I'm trying to think of a single thing that Chuck Dixon has ever written that didn't impress me.  I'm not having much luck.

Thank you, Mr. Dixon, for that post.  Incredibly informative and insightful (and, of course, right).  How do you do that every time, man?

Chuck is and always will be one of my favorite writers and I am very glad he posts on and reads this forum.

When Asonishing X-Men started a few years ago, a friend of mine, who doesn't collect comics but always went to the shop with me and another friend who did collect, decided he would pick this series up since it was just starting.  He has been with the book and read it and only has to keep up with one book (not 15-20 like most of us read) and he cannot remember what happened in the last issue when a new one decides to come out.  Of course, I can't either.  When someone is reading a comic book and cannot remember what happened in the last issue and for that matter cannot remember when the last issue came out even, that is a problem.  Of course the book is great once it is in the can, but as a real comic fan who reads monthly books, it is unacceptable.  I would rather see writers and artists who can maintain a monthly schedule get work first and special projects that are not monthly or numbered books going to these casual pros.

Thanks, Chuck, for that last post.  It's always heartening to be reminded that some people in comics still value professionalism and responsibility.  Also, I'm one more JBF member who's happy to have you here.

You speak words of iron, Howard.

The very thought of an artists sitting waiting for script from me turns my guts to water. I have to confess it's happened to me a few times through scheduling screw-ups. (show of hands, how many here ever worked for Don Daley?) But I moved heaven and earth to get the artist started again THAT DAY. Before the days of email I would phone the artist and describe a three page opening. I'd hang up the phone and get to work on the remainder of the story immediately so there'd be no stall time.

I was once assigned a fill-in story on a popular book because the writer could not make the deadline. I had two days to jump in and write a story featuring a character I was familiar with but had never written myself. Thank God for a news event that prompted an idea for the plot and I had the full script in on time.

I asked the editor what had happened to the regular writer. Illness? Family emergency? Concussion?

I was told that the fill-in was for the NEW writer who had not started his run yet. Why would a writer need a fill-in when he hadn't started his run yet?

"Well, he's not sure what he wants to write about yet."

I'm normally able to supress outrage but couldn't help blurting, "Then why did you give him the book?"

I got the telephonic equivalent of a shrug.

Even though we are 'preaching to the choir' about professionalism and work ethics, it is still good therapy.  Whether we apply this kind of logic to comics or whatever work you do, professionalism and pride in one's work should be what motivates your professional career.

I work in the software industry and missing deadlines is not a good option for a programmer.  I also have journalism experience so I certainly can appreciate the stories you guys are sharing.

"Well, he's not sure what he wants to write about yet."

Why would someone accept a job under these circumstances? If I hired a guy to paint my house, I sure wouldn't wait around for a week while the guys sits around with his dick in his hand and figures out how he's going to get it done.