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WEISMANSWERS 2009-08 (Aug)
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Big Fan writes...
Hey Greg big fan, Awsome work on the Spiderman series it truely is the best. But my question was about the gargoyles series. I recently revistited the show and watched it from beginning to end and i was seriously impressed. I know that disney has the rights and all that, but have you ever tried/considered to re-pitch the series to them? perhaps thats simply not how things work but i find it dificult to see how such a powerful storyline couldnt be profitable.
Greg responds...
I've pitched and repitched Gargoyles to Disney many, many times. No luck beyond the DVDs and the comics we have now. But I haven't given up.
STONE OF DESTINY -- SPOILERS!!!!
STONE OF DESTINY -- CLAN-BUILDING, VOLUME TWO SPOILERS!!!!
GXB sent me a question about the Stone of Destiny in Clan-Building. He wrote:
"Just to be clear... Xanatos has the original Stone of Destiny? Scotland has a fake? That's... kinda cool. :)"
Now, of course, I shouldn't have responded. The book SHOULD either stand and fall on it's own. But of course, if that was my policy, we wouldn't really have ASK GREG at all, would we?
I apologize that I wrote with so little clarity that an explanation is necessary at all, but here's my answer to him, and before the rest of you get a chance, to all of you:
You're missing the point.
Which was the original, the one Moses sent with Gathelus or the one Moses kept and used to bring forth water in the desert?
Which was the original, the half that stayed at Tara or the half that sailed to Dalriada? (Note that both halves are the same size as the so-called "original".)
Which was the original, the one that was kept in London or the one that became the Blarney Stone?
There is no original. There is no fake.
But if you're asking where the specific stone that had been at Westminster went, Peredur has it in Carbonek. Look at the timeline. Xanatos switched the stone at the bridge and was about to make a DOUBLE switch at Leith before Blanchfleur came to pick it up. He was planning to keep the one he assumed was the original, when the stone itself told him it was pointless. So he gave Blanchefleur the stone the Illuminati wanted, i.e. the Westminster stone.
Xanatos kept one of the two "fakes" and Edinburgh has the other "fake", except both are still real stones. (It's not like they're paper mache or something.) And ANY stone can be THE stone.
Phoenician writes...
Well, with Season Two of Spectacular Spider-Man finally in swing in the United States, I thought, what the heck, why not jot some thoughts down?
**TSS-M SPOILERS**
"Blueprints"
What's funny about the Venom nightmare in the very beginning is that the snow didn't register until after the dream was over, when we pull out of Peter's bedroom. Its a small aspect of this great episode, but when a person can rely on this kind of continuity week in and week out (as I witnessed in season one), it just makes it all the easier to actually get absorbed in the universe being created. I'm actually realizing that the season one finale, though a long wait for me, has only been, say, a week ago for Peter Parker and company :)
I was kinda spoiled that there would be Latin spells a bit back, but as a Latin student back in the day, I loved hearing every bit of it, especially with Mysterio's quicker pace . . . at least, compared to what I've heard in Gargoyles and my own translations.
Fun Fact: Gargoyles is what encouraged me to take Latin back in high school. Most people site Shakespeare as their educational dessert from watching Gargoyles, I took on a dead language. Speaking of Gargoyles, I loved the inside joke of "Fulminos Venite", though I must admit it I only realized it later in the episode, as Mysterio DOES say it differently than the Archmage . . . and quicker. I also TOTALLY loved the line that I was able to decipher on the moment: Nullae Satisfactionis Potiri Non Possum! (I can't get no satisfaction!) Hilarious.
Stan Lee cameo! Was it fun having him on the set?
Spidey in the water! . . . "COLD COLD-COLD-COLD!!!" I live in the desert for a reason, and that just felt horrible even for me d:
The whole Liz-Misdirection scene was bugging me I think more than my roommate, if only because I'm rooting for Gwen and my dorm buddy is enjoying the Liz flirts. The 'tutledge' reminds me of early season one when Liz was dreading being tutored by Peter . . . funny how much has changed in three months time.
The Hormunculi Mysterio unleashed had some funny moments, one of my favorites toward the end of scene where the all vanish, including two holding Spider-Man . . . they realize they're being wisked away and with a line totally reminiscent of the 1993 film Hocus Pocus: "Ohh . . . buh-bye!" Had me laughing, even though I'm unsure if the connection was intentional or not.
The Osborne Dinner Party was interesting . . . Norman gets Peter his internship back, we meet Miles Warren, who's mum on any ideas he'll bring to the lab, the Conners have to swallow some pride in giving Peter a third (or fourth, I forget) chance. Plus: another sighting of the odd Emily Osborne. I'm no Spider-Man virtuoso, and I haven't seen her in really any other incarnation, so she's fun to watch . . . to say the least.
"Robots! To think I used to like them as a kid!" Wonderful line, gives us a glimpse into Peter's geekitude.
The last fight's bar scene was hilarious, already had me grinning when the music took on the sound of the piano, and I was laughing hard as a robot decked Spidey with a prop bottle from behind. This great moment was followed by a Monty Python & the Holy Grail reference (and in turn, reminded me of the Gargoyles episode "Future Tense"). Love the banter on this show.
Norman Osborne becoming Pete's mentor . . . creepy (as well as Norm's breakfast 'mannerisms'). I'm reminded of the first Spider-Man movie where Pete turned him down for a job, which impressed Norman nevertheless acknowledging that Peter wanted to get by 'on his own steam' or something similar.
And then at the end we see it's Quentin and Mason from the episode 'Persona' . . . apparently Chameleon was busy with something. Quentin is an absolute ham, and I love Xander Berkeley's performance from the second he found himself in that bubble. Mason as 'Tinkerer' gave me a jolt of "Lexington!" and I'm left with the thought of who the Master Planner is. Again, I'm no Spider-man expert, so I was eager to see the next episode. :)
Which I might as well review now as well d:
"Destructive Testing"
Of the two Spider-Man incarnations I delved in -- the recent movies and the 90's show -- Kraven was a villain I enjoyed. Couldn't really tell ya why . . . he must have been presented in a way I thought was well done. It's been so long since I've seen the 90s series I was curious if Kraven would have the same effect. Well, in short, Kraven is a ton of fun here, and unlike his 90's counterpart, the evidence is overwhelming. From the voice I hear to the lines he says and the way he looks (before and after Miles) and the way he fights (spears and claws): This guy is cool.
But not cool enough. Spidey owns him easy. "You're out of your league." A great line in that Spidey doesn't seem to JUST be goading him, like he does with other villains we've seen.
Other thoughts:
Was that the Rhino in the photos that Kraven was holding? AFTER Kraven tackled the rhino into a nap? Now that's good storytelling . . . :)
Freakin' Kenny Kong . . . must you make the Peter/Gwen interaction harder than it is? And Pete gets his first "look" of the season. Ouch.
Gwen, Liz, Black Cat . . . rub it in, Pete. Rub it in d:
Other great lines . . . mostly Spidey:
"Two moms and still so ill-behaved?"
"Prey? Silent? Dignity? Oh, you don't know me at all..."
"Now you got me talking in the 3rd person!"
"Okay, the thermals with hearts were half-priced and they do not reflect my very high macho-quotient!"
Hmmm . . . Only the hunt may restore my lost honor? What was Calypso offering exactly? d:
Loved the brief Jameson bit . . . shame we didn't get to hear him chew off Kraven. Here's hoping we see some JJJ soon.
Miles Warren: Wow.
Oh, that Sally Avril . . . poor Rand.
"You can smell him?" a great line from Miles.
The banter in their second fight is just as good as the previous, if not better:
"I could call you a lot of things..."
"All I smell is fear."
"I so prefer my felines female" (focus Peter! Or I'll start calling YOU 'Randy')
Its the return of the Itsy Bitsy Spider! And for once, its not Aunt May d:
And despite the upgrade, Kraven gets decked by all of Spidey's limbs . . . "Excuse me? Who's the prey?" I remember a discussion a while back that had people wonder if Peter was always going to find a geek-solution to every supervillain . . . well, if the many episodes of season one didn't answer it, this one sure did. Spidey swept the floor with Kravenoff. XD
"Courtesy of the original and number one genetic misfit"
"The Hunt is not over" . . . is it wrong of me to think of Gargoyles here? d:
And as we get a frozen Spidey mask in the skyline, we're given the hint that Kraven might not be gone just yet, not to mention we could see some old favorites soon. :)
***END OF SPOILERS***
If you couldn't tell by now, I loved these two episodes. There's ton more I could say, I imagine, but no worries. What I do believe is that these two eps are start of another spectacular season!!
Greg responds...
We had fun with the Latin this time, though it is ALWAYS a pain.
Stan was great. A geek-out moment for all of us.
David B. Jacobs writes...
Oh, wow. I just realized that I never asked this. Which is weird 'cause I thought I had, like, two months ago.
So anyway, you've said in the past that, out of the guest heroes, you would like to use Human Torch and Hulk if you were able to get the chance. Well, what about guest villains? I don't mean Kingpin - you've already said that you'd use him if you could and plus it's ridiculous that you can't use him anyway (who comes up with those lists?) If you could guest-star villains, which would you most want to use? Doctor Doom? Juggernaut?
I want to make this very clear: I'm NOT asking if there will be guest villains/crossovers. You already answered that a million times. I'm asking which you would like to use.
Also - seriously, who does come up with that list?
Greg responds...
Lawyers make lists... I assume.
I don't have a lot of interest in guest villains, frankly. But since that's the least of my worries, I haven't given it much thought. If and when guest heroes become available, then maybe I'll give guest villains a shot.
Joe Anonymous writes...
As you can see from my name I watched "Persona" quite a few times. Just bought all the DVD's this past weekend and just got done watching "Blueprints" and "Destructive Testing" and everything you're doing with this series is briliant. I hope a season 3 gets commisioned, the wait is killing me. Plus, can't wait to see what you do with Hobgoblin and Scorpion, just hope Scorpion isn't a clone...that will make me angry, and you won't like me when I'm angry..aughrghagh...getting off focus.
I do have a few questions and well, here they are.
1. Was Green Goblin at all insspired by the Joker?
2. Where did you come up with Electro's Look?
3. Who rescued Kraven at the end of "Destructive Testing"...I'm thinking he either jumped out or we just got a glimpse of Calypso's powers.
4. If you do get permision to use other heroes and villains who wouuld interest you?
5. You do like Carnage...thank God, nasty rumors. So the question is are you aloud to use him in his serial killing form (without showing it you know, hahaha...I need a life.)
6. Can you name any villains you can't use other than Kingpin and Beetle?
7. Why did Harry go to Europe and not just go to ravencroft or something?
8. When is the latest season 3 could be finished and ready for TV, if it gets commisioned...and hoping it does:)
Keep up the good work, and one more time...Please God, let there be a season 3. Thank You!
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!
1. You'll have to ask Stan and Steve. Our Goblin was inspired by their Goblin, not by Joker. I won't deny the two villains have certain traits in common -- both utilize the Trickster archetype -- but most of what they have in common is fairly superficial.
2. I described it to Vic and Cheeks. I wanted something that was reminiscent of Electro's Silver Age costume, but less cheezy. So the idea that the electricity flying off his head would resemble -- but hopefully be cooler than -- the fake lightning bolt starfish thing on his mask was intentional. Also, instead of just putting him in tights, we put him in a suit designed to restrain his power, that would again be reminiscent of the original costume, but feel a bit more real.
3. No comment.
4. I've answered this before. Check the archives.
5. No comment.
6. Uh... Joker, Lex Luthor, Vandal Savage, Ocean-Master, Ra's al Ghul, Darth Vader. Oh, wait, you meant Marvel villains? Seriously, what do you expect me to do here? List all the Marvel villains I can't use? If they're not Spidey villains, the answer is no. So for example, Doctor Doom would clearly be a no. (Not that I even bothered asking about him.) One last character I did ask about and got a no answer on was Owl. Otherwise, you can use common sense to do the research yourself.
7. Ravencroft isn't for teenagers in need of detox. Getting him away from the influences that caused him to take the drugs in the first place was an important part of treatment. Getting him out of the country, given what he was accused of wasn't a bad idea either.
8. I don't understand the question. If and when we get the pick-up, we'll start work. Then it'll be ready between eight and twelve months after that.
Jason R. Carter writes...
I think I'll rephrase one of my previous questions: why does Rand put up with Sally?
Greg responds...
And I'll more or less repeat what I said before... "Dude, why do you think?"
Clark Cradic writes...
I'm rewatching the second season of Spectacular Spider-Man (Premiere on Disney XD) and two questions crossed my mine: When Kraven was first introduced, at first the only pictures in the newspaper clips were of the Rhino, was that an attempt to mislead the viewers for a few seconds or perhaps a hint at a future plotline? Also I've noticed that Kraven is a lot more sane (and likeable) in this show than in his previous incarnations, especially with what his 'day job' is. So I was wondering, when he attempted to hunt Spider-Man, was he actually trying to kill him or just capture him? Once again thanks again for answering all my questions, I hope they weren't too much of a bother to answer or all "no comment" answers.
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!
There were pictures of Spidey fighting Rhino, but yes, we were trying to mislead the audience. He struggles with a Rhino on the veldt, and now it would seem he's going to fight Rhino in Manhattan.
"Bag him".
nacnud writes...
Dear Greg,
The season Two finale of The Spectacular spiderman reported that norman was the green goblin. at one point in production, was harry ever suggusted for the role ? or was it always Norman from the start?
Will there be any direct to DVD movies or episodes that continue the Spectacular spiderman continuity?
How did you get the idea for the episode "Opening Night"? was that story ever in the comics or did you come up with the idea? if you or the team came up with the idea, then it was pure genius!
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!
We always knew it was Norman, but we worked very hard to make the audience think it was Harry. (And later Menken and even Emily.)
I hope so.
"Opening Night" was inspired by an early issue of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN when Spidey was trapped in a prison with a bunch of convicts.
Brian writes...
Is the reception of The Spectacular Spiderman season 2 on Disney XD going to implement on season 3?
Greg responds...
Did you mean "impact"? If so, then, yeah.
Drake writes...
How is Professor Smythe is going to be used? Is his son-Alistair-will also appear?
Greg responds...
No comment.
Anonymous writes...
Hey the whole Green Goblin identity mystery was awesome! I was curious, did you get that idea or inspiration from the Hobgoblin mystery in the comics?
Greg responds...
No. I got it from the Green Goblin mystery from the comics, back in the sixties under Lee, Ditko and Romita Sr.
Gargoyles: Clan-Building, Volume II TPB
Reports indicate that the Gargoyles: Clan-Building, Volume II TPB has arrived in some (though not all) stores, and is being shipped out from SLG and other sources. As most of you know, this trade contains the previously published issues #7 & #8, plus the unpublished issues #9- #12. There is TONS of new material here, tons of revelations. Tons of new canon. And if we hope to get more Gargoyles comics of any stripe in the future, it is imperative that this volume sells. If you don't have it already, I'd recommend purchasing Volumes I & II together. Read the stuff in order in (more or less) one sitting, and you'll get more out of it.
If your store doesn't have the book, ask them to order it for you!
And please, please, please, help us SPREAD THE WORD!!!!
Thank you.
Paul writes...
1) Did anything of note happen between Tombstone and the Green Goblin immediately following the cliffhanger ending of "Gangland"?
2) Why didn't Hammerhead interfere in the Green Goblin's criminal activities after the Goblin 'replaced' Tombstone as the Big Man?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!
1. Not particularly.
2. Did you see Hammerhead's last scene in "Gangland"?
Gargan writes...
I heard Sony has the rights to Ghost Rider. Does that mena you can use Ghost Rider in Spectacular Spider-Man if you want to?
Greg responds...
Nope. At least it's NOT automatic.
Marjorie writes...
In what part of New York does Jeffery Robbins live? In what part of New York do Elisa's parents live? In what part of New York does Halcyon Renard live?
Greg responds...
Robbins lives northwest of Harlem. We haven't established homes for the other characters you've mentioned.
DNL writes...
Hi Greg,
If I may, I'd like to ask what your take is on the movie reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, notably on the fact that Joss Whedon is not to take a part in it. Do you think it could work? Does the Buffy timeline even need a reboot this soon after the series ended?
And since I'm here, what did you think of Whedon's Dr. Horrible series?
I ask because you've said many times in the past that you're a fan of Whedon's work, and I thought it would be a nice change from everyone else asking you about SSM season 3.
Greg responds...
I haven't heard ANYTHING about this. Buffy without Joss seems unwise, but I'm not going to credit what amounts to a rumor.
I thought Dr. Horrible was great.
Spiderman659 writes...
Hey Greg, if you don't mind, i have a few questions for you:
1) On the Spectacular Spider-Man Attack of the Lizard dvd, there is a music video that shows 2 other versus to the main theme song. will you ever use those 2 for a theme song some where in the other seasons?
2) How did you get the idea of Fancy Dan becoming Ricochet? And why didn't Ox get a new name?
3) Do you like the Spectacular Spider-Man TV show airing on disney XD? Or would you want it to air somewhere else?
Greg responds...
1. Don't know.
2. It just sort of came to me as an extension on his traditional abilities. And Ox didn't seem to need a new name.
3. I'm just happy it's airing at all.
Paul writes...
I read the interview for Marvel Animation Age that you participated in, and I was wondering:
1) Since the unused footage (like Shocker's escape at the end of "Group Therapy") won't be on the season sets, could you please elaborate on what the unused footage for the first two seasons consisted of? It would be really interesting to hear what kind of stuff was fully completed but didn't make it onto the DVDs. You probably won't remember all of the stuff that was cut off the top of your head, but please give some examples of stuff you were going to put back into the movie releases for volumes 1-8 before the volume format was scrapped.
2) Is there any chance, any at all, that the unedited episodes will see the light of day someday on a future release? It's ridiculous that completed footage would go to waste.
Greg responds...
1. You can try asking this question again at a later date, but for now that footage (or most of it anyway) was shown as a Comic-Con exclusive last month and will next be a Gathering exclusive THIS month.
2. Isn't it though?
F.Z. writes...
Hi Greg, first time that I make a question here Xp, that thing is I am from Mexico and i really wish to buy the comics and the DvDs and apparently neither of them where imported, so the question is if I am gona need to buy them in english because they are never gona be translated or i can wait for them to been Translated?
i ask that because the shipment is expensive Xp, But i really want the comics
P.S. Sorry the bad english, and congratulations fot TSSP the series is awesome
Greg responds...
I don't remember off the top of my head whether the DVDs have a spanish language track or not. The comics probably won't be translated.
rayray writes...
hey greg, spectacular spiderman is my favorite show of all times.
when gwen chose harry on "final curtain" was it out of guilt or was she too shy to break up with him(for pete)
oh and does it help(for season 3)if more people watched spectacular spiderman on TV
Greg responds...
Doesn't hurt!
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!
And it was mostly guilt. Neither she nor Pete could bare to "kick him when he was down".
Todd Jensen writes...
I saw a promo for the "Bad Guys" trade paperback on YouTube this morning (an official one, done by Slave Labor Graphics), and was delighted by it. Especially the meeting between Dingo and a new (as in, introduced to us in this story) member of the Illuminati (we don't know his name yet - but I have my suspicions, which I can't reveal here because of the "no ideas" rule) - I enjoyed the Illuminatus's statement that the Illuminati are the "good guys" as an echo of the series title. And also the scene with Yama and Matrix at the end of the promo; it was great to see Yama, so solemn up until now, beginning to develop a sense of humor.
I'm looking forward to this book all the more now.
Greg responds...
Me too, believe me. It should be arriving in stores any week now. And I've been promised we'll have some copies available at the Gathering.
Flint Marko/Sandman writes...
Hey, Greg. What's the deal now, man? I've seen "First Steps." What now? Am I a hero? Will I join the Avengers? Will I ever get my big score? Does that mean I'm spidey's friend now? Oh, I knew I shouldn't have saved those people. Now people like Doc Ock and O'Hirn think I'm soft.
Now I've changed my name to Norman Osborn. In the comics, was the drug that made me the Green Goblin called Globulin Green or did it have a different name?
Greg responds...
Well, Flint, only time will tell.
And Norman, I'm fairly certain I made up the name Globulin Green.
MisterDrBob writes...
Okay, so I know you haven't read my second question yet, so consider this an apology for it. Looking back it's stupid. (Beside the Tinkerer one, that one I think is justified.)
Anyway, what I meant with my first question, about Shocker, was there more to the thought process than deciding that Herman Shultz was boring and casting Montana? i.e. were there any other candidates besides Montana? Before you answered the question, I did go and look harder and saw that there were a lot of questions on this subject, so what I'm trying to do is ask a more intellegent question on this subject. But my wording obviously made it sound like the genereic repeated question the first time. So I apologize for that too. (Speaking of which, who approves these questions that get asked over and over again?)
On the subject of constantly asked questions (namely Kingpin), when I saw Foswell, I was sure that he was the Big Man like in the comics. Did you ever consider doing this when you found out you couldn't use Kingpin, instead of using Tombstone?
Greg responds...
Some things just flow. And that was the case with Shocker/Montana. No one else was ever considered for the "role of Shocker" as if we were casting it in a play. Montana evolved naturally into Shocker.
I never really planned to have Foswell become the Big Man. I just didn't buy it in a modern context. Kingpin was my original choice for Big Man. Tombstone became our immediate substitute.
You do understand that I see these posts in order, right? There's no way I'd see an apology (no matter how unnecessary) for a question before the question itself.
Nicky Wan writes...
Hi Greg,
First off I think "The Spectacular Spider-Man" is a fantastic show; it's perfectly captured everything I love about the character, something I didn't feel was the case growing up with the 90s series.
I know that you probably don't know much about this but do you have any information regarding the release of the show on DVD in the Europe? It's available on iTunes in the UK but there's no word of any physical release.
*** SPOILERS for SEASON 2 ***
Apologies if this has been asked already but a search didn't appear to find anything relevant. I was wondering whether you made the decision to include the final scene showing Norman Osborn surviving the explosion because season 3 was not in the pipeline? Or was there some other reason like it just felt better for the flow of the story or for the target audience of the show?
Of course keeping his escape a secret would have made any later return more dramatic; almost as much as the reveal that the Green Goblin was Norman all along. I must say that that revelation was stunningly executed; the way the final episode kept planting seeds of doubt linking Norman to the Green Goblin until the dénouement was amazing!
Thanks a lot for reading this, I hope the executives see sense and let you make season 3 and many more!
Greg responds...
I'm afraid I'm not privy to Sony's international DVD release plans.
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!
Norman's survival was a purely creative choice. Don't you get tired of characters "dying" and then inevitably returning. To me, it cheapens the very concept of death. So I didn't want our series to try to fool you on that subject (for more than a few minutes). You'd know right up front that he was alive and well, even if the cast all thought he was gone. That way no one feels cheated, right? I mean face it, if he had eventually returned would you really have been stunned?
dino writes...
which color is Samson
Greg responds...
You'll have to wait and see.
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