Originally Posted by
Scott Lobdell
I know, how sad.
I'd been putting off addressing the troops for several
months because I didn't want to lie -- and because I
kept hoping against hope that MARVEL would come to its
senses. (I genuinely believe the MARVEL and DC are
in a mutual death grip, trying to choke the last few
dollars out of the "mature" AUTHORITY-LITE, ULTIMATES,
MARVEL KNIGHT angle that they've become convinced is
"the only stuff that sells." I believe that, given
time, ALPHA could find and audience...but certainly a
book can't find an audience if it isn't being
published.
I discussed the possibity of forgoing my payment --
and creating a six issue arc that takes place in
NEMESIS and CENTENIAL's shared past so that it could
justifiably be printed in black and white (which means
it would be cheaper to produce in terms of costs, sans
writing and coloring)...but alas, the only reaction I
got was "We do not publish black and white comics at
this time." Umm. You COULD publish black and white
comics if you WANT to...no one is showing up at the
printers with three hundred gallons of colored ink
pouring it onto the presses. Sigh.)
That said, I do give Quesada kudos for trying. He
did okay a book and a tone that no one else was doing
at the time: even Formerly Known As Justice League,
though a "comedy book" bore know real resemblence to
CENTENIAL and company. (FORMERLY was a reunion book.
ANADAF was, like GENERATION X before it, a variation
on a theme that we had not seen before.)
Also, keep in mind that over the years, I've left more
than a few lasting impressions. WHITE QUEEN, since
being turned in GENERATION X, has been front row and
center of the X-Verse for ten years now...BLINK has
been class hottie for nearly as long. And NORTHSTAR
essentially joined the X-MEN when I did Eve of
Destruction...(I can't believe Grant and Joe were too
cowardly to just keep him on the team at the time.)
And while I genuinely can't keep track of who is alive
or dead anymore, certainly some of the GEN X kids are
still around.
I say this because, who knows -- maybe one of the more
popular creators will take a shine to the
quasi-reformed NEMESIS, or the square-jawed MAJOR
MAPPLELEAF! Heck, who wouldn't like to see CENTENIAL
slap LUKE CAGE upside the head and say "That's no way
to treat a lady, Young Man!"?
I am sure a lot of people are going to be claiming "If
only it was the original team! THen the book would be
flying off the stands!" Mmmmaybe, but a] I doubt it
(look at DOOM PATROL as only the most recent example)
and b] I am proud of MAP and CENT and PUCK and SASQ
and YUCK and NEM! I would not have changed a word!
And don't thank ME for the support, Ben! It is I who
thank you for everything YOU'VE done for ALPHA FANS
the world over!
Scott!