderful human race is simply this: That, while honoring the old myths, we realize that we must create new ones.
Jimmy Palmiotti (Writer, inker)
On the comics end, i would say that the big two, overnight, change the 22 page an issue format to a 100 page square bound format that sells for $9.95. So we do not have to depend on only Diamond for distribution, and start seeing comics at bookstores and on line chains, department and record stores, and people might just start to give them some well deserved respect. in the long run, this will save the industry.
On a personal note, I wish everyone I know success at what ever project they are currently working on and the best of health to them as well. we do not have a lot of time on this earth, and everything is not as important as we would like to think it is. friendships, loved ones and exploration of this great planet should come first, work a far second. get out of your head and get a life this year! Celebrate!
Well,...now i need a drink.
Joe Quesada (Editor-in-Chief, Marvel Comics)
My wish for 2001 is obvious, it's what should be on the mind of every creator and fan in the industry so I'm not going to belabor the point of hoping for a rejuvenated industry.
One other part of that wish however is that fans and especially pros get out of this negative mindset that seems to still be prevailing in our industry. The old "Grumble, grumble, everything blows no matter how you slice it" mentality. This is going to get us nowhere and nowhere fast. Imagine if the people running Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, Crossgen or whomever had this attitude? Heck, might as well just close shop and start flipping burgers. Imagine a new fan being met by this overall industry attitude, what would they think?
So I would like to ask fans and pros to look in the mirror and ask yourselves if you want to be part of the solution or just bitch about it? Good times are ahead, I can feel it in my bones. Our industry was in worst shape in the fifties and it came back stronger than ever.
Don't be fooled by the nay sayers telling you that video games and the Internet revolution will destroy comics.
Don't be dooped by the cranky sideliners that tell you lies just so that they aren't complaining alone and don't be coerced by the curmudgeons who need the company because they feel like they're not invited to the party.
Think about what these people are really trying to achieve by their actions and words?
Let's all do something proactive and we can make 2001 something special, let's make sure that everyone is invited to the festivities!
JQ
Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics publicity)
That Fantagraphics' bank account proportionately reflect its reputation as the best goddamn comic book publisher in the known universe. Short of that, I hope Alex Rodriguez is wearing a Mariner uniform when spring training opens.
Bill Rosemann (Marvel Comics)
I wish the comics that all of us produce are as grand as our dreams. I wish comic "professionals" remember what that means and end the endless online bickering. I wish we all remember to take the time to laugh, remember that we're just making comic books...and to also realize how great that is. Finally, I wish that the world would stop being so mean to each other... maybe then we wouldn't need comic books to remind us of what heroism is.
Buddy Scalera (co-writer of Marvel's Deadpool, Wizardschool.com
I wish those damned chimps would stop crapping on my lawn and stealing all the lawn furniture.
Ray C. Tate (Comics reviewer, Silver Bullet Comics)
I wish Helena Wayne would step out of a warp field that appeared in the Batcave, and Batman would suddenly recall the parallel earths and his love for his neice. The other Huntress would vanish, and nobody would miss her.
I'd like Ms. Marvel to reclaim her name, and most of all I wish Doctor Who would begin again with Paul McGann and Daphne Ashbrook. I wish Michael Keaton would once more don the mantle of the bat should a good script and good director come his way. I wish the WB would start making new Batman and Superman episodes. Naturally, peace and love and a Bush-free Whitehouse are among my non-comic book related wishes.
Mark Waid (Writer of JLA, Empire and Gatecrasher)
An eight-day week.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their wishes for the new year with us.
Now, I suppose, I should share my wishes for the coming year. Everyone above pretty well laid out what the comics industry needs, but I'd like to take a second to explain how each of us can be a part of revitalizing this wonderful gift we've been given, the artform of comics.
You've got a year ahead of you, in which to make good on my wish. I wish that each and every one of you reading this will try to think outside the box and find a new way to bring a new reader to comics. Buy a kid a comic. Give a friend a trade paperback you think suits their tastes, and make sure they actually read it. If you're in the media, do what you can to promote comics. Not just once, either. Try, once a week, to do something that will keep this artform around for another year.
We'll meet back here in 12 months and see how you did.
Happy 2001.
Alan David Doane