The Four Color Media Monitor

That's what I'm starting to wonder after reading this press-phone conference report from CBR, which leads me to figure that the guy who wrote some of the best Hulk adventures in his time has become little more than a knee-jerk setpiece at Marvel.

Peter David hasn't tackled the "reveal" in his storyline, as he wanted to wait a bit after the "juggernaut" of the initial reveal to tell his story. In a couple of issues we'll see if Peter Parker can retain his job as a teacher, as some parents may not seem him as a role model, and David promised that parents will have good reason to worry, including "several Mysterios converging around the school." While some might say that Parker should just quit his job, but David acknowledged that villains could still terrorize his former students, and he'll have to deal with a tell-all book written by a former flame (familiar to Marvel fans). David promised lots of fun mixed with the very serious ramifications of the story being told in all the Spidey titles.

Let me guess. It's MJ, right? Or is it Betty Brant Leeds? I don't know. What I do know is that just because David says it's going to be fun is no garuntee.

In fact, the whole notion of the students finding themselves in danger of villains encroaching on the school, I hate to say, is not very entertaining when looked upon in light of what's going on in real life. Let's be clear here, schools under threat of criminals is not fun, and it's most definately not funny.

As to the writers' reactions to the reveal of Spider-Man's identity, Peter David felt it was an interesting change and thought about a lot of new directions and ideas, which he didn't mind at all. He knows that a character like Spider-Man is big and writers may have to "roll with some punches." David loves the "exciting" possibilities that have come out of the story. Sacasa added, "How did I get so lucky to be on the Spider-Man books when the most momentous thing in his history is happening?" He's glad to be part of something so large, that is a bit frightening and exciting at the same time, and he's even gotten contacted by an old college roommate. "It's going to be really cool," said JMS.

So you say, Straczynski. But I grew tired of your own writing style long ago, and will not touch your work on Spidey's books with a 30-foot pole.

As for David, while I realize that he's likely afraid of being booted were he to say what he really thinks, if he does, I'm still disappointed in him for just going along with this the way he is. Currently, I'm reading two Visionaries trades of his work on The Incredible Hulk from the late-80s, in which he wrote some of the most enjoyable conspiracy thrillers combined with a throwback to the first few issues from 1962, when Bruce Banner only turned into the Hulk at nighttime, and even turned him grey at first, which was meant as a nod to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's initial idea of making the Hulk grey, until a printing error* turned him green, and it's some of the best stuff from David's early career. When David first began writing and editing at Marvel back then, one of his first works, on Spider-Man at the time, with Ned Leeds revealed to be the Hobgoblin, was considered a disaster, but when given the Hulk, he made it his own for 11 years, and the humor worked pretty well there too. One of the best parts for me was when the Hulk kicked the crap out of a corrupt, wife-beating police chief in New Mexico, much to the pleasure of the townsfolk who felt betrayed by this jerk in uniform. And there was even a rematch between the Hulk and Wolverine! David also featured some pretty good rogues gallery members such as Half-Life, Mercy, and even Sam Sterns, the Leader, in all his cunning, crafty glory.

Now, alas, David seems to have been reduced to a hack writer in Marvel's editorial board, where he seems to be stuck ever since DC shafted him when they cancelled his run on Supergirl in 2003. Actually, I can't say I find what he's done on Fallen Angel very appealing, so maybe even then, he was going down the drain.

I've found it almost impossible of late to read/enjoy anything Spidey related, and I feel really bad about that. And David and company aren't making it better by going along with what's doubtless an editorial mandate.

* Actually, as was the more exact story, the publishers opted for coloring the Hulk green soon after his debut because gray was a very difficult color to work on at the time, as printers had very limited color pallettes, and gray was not an easy color to use. Nevertheless, it ultimately worked out well after awhile, and the rest is history.

Labels: marvel comics