
Project Wonderful
| Reader Question: Would you read a comic if the writer left? |
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| Written by Andrenn |
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This question has some layers to it, but I’ll ask it as plain and simple as I can.
Would you still read a comic if the long term writer where to leave it?
Now I’m talking in the context of someone who’s been writing this comic for years, such as with Geoff Johns and his run on Green Lantern, which has now been for over 50 issues. Certain writers like this become attached to the characters and when you think of these creators you think of these characters. So if Johns decided to leave Green Lantern, would you still read it?
This fits with all other comics like this, such as Captain America or Ultimate Spider-man. These comics are some of the best selling and most beloved comics out there thanks to the hard work of their writers. But if they no longer wanted to tell stories with their characters do you think you’d still support the comic regardless?
I know there’s a lot of reasons people will read a comic, for the characters, the artist, maybe even just a random whim because the cover looks cool. But often a writer can be a good sign if a comic will be good or not, seeing as past experiences with the writer can influence if you’ll check out the book or not.
So let us know what you think about the possible leavings of a creator from a comic they’ve worked a long time on. Will you drop it, support it, or chain Johns to the computer and make him write Green Lantern until he dies? |






Reader Question is back again. Last time was pretty successful I’d say so we’re looking to do this again on a regular basis if we can. We here at the Revolution always loved getting any feedback from the readers. So today’s question is a bit deeper then the first one, and it’s based around comics and the writers who write them.


Comments
In other words, what DC and Marvel are doing right now.
That probably explains why I'm spending my time reading (and making) fan-made comics.
I'm starting to think maybe Bendis should leave Spider-Woman, give it to Zeb Wells or someone.
I don't know if I could read Incognito by anyone else, though.
From experience most great runs are followed by some good runs. I really enjoyed Daredevil after Bendis, when Brubaker took over. But titles like Amazing Spider-Man actually got better when JMS left. So its hard to tell.
It also depends on where the long-term runner has taken the story. I feel like Captain America has not been as high quality lately than Brubaker's first 25-30 issues. So if someone else where to take the ranks over Captain America, I don't think I'd be as upset as I would be if it was earlier in his run.
Now Green Lantern would be more difficult. I can see Johns on that title for many more years to come, so seeing him leave would be truly upseting. That being said, someone like Tomasi would be a logical choice. Tomasi, like Johns, is reponsible for making the GLC's relevant again in DCU
As a life-long Hulk fan, I buy every issue. I have nearly every issue, so stopping now is a bitter pill to swallow. On the flip-side, I'm dropping Green Lantern Corps because Tomasi is leaving - just not that invested in the Corps.
I've really grown to like Green Lantern over the past few years, so I'm likely to continue with Green Lantern if Johns were to exit; however, I dropped JSA as soon as he split.
To confuse things more, I've dropped Captain America after deciding that Brubaker's run was no longer appealing to me.
The current Amazing Spider-man rotating team concept is interesting as I pick up that title when either a team interests me enough or the story itself does.
In many ways, the creative team drives the book, unless you're following the character. A stronger team can hook a reader to try the next team - see, Ironfist.
For a perfect example, take the Justice Society of America. I absolutely love this series and the characters - and up until awhile ago Geoff Johns was the name attached to those characters. When he left the series, the question did cross my mind - do I still want to continue reading the series. Bill Willingham, the new writer, is good - but nowhere near as good as Geoff Johns.
In this case - my love for the characters is big enough that I gave Willingham a try. I'm still yet to be wowed by him, but I'm also not dropping the book. So in this case, I suppose the characters and book mean more to be than the single creative team on it right now.
Comment to be continued...
...On the other hand - if Geoff Johns wasn't writing Green Lantern or the Flash, I'd drop the books right away. Not that the creative teams to replace him might not be good, but I have less vested interest in the Flash and GL if not written by a favorite writer.
So it's a balancing act. I just comes down to tastes, in the end. also it comes down to money -- my comic budget is little tighter these days, so if books I'm reading aren't written by my favorite writer, then I'm even more prone to drop the title entirely.
In a general sense, wild changes in direction or style will cause me to sometimes drop a title without reading that writers first issue. There are only a couple of characters I will follow regardless of writer. No comic in the last 10 years was one of them.
Another thing is Captain America - the guy ONLY became interesting when Brubaker is handling him! THAT is the ONLY reason PERIOD!!!! But should he leave I'm sure Mark Millar could easily write a decent Cap book - he once said he would love to write this character forever!
DC and Marvel should know that if these creators should leave these books then DC/Marvel should know that they need greater or comparable talents to handle these type of books! Books that are doing strong simply because of GREAT WRITING!!!
Thinking about those that do fit the type of book you're talking about here, in most cases I would keep reading, at least long enough to give the new team a try, unless I was already losing interest in the character/team or there was some sort of major direction change involved.
I used to follow certain characters no matter who was writing or drawing them, but that list has gotten a lot smaller since then.
And on any other series, if I was committed to the series, I'd read it regardless of its creative team.
Personally, a change in artist will cause me to drop more quickly than a change in writer. (I can handle a poorly written Jim Lee or Steve McNiven pencilled story much better than a poorly drawn Geoff Johns or JMS written story).
AxlRotten said it exactly as I think it. Except I am virtually the opposite. I will collect Green Lantern (and Corps) no matter who writes it. But other titles, say Guardians of the Galaxy I will either drop like a stone if DnA leave or give the writers one or two issues to prove they can do it.
Give GLC a chance after Tomasi leaves (at least an issue or two). Bedard is a great writer and I think he will pull out some interesting arcs. His (cosmic-based) Negation series is one of my all-time favorites, I must have read the entire run through (about 30 issues) 4-5 times.
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