Greetings from the final days of the American empire.
Last week, I wrote about multitasking the first four stages of grief. Update: I still haven’t reached the acceptance stage. But I’ve added a new stage: The let-them-burn-it-all-down-and-laugh-as-the-flames-singe-them-first stage.
Admittedly, this is probably just a subset of the anger stage, but “anger” doesn’t quite capture my emotions.
Over the past two-plus weeks, this news letter has received a lot of feedback. I’m grateful for folks reading and subscribing but even more grateful for the engagement.
With that preamble, lemme dive into everyone’s various missives (in no particular order):
Todd Ulman writes in response to last week’s newsletter:
Fantastic letter, Marc. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the work you put in to share your thoughts, creative or otherwise, with us on a regular basis. Reading about you being bullied really hit me hard, I never expected that someone like you, who comes across strong, intelligent, and has a phsyical presence, could be or was bullied. Just goes to show you we are all what we are, and who that is, no one knows, unless they take the time to ask. Thank you, Marc. I send you the best.
Thank you, Todd. I really appreciate that. It’s so interesting that you note that I have “a physical presence.” My tennis coach often tries to get me to acknowledge this, but my surprise at your observation just goes to show that the 90-pound skinny weakling can eventually grow out of it, but the psyche still holds on to the past. You’ve given me a lot to think about — and, I imagine, my coach a measure of satisfaction.
Norman Anderson writes:
Still processing this and probably won’t stop processing for an extremely long time, but I agree with everything you wrote. Thank you for everything that you do.
Yeah, I think that — for many of us — it’s going to take a long time to process these developments. There’s so much to unpack, one almost strains to know where to even begin.
It truly feels to me that we don’t live in a politically-divided country so much as in two separate parallel universes, each with their own rules and realities. We’ve gone past tribalism and we’re now in full-on universalism where nothing outside our universe makes sense.
Mickey Fischer writes:
I just wanted to drop a line to let you know how much I appreciate your consistent, thoughtful, honest communication, not just about your process and career but also the world in general. There are a lot of us out here.
THANK YOU. This really means the world coming from you, Mickey, someone who I admire greatly as both a writer and a person.
For those of you who don’t subscribe to Mickey’s excellent newsletter, I highly recommend doing so by checking it out here.
Eduardo Ferigato writes:
I agree with you in every word Marc. And wish you all strength to endure these next years.
Thank you, my friend.
For the uninitiated, Eduardo was my partner in crime on the Last Flight Out graphic novel. He also has the benefit of living outside of America. Which reminds me, Eduardo, do you have a spare couch? Asking for a country…
Speaking of Last Flight Out, Nandini Bapat wrote in to ask:
Congrats on adapting Last Flight Out! I was wondering: what is your process/approach in adapting a limited series like LFO into a TV/film project? Do you do the same story with a twist? Pick something that happened before or after the comic story? Or do you do something brand spanking new with the characters and world? (Obviously some of this depends on the comic’s story and what the ask is from the PTB that buy it, but what kind of approach typically calls to you?)
That’s a great question, Nandini. Thanks for asking it.
It’s interesting: Much of my career has been spent adapting other people’s material. In doing so, I’ve been pretty vocal — and, I think, consistent — in my believe that the main thing is to remain true to the spirit of the source material while taking all the liberties necessary to translate a story that originated in one medium into the other.
Now, with Last Flight Out — and Too Dead To Die as well — I’ve been forced to put my money where my mouth is. To walk my own talk, if you will. And I’m pleased to say that I have really done so.
The screenplay for Too Dead To Die is radically different from the graphic novel because the producers and I wanted a movie that could be produced at a smaller budget than the graphic novel’s story calls for. This necessitated coming up with an almost completely different story — though the characters and post-James Bondian dynamics absolutely remain the same.
Last Flight Out, on the other hand, hews a bit closer to the source material in terms of story, but there are still quite a few changes. You’re absolutely right that the Powers That Be get a vote (or ten) which can have an outsized effect. For example, the graphic novel made extensive use of flashbacks — beginning each issue with one — but Netflix happens to have an anti-flashback fetish (for reasons I’m still struggling to wrap my brain around).
Bottom line, as with any adaptation, I don’t think there’s a singular approach — apart from hewing faithfully to spirit and tone — that works or even applies in every instance. Each project really needs to be handled in the unique way that particular project demands.
Chinyere writes:
I appreciate your vulnerability, Marc, and your relating its source and what it costs you to hold onto your compassion. I also agree with your idea to make your world smaller to survive. Black women are doing that right now—gathering ourselves to nurse the fatal blow of our wholesale rejection by America, and protecting ourselves from the shitstorm of liberals already attempting to drain the dregs of our energy with “what do we do now?”
I've clocked out, punched out, ‘I'm on break,’ ‘Whatever you need, I got nothing for you.’ I now see enemies all around me and must gather in to protect myself. But I see MY privilege—I'm a Black woman with no kids in a solid blue state, have a full belly (for now) and a few resources (for now). Still the rage is in me, marinating in online humor and the promise of karma for the wicked, so I keep to myself.
I think it’s too soon to know how I'll feel as all this plays out, but I will say that the death of hope is a terrible feeling. What minuscule comfort I take from drawing in is that even while doing so, those I know (like you) are in a similar struggle and I am not truly alone.
That’s beautifully put, Chinyere. Thank you for the lovely words. I think they’ll resonate with a lot of people here.
After I hit “post” on last week’s newsletter, I must confess to a bit of nausea. As I mentioned to a friend shortly thereafter, I hadn’t planned on being quite so raw and honest. In fact, I hadn’t planned on that at all. But I’m grateful to all of you for giving me the space to be so without shame.
Robert Emmerich writes:
That's some serious multitasking, from the election to self care to helping others to #MeToo to “woke.” One more paragraph and I was afraid you were going to weave yourself right into a MAGA hat and straightjacket. (Last thing I did on Twitter was Unfollow Zachary Levy.) Maybe you could take your own advice and make your world small? It’s not all on you to save the Democratic party, democracy, cis-het white men, and those who deride them. Family first. And second. And third. You can be fourth. That might be enough multitasking for now, even for you. (This is like my 5th or 6th draft of this comment, finally subscribed and made an account to post it.)
Hey man. This, of course, is great advice. And you’re not at all wrong in your observation that I’m the last person to take my own advice.
And thank you for subscribing. Please give my best to Sue.
Craig Byrne writes:
One of the most important things I keep reminding myself this week is to make sure the folks in our lives, especially those who are hurting, are reminded that they do have people that care about them. I was happy to see similar sentiments in [last] week’s Substack from you. It’s daunting, for sure. But the least we can do is support and encourage one another.
Stay strong. Even if you feel sometimes that your words take time to reach the masses, or are in some cases edited down to a nub, know that your words matter. Think about all of the people who read and enjoyed In Any Lifetime this year! I'm sorry to sound like a greeting card, but encouragement helps. Very grateful to have your posts to read.
If sounding like a greeting card is wrong, Craig, I don’t want you to be right. Thank you. Sincerely.
And you hit upon a theme I’ve been hearing from a lot of folks over the past ten days: Now is the time for community. We need to seek out, gain comfort from, and support the family and friends closest to us and the other people in our orbit who share our values. To be clear, this isn’t a call on my part for more tribalism. Rather, it’s an acknowledgment that we need to be hear for each other. It’s also, perhaps, an acknowledgement that we can’t look to the government to save us, help us, or make our lives better. We need to do that for one another.
Harvey Hamer writes:
Again, very late to this — and I know I have more to read through... post election... But thanks so much for the shoutout! Those [Star Wars: Jedi Knights] foil covers are going to look brilliant!
Thank you, Harvey!
Peter Murrieta writes:
A very thoughtful and deep piece. Not sure if you caught mine yesterday, but I think we are both speaking around the same ideas, from our different lanes, Marc. Keep it up, and maybe let's get a cup of coffee soon.
Thank you, Peter. I thought your piece — which folks can and should read here — was terrific. Far more articulate than mine, in fact. Among our various overlaps, you spoke about the importance of art and creating art. I remain, however, feeling uninspired in this regard. Which isn’t to say that I’m not writing. I believe — strongly — that professional writers write, regardless of whether the muse is present. That’s what being a professional is all about.
And, YES, let’s definitely grab that coffee. Email me with some dates/times that work for you. Thank you!
And finally, Heather Dancey writes:
This issue really hit me, especially your notes on parenting. Thank you for sharing and hoping you did something nice for yourself this week. Still looking for ideas? Maybe do something in your love language for yourself. Act of service person? Maybe organize/redecorate a workspace. Touch? Get a massage. Words of affirmation could be writing down some of the things you're glad you did or that are going well like how you're managing to parent to best of your ability. Hope that helps, sending tears and love from Canada wooo!
Thank you, Heather. Last weekend, I was feeling an almost-primal need to cleanse/downsize, so I did a lot of work cleaning out the garage. Did it make me feel better? I’m honestly not sure, but I’m glad I did it.
BLUE SKIES
I haven’t been on Twitter since the election. I’ve deleted the app off my phone and am considering deleting my account. The only reason I haven’t as yet is the faint hope that at some point Musk will be forced to sell and the platform can end up in the hands of a more responsible steward.
Like a lot of people, I’ve joined the migration over to Bluesky. Actually, I’d already been there for several months — it was already quite popular among comic book professionals — but I’ve been far more active on it in the wake of the mass migration from Twitter.
You can find me on Bluesky here.
FROM THE VAULT
Well, this week’s newsletter can’t be all doom and gloom. So, from the Arrow vault, here are some 3D renderings of three of the action figures that were produced by DC Direct:
NEW MARVEL PROJECT
I’m working on a new, non-Star Wars comic book project for Marvel. Something very fun and a bit outside my established Marvel wheelhouse. Let’s call it PROJECT SINISTER. Look for it in 2025.
Be good to each other.
Best,
Marc
Burbank, California
11.15.24
COMING ATTRACTIONS
A regularly-updated list of upcoming releases and events:
FAN EXPO NEW ORLEANS (January 10-12, New Orleans, Louisiana)
STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS #1 (March 5, 2025)
I have been sitting in "The let-them-burn-it-all-down-and-laugh-as-the-flames-singe-them-first stage." as you put it since Wed. Everytime I heard news on the next cabinet pick, I saw the flames get higher. The kicker was the pick for Attorney General. A true smack in the face to all the truly neutral dedicated Justice Department employees. Now it will be an arm of the MAGA party and a way for the convicted felon to try to get revenge on his "enemies", plus keep said AG nominee out of prison also.
I had a quite a few right leaning friends and co-workers, who had voted for the con-man-in-chief in 2016 and 2020, but after the 2020 election denial sage said that they wished the now convicted felon never ran for president. They were able to see the damage he did to the country. They didn't vote for him again. I still amazes me that so many americans were/are so blind to how he wants to and is going to destroy everything our democracy and republic was founded on now that all branches are MAGA red.
I'm right there with you in the "The let-them-burn-it-all-down-and-laugh-as-the-flames-singe-them-first stage."
I look forward to every newsletter that you post not only for the information on what you are up to and the cool project insights and the “Behind the Scenes” of the various projects that you have and are involved with, but also the interaction with your readers. You engage us on a personal level and make us feel less alone. Thank you for the Arrow BTS and thank you for everything that you do.