Comics / Comics News

Emerald City Comicon Hosts Marvel Panel

By News
March 5, 2013 - 11:50

Marvel Comics Talent Scout C.B. Cebulski hosted a Saturday morning panel at Emerald City Comic Con with "Pint o' C.B." Cebulski was joined in the Q&A by writers Matt Fraction (Fantastic Four), Mark Waid (Daredevil), Daniel Way (Thunderbolts), Sam Humphries (Uncanny X-Force), Fearless Defender's Cullen Bunn, Deadpool team of Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn, and associate editors Jeanine Schaefer and Sana Amanat.

According to CBR.com, a fan kicked things off by asking about how the writers viewed the nature of heroism in their series. Waid answered, saying the trick was to put characters in interesting situations where there doesn't seem to be a clear victory either way, and watch what they do in those moments. Both Bunn and Fraction argued that the nature of heroism is up to the character and circumstances, rather than the writer.

When asked about continuity, Schaefer explained it requires a lot of spreadsheets, though Way pointed out “who” outweighs the “where.” He meant that that characters ring true and consistently in all their appearances.

Humphries cited that Ultimate Captain America had evolved from when Mark Millar introduced the character, describing it as a natural change in the character's demeanor as he's been established in the present for a while.

Another reader questioned Marvel’s efforts include minorities in the Marvel Universe as readers. Amanat cited Marvel's new Captain Marvel, which came about from editor Steve Wacker's goal in working on the book with Kelly Sue DeConnick was to make a comic that he could give to his daughter to read.

Fraction added that readers will see what happened in Hawkeye #8 from the women's perspective, while #10 introduces a villain out to kill Clint Barton, and #11 is a mystery issue staring Pizza Dog.

Fraction indicated that for years the direct market was built to cater to white males, but the market has evolved to include as many people as possible to read comics with which they identify.

Waid said the growing digital market presents a market solution to for those areas of the country where comic book stores are few and far between. Cebulski noted digital sales helps drive trade sales.

"We're about to see a big change in this regard, and it's going to happen whether the big companies participate or not," Humphries said, noting that if a publisher isn't providing a product that appeals to a broader base of readership, it won't survive.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12