RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Comic Books LITG: bits and pieces

Jim Shooter on "Legion". On again, off again, on again.

But how smooth will it be?

In an interview posted at Valiant Comics from July of 1998, Shooter stated:


I called Paul Levitz (DC VP) about 2 weeks ago and I said "you know Paul, I've been thinking about this for a long time - I think I've got one more 'Legion' story left in me, so here's what I propose: I'll do it sort of like the 'Watchmen' - a long story that you can collect it into a book... 'Jim Shooter's last Legion story', set in the time period back when I used to write the Legion... I think I could do something good, I think it would be fun, so what do you think?" He said, "I want to read it," so I said what's the next step? He said, more or less, "It's a done deal. I'll call you Friday when I get back to the office (he was in San Francisco) to finalize it." He said, "Think about what reference (old Legion books, etc...) you need, because I know you don't have files of your old stuff." We both talked about how great it would have been if Curt Swan, who'd drawn some of my old stuff, were still alive to do it. Anyway, we agreed that we were going to do this, and that we'd work out the details on Friday. I said okay... but I want you to know Paul, there are some people you have working on your staff who don't like me, and they might not be happy with this. He said oh, there's a couple who will sulk in a corner for a while over it, but don't worry- I'll take care of it.
He didn't call me Friday, he called me the next Tuesday. He said "well, the scars are deeper than I thought. There was so much hatred and resistance and upset... I gotta keep peace in my house, I can't go through with this." I said "You know - like I said - I've thought about writing this story for years, and the reason I never called you before is because I knew this would happen. I don't even know why I called you now." This is what I'm up against; I can't get work. Am I such a bad writer that no one can use me?

From a Silver Bullet Comic Books interview posted in 2004, Shooter stated:


TH: What about the "last Legion story" you were rumoured to do?
JS: I proposed writing one last Legion of Super-Heroes story, a ten or twelve parter that would make nice trade book, to Paul Levitz. Paul agreed to do it. Then we talked a few days later and he told me that there were people at DC who hated me, and were up in arms at the thought of my doing any work there. Paul said it would be "more grief than either of us needed," and that was the end of that.

I also understand that Jim Shooter walked from a Marvel Comics project when Tom Brevoort gave him some editorial suggestions.

This all underscores how polarizing a figured Shooter still is in the comics industry. There are long-time employees at both major publishers who have long memories. At DC, apparently those who would rather not work with Shooter include high profile and long-time editors and executives. How the addition of Shooter to the DCU roster affects those internally is yet to be seen. Have things been smoothed over in the past year to make this project a reality, or is this just being pushed through despite any internal objections?

Another question is how will new fans react to Shooter's return to the title? While it's sure to be embraced by long-time fans of Legion, newer fans might not be as easy to get on board."