J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI SPOTLIGHT PANEL

[MichaelDoran]

Report by Ian Brill

J. Michael Straczynski stood in front of one of the largest rooms in the Moscone Center West at WonderCon Saturday as the hour upon him devoted to his life and work began, taking questions from fans of Babylon 5, Rising Stars, Amazing Spider-Man and Squadron Supreme.

Announcing the projects he has recently finished and what was next proved that Straczynski might very well be one of the hardest working writers in popular culture. The big news in his comic book writing career is that with his Marvel exclusivity over he will be doing books for DC Comics soon, although he can’t announce what the specific title or titles he will write are.

He has also signed a deal with Image recently of which will come two creator-owned books, Justice and Ten Grand.

He has not left Marvel behind. The Twelve will continue its limited run and Thor is an ongoing Straczynski wants to write as long as possible

For the world of film his script for The Changeling has been made into a film directed by Clint Eastwood, produced by Ron Howard and starring Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich. Straczynski was quite proud to say that the first draft was shot. The film comes to theaters November 7th.

He has also written the screenplay to World War Z for Plan B Studios and Paramount, based on the book by Max Brooks. It will follow the author of the U.N. report of the Zombie Wars. He is adapting the story “A March into the Sunlight” about a college campus and the Vietnam War in 1968 for Tom Hanks’s studio. For Fox he has written a script for a Silver Surfer feature. He has seven more projects he can get to now that the WGA strike is over.

Audience questions led the rest of the hour. Squadron Supreme was brought up early on. Straczynski says that when the book went from Supreme Power to Squadron Supreme and the focus was taken off of Hyperion “I started to suck.” Straczynski asked that the book stop.

Asked about what the legacy of Babylon 5 is, Straczynski said it opened the door for science fiction to tell their stories in long, complicated arcs with lasting consequences. He sees the influence of his creation in Battlestar Galactica, Lost, and The 4400.

For what the Silver Surfer movie entails Straczynski says it will cover the origin of the character. He said it will feature Galactus, noting that the latest Fantastic Four film held off on showing Galactus to reveal him for this film.

On what his influences are Straczynski listed Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury, Rod Serling, and Norman Corwin. “Guys who have a moral point-of-view and can do things with words that I can’t do.” Straczynski says is what he sees in those authors. He implored the audience to seek out the work of radio dramatist Corwin, saying it is some of his favorite writing ever.

Concerning the “One More Day” storyline in Spider-Man Straczynski said that Joe Quesada brought him the idea of Aunt May getting shot leading to a story that would reset Spider-Man’s status quo. Straczynski didn’t agree with all the details but thought they would be worked out later and agreed to do it.

As for how it turned out Straczynski says “Joe Quesada is a friend and a good editor but we had different ideas of how to do the series and it was his call.” He then went on to praise Quesada for the job he has done turning Marvel around after the company’s bankruptcy.

Straczynski’s tenure on Fantastic Four was brought up. He said there are definitely more stories he wants to tell. When he started both Fantastic Four and Amazing Spider-Man they were becoming more tied into the larger events going on at Marvel, which Straczynski was uncomfortable with. It was around that time that he pulled back his work for Marvel, getting ready to start working for other companies.

Straczynski had an inspirational message for his audience. He brought up the fact that at this and other solo panels he has done he never sits but stands before the audience. When the audience cried out "Why?" he told them the reason was “because you always stand when addressing your superiors. You, the next generation of dreamers, are my superiors. I look forward to the stories that you create.”

He revealed that he is working on an autobiography that will tell the story of how anyone can become a writer, even someone from the streets of New Jersey with a funny name. “It doesn’t matter where you come from,” he said. “If you have the skills you’ll get there.”

[rwe1138]

Originally Posted by MichaelDoran

For the world of film his script for The Changeling has been made into a film directed by Clint Eastwood, produced by Ron Howard and starring Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich. Straczynski was quite proud to say that the first draft was shot. The film comes to theaters November 7th.

Damn, there are some nice names attached to that.

[Albert]

Man, MARVEL really screwed the pooch on JMS

[God-Man]

Audience questions led the rest of the hour. Squadron Supreme was brought up early on. Straczynski says that when the book went from Supreme Power to Squadron Supreme and the focus was taken off of Hyperion “I started to suck.” Straczynski asked that the book stop.

Yeah, but the last issue of the series was the best since the relaunch. And then he quit! I'm still bitter about that. Like, what the hell? You spend years building these characters and this universe, and you leave? Just like that, so abruptly? I used to dream of JMS writing Superman, but after that fiasco not so much.

[MrToady12]

For what the Silver Surfer movie entails Straczynski says it will cover the origin of the character. He said it will feature Galactus, noting that the latest Fantastic Four film held off on showing Galactus to reveal him for this film.

As probably one of only four people who actually enjoyed Fantastic Four 2, I'm happy that common sense prevailed and they didn't show Galactus at the end of the film. Clearly the budget wasn't substantial enough to create the character, and even a short glimpse of him would have raised too many questions for those not aware of the character e.g. "What's with the big dude in purple?" that obviously wouldn't have been answered.

At least now they can do the character justice in his own film, as well as explain/ explore the character more than a last minute glimpse would have. However, as much as I love the Kirby Galactus, I just can't see anyone taking him seriously in a live action film. It was hard enough to explain/ take seriously why a cosmic entity flies around in space on a surfboard as well. Maybe Ultimate Galactus?

Cheers

[idkidd]

Has anyone heard whether the direct to dvd B5 sold well enough for future movies to be made? I haven't seen JMS address it anywhere and was hoping it'd come up at this panel

[cbrant]

I also liked FF2, and thought it was a good idea to NOT show Galactus. I can't imagine how stupid it would look to have a giant dude floating in space. Especially with that hat on. Probably as stupid as having Reed dancing with those girls...

[TheTourist]

Originally Posted by God-Man

Yeah, but the last issue of the series was the best since the relaunch. And then he quit! I'm still bitter about that. Like, what the hell? You spend years building these characters and this universe, and you leave? Just like that, so abruptly? I used to dream of JMS writing Superman, but after that fiasco not so much.

In the middle of a damn fight, no less.

[SpaceButler]

JMS rocks. I look forward to his future projects.

[jmb]

I actually enjoyed some of his FF, but it did start to lose it near the end with all the event-related stuff. I liked the way he set up his current Thor scenario and the way he used Doom...different strokes, I guess!

I'm REALLy glad he's gonna keep on going with Thor!!

[Michael Heide]

Originally Posted by MichaelDoran

He has also written the screenplay to World War Z for Plan B Studios and Paramount, based on the book by Max Brooks. It will follow the author of the U.N. report of the Zombie Wars.

So... a prequel to Fido?

[Muppety Odin]

Originally Posted by jmb

I'm REALLy glad he's gonna keep on going with Thor!!

I second that emotion!

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Originally Posted by idkidd

Has anyone heard whether the direct to dvd B5 sold well enough for future movies to be made? I haven't seen JMS address it anywhere and was hoping it'd come up at this panel

JMS addressed this on Fanboy Radio a couple weeks back. It sounded like Warner Bros was happy with it and wanted to do another, but didn't take into account the impending strike. Now that the strike is over, contract negotiations can begin anew on it, if Warner Bros cares to.

-Augie

[BanMan]

Originally Posted by TheTourist

In the middle of a damn fight, no less.

Surely he could've completed two, heck one more issue to wrap that up. That would have been perfect.

[POWRSURG]

No question(s) on The Book of Lost Souls?

[weaselwelch]

JMS is one of my favorite writers in comics today. What ever else you mat say about his run on AMS(like it or not) you can't say he didn't put Spider-Man where he belonged in the top ten or at least the top 20.

Wish him luck in what ever he writes.

[cernunnos]

I'm glad that JMS will still be doing Thor. I hope he can do something with what's left of The Twelve once that mini ends.

[jakew]

"Audience questions led the rest of the hour. Squadron Supreme was brought up early on. Straczynski says that when the book went from Supreme Power to Squadron Supreme and the focus was taken off of Hyperion “I started to suck.” Straczynski asked that the book stop."

As someone who bought all the issues, this annoys me to no end. Sure, there was a dip in the quality of the story when it became "Squadron Supreme" and lost the violence/swearing ... but the JMS doesn't even have enough respect for the people who bought the comic to just finish the story arc, which had one issue to go?

Weak.

I loved Supreme Power but I'm not going to waste my money picking up any of his other stuff just in case he "starts to suck".

[Mr E]

JMS should go do some Superman or Batman or Green Lantern for a while, at least until the heads if any of Marvel realize that Quesada is no writer and shouldn't have anything to say about writing, and certainly not ever interfere in the work of real genuine writing talents; Quesada is like the kid doing does donut commercials, telling an Oscar winner how to act; Quesada as no place telling any writers what to do, as he is completely incompetent in the writing department, not too mention very slow and lazy in the art department

PS: Jemas saved Marvel from bankruptcy, and Quesada from third-rate publishers, but personally I would have left him there

Let's get the facts straight, Marvel was bankrupt around 1998 where Marvel films were delayed for a few years, and Bill Jemas came in and started the movement to bring back the company out of the hole, even if Quesada opposed some of his ideas like Origin (Wolverine), and the publicity generated from all those million dollar movie deals contributed greatly in attracting new fans to the comics

[Prof. Acid]

Originally Posted by jakew

"Audience questions led the rest of the hour. Squadron Supreme was brought up early on. Straczynski says that when the book went from Supreme Power to Squadron Supreme and the focus was taken off of Hyperion “I started to suck.” Straczynski asked that the book stop."

As someone who bought all the issues, this annoys me to no end. Sure, there was a dip in the quality of the story when it became "Squadron Supreme" and lost the violence/swearing ... but the JMS doesn't even have enough respect for the people who bought the comic to just finish the story arc, which had one issue to go?

Weak.

I loved Supreme Power but I'm not going to waste my money picking up any of his other stuff just in case he "starts to suck".

You'll be delighted to know that no one cares.

And it wasn't a "dip" in quality. It went from being a good book to an awful book, and he knew it.

[tesh_karde]

I miss JMS on Spidey already. He's the friggin' man and I'll follow him wherever he goes. Bags and JMS, that would be a dream for me

[Zenstrive]

Hmm...JMS doing Blue Beetle would be AWESOME! As that the current version of Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes) can be pumped up to be the next Spider-Man. Plus Jaime Reyes don't have an uptight supermodel as girlfriend/wife but a WITCH! Now that's what I call challenging romantic stories potential

[jonnynyc]

JMS is a great writer. But you can really tell when he is really enjoying writing something and when he is not.

[poc]

Originally Posted by Prof. Acid

You'll be delighted to know that no one cares.

And it wasn't a "dip" in quality. It went from being a good book to an awful book, and he knew it.

Wha? Speak for yourself; a lot of people care. A lot of people read this book, including myself, and a lot of people have been wondering why it ended smack dab in the middle of a fight.

I can't think of any other book like SS that was so writer driven where the writer just left because it started to "suck." Is that professional? If the problem was that the focus got taken off of Hyperion, then put the focus back on him...at least through that story arc. If that was actually the reason that he left the book, then it just seems like he kind of gave up. Is that respectable to the fans that bought the book for 25 issues?

I've had a lot of respect for JMS through the whole OMD thing. He just lost it all with that statement about SS. Instead of standing for his fans at conventions, he should go finish the comic books that he starts.

[Brother Zag]

Man, it's so good to hear how Joe Straczynski will be ranging across so many worlds...

The thread has been good so far, too. All the haters must be out on Saturday night. I'm usually out on a Saturday night, darn it. Maybe I'll go have a beer...

Before that, I've gotta put in my two cents.

Joe Straczynski's writing has been an inspiration to me.

I discovered Babylon 5 as it went to TNT and was able to watch the first four seasons fold out on a daily basis, weekdays anyway... and was blown away. Stunned. As an old fan of written science fiction, I had given up on finding anything with the written form's sort of complexity on TV. Babylon 5 mesmerized me with its layering and realistic humanity. And it was a tale well told.,Actions had consequences and people changed and did dumb things and noble things and evil things, too. And yet, the underlying message was hope, the understanding that if you don't try to make your own future, others will make it for you, and that it's ordinary people who change the world, even people like us. I found that inspirational.

I read Joe's book on screenwriting, and as practice went back to a science fiction project of my own that had lain dormant for a couple of years and wrote the first three chapters as an hour long television script following his guidelines and, yeah, wisdom. That brought the whole project back to life in me, and I've now published the first two novels. Joe Straczynski's columns on writing here at newsarama have also given me valuable insight and food for thought. Inspirational.

I followed Joe into the comic book stores when he began writing Amazing Spider Man (and some other guy whose writing I liked started writing Green Arrow...). I hadn't been back into my LCS in over twelve years. I rediscovered my lost love for comics. I dug long boxes out of the attic at my Mom's... which made her happy! I've reconnected with something that gives me great enjoyment! And I've been creating comics, too, thanks in part to Joe Straczynski, with a huge assist from reading Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics", truth be told. I'm an artist. I'm a writer. I'm a comic book fan. You mean these might all come together somehow? Seems blindingly obvious now, but McCloud's book rewired my brain and I was ready to go thanks to the encouragement and inspiration of Joe Straczynski.

He spins a good tale well told in whatever medium. Things are never what they seem, and what may at first seem insignificant could end up being of more import than you think. Having been away from comics from '87 to 2000, I didn't hold so much sacred as some. I liked his spider-totem approach, Ezekiel, The Other, Sins Past. I loved the whole run, I really did, tho I didn't care for Mike Deodato's run on the book art wise. But it is truly fighting against the will of the fanboys if you want your characters to change and for your character's action's to have consequences, as was happening in ASM under JMS. Ultimately, it was fighting against the will of the Editor In Chief... but what a great run it was! The best years were with JRJR. Man, the two of them together nailed something essential down about each of the top three characters: Peter's cloud of responsibility hanging over him, Mary Jane's next door neighbor but hottie model smokiness, and Aunt May's mother instinct for Peter and MJ, both.

His Fantastic Four run was almost a little too brainy for me... I think it's the smartest Mr. Fantastic has ever been written. I loved the social worker subplot... these poor kids are in a dangerous environment!

Speaking of poor kids in dangerous environments, Rising Stars was pretty cool, but I thought the gap in releases as JMS and Company fought about movie stuff kinda hurt the end of the series. I also thought Rising Stars was just okay, but really a prelude for Joe Straczynski's work on Supreme Power.

The Supreme Power run with Gary Frank was Joe Straczynski firing on all cylinders. I allways felt that JMS approached the Squadron the way Marc Gruenwald did, taking the chance to reimagine the origins of the DC pantheon in the real world. Not so much to pick up on old Squadron Supreme Marvel continuity, though because of his dedication to continuity, Gruenwald did make sure his fit in, sorta. I knew I was going to like it when the Superman analog crashes to Earth and the kindly old couple like the Kents is blown out of the way by the military racing to grab the prize. The end was disappointing, I kept cheering it on, hoping it would pick up, as if JMS were trying to start a car that wasn't quite turning over.

And if you liked Supreme Power, you should go back and pick up the Top Cow trade of Midnight Nation JMS and Frank did together. Very cool supernatural stuff, and not always as well known.

I have an ongoing subscription at my LCS for anything Joe Straczynki writes. I do that for Kevin Smith, too, but he's not really doing much these days in comics... The Book of Lost Souls was just okay. Reminded me of Crusade. I kinda liked it, but not quite as much as I'd hoped I would. Colleen Duran's art was beautiful, all the same. Dream Police I liked. Bullet Points was muddled by the art, for me.

And I am right now loving, LOVING "The Twelve"! There's nothing muddled about Chris Weston's art! His line work is beautifully inked by Garry Leach and colored by Chris Chuckry, making his work shine even more than it did in The Filth. Can't wait for #3... when I saw Kaare Andrew's cover the inner child in me screamed out "Doc Savage!" It's Fiery Mask, but still... I went and found the old Bama covers he's referencing.

I can't wait to hear what they're going to let him loose on at DC!

And he gets to keep writing Thor... sounds to me like the best of all possible worlds for a writer!

But to bring this full circle, the best news of all is that he's got a Babylon 5 Graphic Novel in the Works! Andreas Katsulas as G'Kar and Richard Biggs as Doctor Franklin can live again, how great is that? Might we finally see the story of the Telepath War? The best thing about it being a Graphic Novel is that Joe Straczynski won't be constrained by effect budget concerns!

I've gone on a bit long, sorry, but I just wanted to sing the guy's praises because so many people come here to tear the man down and he doesn't deserve that. It's taken me so long to write this I'm sure it'll be posting among some haters. Maybe it'll help dispel their negativity!