Work Journal 1/27

I didn't think I'd have the energy to get much done tonight, but I surprised myself and cranked out almost the whole thing. I have just a page left of Irregular Joe #2 to write, and it will be an easy one. So I should be done tomorrow and can have a relaxing Friday...I think. My dad is back tomorrow, so who knows? Tonight's big three page scene was kind of tough--mixing a good deal of exposition in with some hopefully moving emotional outpouring. Hard to write three pages of talking and keep the "camera directions" interesting; I mainly just indicate close-ups or tighter shots at key moments and indicate certain visual information that is helpful to the reader, but leave the artist to use whatever angles he thinks work best. I'm saying this like I've even seen my artist do more than just thumbnail a page or two so far, of course, big pro that I am. I will say, though, that I'm loosening up a bit on the camera directions in just this second script, and hopefully will develop a good rapport with my artist(s) where I can leave more of that stuff to them.

Read Peter Milligan's first X-Men issue that came out yesterday. Considering I have little feeling for Havok, Lorna, Iceman or Gambit, it's a pretty good start. I guess I've been unaware that Iceman was actually clear now? It's a nice effect as done by Salvador Larrocca, though his storytelling is a little confusing in places. I didn't feel that Milligan had any amazing new ideas for the characters yet, and Iceman is really an ass, plus that "X-Men don't kill" blather is ridiculous at this point--how long has Wolverine been gutting people? Lorna was admonished for killing someone, but that was it. No punishment, and no one seemed upset at all. Anyway, considering he's got such a b-list team to work with (aside from Rogue and Emma), and the presumed usual editorial wrangles in getting cool, fresh ideas into the book, Milligan does fine. Hardly a replacement for Human Target, but a guy's gotta make a living.

I also read Amazing Spider-Man #22 for some reason. I feel like reading me some Ditko Spidey over the next however many weeks.