Sold Souls at WonderCon: Mark Waid Talks Comics, Chaos, and Confusion

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At this year’s Wondercon, Comic Book Club Live posed 54 questions to Mark Waid. Here are some thoughts on topics that might be worth contemplating:

1. The first question could delve into the creative process behind Waid’s recent work, such as exploring how he develops ideas and characters, or discussing his approach to storytelling in comic books.
2. Another intriguing topic would be to examine the role of diversity and representation in Waid’s stories, considering how he incorporates diverse characters and themes into his narratives.
3. A third question might focus on Waid’s thoughts on the future of comic book storytelling, asking about emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the medium.
4. The fourth question could explore Waid’s insights on collaboration, discussing how he works with artists, writers, and editors to bring his stories to life.
5. Lastly, it would be fascinating to delve into Waid’s personal experiences and journey within the comic book industry, learning about his early influences, challenges faced, and achievements throughout his career.

Has he devoured all DC comics throughout his life? While he’s gone through almost every Superman and many Batman issues, he’s affirmed a ‘Yes’ for Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Green Lantern as well.” And regarding your question, “Have I read any notable fiction books in the last two decades? No.

It’s intriguing to hear him make that statement, considering that both DC and Marvel have arguably experienced artistic decline over the past two decades or so. There have been several comics and series that didn’t hold up, with some even faltering earlier on. Mark Waid’s works since then could also be included in this list, given the perceived pretentiousness of his Daredevil run.

In Underworld Unleashed, characters sold their souls; does that mean they can ever regain them? It’s not within my jurisdiction to answer that question.

It seems clear that the character most affected by Underworld Unleashed was Blue Devil, who pleaded to transform into a true devil or anthropomorph, instead of asking for his human form back. Sadly, his assistant, Marla Bloom, was killed in the crossover and has largely been forgotten since then. If Waid desired, he could request all these UU regrets be undone. Perhaps one day, he will. For now, his response is certainly a letdown.

Could I ask Dan Slott about the large piece of Kryptonite appearing in Superman Unlimited?

And if Waid’s got no complaints about Slott’s bad writing, that’s very disappointing.

Among all the issues, it’s the one featuring Blood Kryptonite that stands out for him, mainly because it’s the initial one he can recall.

In the 52 weekly series, he didn’t undo any of the negative events from Identity Crisis, which I find the reference to that comic as being in poor taste.

Speaking casually, you might say, “Hey, you’re the one who created Bart Allen, right?” He’s got an original character design sketch of him hanging up on his wall.

Reflecting on the recent revival of the Teen Titans, I can’t help but ponder how Geoff Johns felt about the transformation he orchestrated for Impulse back in the day – a transformation that left Bart Allen reeling for over two decades. It’s a change that still resonates strongly within the comics community today.

Here are three books that have moved me to tears:

1. “The Death of Jean Grey” – This is a comic book storyline where the beloved character, Jean Grey, dies tragically.
2. “Superman #148,” also known as “Superman Owes A Billion Dollars,” was particularly emotional for me because it’s about an adult Superman dealing with the realization that he owes a huge sum in back taxes to the IRS.
3. Lastly, there’s a novel titled “Miracle Monday” featuring Superman. This story also resonated deeply and brought tears to my eyes.

Isn’t it disheartening that Jim Shooter permitted Jean to transform into a monster, or that Stan Lee didn’t intervene to stop it himself? I personally find it shocking they didn’t introduce a new character instead in the late 70s when this happened, and it was only rectified around 1985. This behavior seemed like an early example of the more progressive direction comics have taken since the mid-2000s.

The most challenging continuity conundrum to address in the New History of the DC Universe, according to Waid, is none other than Wonder Girl. He explains that besides Hawkman, who remains a mystery to many, she’s the toughest to manage. Additionally, he mentions that working with the current DC Universe instead of the pre-Crisis continuities provides some relief.

If he understands that not even Geoff Johns and James Robinson could figure out Hawkman, that’s progress. However, as I pointed out earlier, it was during the early ’90s when the Silver Age version of Hawkman became a mess.

What stands out most about the 1978 DC expansion? It was a period when they were planning to release more books, which required significant financial investment. However, these books didn’t make it to the shelves. Instead, I learned from my neighbor’s cousin that the reason for this was a lack of confidence from Warner Bros. This was disappointing.

Wow, that sentiment seems to resonate with my current situation too. It’s like I’m holding onto things not because I truly believe in them, but due to the potential they might offer in the future – particularly on the silver screen. And given how things have been going as of late, it certainly feels that way.

As for the new Superman movie, I don’t have a direct role in it, but I’ve heard positive things that make me optimistic about it.

Except James Gunn, IMO, and there are signs wokeness affects this new screenplay too.

Are you sometimes annoyed when people don’t adhere to your guidelines? Indeed, I am, but I understand that “these are simply the regulations we must abide by.

As a movie enthusiast, let me express my disappointment with the character development in many films since the mid-2000s. The flaws in characterization have been so profound that they overshadow any accolades or praise these movies might receive.

As a die-hard comic book enthusiast, I’ve come to realize that what truly sets a script apart is its ability to resonate with readers emotionally. I once thought that a gripping plot was the be-all and end-all, but I now understand it’s the emotion that truly captivates us. It’s those human moments of joy, sorrow, love, or fear that keep us turning pages, not just the twists and turns of the storyline.

Regrettably, even strong emotions can sometimes be distorted into something unconvincing and false, and this certainly seemed to happen with the 2004 miniseries titled Identity Crisis. This series appeared to resonate with those who disliked superheroes and the principles of heroism they embody. However, one major issue with this miniseries was its focus on plot rather than character development. The most appalling aspect of the whole debacle was its treatment of serious issues such as sexual violence, which was handled in a way that was deeply offensive.

Do you sometimes find yourself pining for the days of comic journalism work?”

“You know, I have to admit, there were times when I really missed it.” It gave him an opportunity to connect with others in the comics industry, and one aspect that particularly benefited him was his role as a helper at conventions.

It wasn’t until he started working in journalism that I began to ponder whether he might have had issues with J. Jonah Jameson, who is often a symbol for news writers who can do harmful things. I’ve always found it strange that journalists who take controversial stances, regardless of their political leanings, don’t seem bothered by what Jameson stands for in the Marvel universe, and yet they continue to read Spider-Man comics and other Marvel books where he might appear. Frankly, it perplexes me greatly.

Which “close friend” or “loved one”, specifically Dave Sim, did he pick up from the airport, following his divorce with his ex-wife, about whom he expressed a desire to discuss extensively.

Is it the Canadian comic artist who created Cerebus, and whose past actions were deemed disrespectful towards women by many? I’ve never quite understood what drew people to Sim, but here we are years later, and it wasn’t until after Cerebus was concluded that those on the left started to distance themselves from such a pompous artist. However, Waid still has positive sentiments about him? That’s unfortunate.

Favorite JSA character? Original Mr. Terrific.

It’s surprising he mentioned Terry Sloane in that context, as I recall the original Mr. Terrific barely made an appearance in the stories of the Golden Age Justice Society (much the same with Wildcat). However, he did show up alongside them a few times during the Silver Age.

Matt Fraction hinted, “For the Fantastic Four movie to hit the mark, it should blend excitement with humor effectively. It needs to present something uniquely imaginative that leaves audiences in awe.

As a devoted fan, it’s clear when someone references left-wing ideologues that something isn’t quite right. And let me tell you, casting Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic? That’s another red flag. It’s truly disheartening, and it speaks volumes about the unfortunate state of affairs surrounding the Fantastic Four (FF), Marvel’s most iconic creations, who have faced an unprecedented amount of mishandling since their transition to live action.

My preferred Superman villain is Lex Luthor, as I find it intriguing to imagine them being childhood friends, for this theme underscores a fundamental aspect of Superman’s character: his loneliness.

I find it surprising, considering the relationships Superman has had with characters like Lana Lang and Lois Lane, as well as his past friendship with Pete Ross, that he is described as being a loner. Even more perplexing is the suggestion that a character who has interacted extensively with villains, such as Waid’s references to villains as favorites, could be considered lonely.

At Wondercon, it seems Waid was not asked some additional questions, such as his thoughts on whether Marvel should reestablish the Spider-marriage and DC should reverse all negative directions since Dan DiDio became involved, with these topics possibly dating back even further. However, this is not unexpected given that there are limited numbers of individuals brave enough to ask difficult questions in reality.

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2025-04-08 16:16