Whitechapel - The Ed Brubaker Residency

The Ed Brubaker Residency

warrenellis — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:13:11 -0700

From today (Monday) until Friday, Ed Brubaker, award-winning co-creator and author of CRIMINAL, SLEEPER and SCENE OF THE CRIME and writer of CAPTAIN AMERICA and CATWOMAN (and co-writer of UNCANNY X-MEN & IMMORTAL IRON FIST) will be hanging out in this thread.

Ed's here to take questions, show you stuff from CRIMINAL (which you should really already be reading) and basically shoot the shit and talk about whatever he wants to talk about.

Say hello to Ed Brubaker now.

-- W

The Ed Brubaker Residency

mojojoseph — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:13:59 -0700

Hi Ed,

Love the work.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:14:03 -0700

Hello, sir. Good to see you here. Criminal is one of my favourite books in ages.

- Z

The Ed Brubaker Residency

harchangel — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:14:27 -0700

Well hello Mr. Brubaker and welcome to the circus.

the weird, freaky and soemwhat unsettling circus.

just don't mention bacon and everything will be ok.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

JEFFSJ — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:18:15 -0700

I'll second the kudos for Criminal. It's fantastic.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ted — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:19:42 -0700

Hello Mr Brubaker. I love your work, but am hanging my head in shame as I write this as I still haven't read Criminal.

I know you've said in interviews that you've always wanted to do Iron Fist, but what was it that drew you to him? Also, were the storylines in IMMORTAL IRON FIST something you'd thought about before you applied for the gig?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

hank — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:23:47 -0700

Hello Ed Brubaker Now!

The Ed Brubaker Residency

PyD — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:24:44 -0700

Hello sir,

after the last residency I must ask are there any central snack foods you would like to discuss?

In all seriousness though is Criminal the kind of book you've been researching all your life through a love of the genre?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

starfire — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:28:03 -0700

Hi! I love your work on Iron Fist. i was sad to hear that you're leaving the book shortly. Is this really the case?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:32:20 -0700

@starfire

The Iron Fist announcement is over here, including an interview with Mr Brubaker.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

David Bedard — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:32:51 -0700

You seem to flourish in co-writing books. Any plans to work with someone other than Fraction soon? Would Ellis be tolearble enough to work with in a team setting?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

moali — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:33:52 -0700

greetings Ed, your work is pristine...

The Ed Brubaker Residency

starfire — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:38:55 -0700

thanks z. i just got online.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:39:58 -0700

Certainly, not a problem.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:40:01 -0700

Snack foods are not a good topic with me right now as my wife and I are on a weird low-salt diet her doctor wanted her to try. I miss potato chips.

Let's not get into bacon.

In all seriousness though is Criminal the kind of book you've been researching all your life through a love of the genre?

Sort of. Criminal is what I came up with when I asked myself what kind of book I would do if I could do anything I wanted. And if money was not an issue.

Turns out I wanted to create a whole world of interlinking crime stories and character studies... which is what the best noir really is. Noir plots are all cliches, even the best of them, it's the main characters that pull you through a Jim Thompson novel. How's this guy crazy? What sexual dysfunction does he have?

I know you've said in interviews that you've always wanted to do Iron Fist, but what was it that drew you to him? Also, were the storylines in IMMORTAL IRON FIST something you'd thought about before you applied for the gig?

Iron Fist was just one of my first comics. I bought Iron Fist the same day at the PX in Gitmo that I bought my first Captain America book. Sometimes it's just that simple. I got imprinted early in Kung Fu Billionaire coolness. The storylines were things I'd been mulling for a while, but they were very basic. --

We meet the previous Iron Fist, who's still alive and who fought in WW1. -- Danny goes back to Kun Lun and there's a major change/fix Kun Lun and its backstory.

That was the basics. Once Matt joined up and we started fleshing out the way the stories would be told, a lot of stuff got added or changed. It was very organic storytelling.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:41:57 -0700

How's this guy crazy? What sexual dysfunction does he have?

Is there a particular process you go through to investigate the mental conditions of a character, or do you tend to let the character speak for himself?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

joe.distort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:46:04 -0700

woooooord! hey ed!

some curiosities:
now that CRIM relaunched, did it affect the pacing/beats that you had worked out ahead of time? i know the three stand alones were planned, but beyond that?

ive talked to you before about DIY type stuff, but never really asked- since you were around the socal scene in the 80s (?), what bands were you seeing at the time? i love to hear that kinda stuff....i know, surprise, surprise joe's question was about punk/hardcore.

also, now that you and matt are off of IIF, can we expect another book to pop up with you (and hopefully him and david too) associated?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:46:44 -0700

Here's some previews for the new Criminal, issue 2, out this week. Tomorrow, that is.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:47:56 -0700

Wow. Those came out big. Sorry.

I am the retard.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:50:58 -0700

Nah, they're great sir, thanks for the sneak peek!

We're fond of images here. Lots of image threads, honest.

- Z

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:51:52 -0700

>>Is there a particular process you go through to investigate the mental conditions of a character, or do you tend to let the character speak for himself?

Mostly just start with the characters and what seems right, and then do a little bit of research. As little as you have to, as James Ellroy said.

>>now that CRIM relaunched, did it affect the pacing/beats that you had worked out ahead of time? i know the three stand alones were planned, but beyond that?

Yeah, a little bit. Part of what Criminal is about, though, is the freedom of doing whatever story next strikes my fancy, basically. So, when I decided I wanted to do a different story instead of the Coward sequel right now, I just slotted Bad Night in, instead. It's my book, so I can do what I want.

As long as Sean wants to draw it. Of course.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:54:20 -0700

Here's the next five pages:

The Ed Brubaker Residency

paribolzi — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:55:23 -0700

Ed-
Per your earlier comment (and it's obvious from your work), Jim Thompson is a big influence. Which of his books are your favorites?
Also, did you read Robert Polito's Thomson biography Savage Art? I have to say, it turned me off of Thompson for a while; the parallels between his life and his characters' started to depress me.
Any other pulp favorites? What do you think of Vachss?
Oh, and thanks for stopping by.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:55:29 -0700

Interesting art fact -

After the first Criminal story, Coward, Sean asked our colorist Val Staples to use less fades and modeling and go more for a flat European style of coloring.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

chris g — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:56:04 -0700

Dear Bru,
DD, Cap, and Iron Fist are my must-buy trifecta. So sad to see you leave Iron Fist.

Anyway, can we expect you and Fraction to come back down the line for Iron Fist specials/one-shots? Orson Randall's gotta be the break out character of the year!!

Do you like the vibe coming from the new Batman movie? It looks like a hardcore crime movie--with a superhero :)

And will Matt Murdock ever have a good day?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

harchangel — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:56:11 -0700

Its true, we love us some images, and better overly large and discernable than itty bitty pixelated messes.

So thank you.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

budgie — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:56:53 -0700

Hey Ed...

Are we likely to see any more Scene of the Crime?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:59:31 -0700

I like some Vachss. I recently read Getaway Man and dug it.

Dan J. Marlowe's the Name of the Game is Death is one of my all-time favorite pulp novels. I like it better than Thompson's books, probably.

I dig Willeford and Woolrich a lot, and David Goodis has some great books. I probably read more modern crime and non-fiction than I read old pulp stuff, though. I read a lot of it a long time ago, though. My current favorite crime writer is Jason Starr. Find a copy of Hard Feelings or Twisted City. He's like a modern Jim Thompson or James M Cain, with some Patricia Highsmith in his plotting or something. But he's definitely got his own unique voice, all that said. He's on his way to becoming a best selling author with his last few books, too.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

groonk — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:59:57 -0700

woah. i really *should* be reading CRIMINAL.

thanks for sharing!

The Ed Brubaker Residency

mojojoseph — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:01:43 -0700

I have adored your work on Immortal Iron Fist, which is an accomplishment as before you and Matt took the book I never liked the character. I always considered him kind of lame, and didn't see much merit in him. And in recent years he almost seemed to be seen as a stock comedy character, a sort of 'look at the crazy ideas Marvel used to come up with' kinda guy.

Then I read The Last Iron Fist Story and was blown away. So much so me and a housemate adapted it into a film script for shits and giggles. But I digress...

Having loved your work on a book I would never have touched before, you came to take over a book which was my first comic, and my favourite on the market, Uncanny X-Men. I've enjoyed your work so far on the run, in particular I love your current arc.

I am curious about what may have attracted you to this book, and now that Fraction is joining you, am eager to see the crazy, fantastical ideas you bring to that series too.

Finally, I would say that I have recently, as a writer, come to appraciate the energy that comes from a collaboration. I just wondered, what kind of extra dynamics do you personally feel it brings to your work, and do you have a preference to solo writing or team writing?

PS. My housemate has an original, inked page of Criminal which takes pride of place on the wall of our living room. Just thought you may like t'know

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:01:48 -0700

>>Are we likely to see any more Scene of the Crime?

Not anytime soon, if at all. Although we did get the rights back recently, so who knows.

We were going to do that as a series of mini-series, but it all got messed up back then and Michael took some other work and then too much time had passed, it felt like, and we wanted to do other projects. I still love those characters, though.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Derleth — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:04:00 -0700

Hey, Mr. Bru,

I know you enjoy passing on the suggestions for what you consider top-notch noir and gumshoe tales, be they prose or cinema. Whenever I can, I take these suggestions to heart, and search out the recommended titles. Laugh if you will, but, I just recently got to watch the newer/original cut of Touch of Evil. Amazing. The look on Orson's pal's face when he gets the bullet to the gut was what solidified that film in my personal top ten.

The reason I'm writing this is because I've always wondered what you thought about my favorite noir film of all time.

What are your thoughts on the 80's flick, ANGEL HEART, featuring Mickey Rourke, Robert DeNiro, and Lisa Bonet?

Thanks for visiting Chapel, Ed.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:05:37 -0700

>>woah. i really *should* be reading CRIMINAL.

There's two trades out already, that you can find out about at this link.

And issue 1 of the new volume in our expanded format is still available.

But please buy them from your local shop first if they have them.

Also, if you haven't seen Criminal at your local store ever, please ask them to carry it for you, and maybe remind them that I write other big books that do well for them, like Captain America.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Jacob Horn — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:05:50 -0700

Hi, Ed.

I was wondering if you could tell us a little about working with Sean Phillips--what kind of material do you give him to work with, and how tightly do you script things for him to draw? I am especially struck by the "black-out" panels above, and I wonder how you two split the visual work of writing?

Also, any other creator-owned stuff in the works?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:06:40 -0700

Wow. I really don't know how to use Whitechapel.

I can't get the italics to work, I mess up the links...

The Ed Brubaker Residency

sardon — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:08:21 -0700

After i read your first Captain America i was amazed and always told people that i never thought i'd actually buy a Captain America comic but it is one of the few that i really look forward to every month. Thank you.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:08:42 -0700

You'll get the hang of it, sir. It does link to Amazon, that's what counts.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ariana — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:08:45 -0700

Dunno what yer talkin' about, Ed.

(First few are sorted. FYI going forward: Italics need the "html" radio button at the bottom of the comments form to be ticked, and links just need some text after the tag to work.)

The Ed Brubaker Residency

karabair — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:09:10 -0700

Hi Ed!

I'm curious if there's any music (song/artist/genre/theme song) that you associate with specific titles or characters you write. I'm most curious about 'Criminal,' since it's closest to the 'real' world, but this applies to the superhero books, too. Is there anything special you listen while writing, to or imagine being on in the background of certain scenes?

Also, if I get two questions -- the TV show "Homicide" was obviously a big influence on you and Greg in 'Gotham Central.' Do you have a favorite character/episode/storyline -- or just something in the show that spoke to you?

Thanks.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

paribolzi — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:10:02 -0700

I'll pick up those Jason Starr books you recommended. Thanks.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

ivanbrandon — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:10:22 -0700

does your fancy diet mean there will be no more cupcakes at your house this year?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

bsearles — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:10:48 -0700

Hi Ed,

Thanks to my love of your work on Sleeper, Criminal, Daredevil, and Gotham Central, I've finally followed you over to Captain America. So my very mundane question is: Any word on when the first Death of Captain America paperback collection is due out? I've picked up all your Cap books, but a tight budget has me sticking to tpbs. I figured it might be out when the second volume hardcover arrives in May, but haven't seem any scheduling info on it yet...

best from Boston,

-Brad

www.bradleysalmanac.com

The Ed Brubaker Residency

dkb — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:14:12 -0700

You've done books with Rucka and Fraction, how about something with W.E.? Take some stellar crime noir and sprinkle in some Godzilla fetishists and saline injection, you may as well line them up for the movie rights.

In all seriousness, one of my favorite books of yours was Deadenders. I was sad to see it go so soon. While I haven't read everything you've done, I've read a good deal, and (aside from X-men) Deadenders seems the biggest diversion from everything else. The book most unlike the others. Any plans, short or long-term, to do another book like that?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:15:32 -0700

Angel Heart actually holds up really well. I watched it a few years back. It might be Alan Parker's best film. Just as Invasion of the Body Snatchers is Philip Kaufman's best movie, because it's his least pretentious, and it's fucking amazingly filmed.

>>I was wondering if you could tell us a little about working with Sean Phillips--what kind of material do you give him to work with, and how tightly do you script things for him to draw? I am especially struck by the "black-out" panels above, and I wonder how you two split the visual work of writing?

I've been writing for Sean for so long now that it's really simple for us. I trust him and Lark and Epting to do anything I write because we've done so many comics together. There are other collaborators I like working with, but those three are like my own hands, in some way. They always draw it how I pictured or better, for the most part.

Here's a script page for an upcoming issue:

1—1972. A 60s style big car drives down a long highway in the late afternoon. It’s like highway 5 in California. Emptiness, but mountains in the distance. It’s a four lane highway, two lanes on each side, and there’s a smattering of cars on it, but we focus on this one.

NARR: Two hundred miles from home, I’m pretty sure this guy’s going to be trouble.

NARR: Trouble I can handle, but trouble.

2—Inside the car, we see the driver, a chubby nervous white guy with glasses, balding. He’s looking over at us, and we’re in the perspective of the passenger seat. He’s got a nervous smile, sweating a little. He’s like a travelling salesman or something.

NARR: Figured him for the nervous type, the hopeful type…

3—And now we see Danica in the passenger seat. She looks tired, but she’s smoking and she’s got her window down, and her legs crossed, so she’s showing some leg to the driver, and trying to ignore him looking at her. She’s got a small purse (big enough for a gun, though) on her lap. She’s looking out the window, and wearing her little fur jacket that she got killed in last issue.

NARR: Kind you show a little leg, and shake a little ass, and they do whatever you want.

4—Now the driver’s hand reaches over and touches her leg, where it’s exposed.

NARR: But a few hours into the ride, and he’s growing his balls back.

5—She looks at him, exhaling smoke. He laughs, nervously, taking his hand away.

GUY: Henhh… hehh…?

6—She looks away, flicking her cigarette out the window.

DANICA: Stop up ahead, would ya?
DANICA: I need to use the ladies room.

And here's how Sean drew it:

The Ed Brubaker Residency

joe.distort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:15:53 -0700

would like to beg plead and cry for more in the style of DEADENDERS!! book is amazing.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:16:37 -0700

Sean's inking is leaning toward a slight Munoz vibe lately, with those big swathes of black.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:17:36 -0700

Thank you Ariana.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

groonk — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:19:57 -0700

>>Also, if you haven't seen Criminal at your local store ever, please ask them to carry it for you, and maybe remind them that I write other big books that do well for them, like Captain America.<<

consider it done. i've been meaning to catch up on the new Iron Fist. i remember getting the Kun Lun story in one of those random comics things that Sears or somebody sold via their catalogs. this was back in the day.

The recent goings on with Cap caught my eye as well. i'll have to backtrack on those issues, i guess.

and that interview with Bill Hader: hilarious and informative.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Jon Wake — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:22:47 -0700

Howyadoin'?

So this is one I ask everyone I meet.
How many years did you work until you felt you'd 'made it'?

I mean 'made it' in the sense that you felt comfortable throwing out the resume that listed "customer service" as a skill.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:23:23 -0700

I'm curious if there's any music (song/artist/genre/theme song) that you associate with specific titles or characters you write. I'm most curious about 'Criminal,' since it's closest to the 'real' world, but this applies to the superhero books, too. Is there anything special you listen while writing, to or imagine being on in the background of certain scenes?

Not so much. I was thinking Leonard Cohen for certain parts of Coward, I think, but mostly I just listen to stuff that's sort of depressing and slow while I write, if I listen to anything at all. Stuff like Will Oldham or Sun Kil Moon's album of all Modest Mouse songs. I can't listen to anything too rambunctious and think straight enough to write.

Also, if I get two questions -- the TV show "Homicide" was obviously a big influence on you and Greg in 'Gotham Central.' Do you have a favorite character/episode/storyline -- or just something in the show that spoke to you?

I think we both loved Pembleton. Yeah, Gotham Central was so much our version of Homicide it was almost theft, but not quite. Originality is highly overrated, anyway.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

twitch_ramirez — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:23:42 -0700

hello Mr. Brubaker and welcome

The Ed Brubaker Residency

hkhenson — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:23:51 -0700

Heavy stuff you do.

I think there is an opportunity to expand the market for graphic material beyond the current base.

Transmetropolitan did that. I had not read anything in the graphic class since the underground comics dried up, but it was widely recommended in transhumanist circles. Of course that's not a very large community either.

There is one other area that might be fun and profitable to take on, but due to legal restrictions I can't mention it in a public forum that might be read by a certain class of people. Ask in private if you wish. This community is larger, perhaps 100,000 strong, and smack in comics prime demographic.

Keith Henson
hkhenson(at)rogers.com

The Ed Brubaker Residency

joe.distort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:29:20 -0700

might be read by a certain class of people

i dont know what you are alluding to, but this strikes me as fucking hilarious.
i am always glad to be considered part of that class of people....

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:30:21 -0700

I can't listen to anything too rambunctious and think straight enough to write.

Is there work you can do while listening to more up-tempo music (like editing, or drafts of things), or is that music reserved especially for car/home? What music do you listen to 'away from the office'?

- Z

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Pete — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:32:05 -0700

Ed, SLEEPER is a big favorite of mine and I'm crazy for both IRON FIST and CRIMINAL. Thank you for the excellent stuff to read, and keep up the great work.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

nigredo — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:32:07 -0700

Hey, Ed.

Criminal is one of my favourite books and I think one of the best books out there in quite a while. I love that you have paid a lot of attention to the overall package, from the covers to the fonts to the essays at the end. The experience of reading Criminal would be entirely different if it weren't for that.

Thanks for introducing me to some interesting writers by the way.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:32:32 -0700

Damn. Lost a whole post. Fucking internet.

Here's some of Sean's process, from his blog: http://surebeatsworking.blogspot.com/

cover rough:

inks:

and painted and designed with temp text:

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:33:49 -0700

And here's that interview. It gets funny halfway through, or... at least I fucking hope it does.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Peter Kelly — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:36:07 -0700

Hey Ed

You did an interview in a jail cell a few months ago for a tv series and I want say thanks (I was the editor, so we never met, but it was a great interview).

I'm Seconding Jacob Horn's question about working with Sean Phillips. I recall a review of Criminal that drew attention to the "camera" angles you guys use. Is that something specifically in the script or is it generally left for Sean to interpret?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:36:53 -0700

Sigh... I just picture Ariana running around after me fixing all the plumbing I'm destroying.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Peter Kelly — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:38:28 -0700

Ahh....nevermind, I'll check out the link to Sean's blog above.

Always 10 minutes behind the rest of the world....

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ariana — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:38:33 -0700

Haha, You're doing fine, Ed. YouTube videos autoembed -- just hit the video/mp3 button and paste in the url sans embed code.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

IsaacSher — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:39:29 -0700

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us!

You mentioned that "Enter the Dragon" was an inspiration to your Iron Fist stories. Do you have any particular favorite media in the marital arts/wuxia genre that also inspired you?

More specifically, since you and Matt collaborated on Iron Fist, did either one of you ever hold up a paricular DVD or book to the other and say "you have got to see this, it inspired me and I think it'll inspire you too", or something to that effect?

What are your goals as a professional writer? Have you met any goals that you'd previously set for yourself?

Thanks again.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Miranda's Eyes — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:40:33 -0700

Hi Ed,

Speaking of noir novels, have you checked out any of the titles in the Hard Case Crime line of paperbacks? It's a mix of reprints with new materials, some of which features names you might recognize. The link is here.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:44:01 -0700

How many years did you work until you felt you'd 'made it'?

I think I started to feel a bit more sure I wasn't going to have to go back to working some counter somewhere in the last few years. I don't think I've made it, though. I just think they aren't going to take it all away anytime soon, so far as I can tell.

I'll feel I've made it when Criminal sells 25K an issue and the trades do that well, too.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:49:04 -0700

I recall a review of Criminal that drew attention to the "camera" angles you guys use. Is that something specifically in the script or is it generally left for Sean to interpret?

Sometimes I'll give him a specific angle I feel we need, but I never demand it if he has a better idea.

You mentioned that "Enter the Dragon" was an inspiration to your Iron Fist stories. Do you have any particular favorite media in the marital arts/wuxia genre that also inspired you?

Iron Monkey, House of Flying Daggers, all the shit they showed us at the base growing up.

More specifically, since you and Matt collaborated on Iron Fist, did either one of you ever hold up a paricular DVD or book to the other and say "you have got to see this, it inspired me and I think it'll inspire you too", or something to that effect?

Yeah, Matt sent me Lady Snowblood and the Female Prisoner movies, which I loved.

What are your goals as a professional writer? Have you met any goals that you'd previously set for yourself?

To keep doing it, and to not suck at it.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:49:54 -0700

Speaking of noir novels, have you checked out any of the titles in the Hard Case Crime line of paperbacks? It's a mix of reprints with new materials, some of which features names you might recognize.

Yeah, I'm a monthly subscriber to Hard Case, so I get all their books. I'm far behind reading them right now, though.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:50:54 -0700

To keep doing it, and to not suck at it.

So far, so good!

Anything you're looking forward to doing or seeing at Emerald City Con next month?

- Z

The Ed Brubaker Residency

thoughtmecca — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:52:15 -0700

The joy of Hard Case is the ability to shove them in your jacket pocket. I go through about one a week on the subway.

Since Charles Ardai is writing the fiftieth, have you ever entertained any ideas about writing a novel for them?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

ChasRhett — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:56:58 -0700

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the backmatter in Criminal. My wallet doesn't thank you, but you (and your contributors) have pointed me toward some great stuff. Is it too early to reveal who's doing the honors in the next few issues?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

BrotherNeutron — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:58:38 -0700

Sad to see you and Fraction go from Iron Fist.

Do you think you'll go into more creator owned work like Criminal?

Also, speaking of crime novels a little more, ever read any Tim Dorsey?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:02:30 -0700

Criminal Noirticles in upcoming issues?

Ande Parks is working on one right now, and I just got one from my pal Michael Stradford, who is a big mucky muck at Sony Pictures.

I've got an interview with Charles Ardai from Hard Case coming up in issue 4, as well.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Colin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:04:26 -0700

Hi Ed,

I normally stick to superhero comics so Iron Fist is cool and takes me back a 'few' years, but the occasional good non-supe comic can distract me. Criminal is one of those. Keep up the good work and thanks for the previews of the upcoming story.

Colin

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Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:05:05 -0700

Do you think you'll go into more creator owned work like Criminal?

I have a lot of creator-owned stories in the planning stages, it's just finding the time and ability to do them. I have to balance everything around my Marvel work, for one, because that pays the bills. All the money I've made on Criminal so far, beyond what I pay Sean and Val, has been invested back into the book, and the only reason I can afford to do that is because I get paid well to write all my other books.

Also, speaking of crime novels a little more, ever read any Tim Dorsey?

No. I'll check him out.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

TechnocratJT — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:16:39 -0700

Thanks for joining us here Ed,

I will add to the statements that Criminal is one of the best books out there, and throw in I think Cap is currently that good as well.

Are you free to discuss how Icon works?

I am under the impression it works somewhat like Image, with the caveat its invitation only of course, that is the monetary investment comes upfront and Marvel simply provides the publishing label. Is that the case? If so does Marvel have any base expectations for the line performances on their end, or is the risk all yours?

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Asphyxiautomaton — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:22:55 -0700

You have my welcome sir, albeit belatedly.

I also take Hard Case on a monthly basis, and the aforementioned Jason Starr had a pair of great books working with Ken Bruen under that imprint, Slide and Bust. Seriously, you don't know whether to wince or laugh through most of them. Incredible characters. Modern noir at its finest.

And Tim Dorsey is....well he is what he is, which is something to read when you just want to forget anything resembling anything coherent and read about the most deliciously fucked up people ever created. In a good way, of course.

Anyway, enough.

Look forward to more of your work

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:24:23 -0700

All Icon deals are probably different. I wanted certain things from mine that I asked for. I can't really talk about the details, though saying it's similar to Image is probably close. It all depends on what you want to do and how you want to do it. The most important thing to me was that it offered REAL ownership, not the kind most publishers offer, where they really own half the property and all the control of it. Real ownership of our creation, and being published by the biggest publisher in the Direct Market were key.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

bearface — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:26:44 -0700

Hi Ed,

My girlfriend, being the awesome person she is, got the Sleeper trades for me at Christmas. It's a really gripping story and has amazing film written all over it. Any chance we'll see one?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:30:55 -0700

Remember when I mentioned REAL ownership and control a minute ago? If I had done Sleeper creator-owned, I'd be a multimillionaire by now.

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Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:33:29 -0700

Interestingly, for all the talk about crime and pulp and noir, I think the biggest influence on the three stand-alone issues we're putting out right now is the Hernandez Brothers. I didn't realize it, but then I read the new Jaime book, the Education of Hopey Glass and I saw how much I was still influenced by their stuff.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Egon — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:35:09 -0700

I attended a small writing discussion you hosted at WWLA last year. Just wanted to say thanks. :)

The Ed Brubaker Residency

TechnocratJT — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:38:54 -0700

Real ownership of our creation, and being published by the biggest publisher in the Direct Market were key.

I am moderately familiar with how image works (during my Internship it came up for one client), so was assuming it was the case.
I fully understand you can't talk about your specifics, I can fill in the blanks from your response nicely.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:40:33 -0700

Image gives full ownership, too. At other publishers, it's different. Even in Europe, the publisher takes half of ownership. It's kind of fucked.

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Dayan B. — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:46:44 -0700

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MegaGoosey — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:47:26 -0700

It's been mentioned that "Homicide" was a big influence on "Gotham Central," which brings up a question that is only slightly related. What did you think of the end of the TV series "The Wire?" That stuff must be right up your alley.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

raymondconlon — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:48:46 -0700

I watched on YouTube a video where you arm-wrestled ( and soundly defeated the majority of your) fans at a comic book signing.

My question: who wins in an Arm Wrestle: You or Warren?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

TechnocratJT — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:51:04 -0700

Image gives full ownership, too.

Well, from my end, I have seen more publishing contracts for books.

Limited period exclusivity (usually defined in terms of number of books not duration of contract) with full ownership subject to an exclusive license to publish, with possibilities of first refusal, are standard. Standard even in the worst contracts in that field. And of course those limited rights are paid for. And I saw many "bad" contracts - since first refusal almost always locks in the price of later rights, sometimes for as many as 3 or 4 books, and new writers often face costs subtracted from their royalties.

It always takes me aback how much healthier comics would be even under the worst literary contracts. Great to hear Criminal is under a much more literary deal.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

avantard — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:55:39 -0700

Hey Ed,

Gotta say I'm loving everything you're working on at the moment. I'm such a good little minion that I've turned several friends onto Criminal and they've all 5-starred the hell out of the TPBs on Good Reads because they loved it so much. Anyway...

I have a comment/question regarding Daredevil:

I'm not one of them, but seems like complains about the title as of late is that it's too dark, too abusive to the title character, etc. I'm not really buying it. To me, DD is at his best when his world is crumbling, it's what separates him from nearly everyone else in the MU. I couldn't imagine how terrible it would be if that element of constant tragedy was taken away from the book. That said, seems to me an element of the readership is a little fatigued of the perceived dumping on Matt. So, my question:

Will we be seeing any DD storylines that aren't directly tied to his personal life? Also, was The Hood's appearances in the last DD arc a one-off thing, or should we expect to see him making big moves in the next year?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

art4899 — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:02:37 -0700

Hey Ed,

I'm reading everything you do (even Uncanny which is something I was sure could never happen again). You have this way of making what would seem like the worst ideas (bringing back Bucky, killing Cap) some of the best reads out there. And Criminal is amazing.

Have you read Alan Furst? If so, what do you think? It's not crime fiction but it's espionage (from Night Soldiers on, this books are set in Europe from '33 to the end of the war - most of them in the time before the war even breaks out) among the expatriates and people living on the fringe that get swept up into history. If you haven't read them, I think you'll dig them.

I think I've read that Out of the Past is your favorite noir (correct me if I'm wrong). What's your favorite heist film?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

ChasRhett — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:06:09 -0700

Speaking of ownership, when you said earlier that the rights on Scene of the Crime had reverted to you and Michael Lark, what does that mean? Can you take it to another publisher now?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:06:21 -0700

Ed any further details you can give us on the rights issues with Sleeper? I was trying to talk a producer here in L.A. into making it into a cable show at one point - but had to admit I was stymied on who even "owns" it - basically because of Tao and Lynch.

Yeah, any deal has always had to cut them out of the property, obviously, because they were previously established. Sleeper has always gotten a lot of serious interest from Hollywood, though. Maybe someday someone will sort through the mess and close a deal. My biggest career mistake, not doing Sleeper as a fully creator-owned book. I was early in my career, though, so we all make those kinds of mistakes, and I figured a participation deal was good enough. There are all sorts of other things that come with creating a company character, though, that we don't think about ahead of time.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:07:44 -0700

you said earlier that the rights on Scene of the Crime had reverted to you and Michael Lark, what does that mean? Can you take it to another publisher now?

We can do whatever we want, yeah. It's ours finally. Took 9 years to get the reversion of rights.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

joe.distort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:15:05 -0700

wow, thats a wake up call. i had previously thought that vertigo rights issues werent the clusterfuck that other companies are.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

ChasRhett — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:20:03 -0700

Honestly, I'm kinda surprised that DC let Scene of the Crime go at this point. I'd think it would make for perfect cross-marketing sales with Criminal. Of course I'm happy that they did if it means more stories are possible. I'm one of the few who bought that in singles when it was originally released, and I still want to read more about Jack Herriman. I enjoyed reading about a PI who (at the time) was in my age range.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

joe.distort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:28:22 -0700

scene of the crime and LOWLIFE are the two comics that my mother likes, by the way. i thought you would find that humorous.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Josh T. — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:30:57 -0700

Patton Oswalt did an essay on Blast of Silence in issue 4 begging for a Criterion release and now Criterion is putting it out with Sean Philips doing the cover and part of the booklet. Do you know if Criterion approached anyone about the DVD release (Sean went to them, they came to him) or if the release had anything to do with the essay?

Loving Criminal, Cap, Iron Fist and DD by the way. I don't know about people not selling out of Criminal, if I'm not in my shop on Wednesday, I'm usually out of luck.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:35:38 -0700

Criterion came to Sean, through seeing his art on that Blast article Patton did. Criterion even took out an ad in the new issue for the release.

That's one other cool thing about Criminal, I'm starting to get free DVDs from a few places.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

TechnocratJT — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:43:35 -0700

Long or complex reversions are fairly standard at Vertigo from what I hear.

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Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:20:25 -0700

It's not just them, it's any major comics publisher around the world. They all want a piece of ownership and control. In Japan and Europe, here in the US. The trade-off is you generally get paid handsomely to write and draw stories and characters you've created, with the publisher taking that risk. It's a fair trade, but you have to know what you're going into, eyes wide open.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

deadhuman — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:22:44 -0700

just wanted to know if Frank Kafka, private eye would come back in future issues?
I loved them so much.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:25:07 -0700

Yeah, Frank is a big part of Bad Night, actually.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

deadhuman — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:29:28 -0700

Awesome! I was missing those.
Criminal is my perfect book. And I buy pretty much everything that comes out. except DC.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

joe.distort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:48:55 -0700

oh shit, i totally forgot about those! kafka is a great part of the book!

The Ed Brubaker Residency

agentarsenic — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:52:48 -0700

Ed,
I really enjoyed "A Complete Lowlife" (with thanks to ye olde artbomb for pointing me towards it). Will there ever be a continuation of your pseudo-autobiography? Perhaps "A Comic Highlife" (lame, I know), which would chronicle your outstanding success?

Anyway, Criminal is fantastic. I've immensely enjoyed every issue.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

nickellis — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:47:52 -0700

Hey Ed,

Iron Fist and Criminal are top of my list right now, both brilliant.

Question:

How do you get through writing these things without jumping off a building? Do you find writing depressing subjects affects your outlook?

I'm remembering an interview with Grant Morrison where he said that writing X-men was ridiculously tough as he found himself thinking like a hormone riddled, freakish teenager (of course, he may have been overstating) and I know I can't get through more than a couple of episodes of The Sopranos without feeling like I'm an overweight depressive...

-n/e

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Agent-Ice — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:50:34 -0700

Ed, you and your artists are the reasons why I look forward to reading Uncanny X-Men month in and month out. Also, your Cap from what I have read is super incredible. Much love for your fantastic work, good sir.

Now, CBR has Uncanny's #500 cover up. And my jaw just dropped. I can't wait for this. What can you tell us about #500, or what I should ask, what can you tease us about? And it'll be double-sized, no? Looking forward to this and much more.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:56:41 -0700

How do you get through writing these things without jumping off a building? Do you find writing depressing subjects affects your outlook?

I don't know. I'm a pretty pessimistic person in a lot of ways, I think. Maybe that's why I was so drawn to noir in the first place. Every story is on some level a tragedy. But you know, follow anyone's story long enough and you'll get to that tragedy eventually.

What can you tell us about Uncanny X-Men #500, or what I should ask, what can you tease us about? And it'll be double-sized, no?

It'll be double-sized. Co-scripted by me and Fraction, and co-drawn by Greg Land and Terry Dodson.

It has lots of stuff happening, and some fighting and some funny and some drama, and a lot of hints about the future.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Deliriousnm — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:22:37 -0700

Hello Mr. Brubacker

I live in Brazil and just now we're reading the great stories you've writen last year (Death of Captain America, Daredevil, Iron Fist is starting this month and Uncanny X-Men). But I keep up with some of the things that's happening in US and London.
When you start writing any kind of comic, do you ask for total freedom of what you going to do with the character or is this something that's planned with the editors?

Thanks

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Spiraltwist — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:34:02 -0700

Hello Mr. Brubaker.

How did Warren blackmail you onto Whitechapel?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

orwellseyes — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:35:15 -0700

Ed,

I love Criminal and though superheroes aren't usually my thing I picked up the omnibus beast of Captain America and that was a fantastic piece of work. Thanks and thanks for coming on here.

I wanted to ask your opinion of the late, great show "The Wire". I gather as a fan of Homicide you were also a fan of the show?

Also, have you considered putting out a scriptbook from Criminal? Process is a great thing to read and from the bit you posted here I can imagine it would be very fun.

Thanks again for all the great books.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ecksearoh — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:44:06 -0700

Hey there Ed, ever read any of the older stuff such as Ross MacDonald's Blue City, or his Lew Archer novels like Sleeping Beauty or the Underground Man?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Mark W — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:59:49 -0700

Hello Ed, love yours and Matt's work on Iron Fist, and I'm sad to see you go, but one thing I have to ask you is when you and Matt were bouncing things back and forth on IF was there any idea that made you think along lines of "ok, whatever you're on, I want some"?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

InvincibleM — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:07:44 -0700

Hey Ed,

Big fan of your Cap, Iron Fist and X-Men work.

But enough groveling, I just have a quick Cap related question:

Is Baron Zemo (Helmut) ever going to make an appearance?

Lame question, I know, but I'm curious.

Thanks.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

TechnocratJT — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:17:24 -0700

I don't know. I'm a pretty pessimistic person in a lot of ways, I think.

Which for some reason leads me to ask:

In the last few years you have worked with two other exceptional writers. One's work is easily described as, lets say, full of mad energy. The other somewhat darker and pessimistic. How has working with Fraction and Rucka, respectively, in your mind, impacted your own style and tone?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

J. Thaddeus — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:52:47 -0700

Welcome,

Which show is cooler, The Shield or the Wire?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:27:01 -0700

How did Warren blackmail you onto Whitechapel?

He didn't tell me there was an option.

have you considered putting out a scriptbook from Criminal?

Not really. I don't know that my scripts would be that interesting without the art.

ever read any of the older stuff such as Ross MacDonald's Blue City, or his Lew Archer novels like Sleeping Beauty or the Underground Man?

Yeah, Macdonald's Archer novels were like going to college for me. I learned almost everything I know about writing just reading those books. Everything from the Doomsters until he stopped writing is great.

when you and Matt were bouncing things back and forth on IF was there any idea that made you think along lines of "ok, whatever you're on, I want some"?

Maybe when I saw all the new immortal champions he'd come up with and their names.

quick Cap related question: Is Baron Zemo (Helmut) ever going to make an appearance?

Not soon, but probably not never.

How has working with Fraction and Rucka, respectively, in your mind, impacted your own style and tone?

Honestly, I have no idea. I enjoy working with both of them, but it's different. Greg is very much about structure, and Matt is about moments and imagery more. I like to think I bring something to what they do that makes something a bit different than what any of us would have done seperately.

But, anytime you write with someone else, it opens up a different part of your brain. Sometimes you really need someone there to tell you if an idea is great or terrible.

Which show is cooler, The Shield or the Wire?

The Shield is probably cooler, but the Wire is better. And I love the Shield. But the Wire is the finest television series ever made, I think.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Onomatopoeia — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:31:33 -0700

Hey Bru,

I love DD and Criminal. Criminal's trade dress alone is worth the price of admission. I agree with you regarding the added content being reserved for the monthly serials as this keeps the book going. There isn't a word or illo that is wasted from the dramatic wraparound cover to the additional back matter which serves to "infotain" us. There's so much about the crime genre in the various media you have covered that I've not known about. Books like Criminal and to some degree Daredevil (which to me is a Criminal-lite version coated in spandex and myth) have made it cool to like crime-themed books. (I've heard about 100 Bullets but I'm not sure if it's along the same vein as Criminal). The introspective looks into Gnarls is off to a really great start. I love how you focus on a particular character in each story arc. Can't wait to see how they all are interconnected years from now...it's cool seeing this already unfolding as the dots of these various seemingly independent lives start to slowly connect.

Regarding DD, I can't believe what you've put him through, man. I thought there'd be a respite of sorts after what Mr. Fear did but guess not...and I'm lovin' it in a sadistically voyeuristic way. Given that half of Hell's Kitchen believe Matt to be DD, I don't think the vise around his life will ever let up. I love Urich's protective portrayal of Matt and Milla in the latest ish. This is another conflict I'm looking forward to see unfold and bring to resolution...(or will it?) Unique in it's perspective but just as daring as putting on the red tights swinging on a thin cable with everyone knowing your name. In my view, Ulrich's protectiveness could validate Matt/DD identity that they are one and the same. Ben's treading some thin ice.

Any new or old villains we can look forward to in DD? Do you plan on sticking with DD waaaaay down the line? This is the first time I've bought DD on a regular basis since Miller sneezed on him. Also, I absolutely love Michael Lark's DD. He ranks up there with other memorable DD arteests like Colan, Miller and Jansen. As much as I love Lark, any plans to do an arc or story with the great Gene Colan? This would be a dream collaboration for me. I have most of the Colan DD's from my older brother's hand-me-down stash.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Rudi — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:12:42 -0700

Bru,

I'll be another one to mention my love of Criminal and Sleeper, and also Point Blank. Thanks for stopping by.

As someone who's made some drastic changes to some of comics biggest icons, how do you balance the respect for what's come before you with the opportunity to tell your own story and make your own mark?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

tedcroland — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:29:16 -0700

Ed--

Thank you for making Mr. Fear cool. Your Daredevil stuff has, simply said, been fantastic. I felt that Bendis' stories were excellent if you average them, but there was a little reciprocation of quality from story to story, but so far, there's not been a miss on your part. And I am very finicky with my Daredevil.

I don't really have a question. I just like your work.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Theanon Wonder — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:57:01 -0700

hey, did you know that your name is now used as comic shop rhyming slang for making a cup of tea?
ed brubaker
head brew-maker.
it's not very clever, but my other friends out side the comic shop world have even started saying it.

any way CAP Arocks as does criminal, both tend to do well at the shop i work at, oh and by the way is that guy at the end of the last issue of cap a the same bloke who died in the fire that "killed" sharon carter?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

becky c — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:01:12 -0700

Hello Ed,

I muchly enjoyed your revamping of Catwoman a few years back. Are you ever going to work on that series again? I know it's been a while since then, so I'm guessing I already know the answer.

Thanks for telling good stories.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Flabyo — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:07:21 -0700

Just thought I'd say that you and Matt's run on Iron Fist is what switched me back to buying single issues instead of just trades. Waiting more than a month for more of the tournament just wasn't an option.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Adlai — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:21:54 -0700

Hey Ed, thanks for appearing on Whitechapel!

I know you've probably answered this before but what was Marvel's reaction when you said that you wanted to bring Bucky back from the dead?

And what drew you to Uncanny? The majority of your work is based on more "street-level" characters, so this was a pretty big departure from that.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Craig Shaw — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:41:08 -0700

Welcome to Whitechapel, Ed!

Re crime novels; have you read any of Lee Childs' novels, all centered around the wandering, lone, hard-ass Jack Reacher? Howard Chaykin recommended them to me at a con a few years back and they're almost uniformally great, IMHO.

Loving Criminal and Daredevil, which are the only books from Marvel I don't trade wait for. (I'd be tempted to do the same for Cap, but Marvel went ahead and released that glorious Omnibus, which settled that format issue!)

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Lee Matthews — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:58:40 -0700

Hey Ed
Did you find it slightly daunting at first when you were given Captain America to write?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Andre — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:12:09 -0700

Hi Ed

First off I'm a huge fan of your work, I've only recently disovered alot of your writings but am looking forward to looking up all the things I've missed. I currently read Captain America and Daredevil and got ahold of the first issue of the new criminal series.

1) Any plans to reinvigorate any other old DD villains, the work you've done to Mr. Fear was impeccable. If so which ones might we keep an eye out for.

2) Whats your favorite works by other creators such as Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, Alan Moore and Garth Ennis?

3) I've read secret Invasion isn't going to effect the daredevil title but what about Captain America? I know questions like
is steve returning (I hope not) and what not won't get an answer so a broad response is fine.

4) Would you collarborate with any other creators beside Fraction in the near future and if so who would you like to work with.

and finnally
5) if there was an Ed brubaker action figure what would the accesories be?

Thanks Ed, your one of the greats and a gem to but up with all this White Chapel nonsense...kudos....

The Ed Brubaker Residency

warrenellis — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:18:50 -0700

5) if there was an Ed brubaker action figure what would the accesories be?

If he answers this I'm going to have you killed, Andre.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:31:24 -0700

You do realise people are now going to speculate about the accessories for the Ellis action figure. Talk of canes and hats and removable beards and whatnot.

If Ed's action figure speculation would be grounds for death, I wonder what the consequences would be of photoshopping your likeness into molded plastic form.

I'm so glad I don't have PhotoShop.

* * *

Mr Brubaker:

I've just picked up Lawless, having previously read Criminal. Is there an order to the books I should be looking for (such as volume numbers), or do the individual books stand alone?

Thanks.

- Z

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:43:40 -0700

As much as I love Lark, any plans to do an arc or story with the great Gene Colan?

I would love that, but I hear that Gene is retiring after he finishes the Captain America annual he's been drawing for over a year now. That looks great, though.

As someone who's made some drastic changes to some of comics biggest icons, how do you balance the respect for what's come before you with the opportunity to tell your own story and make your own mark?

I think it's really selfish, honestly. You hold onto the stuff that came before that you personally liked or found interesting. The rest just falls into place around that. For my part I've been lucky in that I'm working on characters that I really liked the basic foundations of and was a fan of several popular runs on them, so I like parts of the characters and their worlds that resonate with the readership, apparently. On Catwoman, I pretty much threw out everything after Batman Year One.

That said, it's important to find that key thing about any long-standing character before you write them, and to read what came before as much as you can. I think as long as you don't outright violate past continuity, you can take the readers with you down almost any path, if you're involved enough in your own story.

hey, did you know that your name is now used as comic shop rhyming slang for making a cup of tea?

No. But I think that must mean I've made it.

is that guy at the end of the last issue of cap a the same bloke who died in the fire that "killed" sharon carter?

You'll find out next issue who that is.

I know you've probably answered this before but what was Marvel's reaction when you said that you wanted to bring Bucky back from the dead?

In my first talk with Joe, he and I both brought up bringing back Bucky, so it was never any fight. Or it was a fight they'd had before I got there, at least. Then I had to talk Tom Brevoort into it, I was told if I could convince Tom, I could convince the readers, basically. So I talked to Tom and he gave me a list of questions that he felt needed to be answered for a Bucky return to work. Those questions helped me take my initial ideas and make them even better, and helped form the story of the Winter Soldier and his life since WW2. There's one whole issue of Cap that's all the Winter Soldier files, and that's all directly from my response to Tom's questions. So, if anyone wants to know, that's what a good editor does. He gets the writer to think.

And what drew you to Uncanny? The majority of your work is based on more "street-level" characters, so this was a pretty big departure from that.

Well, I try to keep the tone of my work different from project to project, to some degree, at least. And I had done a superhero team before, the Authority. I see my books like this - Cap America is espionage, DD is pulp fiction, X-Men is superhero romance, and Criminal is... well, crime stories.

The main reason I took the first gig, though -- Deadly Genesis -- was because it was a big deal Marvel project going back to the debut of the modern X-Men in Giant Size #1. That was my first really high-profile gig, in some ways. From then, they kept offering me more X-Men work, and I was having fun so I stayed around. I will admit, though, that I think I'm finally in my wheelhouse on X-Men after Messiah Complex. The current story and the stuff Matt and I have planned for the next year are going to be a lot of fun.

Re crime novels; have you read any of Lee Childs' novels, all centered around the wandering, lone, hard-ass Jack Reacher? Howard Chaykin recommended them to me at a con a few years back

Yeah, Chaykin turned me onto Lee Child, too. I love those books. Tracy Lawless is a bit of a response to Reacher, actually, but not exactly.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:43:49 -0700

Did you find it slightly daunting at first when you were given Captain America to write?

No. I was too caught up in writing something new.

1) Any plans to reinvigorate any other old DD villains, the work you've done to Mr. Fear was impeccable. If so which ones might we keep an eye out for.

Maybe in a way, yeah.

2) Whats your favorite works by other creators such as Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, Alan Moore and Garth Ennis?

My favorite Ellis books are Planetary and Fell, probably. Morrison would probably be the Invisibles. Alan Moore it's V for Vendetta and From Hell. Garth Ennis... probably his Punisher MAX series, honestly.

3) I've read secret Invasion isn't going to effect the daredevil title but what about Captain America? I know questions like
is steve returning (I hope not) and what not won't get an answer so a broad response is fine.

No. I'm in the midst of a huge storyline, so I'm not interacting with Secret Invasion in Cap. I believe you may see the New Cap in Secret Invasion at some point, though.

4) Would you collaborate with any other creators beside Fraction in the near future and if so who would you like to work with.

Probably not. The co-writing deals I've done have been pretty unique situations. Mostly, we writers prefer to work alone.

5) if there was an Ed brubaker action figure what would the accessories be?

Glasses, a brown fedora, a switchblade, a bong, and a leather g-string.

I've just picked up Lawless, having previously read Criminal. Is there an order to the books I should be looking for (such as volume numbers), or do the individual books stand alone?

You can read them in any order. All the Criminal books stand on their own. That said, if you read Coward before Lawless, you get a few Easter Eggs in Lawless, basically. The main plan for Criminal was that each book would be completely new-reader friendly. If you're going to do crime comics, we figured, you need to keep them uncluttered for new eyes.

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Andre — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:43:50 -0700

Haha sorry warren I'm a sucker for a goofy question. I heard it on some interview show one time and laughed
so hard I think it blew my sanity.

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Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:30:54 -0700

Are there any artists in particular you've wanted to work with that you haven't yet?

If this question has already been asked, sorry about that.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Spiraltwist — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:43:56 -0700

Glasses, a brown fedora, a switchblade, a bong, and a leather g-string.

You just wait. The custom figure will show up on ebay.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Midweeker — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:57:02 -0700

Hi Ed,
I've been a fan for a while, going back to your Aeon books. I used to work at Gosh! in London, and we kept your books in permanent stock, alongside the likes of Clowes, Bagge and Los Bros Hernandez.
My questions are:
1. What was your aim in the industry back then, were you always interested in doing books for the bigger companies, or were you a commited "indie guy"?
2. Were you disappointed that the likes of D&Q and Fantagraphics didn't publish you back then?
3. What would the you of those days think of you now?
I would like to state now that I like both types of "you", btw. Whilst I miss the stuff you drew as well, I love what you've done across the big books, Sleeper, DD & Crminal especially.
Just as a little postscript, are we gonna see anything on Charles Willeford or Frederic Brown in Criminal? I know Willeford's been mentioned, but he definitely deserves a full article!

The Ed Brubaker Residency

peterkrause — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:08:09 -0700

Ed:

I love your stuff, going back to Lowlife. Is there a market for more crime/noir comics? I adore Criminal, and I'm thoroughly enjoying drawing a short crime story for an upcoming Image Pop Gun. If there were more avenues for this stuff, I might get back into comics on a regular basis.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:17:22 -0700

Are there any artists in particular you've wanted to work with that you haven't yet?

Yeah, a lot of them. John Cassaday, Boucq, Jordi Bernet, Eduardo Risso, David Lloyd, Dave Gibbons, Klaus Janson, Mike Mignola, Art Adams, Cully Hamner... the list goes on.

1. What was your aim in the industry back then, were you always interested in doing books for the bigger companies, or were you a committed "indie guy"?

It was a slow evolution. I always wrote stories for other people to draw, even when I was doing Lowlife, I did Accidental Death with Eric Shanower when I was working on issue 2 of Lowlife, and did some other stories that were more crime and fictional even before I sold Scene of the Crime to Vertigo.

Once I was making a living writing, I started getting asked if I'd like to write Batman or Catwoman, and so I started reading superhero comics again and seeing what they were like then (this was 1998 and I hadn't really followed mainstream comics for a long time). I saw what some people were doing - guys like Rucka and Warren and Morrison, and I thought, what the hell, I'll try it.

2. Were you disappointed that the likes of D&Q and Fantagraphics didn't publish you back then?

I remember feeling bitter about Kim Thompson and his reactions to my work, especially the condescending tone of his correspondence, but I wasn't that great a cartoonist so I'm not surprised that D and Q didn't publish me, really. Anyway, I was in my 20s, and being bitter is part of what that's about, right? I barely ever think about those days, honestly.

3. What would the you of those days think of you now?

I think the 'me' of those days was never quite as big a genre snob as a lot of other alternative cartoonists were and are. I always read crime and sci-fi novels and dug Jim Thompson more than Bukowski. So, I'd imagine the me of back then would probably ask me to borrow money and I'd tell him to get a fucking job.

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Antonio_Tadeu — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:42:18 -0700

Hello Mister Brubaker

Well, first of all i'll say that i didn't read all the questions and anwsers along the discussion, so excuse me if i'm being repetitive...

REST OF POST DELETED BY WARREN BECAUSE YOU'RE A LAZY IDIOT

The Ed Brubaker Residency

BenelGermosen — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:56:33 -0700

Ed, what Martial arts films would you recommend, be they samurai, epic or other. I'm in the mood to watch movies with beautiful cinematography of some people being kicked in the face and I'm asking around.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Doctor Pockets — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:11:45 -0700

Ed:

If someone were to ask you to recommend them some books (or movies, TV shows, whatever), what would be the first few you would give them?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

dnwilliams — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:40:37 -0700

iron fist wasn't really on my radar before reading your stint...any other collected iron fist stuff you can recommend?

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Solario — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:33:03 -0700

Any chance of getting the rest of Deadenders collected?

Really the only question I have a burning desire to have answered.

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Ed Brubaker — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:59:44 -0700

what Martial arts films would you recommend, be they samurai, epic or other.

I like House of Flying Daggers a lot, and Enter the Dragon. Does Lady Snowblood count? I confess to not knowing that much about Martial Arts movies. I saw a ton of them as a kid, but it's all blended together. I was quite impressed with the fight work on Ong Bak and the Protector, but they're not good movies.

If someone were to ask you to recommend them some books (or movies, TV shows, whatever), what would be the first few you would give them?

That would depend on what kind of thing they like or are interested in. I usually recommend Steve Erickson's Days Between Stations to just about anyone, though.

iron fist wasn't really on my radar before reading your stint...any other collected iron fist stuff you can recommend?

Just the Essential Iron Fist book.

Any chance of getting the rest of Deadenders collected?

Someday, probably. I just have to get the rights back first.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

John Keats — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:05:49 -0700

my retailer has never received the last issue of Criminal volume one. Do I have to kill myself or do you have a solution for me?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

hank — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:19:07 -0700

Fuck. Im telling my guys to add Criminal to my orders and look for back issues. Now.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:42:42 -0700

my retailer has never received the last issue of Criminal volume one. Do I have to kill myself or do you have a solution for me?

Did he order it and not receive it from Diamond? Do you mean #1 of the new volume, that came out last month? He can still order it from Diamond. It's a Marvel book, so Diamond has copies on hand.

Fuck. Im telling my guys to add Criminal to my orders and look for back issues. Now.

Thanks.

Tell two friends.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

BradleySusumu — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:52:47 -0700

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CodyMelartin — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:21:16 -0700

Hey Ed.

No real questions immediately spring to mind, so I'll just pelt you with praise and adulation until I think of some.

I'll start by saying Immortal Iron Fist is the best ongoing series being published right now. I was very upset to learn you, Fraction, and Aja will be leaving the title soon. I understand your desire to go out on a high note, but it'll be tough to see you all go. Any chance you guys will revisit those characters? Maybe have Danny make a guest appearance in one of your other books, or do another Tales of the Iron Fist special down the road? That Pirate Queen story was probably my favorite single issue last year. Do you happen to know what David Aja will be doing next?

Captain America and Daredevil are also excellent, as was Books of Doom. Has Mike Perkins left Cap forever, or is he just taking a break?

That's all I can think of for now. Keep up the good work, and thanks for fielding our questions.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

J. Thaddeus — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:35:10 -0700

Having worked in the Wildstorm Universe, what's your lasting feeling about it? Will it survive or are they just going to let it die? And do you care either way?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

synthsapien — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:48:06 -0700

Haven't said hello yet so, hello Ed! Love Criminal although must admit to not having read other stuff. Will be soon though.
No questions, just thanks and lurking.

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twitch_ramirez — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:00:40 -0700

because of this very thread, i picked up 'criminal' #'s 1and 2 today. mr. brubaker, i am now a fan.

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orwellseyes — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:01:56 -0700

Ed.

Just Read Criminal Issue 2.

Reminded me of a David Mamet quote about Nelson Algren (literati!). He said that Algren's characters were the kind to come up and touch you on the arm and ask for directions or a dime for some coffee.

Your characters are the kind who come up and punch you in the mouth and tell you to stay down if you know what's good you.

Fantastic work. You and Sean are showing just what comics are capable of. Thanks.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

joe.distort — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:30:44 -0700

seiously, criminal 2 just kicked my ass. teeg lawless is BRUTAL.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

AndrewMayer — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:05:47 -0700

Ed,

I'm a huge fan of your stuff. I'm working my way into the industry, and your writing has been an inspiration for me in terms of character-driven comics, although I have no idea how you manage to put out so much diverse work every month.

I'm also loving Criminal, and I've gone out and discovered a lot of incredible noir stuff from the back matter. In some ways I wish it were possible to have it become a full blown magazine with more articles and a few back up strips, but maybe it's the wanting that makes it good.

Do you have any other creator owned visions you're waiting to unleash on the world, or is Criminal a big enough sandbox for the foreseeable future?

And as long as I'm asking questions, do you ever see yourself orchestrating a big Marvel crossover event? I can't imagine what a Brubaker continuity shaker would be like, but I have to imagine I'd enjoy finding out.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Stargrave — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:12:06 -0700

hey i am a seattlite and when i read your run on the authority i saw you made a sick burn on tacoma. any chance we'll ever see more of that? tacoma sucks. thats all i had to ask really.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:27:26 -0700

Do you have any rules/guidelines for yourself when writing and editing? Just to make sure that you are getting in the kinds of details you feel are important. I read that Eddie Campbell has a self-rule/guideline that he must show at least one pair of feet per page to keep things grounded in physical space, so I wondered if other creators had similar things.

Not really. I write pretty organically, I don't really have a system or any tricks other than just taking notes and doing a basic breakdown. Generally, whatever I'm working on is something that I'm thinking about all the time while not physically typing or writing, and trying to find the best way to approach the next scene or something like that. I probably should have some sort of rule or guideline, though. Some constraints are useful to spur you on.

Also, what helps you start writing when facing the blank page?

I try to always know what I'm going to be doing next, so I don't have that worry. I don't really ever have writer's block, I have too many stories I'm waiting to get to, really. But every story has to be ready and fleshed out in your head enough to hit the page. The hardest part of writing isn't the typing, it's the thinking that goes in ahead of it. You and a notebook and a list of random ideas that have to somehow become a story that someone will give a shit about.

Last, any other media that you do/want to create in?

All of them.

Having worked in the Wildstorm Universe, what's your lasting feeling about it? Will it survive or are they just going to let it die? And do you care either way?

I enjoyed all my work at Wildstorm, and the people I worked with there are good friends of mine to this day. I was just on the phone with Dunbier this afternoon, actually. I think the Wildstorm Universe has a lot of good stuff in it, but it's like any superhero universe after a while, I think. I think it's healthier to focus on the good books and worry less about the universe stuff, generally. And I say that as someone who grew up a total Marvel zombie.

Do you have any other creator owned visions you're waiting to unleash on the world, or is Criminal a big enough sandbox for the foreseeable future?

No, there's a few other things in the works. One that'll be out by late this year, hopefully. But I can only write 4 books a month comfortably, so it's not like I'm going to be flooding the market with new ideas (or that I have any new ideas to begin with).

And as long as I'm asking questions, do you ever see yourself orchestrating a big Marvel crossover event?

I don't, honestly. I would love the money, I'm sure, but I think it would just be a nightmare of logistics that I wouldn't want to put myself in, as a writer. But who knows, with the right idea, anything is possible.

I'd love those royalties, but with my luck I'd do the first one that actually got the crossover backlash, instead of people just talking about being done with them.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

puccio — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:51:13 -0700

Hello, mr. Brubaker,

first of all, thanks for all the good comics! Now, to the questions:

1) Do you think that the 22-pages-serialization-then-TPB is a strength or a weakness? Do you find it challenging, as a writer, or would you rather work in a straight-to-TPB format, skipping the monthly serialization? do you thik your work reads best collected or month by month?

2) Which is your main source of inspiration? Do you read the crime news section of the newspapers and keep the sniplets? Is it first hand experience? Or the fiction that you've read or seen?

3)How far ahead have you planned your story for Captain America? Do you have an ending in mind or could you go on indefinitely?

4) Do you follow continental Europe's comic book market?

5) Have you ever been to Italy? Have you ever read or seen an italian comic book?

That'd be all. Thanks for the time. Have a nice life.

Leonardo

The Ed Brubaker Residency

John Keats — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:55:47 -0700

@edbrubaker, I've actually read volume 2 #1, this is the last one of the previous "season" I don't have. it's such a pity because I'd loved so far your second story with Tracy, and I've never read the conclusion! if I can put my hands around the french distributor's neck...

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ffordesoon — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:32:38 -0700

Ed:

Criminal = YES!

The articles in the back are the most awesomest things ever ever ever, and the book itself is just about perfect. Which I could say about most of the stuff you write, honestly, but I'm trying not to be too much of a suckup. Which I'll probably fail at, but whatever. I've only read issue one of Criminal 2 (and the first six or seven issues of the first series), but that done-in-one Gnarly story said more than most crime novels. "Coward" was also about as good as noir gets. The bit with Greta at the end of issue four was brutal.

Back to the articles for a moment; those are super-fucking-helpful. I read that roundtable in issue five and immediately Netflixed every movie on there. I haven't seen them all yet, but the ones I have seen have been dynamite, particularly Get Carter (Thanks, Warren!) and The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three (I forget who to thank for that one, but thanks all the same!). Annoyingly, Netflix sent me a pan-and-scan version of Charley Varrick, so I had to send that back without watching it (Hey, I'm a purist, what can I say?).

I've been reading Richard Price's new novel Lush Life, and it's REALLY Goddamn good. I don't think I've ever seen you mention Price, so I was wondering if you'd ever read any of his stuff? Also, do you know A) where I can find the Lew Archer novels, and B) which one's the first one? I've been itching to read them, but I'd really like to do it in order. I realize they probably don't have a firm order, but I'm very obsessive that way. :P

Also, I'm curious: which comics have you been reading lately (sorry if this has already been asked, but I didn't see it when I scanned the thread, so...)? What about books?

Thanks for the great stories, man. Can't wait to read more. :)

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Chris Burnham — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:18:14 -0700

Ed-

Loving Cap, Criminal and Iron Fist. I dug the prison arc of Daredevil but the following story lost me a little and I wanted to get your thoughts on it.

I thought the characterizations and story dynamics and art were so sophisticated... so REAL... that when it came time for Matt Murdock to put on the red pajamas it read as being completely ridiculous. I get that it's the central conceit of the series and superhero comics in general that when the shit goes down it's time to put on the tights, but in a story that demands the reader to pay so much attention and to question everything being presented, I found myself questioning the premise of the character and found it a bit goofy. I mean, really, if he were so concerned about being caught as Daredevil in Europe, why in fuck's name would he put on the Daredevil suit to sneak around... wouldn't it be smarter for him to just put on a stocking cap?

Duzzat make sense? For some reason Cap toes that line pretty well for me... I mean, it's inherently ridiculous that Cap in sneaking around in a bright blue uniform and fighting machine guns with a giant frisbee, but the sci-fi craziness of the Marvel Universe is so pervasive in Cap that it doesn't stick out as incongruous. Dig?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:38:18 -0700

Chris - I can see where you're coming from on that DD story, but I was trying to do my version of an homage to the DD swashbuckling era at the same time, so there was no way to keep him out of costume. Plus, I think it says a lot about the guy that he wants to put that costume on again right after he gets out of jail. But ultimately, yeah, it's a superhero comic, and I got away with 6 issues of him in no costume, but I wasn't going to push it beyond that.

I've actually read volume 2 #1, this is the last one of the previous "season" I don't have. it's such a pity because I'd loved so far your second story with Tracy, and I've never read the conclusion! if I can put my hands around the french distributor's neck...

Or you could go to the store and buy the French edition of volume two, from Delcourt. It's a very handsome edition, on nice paper.

1) Do you think that the 22-pages-serialization-then-TPB is a strength or a weakness? Do you find it challenging, as a writer, or would you rather work in a straight-to-TPB format, skipping the monthly serialization? do you thik your work reads best collected or month by month?

I like serialization, personally. I read a few serialized book in trade form only, mostly because I know they're doing well enough that I don't worry my waiting for the trade will be part of what helps to kill the series. Like, I read Fables in trade, but I buy Scalped every month, because Scalped needs the support at that level to ensure that it keeps going on so there'll be more trades coming out.

But it seems like serialization is more of a strength for trade sales then a weakness. There are very few OGNs that sell as well as a collection of a serialized book. Even in Japan they serialize all their manga to build the audience for the book collections.

And maybe I'm just selfish, but I like having books out every month instead of once or twice a year. I've never had any strong desire for the market to shift away from serialized comics to graphic novels only, and I know that's probably some kind of blasphemy, but I haven't seen any evidence that it's really needed. The one thing I would like, and that I have in Criminal, is the ability to let each part of the story play out without a page count limit. Not every part of a story is 22 pages long. Sometimes you need 24 to 27 or who knows? And I like being able to end on the right note every time.

The weakness I see in the Direct Market is that the people who like the best material often don't support it enough. Everyone always talks about voting with their wallets, but then you see the sales figures of some of the best non-superhero books, and they're not doing so well. If we want this market to have more genres and a wider scope, then we have to help create that market. So when a good non-superhero book hits, people have got to vote for that book. Start with SCALPED. It's my favorite Vertigo book right now, and a lot more people should be buying that thing every month. Just because it's DC doesn't mean they'll keep publishing it forever when it's losing money. The myth of trade sales keeping books alive is mostly that.

2) Which is your main source of inspiration? Do you read the crime news section of the newspapers and keep the sniplets? Is it first hand experience? Or the fiction that you've read or seen?

I used to be a drug addict and a criminal when I was much younger.

3)How far ahead have you planned your story for Captain America? Do you have an ending in mind or could you go on indefinitely?

To issue 50 or 60 at this point.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:38:25 -0700

4) Do you follow continental Europe's comic book market?

Not closely, but I read a lot of European comics. I recently managed to find all the old Catalan editions of Torpedo from the 80s. Which I guess were pirated editions, but it's the only way to get them in English.

5) Have you ever been to Italy? Have you ever read or seen an italian comic book?

No. Yes.

do you know A) where I can find the Lew Archer novels, and B) which one's the first one? I've been itching to read them, but I'd really like to do it in order. I realize they probably don't have a firm order, but I'm very obsessive that way.

Try alibris for old paperback editions, or amazon. They reissued a bunch of them in the last 5 or 8 years, I think. Start with the Doomsters, which came out in 1957 or so, and read all the ones after that. The previous ones are before he found his groove.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:42:34 -0700

Delcourt Criminal page.

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Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:56:49 -0700

Gorgeous.

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John Keats — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:30:11 -0700

yes the book looks good I totally agree, I had it in my hands this week, but I have all the previous issue in english, I haven't bought anything coming from the US in french translation since last century! bah maybe at the end at the month in Paris I'll find the missing issue, I want to know the end of the story.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:09:55 -0700

I'd be curious to know how good the translation is.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

madmatt213 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:33:28 -0700

Hi Ed! Read Criminal 2 #2 last night and totally loved it (as always). When the whole Criminal Saga is over and done, it's going to be one gloriously epic work of fiction.

Anyways, I've only just got back into comics last summer (having since stopped buying monthlies back in the 1990s). After I realized how much of a fan I was of your work, I started picking up Daredevil at issue #100 (as good of a place as any, I suppose). Can you talk at all about what you have planned next for Matt Murdock? I'm trying to par down on my mainstream Marvel books, and a hook or two about the upcoming arcs for DD could work wonders for reasoning in staying with the book. (Sorry if I sounded like an asshole just there).

Keep up the awesome work, and say "Hi" to Fraction for me (my mancrush)! (Ok, now I really sound like an asshole).

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:02:46 -0700

The next DD arc is a legal thriller that I hope moves him to a slightly different place, emotionally, and that leads into about a year and a half of craziness.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Doctor Pockets — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:10:48 -0700

Ed:

I might have missed this, but do you have a planned ending point for Criminal?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ian Mayor — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:13:47 -0700

Hi Ed, I consistently like the stuff you write, cheers.

Another DD question if you don't mind. Was there any editorial direction given to get Matt back to Hells Kitchen, being a lawyer by day and fighting crime by night or was it just where you wanted him to be?

I know Brian Bendis' run wasn't the first time Matt's been outed, but it was certainly the best and it felt like the development had the potential for 'sticking' (as these changes sometimes do). I wondered when you started your run if you wouldn't explore some different terrain, right now DD's in a 'tap half on' situation, he's back on home turf and most folk 'kind-of know' who he is, do you see this as a big change to the template?

By the way, really excited to see Brubaker, Rucka and Lark on a cover again.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:19:59 -0700

I might have missed this, but do you have a planned ending point for Criminal?

No. The only way it'll end is if we can't afford to keep doing it.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

John Keats — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:50:23 -0700

by the way thank you to make me discover Out of the Past, I've become a huge fan of noir movies.
Delcourt is a fine publisher, their translation are usually good, there is some kind of improvement in this field in France. in the 90's it was terrible!

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ffordesoon — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:34:07 -0700

Out Of The Past was also an excellent picture I watched because of Criminal. Only reason I didn't mention it the first time was 'cause I already had it in my collection of DVDs when I watched it. But yeah, great, great film. Thanks for the recommendation, Ed!

The Ed Brubaker Residency

BradleySusumu — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:08:11 -0700

Ed,

What do you feel is you greatest strength as a writer? What's an storycrafting area you'd like to improve in? And is there any part of your craft that you obsess over more than anything else?

And hell, why not: What do you think is the purpose of art? And do you separate artistic work and entertainment work?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:11:08 -0700

What do you feel is you greatest strength as a writer?

I have no idea. That I hate myself if I'm not getting writing done almost everyday?

Maybe, if I had to really pick something, empathy with my characters. I try to make sure I understand all the characters, even the assholes or psychos.

What's an storycrafting area you'd like to improve in? And is there any part of your craft that you obsess over more than anything else?

I don't know. I write mostly from instinct. I think my work is really structured, but I don't use a formula or any tips that I've learned. I read a lot of books about writing, often from writers I don't like, but who are successful. They all seem to mostly worry about making sure they write every day.

And hell, why not: What do you think is the purpose of art? And do you separate artistic work and entertainment work?

I have no idea what the purpose of art or anything is. I think good fiction writing is exploring questions more than giving answers.

And for the second question, no, I don't see any difference between "art" and "entertainment." It's like Raymond Chandler said, "There's no high art or low art, there's just art, and precious little of it."

People only read books that keep them entertained, no matter what the aim of the book is, or the author's intent. I read Kurt Vonnegut because he keeps me reading and turning the pages.

Whenever I hear art snobs diss genre comics or movies or books, I just feel bad for them. Entertaining people isn't a small thing, and there are very few people who can do it well enough to earn a living doing it. And then I remember that Shakespeare was his day's equivalent of a pulp writer, and I laugh a little.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

deadhuman — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:41:56 -0700

Just watched Micheal Clayton because of you. Thanx.

Not sure about the intro, I woulda done it chronologicaly but thats just nobody me.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:32:31 -0700

No, it was brilliant to get that out of the way early. It completely changes the dynamic of the story. Now you want to know how he gets to that, but you also know he survives, so it's not a thriller. It's not fake drama.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

throughthebrush — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:44:59 -0700

Hello, Mr. Brubaker.

Two days ago I turned in my 91-page senior undergrad thesis on Captain America, and I have to confess that I owe that success entirely to you. If a friend hadn't handed me the first issue of your Cap run on a fateful day two years ago, I probably would have written said thesis on something completely boring (though possibly more relevant to my English degree). So, thank you. You made my stressful senior year of college infinitely more fun and interesting than I ever could have hoped for it to be.

On that note: what is your favorite thing about Cap as a character - or, at least, your favorite thing about writing him? (And I mean Steve Rogers here, however much I love Bucky-Cap and what you're doing with the current storyline.)

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:06:36 -0700

I like that Steve Rogers was a man of two worlds - he great up a skinny kid with artistic sensibilities during the Great Depression, and yet he spent the majority of his adult like in the military and fighting in wars. So he could never be either conservative or liberal. He had to be his own man, and try to live up to that responsibility. Was it Thomas Jefferson who said "Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism?" That's something I think Steve Rogers would agree with.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

deadhuman — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:10:47 -0700

Its excelent! Personally I'd never seen a Movie like that before. So I'm in to it as hell but I like the true life feeling so much that i would do every good story like that. I've you read the unlock journal?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Soulcraft — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:45:51 -0700

I'd be curious to know how good the translation is.

Honestly its not bad. Delcourt does a great job at translating comics. And the quality is top notch. Its actually better then your average american comic quality, which is sad.

As far as question, I was a big fan of Deadenders and always wandered what you really had in mind for the serie. I know it got cancelled but were you able to finish the story close to what you had in mind or was it completely different? Is there any cool stuff you had to leave out that you could explain here?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Muldrate — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:03:45 -0700

No real questions. Just wanted to weigh in to say that I'm another big fan.

Thanks for all the great stories.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Jim Tuck — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:00:13 -0700

Was it Thomas Jefferson who said "Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism?"

Nope. President of the ACLU back in the 90's said it and attributed it to him, but Jefferson actually had this to say:

'Political dissension is doubtless a less evil than the lethargy of despotism, but still is a great evil, and it would be as worthy the efforts of the patriot as of the philosopher, to exclude its influence if possible from social life. The good are rare enough at best. There is no reason to sub-divide them by artificial lines. But whether we shall ever be able so far to perfect the principles of society (as) that political opinions shall, in it's intercourse, be as inoffensive as those of philosophy, mechanics, or any other, may well be doubt(ed/able).' Thomas Jefferson, 1767, letter to Thomas Pinckney, weak transcription from a PDF.

By the way, excellent fucking job on Criminal.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Widdow — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:28:29 -0700

Hi Ed.

Any talk of the first Criminal arc being made into a film?

I understand it would have to be adapted (but hopefully not too much) and personally I think it could make a brillaint heist movie and would look good on the big screen.

Also have you got any other big Marvel Projects in the pipeline to be announced this year?

Im sure the Marvel Universe be a very different Sandbox after the Secret Invasion climax, will this effect your books?

Or will it give you more options and ideas to develop your current titles or start something new?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

PyD — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:15:17 -0700

Hey just wanted to say loved your blackout device in the latest Criminal issue and the 2 seperate issues dovetailing together was just lovely.
Bleak but lovely stuff sir.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

joevince — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:51:43 -0700

Ed:

Forgive me if these questions have been answered and I just overlooked them:

1) Will there be a new printing of "The Fall"? I'm a fan of Jason Lutes, and I love to see what a collaboration between the two of you is like.

2) Whatever happened to your series "Detour"?

3) I know you don't draw your own comics anymore, but is that something you still enjoy doing privately? Is it still a creative itch that needs scratching? Or was it a means to an end in order to get comics published early in your career?

4) Besides interviews and essays about noir classics, are there other types of back material you want to include in "Criminal"?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

BradleySusumu — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:30:10 -0700

Ed,

First I wast to say thanks for answering all my silly questions, it's been great having you here this week.

What are you favourite aspects of comics as a medium?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Widdow — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:00:08 -0700

I agree, will there be a new printing of "The Fall"?

I hope so, and An Accidental Death

I really want to read them both!

The Ed Brubaker Residency

art4899 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:16:06 -0700

Ed, *possible spoilders, I guess*

Do you think Matt Murdock is in a place to ever love someone again? After his heartbreak over Karen Page, Elektra, and now, Milla, do you feel that there is space in title for a love interest or is it something that you feel should be tabled for the forseeable future?

Also, in relation to Sharon's pregnancy in Captain America, what are your feelings about the Franklin Richards issue in serialized, continuity based fiction? What are your feelings about the larger ideas of Marvel time? Do you hold with those that want to see their heroes/characters stay locked in one form more or less? Or do you believe that aging is possible? Children are a great indicator of the short and long term passage of time as my 16 year old daughter reminds me every time I see her.

Oh, and have you read Alan Furst? Just curious.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

deadhuman — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:39:19 -0700

@art4899
awesome Question!

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:40:40 -0700

As far as question, I was a big fan of Deadenders and always wandered what you really had in mind for the serie. I know it got cancelled but were you able to finish the story close to what you had in mind or was it completely different? Is there any cool stuff you had to leave out that you could explain here?

I ended it basically how I planned, just had to cram a lot into the last three issues, sadly. But the last issue is what I always thought it would be, basically.

The thing with Deadenders is that it was never supposed to have such a plot as it had, even. It was just going to be a Vertigo-style Archie comic about kids in a dystopian future. But during the pitch process, they really pushed the idea of a hero quest plot into the story, and I really wanted a monthly gig, and it honestly seemed like a smart idea. A plotless series might not do that well, I figured... so I changed it and came up with the whole Cataclysm baby storyline. I'm happy with that storyline, actually, but I often wonder what the other Deadenders would have been like.

Any talk of the first Criminal arc being made into a film?

There's always talk. There's been lots of talk... but talk is cheap in the film industry. Most of the time when you see those announcements of comics being optioned in the press, it's a tiny amount of money changing hands so that someone else can try to sell a studio on your property. The vast majority of those go nowhere. And I have no time or desire to go that route with any of my projects.

I have a few irons in that fire right now, though... but until contracts are signed and money has changed hands, it's all air, really. So I try not to get too optimistic about any of it.

Also have you got any other big Marvel Projects in the pipeline to be announced this year?

I have a couple special projects in the works, in addition to my three Marvel monthlies, but I don't know when they'll start appearing. One just got pushed back a year to wait for the artist. The other is just a matter of me getting the time to do it. It's got an artist already.

Im sure the Marvel Universe be a very different Sandbox after the Secret Invasion climax, will this effect your books?

Probably not in a huge way, not anymore than Civil War did, at least. Cap was affected by Civil War obviously, but I'm not sure how the post-SI Marvel U will impact us, since he's not playing a real big part in SI.

1) Will there be a new printing of "The Fall"? I'm a fan of Jason Lutes, and I love to see what a collaboration between the two of you is like.

There's plans to get both that and Accidental Death back into print in nice hardback editions, both in color for the first time. But it's going to take some time.

2) Whatever happened to your series "Detour"?

I went through a bad period in my life for about a year, when I was working the on the second issue, and when I came back to work on it, I couldn't get into it. And I felt like my cartooning skills were lacking. At the same time, I was starting to get paying writing work, so I threw myself into that.

3) I know you don't draw your own comics anymore, but is that something you still enjoy doing privately? Is it still a creative itch that needs scratching? Or was it a means to an end in order to get comics published early in your career?

I only ever drew comics. I never sketched or painted. The only times I ever drew were to tell stories, even as a little kid. So, once I became a full-time writer, I didn't actually miss drawing much. Sometimes I think I'd like to develop a really simple style and try some new stuff, but it's not a burning desire. I miss writing those kinds of stories sometimes, though, but a lot of what I do in Criminal touches on the same subjects, and approaches the structure in a more alt-comic way.

4) Besides interviews and essays about noir classics, are there other types of back material you want to include in "Criminal"?

Yeah, I want to cover the painting of Robert McGinnis, and the Crime comics of Johnny Craig in roundtable type discussions, among other things.

What are you favourite aspects of comics as a medium?

All of it.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

morganagrom — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:52:57 -0700

Any future for Black Sails? http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/29.shtml Has that ship sailed?

How about getting Here and Now under one cover?

Will there be softcover versions of the colorized Accidental Death and The Fall?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:58:54 -0700

Any future for Black Sails? http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/29.shtml Has that ship sailed?

Yeah, that pretty much died over contract issues.

How about getting Here and Now under one cover?

It's only 30 pages long.

Will there be softcover versions of the colorized Accidental Death and The Fall?

I don't know. I'm still working on figuring out the first editions.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

morganagrom — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:06:55 -0700

Right, and that would make Here and Now a perfect single. Perhaps through Image? It's difficult to believe a "new" Brubaker one-shot wouldn't sell well enough.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

joevince — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:24:19 -0700

That's great news about "The Fall," even if it does take some time. Wasn't that optioned a while back? Will you/do you have any involvement with the film version?

And BTW, I don't just sit around reading your old stuff. I've been enjoying your work on "Captain America," "Iron Fist" and, of course, "Criminal."

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:56:54 -0700

The Fall is in a netherland of sorts right now. I wrote the script, a few times, we have a director, we have a star attached, but we need a few more names attached to get the financing in place. We almost had it last year, but it didn't work out. It's always close to happening.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Captain Legion — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:08:38 -0700

Are we going to be seeing how Leo killed Teeg anytime soon? And, where did you get the name Teegar? It's... wild.

Any plans for a convention appearance in Toronto anytime soon? Epting is in town tomorrow and I am willing to lug around the Cap Omnibus all day for some ink. Then I'll show him that I have all the singles too and he will not be proud of me.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

m34tb0und — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:41:45 -0700

Ed, are you going to have panel appearance at the Emerald City Con ?

The Ed Brubaker Residency

warrenellis — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:52:30 -0700

It's Saturday. Ed Brubaker has left the building.

Thanks, man.

-- W

The Ed Brubaker Residency

hank — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:39:39 -0700

*sigh*

I just finished 1 and 2 of the new volume.

At this rate I will be cutting more and more superhero comics out of my order.

Not that that is a horrible thing.

The Ed Brubaker Residency

Ed Brubaker — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:36:23 -0700

Thanks for having me, Warren.

I'd have said so earlier, but I was in NYC until today.