QUOTE: I am NOT going to defend the stories. I was a BIG JMS B-5 fan, and was looking forward to seeing him on SPider-Man. He pretty much lost me when he had Peter become a High School teacher, and then dropped the supporting cast. I haven't liked what I heard about the supernatural elements entering the book... the spider-totems... the eye gouging... Aunt May in armpor etc... I guess what I'm reacting to is what I read as "I don't like it, so it sucks!" Everyone thinks they can do better... I assure you... most can't. I strongly suggest that if you don't like the book... DO NOT BUY IT! If sales fall... changes WILL be made.

I haven't bought Amazing since you left the title.  I read one Stracynski issue and knew it was not for me. 

Once a year I will attempt to read it. Last year I came just in time to see Norman Osborn screw Gwen Stacy. 

 I rarely ever make the type of statements I have about Stracynski.  I have the utmost respect for writers.  But Stracynski took what respect I had for him as a writer when he wrote Sins Past.  

Howard Mackie wrote: ...I strongly suggest that if you don't like the book... DO NOT BUY IT!...

Not an option for me. I order what my customers want to buy. It doesn't mean I have to like it.

As for my comment about fanfiction, I'll stand by it. I honestly, sincerely, completely believe that what is passing for writing in "Amazing Spider-Man" these days is no better than fanfiction. And I don't think the comment was uncalled for in the least.

Victor wrote: ...Mr Mackie with all due respect, I don't think any (provided its not personal) criticisim is uncalled for at this point...

And note, I specify that I am speaking about Stracynski's writing on "Amazing Spider-Man," and I am not speaking about all of his work, in general.

I wonder, can't fanfiction be good? I believe so, and that's why I wrote that the fanfiction is better than what we are getting these days with "Amazing Spider-Man."

"So I should have given up SPAWN ten years ago?  ;)"

Yeah, but in all that time you only had to buy, what - 20, 30 issues?

WO

"I wonder, can't fanfiction be good? I believe so, and that's why I wrote that the fanfiction is better than what we are getting these days with "Amazing Spider-Man."

Hell, I'll go balls out and say I think I could do a better job writing Spider-man than JMS.  And I dare say there are a few other people on the board who could do a better job too.  But with the problem being the "mystique" surrounding all these Hollywood guys and Hollywood-wannabes, there's a lot of guys with real, proven talent that aren't getting a shot to show what they can do.  So not only are the books bad, the people who could fix them can't get their foot in the door.

WO

"Hell, I'll go balls out and say I think I could do a better job writing Spider-man than JMS." 

I wouldn't say I could do better than JMS.  He's a very talented guy, after all.  But I damn sure would have known not to do "Sins of the Past".

Mike

I'm not so sure that low sales will guarantee a 'superstar' writer/artist losing a title. Let's use Iron Man as an example - let's say that the five issues of Warren Ellis Iron Man masterpiece theater have sold 50k each (I have no idea if this is accurate, and am not inclined to look it up) - so 250k copies over the course of 15 months, or 16,667 copies per month. Spider-Girl sells more copies per month, also has digest/trade sales, and it's getting shit-canned.

Guess Defalco and company should have shipped a few issues late, to 'create buzz'.

 Speaking of Stracynski and Babylon 5 (a great series by the way). What's the deal with him and cocoons? Delenn in B5 and now Spider-Man. Was the guy fascinated by caterpillars as a kid or what?

 Regardless of what people think of Stracynski as a writer or The Other as a story the thing had to make it through an editorial process presumably. Obviously there is some belief at Marvel that this is a good way to go with the character. I can't see why beyond some gimmicky sales stunt. But do creative teams at comics companies do things specifically to piss off a segment of the audience. I find it hard to picture writers sitting around saying "This will get them steamed." So to quote a line from another much maligned (mini)series, Identity Crisis:

 "Who benefits?"