Jonathan Hickman should write Superman!!!

[Ascended]

I read what happens to him and his allies...what a shame.

Yeah, it was pretty rough to watch. But it served a particular purpose within the context of the story.

I'll try not to spoil things beyond what we've already said here, and the basics of what you likely read about how the Great Society ends. But for a while, one of the big questions people (ie., fans) were asking was "If two realities are colliding, why not work with the other earth's heroes to find a solution?"

The Great Society, and what eventually happens with them, is the answer. Working together is all well and good, until you realize that there's very, very little time to do anything, and if nothing is done the result is two entire universes dying, whereas if one earth is destroyed, both universes get to live. It raises the question of how far you're willing to go, and if a few billion lives are worth the cost of the countless lives across two realities.

The Great Society are clearly meant to be the League, and they're written as being much better people than the Illuminati/New Avengers, or any of the other characters we've seen from other worlds. If there was ever a version of earth where the heroes would be willing to work with the Marvel crew to find a solution, the Society was it. But they only have a few hours to do anything, and when the Society learns that the Illuminati are already prepared to take drastic action, the burgeoning trust falls apart and things spiral out of control.

[Deniz Camp]

I do like Hickman, but I'd rather he follow his main interest and go to the Legion.

Then again, focusing on a single character may curb some of his (very real) plot-mechanics-over-character problems.

That said, I think I'd rather see Al Ewing on Superman.

[Superlad93]

I do like Hickman, but I'd rather he follow his main interest and go to the Legion.

Then again, focusing on a single character may curb some of his (very real) plot-mechanics-over-character problems.

That said, I think I'd rather see Al Ewing on Superman.

What has he written that I might know of?

[Deniz Camp]

He's cut his teeth for years on 2000AD, where he's become their level best writer in my opinion.

In the american mainstream he's written Mighty Avengers for Marvel, which has been a great balance of thoughtful and well realized character interaction and old school superheroics. He's also written Loki, which has been thematically rich and exceedingly clever, habitually. He's got some of the most solid craft in comics, period, and he's known for it, for his 2000AD skill set; getting to the heart of scenes and moments with a minimum fuss.

Perhaps most germane here is an issue of Avengers he wrote centering on Hyperion; it's essentially a Superman story (moreso than anything Hickman's written in Avengers concerning Hyperion, in my opinion) and it's heartfelt and surprising and does not let its protagonist lose his humanity for his effectiveness.

[exile001]

He writes extremely long form stories. His current Avengers and New Avengers titles began with the very start of Marvel NOW and we're just getting into the real meat of the story; just beginning the third and final Act.

Agreed, but I find every word he has written to be integral. I wouldn't say we're just getting to the meat. We're heading towards the end, but there's been a LOT to digest on the way.

His plots can take over and become more important than the characters at times

On this point (pretty much only, as you make wonderful points that I hate to disagree on), I have to disagree slightly (cos you do say at points). Morisson lets his concepts get in the way of character (or just ignores it: Batman), but what Hickman writes comes from the basis of character. He's like Robinson. He comes up with his arc, then fits and moulds it to the characters he is writing, changing his story to make absolutely sure it fits the character(s). I never feel plot is getting in the way of an accurate portrayal of a character.

I think we're 99% in agreement, though. It is a magnificent run, as you say, and a genuine credit to mainstream comics. A credit to our beloved medium.

[exile001]

Yeah, it was pretty rough to watch. But it served a particular purpose within the context of the story.

I'll try not to spoil things beyond what we've already said here, and the basics of what you likely read about how the Great Society ends. But for a while, one of the big questions people (ie., fans) were asking was "If two realities are colliding, why not work with the other earth's heroes to find a solution?"

The Great Society, and what eventually happens with them, is the answer. Working together is all well and good, until you realize that there's very, very little time to do anything, and if nothing is done the result is two entire universes dying, whereas if one earth is destroyed, both universes get to live. It raises the question of how far you're willing to go, and if a few billion lives are worth the cost of the countless lives across two realities.

The Great Society are clearly meant to be the League, and they're written as being much better people than the Illuminati/New Avengers, or any of the other characters we've seen from other worlds. If there was ever a version of earth where the heroes would be willing to work with the Marvel crew to find a solution, the Society was it. But they only have a few hours to do anything, and when the Society learns that the Illuminati are already prepared to take drastic action, the burgeoning trust falls apart and things spiral out of control.

Absolutely. He make this VERY clear, and truly leaves you feeling for the Society. I LOVED that current JL version Batman was the one to f**k everything up from the DC analogue universe (I take this as a direct nod to JG, who can't write good Batman for s**t).

[Ascended]

What has he written that I might know of?

Mighty Avengers, the minority-heavy tie-in book that was born from Infinity last year. Budget concerns made me step back to trade waiting, but the first arc was amazing, way, way better than "minority-heavy tie-in book" would have you believe. His character work is superb, and he has a sense of energy and fun that modern comics often lack. There was a preview for one of the later issues, with some caption boxes putting identities to the people involved (you know, for the new readers) and it read something like this:

"Fire Breathing Ninja Were-Roosters of the Dark Dawn Cult"

"Don't say we're not good to you."

The little bits like that really make his work enjoyable. He's not afraid to poke fun at his own stuff, but he isnt writing strict comedy either. He sort of reminds me a little bit of Garth Ennis taken out of the gutter.

Ewing is also writing (I believe) Loki: Agent of Asgard. And that book is equally amazing and fun.

[Dispenser Of Truth]

What has he written that I might know of?

Like everybody said, Loki and Mighty Avengers, and he's just ridiculously amazing. I don't know that I'd want him steering the entire Superman line the way I'd want out of Hickman (not due to him being any worse than Hickman, but because I think Hickman's talents are better suited to that sort of shepherding task for a line of books), but I would honestly take him over Pak. He's that good. He wrote the Avengers 34.1 issue with Hyperion, you probably read that. He's willing to bring the crazy, his plot structures are water-tight, he's ambitious in his themes, he's great with character, his Mighty Avengers work displays a pronounced social conscience (where he also writes another Superman expy, Blue Marvel, who is also completely awesome), and by far most importantly of all, he brought Nextwave into Marvel continuity. I'd give him any of the superbooks--really, any DC book he chose to take on where he could deal with a minimum of editorial interference--in a heartbeat. Him, Hickman and maybe Jason Aaron (who displayed his chops for this sort of thing in Thor, and #12 of that series is one of the best Superman one-shots in years) would be my Marvel-born Superman Dream Team.

[Ascended]

Agreed, but I find every word he has written to be integral. I wouldn't say we're just getting to the meat. We're heading towards the end, but there's been a LOT to digest on the way.



On this point (pretty much only, as you make wonderful points that I hate to disagree on), I have to disagree slightly (cos you do say at points). Morisson lets his concepts get in the way of character (or just ignores it: Batman), but what Hickman writes comes from the basis of character. He's like Robinson. He comes up with his arc, then fits and moulds it to the characters he is writing, changing his story to make absolutely sure it fits the character(s). I never feel plot is getting in the way of an accurate portrayal of a character.

I think we're 99% in agreement, though. It is a magnificent run, as you say, and a genuine credit to mainstream comics. A credit to our beloved medium.

Oh, I agree on both of your points. I should have been a little more clear. Hickman doesnt ignore or change characteristics to suit his story (like Morrison or Johns), but the plot often takes precedence over the more character-driven moments. Like that stand-alone issue where he had a small band of Avengers at the casino trying to get the drop on AIM? That was great, character driven stuff. The war with the Builders? Everyone behaved in character, but the overall plot was the driving force there, not the people themselves.

I feel that with the current story and the time travel arc before this, he's hit a nice balancing point. Everything that has happened since they got tossed through time has been the result of Steve and Tony's actions, so now that all the external stuff has been dealt with, the characters are driving the plot completely.

Not sure if that cleared it up. Basically, I think we're in complete agreement here.

[Ascended]

I would honestly take him over Pak.

I was about to reach for some rotten fruit to throw at you, until I realized....so would I.

If I could, I'd put Hickman in charge of the line (Superman) with Ewing, (Superman/Wonder Woman) and Pak (Action) on writing chores for the secondary titles.

Aaron is good, but I'd take Pak over him.

[Prime]

Damn, that is quite the creative team. But are you guys serious about Pak? Dude is the best thing to happen to Superman since Morrison left.

[Prime]

Yeah, it was pretty rough to watch. But it served a particular purpose within the context of the story.

I'll try not to spoil things beyond what we've already said here, and the basics of what you likely read about how the Great Society ends. But for a while, one of the big questions people (ie., fans) were asking was "If two realities are colliding, why not work with the other earth's heroes to find a solution?"

The Great Society, and what eventually happens with them, is the answer. Working together is all well and good, until you realize that there's very, very little time to do anything, and if nothing is done the result is two entire universes dying, whereas if one earth is destroyed, both universes get to live. It raises the question of how far you're willing to go, and if a few billion lives are worth the cost of the countless lives across two realities.

The Great Society are clearly meant to be the League, and they're written as being much better people than the Illuminati/New Avengers, or any of the other characters we've seen from other worlds. If there was ever a version of earth where the heroes would be willing to work with the Marvel crew to find a solution, the Society was it. But they only have a few hours to do anything, and when the Society learns that the Illuminati are already prepared to take drastic action, the burgeoning trust falls apart and things spiral out of control.

Dude was a better Superman than Sentry could ever have been. And he only appeared in 6 issues. Would have been cool if they kept him alive, but since Hyperion is there...

[Ascended]

Damn, that is quite the creative team. But are you guys serious about Pak? Dude is the best thing to happen to Superman since Morrison left.

Pak might be the best thing to happen to Superman since Maggin. I love Morrison, you guys know I do, but Pak brings most of Morrison's best qualities without most of his hangups. That first, stand-alone Year Zero tie-in issue Pak wrote? Easily one of the best Superman stories I have ever read. Right up there with Morrison's opening Action arc and All-Star and all the other classics everyone mentions.

Ewing however, has yet to write a single issue of anything that I found to be less than stellar. And he seems more comfortable with the crazy big weird ideas. The way he handles the Blue Marvel makes me cry because its not Clark, and if there was any justice in the universe it would be.

Who knows, I havent been extremely thrilled by Doomed so maybe thats what is making me say this and once Pak gets to run solo again I'll change my mind.

But however you slice it, Ewing is in my top 3 or 5 for "Writers I want to see on Superman."

[Prime]

Pak might be the best thing to happen to Superman since Maggin. I love Morrison, you guys know I do, but Pak brings most of Morrison's best qualities without most of his hangups. That first, stand-alone Year Zero tie-in issue Pak wrote? Easily one of the best Superman stories I have ever read. Right up there with Morrison's opening Action arc and All-Star and all the other classics everyone mentions.

Ewing however, has yet to write a single issue of anything that I found to be less than stellar. And he seems more comfortable with the crazy big weird ideas. The way he handles the Blue Marvel makes me cry because its not Clark, and if there was any justice in the universe it would be.

Who knows, I havent been extremely thrilled by Doomed so maybe thats what is making me say this and once Pak gets to run solo again I'll change my mind.

But however you slice it, Ewing is in my top 3 or 5 for "Writers I want to see on Superman."

Blue Marvel? I haven't heard anything from that guy since he fought King Hyperion. But damn, shouldn't we keep Pak?

[Superlad93]

You know what I have read Al Ewing's stuff on some issue of Mighty Avengers and his Hyperion issue of Avengers and both were just fantastic. I need to get back into Mighty and all the issues I've missed cause I really did love his take on them.

As for the dream team?

Hickman on Superman in charge of the whole line's direction. A master mind with ideas and ambition that is all too often keep under warps in modern comics in favor of CW teen drama-like story telling and shallow emulations of movies. He is the sort of honest voice that I think Superman needs now more than ever.

Pak on Action with the guiding light of Hickman's ideas to combat editorial. I've seen what Pak can do and I feel like he'll only get better the more you put him around great writers like Hickman, Ewing, and Soule before them.

Al Ewing on Batman/Superman because I'm not sure if DC is looking to have the Superman/Wonder Woman book go into a direction that doesn't squarely focus on the romantic as the draw. So BM/SM would be more of a free rage to stretch ones creative muscles without so much editorial over your head and direction.

Or maybe a Superman family book would actually be a better fit if one were made. The ability to really have fun with big ideas and big emotions with the whole of the Superman family (and build it in the first place) would be very fun. Maybe all of the writers could take turns telling stories with this book even.