Got to talk to Josh at NYCC. He was beyond pleasant to talk to. And hearing that Josh may be done traveling for the year makes the meeting even more special. Zen Josh is a good Josh to have. My man achieved Comic Nirvana.
It was amazing to get to care about Green Arrow and his family again. Kevin Smith’s Green Arrow run was one of the first comic runs I read every Green Arrow comic starting there up to now. The New 52 really screwed things; so getting even the tiniest sense of pre-new 52 GA was great. Just wish we got more time. But getting Mia and Connor back was a gift
14:45 Josh anecdote about universal studio made me remember my OJT at the amusement park. I work in the back office and the company would let us enter the park after office hours. It was pretty awesome.
A comic news site says that DC is going to relaunch Superman #1 in 2025, I wouldn't like it to mean that they are removing Josh from the book, he is doing a very good job with Superman and the last thing we want is for DC to make another Bendis case, removing a writer contrasted with the character who wants to continue writing him because DC wants to bring in another writer without significant prior experience with the character and who has recently written bad stories or mediocre stories and give them the book. Writers like Josh must be rewarded by keeping him in the books that they like to write and that are well received by fans and, on top of that, that gives stability to the characters.
Sal I love the idea of a show travelling to different comic stores, but instead of tying down just Josh to travel from store to store, I’d say that you get different writers and artists for each episode. Perhaps the creative takes you to a comic shop in their town, that way they don’t need to travel too far and may be more inclined to do it. There may also be the familiarity of them knowing the store if they frequent it.
I watched Chinatown for the first time like two months ago and its just something about the dialog or maybe the delivery that really hooked me. Then After that I watched The Two Jakes and man what a step down that was.
I had the same experience with China Town on my 1st viewing I paused it specifically because I would have to leave soon, and I was like there is so much unresolved there has to be like fory minuets left, there were ten minutes.
Hickman is great. I do get that his “writing for the trade” style isn’t for everyone. It’s what could put some people off USM but for me, his USM is what got me reading monthly after just collecting for a few years. I enjoy seeing the stories unfold monthly and in “real time”. Some issues I go “is that all” like issue 5 and 7 but for the most part I’ve really enjoyed it. Fun re-imagining of Peter and how he is responsibility first and then gets the power. Uncle Ben is great and really adds so much to the story. Mary Jane is wonderful when they give her something. Look out for issue 12 by the way because those preview pages look very interesting!
Williamson seems like a nice guy - but these podcasts I find hard to listen to. King of tangents; in the first 5 minutes he’s already rambled from hanging out with Sal at NYCC, GI-Joe #1 releasing, the layout of Target’s toy section, being recognised by an employee, his promo pictures, the last time he was drunk at an event, an anecdote from the sitcom ‘30 Rock’, to a parable about not getting drunk and having promotional photos taken… Even if I was interested in any one of these topics, the rate at which the topic is changed, makes this an incoherent piece of audio. There’s no malice intended as I write this, as I have frequently come back and given this podcast chances time and time again, (as a huge fan of ComicPop) but unless I’m willing to completely tune out and let you two’s conversation be background noise for me, I find no satisfaction in doing so. (And if I am going to resort to background noise, white noise is far more mindful). Back Issues has a central narrative in which the conversation circles around, which allows for tangents to be meaningful and intriguing, but here it’s just Williamson talking garrulously, and Sal being submissive to the fact that JW is in an authoritative position as an industry guest. Maybe if there was a predetermined programme of topics for the podcast? It would give Sal a foot-in to interrupt, or have a track to keep the conversation on? Maybe I’m the one missing out here and everyone else enjoys the flow and rapport that their conversations have, but I suspect that this being a regular pod between Sal and a current leader of DC Comics’ creative output, I’d think it would have a more consistent and larger audience if that was case. Maybe I’m saying the quiet part out loud, and we have to accept that Williamson is kindly taking time out of a busy schedule and we can’t expect much of a performance..? Anyways, it’s all love, don’t take this as a ‘hate comment’ please, but I welcome criticism or corrections on my point of view on this, or any discussion likewise :)
For me, the fun part of the show is the tangents. Just letting two people, who happen to know about the industry's ins-and-outs, just riff. To me, "sticking to a schedule", "having an outline". "sticking with the program", it all just sounds very restrictive. It may even lead to those awkward moments you mentioned. Question-answer, question-answer, question-answer...it sounds tiring both for Sal and Josh, but for the audience as well. At the end of the day, Sal and Josh are people. People have conversations. You get to know them that way. It's why Back Issues works so well. No one's "faking it". It's just them being themselves. I think it's off-base to say Sal is acting "submissive" or that Josh is rambling just because he isn't saying something that's within the interests of a specific individual. They're just talking as folk. Amicably talking.
Thanks for the thoughtful response. I guess it’s just not for me! I love improvised podcasts normally, so I don’t think it’s an issue with amicable conversation. I regret using the word submissive, now that you mention it,as it does have quite a negative connotation. I should’ve thought harder about how to put it, but I stand by the sentiment, as Sal is very willing to assert himself verbally with the Back Issues cast. (Of course they know each other much better, and are with each other physically which makes it easier to communicate than on Zoom.)
Got to talk to Josh at NYCC. He was beyond pleasant to talk to. And hearing that Josh may be done traveling for the year makes the meeting even more special. Zen Josh is a good Josh to have. My man achieved Comic Nirvana.
I like how one of the main people behind the Absolute universe has a wall of the "Absolute Editions" behind them. Perfect.
That wall is mouth watering, Josh’s collection is insane.
I LOVE THESE. The teaser Sal gave yesterday about Josh's cursed USM pitch got me lmao. Sal mentioning Abroad In Japan too 🤯.
It was amazing to get to care about Green Arrow and his family again. Kevin Smith’s Green Arrow run was one of the first comic runs I read every Green Arrow comic starting there up to now. The New 52 really screwed things; so getting even the tiniest sense of pre-new 52 GA was great. Just wish we got more time. But getting Mia and Connor back was a gift
HE SHOT DOWN JOSHIN AROUND! This man has the willpower of a dozen lantern corps
God, I love Williamson so much. You can tell he has such passion for these characters. I hope he stays on Superman for a long time.
1:11:25 This just blew my mind and is an excellent prediction for USM. Great video!
Josh has those Speed Metal page?! I have been hunting those down for a while, but I’m glad he has them.
Oh cool Joshua Williamson interview yay let’s do it.
Josh Williamson is an underrated writer. This was a very good and entertaining interview
14:45 Josh anecdote about universal studio made me remember my OJT at the amusement park. I work in the back office and the company would let us enter the park after office hours. It was pretty awesome.
A comic news site says that DC is going to relaunch Superman #1 in 2025, I wouldn't like it to mean that they are removing Josh from the book, he is doing a very good job with Superman and the last thing we want is for DC to make another Bendis case, removing a writer contrasted with the character who wants to continue writing him because DC wants to bring in another writer without significant prior experience with the character and who has recently written bad stories or mediocre stories and give them the book.
Writers like Josh must be rewarded by keeping him in the books that they like to write and that are well received by fans and, on top of that, that gives stability to the characters.
Loved the ending to Williamson's Green Arrow!
Sal I love the idea of a show travelling to different comic stores, but instead of tying down just Josh to travel from store to store, I’d say that you get different writers and artists for each episode. Perhaps the creative takes you to a comic shop in their town, that way they don’t need to travel too far and may be more inclined to do it. There may also be the familiarity of them knowing the store if they frequent it.
DC writers are doing so well.
I watched Chinatown for the first time like two months ago and its just something about the dialog or maybe the delivery that really hooked me. Then After that I watched The Two Jakes and man what a step down that was.
Love this show so much, always such a treat.
20:28 Random Chris mention, wow
I had the same experience with China Town on my 1st viewing I paused it specifically because I would have to leave soon, and I was like there is so much unresolved there has to be like fory minuets left, there were ten minutes.
Hickman is great. I do get that his “writing for the trade” style isn’t for everyone. It’s what could put some people off USM but for me, his USM is what got me reading monthly after just collecting for a few years. I enjoy seeing the stories unfold monthly and in “real time”. Some issues I go “is that all” like issue 5 and 7 but for the most part I’ve really enjoyed it.
Fun re-imagining of Peter and how he is responsibility first and then gets the power. Uncle Ben is great and really adds so much to the story. Mary Jane is wonderful when they give her something. Look out for issue 12 by the way because those preview pages look very interesting!
I know what store Josh is talking about! It is TFAW right on the City Walk! I’ve been there both times I traveled to LA and it is a cool place.
Josh's beard is looking good ❤
I love videos like this. Instant watch 💯
definetely needed some allstars today, its already started terrible
There is a directors cut of Alien 3😉
That is an Assembly Cut which is different from a Director’s Cut.
Josh will you come to mc3
Williamson seems like a nice guy - but these podcasts I find hard to listen to.
King of tangents; in the first 5 minutes he’s already rambled from hanging out with Sal at NYCC, GI-Joe #1 releasing, the layout of Target’s toy section, being recognised by an employee, his promo pictures, the last time he was drunk at an event, an anecdote from the sitcom ‘30 Rock’, to a parable about not getting drunk and having promotional photos taken…
Even if I was interested in any one of these topics, the rate at which the topic is changed, makes this an incoherent piece of audio.
There’s no malice intended as I write this, as I have frequently come back and given this podcast chances time and time again, (as a huge fan of ComicPop) but unless I’m willing to completely tune out and let you two’s conversation be background noise for me, I find no satisfaction in doing so. (And if I am going to resort to background noise, white noise is far more mindful).
Back Issues has a central narrative in which the conversation circles around, which allows for tangents to be meaningful and intriguing, but here it’s just Williamson talking garrulously, and Sal being submissive to the fact that JW is in an authoritative position as an industry guest.
Maybe if there was a predetermined programme of topics for the podcast? It would give Sal a foot-in to interrupt, or have a track to keep the conversation on?
Maybe I’m the one missing out here and everyone else enjoys the flow and rapport that their conversations have, but I suspect that this being a regular pod between Sal and a current leader of DC Comics’ creative output, I’d think it would have a more consistent and larger audience if that was case. Maybe I’m saying the quiet part out loud, and we have to accept that Williamson is kindly taking time out of a busy schedule and we can’t expect much of a performance..?
Anyways, it’s all love, don’t take this as a ‘hate comment’ please, but I welcome criticism or corrections on my point of view on this, or any discussion likewise :)
For me, the fun part of the show is the tangents. Just letting two people, who happen to know about the industry's ins-and-outs, just riff. To me, "sticking to a schedule", "having an outline". "sticking with the program", it all just sounds very restrictive. It may even lead to those awkward moments you mentioned. Question-answer, question-answer, question-answer...it sounds tiring both for Sal and Josh, but for the audience as well. At the end of the day, Sal and Josh are people. People have conversations. You get to know them that way. It's why Back Issues works so well. No one's "faking it". It's just them being themselves. I think it's off-base to say Sal is acting "submissive" or that Josh is rambling just because he isn't saying something that's within the interests of a specific individual. They're just talking as folk. Amicably talking.
Thanks for the thoughtful response.
I guess it’s just not for me!
I love improvised podcasts normally, so I don’t think it’s an issue with amicable conversation.
I regret using the word submissive, now that you mention it,as it does have quite a negative connotation. I should’ve thought harder about how to put it, but I stand by the sentiment, as Sal is very willing to assert himself verbally with the Back Issues cast. (Of course they know each other much better, and are with each other physically which makes it easier to communicate than on Zoom.)
Hearing about the "photo" I searched my brain, and yes, could place exactly what Josh was talking about. Sorry he doesn't like it, it is just fun.