Write Now! Magazine #15 Spring 2007 (magazine review).
I often find it puzzling that ‘Write Now! Magazine’ is the hardest to locate in physical copies among all the TwoMorrows magazines, with ‘Draw It!’ coming in second. When #15 appeared in the auction, I enthusiastically bid for it. Despite being 17 years old, the magazine still holds relevance today because, in addition to the interviews, it contains numerous examples of scripts and page developments from comicbooks, all of which serve as valuable resources for aspiring comicbook creators who are committed to following professional protocols. It’s no surprise that they don’t appear on the market frequently.
Even though I haven’t read a fraction of the material examined here, the insight from the interviews shows a lot about the writing techniques, working with editors, and such.
Editor Danny Fingeroth interviews Dan DiDio, the former DC executive editor, about ’52’ and ‘Countdown’. DiDio initiated both series and then delegated the responsibility to his editors and writers. Next, we spoke with editor Michael Siglain, who took over as editor of ’52 from the departing editor Steve Wacker. I had to research this information on Google for Marvel. It looked like a massive undertaking to do a comic a week for a missing year in DC Universe history and what the regular titles had to take on-board along the way.
The J.M. DeMatteis interview sheds light on what transpired when he collaborated with artist Mike Ploog on the comicbook ‘Abadazad’ for publisher CrossGen, but the company collapsed. Fortunately, Disney purchased the rights and successfully revived the project. Given the initial challenges DeMatteis faced in securing book publishers, he likely relied heavily on serendipity. He was also engaged in other projects, such as animation, which provides insight into his approach to multitasking. He conducted a brief interview with cartoonist Mike Ploog via email, which appears to have been based on predetermined questions.
The first part of Steven Grant’s lessons on writing theory is particularly intriguing for any writer developing their skills. His second point, which emphasizes that the plot is not the primary focus of the story, is particularly insightful. It never hurts to review the fundamentals to ensure you understand their importance. If you’re an ‘organic’ writer, that is, you just sit and write and then get unstuck because you haven’t thought through some of the details. Grant explains the mechanics well.
Equally, comicbook writer John Ostrander explains in detail the differences between working on licensed properties and self-owned characters and being careful what you sign away. Twenty years down the line, this is even more relevant.
Jeff Combs provided a detailed explanation of his role in transmedia storytelling. Essentially, not only have characters appearing in different mediums but also their plot aspects. Back then, this was only growing and a real industry for so many companies today. In my analytical mode, I believe that consumers are affected from various perspectives and may feel excluded if they miss anything, but at least they will understand why.
If you’re interested in engaging with educational comics, particularly for those who struggle with reading, author Eric Fein has carefully considered not only the educational level required, but also the age appropriateness of the books. These books are typically published in hardcover, adhering to stricter regulations regarding what can and cannot be shown, making it a unique discipline.
A final selling point is a full-page pencil drawing by Gene Colan, which depicts Adam Strange and Alanna about to face a couple of creatures. Although I’m not a great fan of the character, it is a nice picture to end on.
What more could you expect from a magazine dedicated to comicbook writing, featuring a diverse range of artwork, that only lasted for twenty issues?
GF Willmetts
November 2024
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing, 2007. 82 page illustrated magazine. Price: varies. ISSN: 1555-502X. Direct from them, you can get it digitally for $ 4.99 (US))
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