Buddy Scalera is a comic book writer and self-publisher.
He is best know for his co-writing work on Deadpool and his solo story in Weapon X. He has contributed to X-Men Millennial Visions, X-Men Unlimited and other comics. He co-wrote and self-published Necrotic: Dead Flesh on a Living Body. He also recently published a multimedia CD-Rom titled Visual Reference for Comic Artists. Currently Buddy has a two-issue arc of Agent X in stores.
Scalera worked at Wizard Online for many years as the original Online Editor.
Stan Lee isn't getting any younger. And despite his youthful hairpiece, Stan will someday need to hang up his Nuff Saids, and call it a career.
For hundreds of years, Stan Lee has stood as the icon of the comic book industry. Comic fans see Stan as Mr. Marvel, but the rest of the world does not make a distinction between Marvel, DC, and a self-publisher working out of his basement. To them, it's just comics.
Stan Lee = Comics
Even people who don't read comics have a passing familiarity with Stan. He has been interviewed countless times in every imaginable media. At one point, he even traveled to colleges making speeches about comic books. He is known as a tireless self-promoter. Of course, when Stan promotes himself, he also promotes comics.
But in the near future, Stan will likely decide it's time to retire at home with his billions.
The fact of the matter is…the hungry mass media need someone for sound bites. They need a source that they can call any time there is a comic-book related news story. They need someone articulate, charming, and quotable. You can bet it'll be someone who's already in their Rolodex, True Believers.
On Deck
So who's going to be the next Stan Lee? Who's face will become synonymous with comics?
This is my short list of 10 likely candidates. To me, any of the people on this list could easily become The Next Stan Lee. Of course, that is, if they wanted to. None of this takes into account the actual desire to become the poster boy for the comic book medium.
Each person has a background and current job that would make them useful to the media. A journalist wants to quote someone with a cool title or an interesting track record.
As you read this, bear in mind that I am not "nominating" people. Rather, I am noting that they are in the right position to become The Next Stan Lee.
Nuff said. Read on….
The Top 10
Kevin Smith Claim to fame: Successful independent film director/writer
Advantages: Smith has instant name recognition. He's the darling of mainstream media, In Hollywood, he has quietly built a small, dedicated empire. He's a good writer, who increases the sales on any title. He's funny on his feet and gives great quotes. His army of celebrity friends gets stronger with each movie he makes. He even owns his own comic book store, which plugs him into another area of the comic book business: retailers.
Joe Quesada Claim to fame: Fan-favorite artist/Editor in Chief at Marvel
Advantages: Paid his dues as an artist and a self-publisher. Has a strong fan base and has launched his own eponymous website to support his personal goals. He's the Editor in Chief at Marvel. He's married to a leading editor in the industry, so he has someone in the trenches watching his back. Joe also gives good interviews on television and seems to thrive on publicity. Joe is very comfortable with today's Internet technology, and can really hang with the fans on Message Boards. He could walk away from the Editor position and go back to drawing comics, if he really wanted. He seems to be leading Marvel in the right direction and the comics are as good, if not better, than when Stan was running the shop.
Bill Jemas Claim to fame: Publisher of Marvel
Advantages: Bill Jemas came to Marvel by way of Fleer. He worked his way through the ranks and in other types of business, including a stint at Madison Square Garden. Bill seems just loose enough to let Marvel experiment, but conservative enough to run it like a real business. Under Bill, Marvel is reaping the rewards of a burgeoning line of trade paperbacks. He was smart to include his name as a co-creator on early issues of Ultimate Spider-Man with Brian Michael Bendis. Bill is quick on his feet, personable, and has a sense of humor that would play well on television.
Jim McLaughlin Claim to fame: Magic Words columnist in Wizard
Advantages: Jim has solidified his reputation as Mr. Wizard. He's the second most recognizable face at the company and is the ambassador to the pros. Many publishers rely on Jim as their liaison to the magazine, which is still a juggernaut of print publicity. He's expanded his role several times within the company and enjoys an insider/outsider status in his Wizard West Coast office. At Wizard conventions, he hosts multiple panels and the Wizard Fan Awards. He's respected among his peers as a good journalist. Like the others, Jim is very quick on his feet and has a sharp sense of humor that plays well all over the country. He has a background in comic book retailing. Jim has a massive public forum every month with Magic Words. He reads constantly has an incredible memory for trivia.
Paul Levitz Claim to fame: Publisher of DC Comics
Advantages: Truly a lifer at DC Comics. Worked his way up writing a popular run of LEGION and still has ink stains under his fingernails from learning other aspects of the publishing business. Served his apprenticeship under publishing prodigy Jeanette Kahn, who recently handed her crown to Levitz. Respected among creators for allowing titles like Preacher and Transmetropolitan find their audiences. By keeping a staggering number of trade paperbacks in print, DC has maintained the appreciation of creators and retailers alike. Paul is low key and statesmanlike.
Gareb Shamus Claim to fame: Publisher of Wizard magazine
Advantages: Gareb Shamus had the best timing in the world. When he launched Wizard magazine out of his parent's comic book shop, nobody could have anticipated the success Wizard would become. Along with a team of smart writers and editors, Gareb lead Wizard to become the 800-pound gorilla of the fan press. He spread the reach of the empire with other fan magazines including ToyFare, InQuest, and ToyWishes. Even further, he's expanded to the Internet and into comic book conventions. In just a few years, Gareb has made a powerful mark on comics. He's well spoken on television and thrives on positive publicity. He's very good under pressure and comes up with creative ways to expand Wizard's core business.
Jimmy Palmiotti Claim to fame: Award winning inker/writer
Advantages: I call Jimmy the Mayor of Comics. He knows everyone and most people love him. Many, many creators, editors, publishers, and media types are grateful to Jimmy because he's generous with his time and money. He's got a surprisingly good memory for people he's met, which means he's able to make people (fans, pros, etc) feel special. He is a legendary workaholic who requires little sleep. He's currently writing three titles, inking comics, and hobnobbing with pros and Hollywood producers. He's got his hands in everything and has more ideas than he has time.
Todd McFarlane Claim to fame: The Image guy who bought Mark Maguire's 70th home run ball/creator of Spawn
Advantages: Continues to publish the Spawn comic book, which has been spun into about every profitable medium. Many regular people know Todd as the guy who introduced the Spawn animated shows on HBO. He's still a fan-favorite artist, and could easily walk into Marvel and start drawing almost any title he wants. He's among the few first-name elite (Todd, Rob, Stan, Jack, Gareb). His widely publicized $2.7M purchase of the Maguire baseball gained him unprecedented notoriety in the mainstream press. He's even made multiple appearances on The Howard Stern Show. Todd's big spending antics brought attention to his burgeoning toy line. Speaking of which, McFarlane Toys are now perennial favorites in national toy chains.
Matt Hawkins Claim to fame: Served as Rob Liefeld's public relations manager during the rise of Image/Publisher of Top Cow
Advantages: Matt Hawkins is currently the Publisher of Top Cow Comics, possibly the most successful Image studio. He is mainly known to industry insiders for his unshakable upbeat attitude. He developed a Teflon veneer working under the controversial Rob Liefeld. He's managed to create a small line of Lady Pendragon titles. That could turn into a personal financial windfall, if he manages it carefully. He has a strong Rolodex of creators, press, and other Hollywood types. He's a terrific salesman who could sell ice in Alaska.
Mark Alessi Claim to fame: Publisher of CrossGen Comics
Advantages: Mark Alessi defied the odds and silenced the critics by requiring creators to live and work in his Florida offices. He brought back a real studio environment, but kept editors out of the mix. The CrossGen's line features top-name creators working on high-quality comics. Creators are treated to health benefits, profit sharing, and regular paychecks. Alessi's staff is hungry, energetic, and well funded. They are getting tons of favorable press. They are quickly expanding their business with Comics on the Web, movie deals, and merchandising. CrossGen went from startup-to-industry-force in the same time most indies come and go. Many retailers love CrossGen and it appears they will succeed where others have failed. Mark has deep pockets and experience in the computer industry. This business experience has helped him run CrossGen like a business…and that's pretty rare for a start-up independent. Could be viewed as a maverick who challenged - and beat - the system.
The Next Five
I want to throw in a few other possible contenders who could step up in 2003.
Dan DiDio - Editorial Director, DC Comics Mark Millar - Writer/columnist Warren Ellis - Writer J. Michael Strazinski - Writer/Hollywood guy Maggie Thompson - Editor, CBG
OK, that's my list. Bear in mind that this list could be laughably out of date in just a month. Or it could be a peek into the future "face of comics."
Are these my choices for the next Stan Lee? Some of them, yeah. Others, definitely not. There are other people I wish I could have included on this list, but they just are not in the right position at this time.
Interestingly enough, my primary list features all white males. No women, no people of color. All Americans…despite that many top writers are British. And except for a few, all are based in either California or New York.
Did I miss anyone? Is someone on this list who should not be there?
Stan Lee isn't getting any younger. And despite his youthful hairpiece, Stan will someday need to hang up his Nuff Saids, and call it a career.