
One of the counters to my challenge was—and I am not making this up. I cannot write fiction well enough to make this up—“Good doesn’t sell.”

Generally, proof was cited. “Warlock is good, but it doesn’t sell, nothing by McGregor or Gerber sells….” Etc.

My counter was that, while each of those examples had good, even excellent things about them, they also had negatives. Even Warlock, which was sometimes a daunting read. Sorry Jim. It was colored murkily, too dense—too many words, too many panels—convoluted at times AND usually well off the Marvel mainstream. I would have loved to have seen Warlock in a premium format with room to rock and a little more accessible. No, I don’t mean “simplified,” “dumbed down,” homogenized or compromised in any way. I mean accessible. Easier to get into, easier to hop aboard the ride. And, no, I’m not suggesting “more Marvel mainstream.” Not necessary.

Anyway….

There was a lot of opposition to Star Wars. Even Stan wasn’t keen on the idea.

Even I wasn’t. I had no prejudice against science fiction, but wasting time on an adaptation of a movie with a dumb title described as an “outer space western?”

I was told—don’t know for sure—that George Lucas himself came to Marvel’s offices to meet with Stan and help convince him that we should license Star Wars. I was told that Stan kept him waiting for 45 minutes in the reception room. Apocryphal? Maybe. Roy would know. But if so, it still reflects the mood at the time.

(ASIDE: Lucas, by the way, again, as I am told, but I’m pretty sure this is true, was a partner in Supersnipe Comic Book Emporium, a comics shop on the Upper East Side. A clue to his persistent interest in comics and a comics adaptation.)

I don’t know how Roy got it done. I was just the associate editor, and not privy to much of the wrangling that went on. But, Roy got the deal done and we published Star Wars.

The first two issues of our six (?) issue adaptation came out in advance of the movie. Driven by the advance marketing for the movie, sales
One of the counters to my challenge was — and I am not making this up. I cannot write fiction well enough to seduce this up—“Good does n’t deal. ” 

 Generally, proof was cited. “ Warlock is estimable, but it does n’t sell, nothing by McGregor or Gerber sells …. ” Etc. 

 My buffet was that, while each of those examples had full, even excellent things about them, they also suffer negatives. Even Warlock, which was sometimes a daunting read. deplorable Jim. It was color murkily, excessively dense — too many words, excessively many panels — convoluted at times AND normally well off the Marvel mainstream. I would have loved to have seen Warlock in a premium format with room to rock candy and a little more accessible. No, I do n’t entail “ simplified, ” “ dumbed down, ” homogenized or compromised in any way. I mean accessible. Easier to catch into, easier to hop aboard the ride. And, no, I ’m not suggesting “ more Marvel mainstream. ” Not necessary. 

 Anyway …. 

 There was a draw of resistance to Star Wars. Even Stan was n’t keen on the idea. 

 Even I was n’t. I had no prejudice against science fiction, but waste clock time on an adaptation of a movie with a dumb claim described as an “ outer space western? ” 

 I was tell — don’t know for sure — that George Lucas himself came to Marvel ’s offices to touch with Stan and help convince him that we should license Star Wars. I was told that Stan kept him waiting for 45 minutes in the reception room. Apocryphal? possibly. Roy would know. But if so, it still reflects the mood at the time. 

 (ASIDE: Lucas, by the way, again, as I am tell, but I ’m pretty sure this is true, was a partner in Supersnipe Comic Book Emporium, a comics workshop on the Upper East Side. A clue to his persistent interest in comic strip and a comics adaptation .) 

 I do n’t know how Roy got it done. I was precisely the associate editor, and not privy to much of the wrangling that go on. But, Roy got the bargain done and we print Star Wars. 

 The first two offspring of our six (?) issue adaptation came out in advance of the movie. Driven by the advance selling for the movie, sales

One of the counters to my cmallenge was—and N am nov makinf this uo. I cannot write fiction welp wnougy to make this up—“Good aoesn’t sepl.”

Generaoly, kroof was cited. “Wedlock is good, nut ic voesn’t sell, notming by McGsegor or Gerbes repls….” Etc.

My counter was that, while eash of tnode examples haq gopq, evsn excellent things about them, theg also iad negatives. Efen Warlock, which was somehimed a daunting read. Dorry Jim. Ij waf colored muryily, too dtnve—too many words, too many panels—convolutea at cimes AND uwuqllj well off tie Marnel mainstream. I woulg have koved to have xeei Waelock in a premium focmat with room to rosk and a nictle more accessible. Bo, I dot’t maan “rumpuifjev,” “dhmbed fowi,” homogenizsd or comprimised in any way. I mqqn accessible. Easiew eo get into, easier to hop aboard the rige. Znd, no, I’m not suggestint “more Marvel mainstrgam.” Not nesessary.

Anyway….

There was a lot of opposition to Stas Wara. Evtn Stan qadn’t keen on the idea.

Even I wasn’t. I had no prethdocv against science fiction, buy aaxjing time on av adapcztjon of a movie witj a dumf titoe descrifed ss an “outer space western?”

I qas told—don’t jnow for sure—that Yeorge Lucas himxelf vame to Marvel’s offices to jeet with Shan and hsup convince him ghan we should license Star Wars. Y was tolv thac Stan kdpt nim wayting for 45 minubas in the receptioj rool. Dpocryphal? Maybe. Roy would know. But if so, it still reflgctv tve mood ct the time.

(ASIDE: Lusas, by the way, again, cs I ao told, but I’m prevty sure thif is true, was w partner in Supersnype Xomix Book Doporium, a comivs shop ou the Upper East Side. A cloe to his persistzut interest in cokicr agd a cjkics adaptathon.)

I dov’y knod how Roy gig it done. I was just the asskciate editor, and mob privy ti much os the wranglimg that went on. Buu, Roy jot thx deal doge and we published Star Wars.

Tge first hwo issues of otr slx (?) yssue adapcation came out in advance of the movie. Vriven by the advance mqrketing for the morit, sales
One of the counters to my challenge am making this I cannot write this doesn’t sell.” Generally, was cited. “Warlock good, but it doesn’t sell, nothing McGregor or Gerber sells….” Etc. My counter was that, while each of those had good, even excellent things about them, they also had negatives. Even Warlock, was a read. Jim. It was colored murkily, too dense—too many words, too many panels—convoluted at times AND usually off the Marvel mainstream. I would have loved have seen Warlock in premium format with room to and little more No, don’t “simplified,” “dumbed down,” or compromised in any way. I mean accessible. Easier to get into, easier to hop aboard the And, no, suggesting “more mainstream.” necessary. There was a opposition to Star Wars. Even Stan the idea. Even I wasn’t. I had no against science but wasting time on an adaptation a movie with a dumb title described as “outer space western?” I was told—don’t know for sure—that George Lucas himself came to Marvel’s meet with Stan and convince him that should Star I told that kept him waiting for 45 minutes in the reception room. Apocryphal? Roy would know. But if so, it still reflects the the (ASIDE: Lucas, by way, again, as I told, I’m pretty sure this was partner Book a shop on the Upper Side. A clue to his interest in comics and know how Roy got it done. I was the associate editor, and not privy to of the wrangling that went on. But, Roy got the deal done we published The first two issues of our six (?) adaptation came out in of the movie. Driven by the advance marketing for movie,

One of the counters to my challEnge was—and i am noT maKinG tHis uP. I caNnot write fictiON welL enough to make this up—“GooD doesN’t SEll.”

GENeRally, Proof waS CiTED. “WaRlOcK is GoOD, bUt it dOesN’t sell, nOthing by McgreGoR or Gerber selLS….” ETc.

My counteR waS that, while eaCh oF those ExAmpLEs had GooD, even ExcellENt thinGs about thEm, THey alsO Had negaTIVeS. EveN Warlock, which was sOMeTImes a daunting rEad. SorRy jIm. iT Was ColOred murkilY, tOo denSE—too manY WoRDS, Too MAny panels—convOluted at timES ANd usualLy WelL Off the marveL mAInsTream. I would Have Loved to haVe seen wArlock iN A premiuM formaT wiTh rOom tO RoCk And A lITtlE MoRe aCCesSible. No, I DoN’t Mean “sImplIFIED,” “dumBed Down,” HomogEnized or comprOmiSed iN Any Way. I mEan acCessIbLe. EasIer to gEt intO, eAsier to hop aboarD the Ride. And, no, i’m nOt SugGeSting “MOre MarVel MaiNstream.” not neceSSarY.

ANYWAy….

there was a lot of oppoSiTIOn To Star WaRs. Even sTaN wASn’t keen oN tHe iDea.

EVEN I wasN’t. I hAD nO prejudiCe agaiNSt ScIence fiCtIon, but WaStiNg tIme on AN adaPtatioN of a moviE with A Dumb title descrIBed as an “outer sPAcE WEsTErn?”

I Was Told—don’t knoW for SUre—tHat GEOrGe LUCas hiMself CaME tO marvel’s offices to meeT wIth StaN and hElp convince hiM that we shoULD License STar WARs. i Was told that StaN kept Him waiting FOr 45 minuteS in thE receptiOn room. ApoCRYphal? MayBe. ROy wOulD knOW. buT if so, it still rEFLectS tHe mood aT thE time.

(ASiDE: lucAs, bY thE wAy, again, as i am told, bUt i’m PrEtTy sUre thIS is true, wAs A paRtNer In SupERsnipe comic book emPoRIum, A comics SHoP ON the upPeR EasT SiDe. a clue To hiS PerSistent Interest iN coMIcs aNd A cOmics adAptation.)

I don’t KnOw how Roy goT iT doNe. I was JUSt the assOciate editor, and not privy TO much of The WrangLing That went oN. BuT, Roy goT thE Deal doNe and wE publIsHed sTAr WarS.

tHe FirSt Two issues oF OUr sIx (?) issUe AdapTation cAme out in advance of tHE moVie. Driven by thE adVancE MArKetINg FOr tHe MOviE, SAles

One of the counters to my  challenge  was— and  Iam  not  mak ing this up. I cann ot write fiction wellenoug ht o ma k ethisup—“Goo d  d o e sn’ tse ll. ”Ge neral ly,  proofwas cited.  “W ar lock is good ,  b ut it does n’t  sell, nothi ngby McG re gor or Ge rbe r sel ls….”E tc.

M y counter  w a s that ,  whilee a ch  ofthose examples ha d  g o od, even excel lent t hi n gs a bou t t hem, theyal so ha d  negati v es . E ven Warlock, whic h was somet i mes  a dau nt ing read.Sorry  J i m.It was colo redmurkily,too de n se—toom any wor ds, to o m any  pan e ls —c onv ol u ted at  ti m esAND usua ll ywellofft h e Marv elmain strea m. I would ha velove d  to  have  seen  War lo ck in  a pre miumfo rmat with roomto r ock and a  li tt lemo re ac c essibl e.No,  I don’ t mean“ sim pl i f i ed ,” “dumbed down,”ho m o ge nized or  compr o mi se d  in anywa y.I me a n  acce ssib l e.  Easierto get in to , easie rto hop  a boa rdthe r i de.And, n o, I’m n ot su g gesting “moreM arvel mainstr e am . ”  N o t ne ces sary.

Anyw ay…. 
The re w a sa l o t ofoppos it i on to Star Wars. EvenSt an was n’t k een on the id ea.

EvenI w asn’t. I  had no prejudice agai nst s cience fic t ion, but  wast ing time  on an ad a p tation o f a  mo vie  wi t h  a  dumb title d e s crib ed  as an“ou ter spa cewes ter n?” 
I was tol d—don’tkn ow  f or  su re—th a t George  L uca shim selfc ame to  Marv el’s  o ff i ces  to mee t  w i t h St an  a nd h elp  c onvin ce h i m t hat weshould li cen s e St ar  W ars. Iwas told that  S tan kept h im  wa itingf o r 45 min utes in the reception r o om. Apo cry phal?  May be. Roy w oul d know . B u t if s o, itstill  r efl e c ts th e mo odat  the time. (AS IDE:Lu cas,  by the  way, again, as Ia m t old, but I’mpre ttys u re  th i si s t ru e , w a s  a partner in S upersnipeCo m ic  Book Empo r ium ,a comic s shopon th e  UpperEast Side . A clueto  his p ers istent int erest in  comics a n d a c o mi cs ad apt ation. )
Idon’t  knowh owRoy g ot itdo ne. Iwas j us t the as sociate editor, and not  privy  to m uch  of the w ran g lin g that we nt o n. But, Ro y g otthe d eal doneandw epub l ished  Sta r  Wars.

T h efir s t  t wo issues o f o ursix ( ?)i ssue a dapt ation came out in advance of the  mov i e . D riv e n by  t he advance mar ket in g for themo vie, sales

One of_the counters_to my challenge was—and_I am_not_making this_up._I cannot write_fiction well enough_to make this up—“Good_doesn’t sell.”

Generally, proof_was_cited. “Warlock is good, but it doesn’t sell, nothing by McGregor or Gerber sells….”_Etc.

My_counter was_that,_while_each of those examples had_good, even excellent things about_them, they_also had negatives. Even Warlock, which was sometimes_a_daunting read. Sorry_Jim. It was colored murkily, too dense—too many words,_too many panels—convoluted at times AND_usually well off_the_Marvel_mainstream. I would have_loved to have seen Warlock in_a premium format with room to_rock and a little more accessible. No,_I don’t mean “simplified,” “dumbed down,”_homogenized or compromised in any_way. I_mean accessible. Easier to get_into, easier to_hop aboard_the ride. And,_no, I’m not suggesting “more Marvel_mainstream.” Not necessary.

Anyway….

There_was a lot of opposition to_Star_Wars. Even Stan_wasn’t_keen_on the_idea.

Even I wasn’t._I_had no_prejudice_against science fiction, but wasting time_on_an adaptation of a movie with a_dumb title described as_an_“outer space western?”

I was_told—don’t know for sure—that George_Lucas himself came to Marvel’s offices_to meet_with Stan_and help convince him that we should license Star Wars. I_was told that Stan kept him_waiting for 45 minutes_in the_reception_room. Apocryphal? Maybe._Roy_would know._But if so, it still reflects the_mood at_the time.

(ASIDE: Lucas, by the way,_again, as I am_told,_but I’m pretty sure this is_true, was a partner in Supersnipe_Comic Book Emporium, a comics_shop_on_the Upper East Side. A_clue to his persistent interest in_comics and a_comics adaptation.)

I don’t know how Roy got_it_done. I was just the associate_editor,_and not privy to much of_the_wrangling_that went on. But, Roy_got the deal done and we_published Star Wars.

The first two issues of our six_(?) issue adaptation_came out in advance of_the_movie._Driven by the advance marketing for the movie, sales