Gail Simone's Blog, page 1140

Loved the question from ealperin! Obviously, it's something I think a lot about (even came up with a perfect birthday meal for Bruce/Batman once). I always think of Huntress as being 'the one who can cook', as she grew up helping her aunt & cousin with ki

Yes, Helena isn't a 'foodie,' she's a purist, a food snob. Canary is a food hedonist. 

Loved the question from ealperin! Obviously, it's something I think a lot about (even came up with a perfect birthday meal for Bruce/Batman once). I always think of Huntress as being 'the one who can cook', as she grew up helping her aunt & cousin with ki

Yes, Helena isn't a 'foodie,' she's a purist, a food snob. Canary is a food hedonist. 

"The drug war is not a failure; rather it works perfectly for its intended purposes. It generates..."

"The drug war is not a failure; rather it works perfectly for its intended purposes. It generates billions of dollars for government agencies at all levels, employing millions of people. It created and supports whole industries such as drug testing, and has enhanced the drug rehabilitation industry. The drug war also protects other industries such as tobacco and alcohol, and even legal medical drug companies. It also protects the lumber and oil industries. The drug war even drives this Nation's foreign policy. The drug war also funds gang violence at home and terrorists abroad, creating even more American jobs needed to combat these threats. The drug war also has the added benefit of conveniently side stepping Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and liberties, allowing government to control even the most intimate facets of citizen's lives, increasing government's control. The drug war also guarantees a ready supply of drugs for children, guaranteeing an endless supply of new participants to support the prison industry, lawyers, law enforcement, etc. The drug war also provides government the opportunity to marginalize those considered undesirable, take away their ability to vote, find employment, get an education, take their children, seize their property, etc. Who in their right mind could possibly want to do away with this cash cow, and return to a time when there was no illegal drug use in this country?"

- Mike Stroup - Literally my favorite quote against the Drug "War" and vividly paints the reality of things (via cwnl)

I've got a fun question for you today, Gail! If any of the characters you have written came up with their signature food dish, which ones would they be, what would be on it, and why? ^_^

I used to use food a LOT in my scripts, because again, it's a feeling of sense memory and a conveyer of the message that these are people who have needs and desires beyond the obvious. I slowed down a little when it got to be a little much. :)

But I've covered quite a few of these…Black Canary is a terrible cook, especially chili, but her favorite dishes are Singapore Chilli Crab and Hong Kong street vendor dim sum.  Barbara is now addicted to Katon Laksa.  Wonder Woman thinks cake excuses all things. Ryan Choi likes pizza and authentic (read that as mainland China) Cantonese. Huntress is a snob about pasta.

Those are the ones that spring to mind!

Hi Gail. I just wanted to thank you. I've been an avid comic reader for years, but my family never really appreciated my hobby. Some years back, I left a "Birds of Prey" trade from the library lying around the house. My dad picked it up and read it. He ask

Ack, I can't tell you how much I love this story!

This was a big, big reason why I think Birds of Prey was so important, and why I hope it will still serve that function. For whatever reason, it was an astonishing gateway book for new readers. It might be that the characters were female, it might be that it placed a low emphasis on superpowers, I'm not sure. I'd like to think the mix of the characters' personalities and the action were big factors, but I can't really say.

For whatever reason, Bop brought in more new readers than almost any book in recent memory. When Geoff asked me to bring it back, he said its cancellation left a 'big hole in the DC line-up,' and it's true, I think.

So I'm really glad to hear stories like this. I am working on a new book I hope will have a similar effect, but it's not always easy to recreate that!

Tell your dad I love him!

Hi Gail. I just wanted to thank you. I've been an avid comic reader for years, but my family never really appreciated my hobby. Some years back, I left a "Birds of Prey" trade from the library lying around the house. My dad picked it up and read it. He ask

Ack, I can't tell you how much I love this story!

This was a big, big reason why I think Birds of Prey was so important, and why I hope it will still serve that function. For whatever reason, it was an astonishing gateway book for new readers. It might be that the characters were female, it might be that it placed a low emphasis on superpowers, I'm not sure. I'd like to think the mix of the characters' personalities and the action were big factors, but I can't really say.

For whatever reason, Bop brought in more new readers than almost any book in recent memory. When Geoff asked me to bring it back, he said its cancellation left a 'big hole in the DC line-up,' and it's true, I think.

So I'm really glad to hear stories like this. I am working on a new book I hope will have a similar effect, but it's not always easy to recreate that!

Tell your dad I love him!

Hi Gail. I just wanted to thank you. I've been an avid comic reader for years, but my family never really appreciated my hobby. Some years back, I left a "Birds of Prey" trade from the library lying around the house. My dad picked it up and read it. He ask

Ack, I can't tell you how much I love this story!

This was a big, big reason why I think Birds of Prey was so important, and why I hope it will still serve that function. For whatever reason, it was an astonishing gateway book for new readers. It might be that the characters were female, it might be that it placed a low emphasis on superpowers, I'm not sure. I'd like to think the mix of the characters' personalities and the action were big factors, but I can't really say.

For whatever reason, Bop brought in more new readers than almost any book in recent memory. When Geoff asked me to bring it back, he said its cancellation left a 'big hole in the DC line-up,' and it's true, I think.

So I'm really glad to hear stories like this. I am working on a new book I hope will have a similar effect, but it's not always easy to recreate that!

Tell your dad I love him!

Hi Gail, I read the Villains United Secret Six, and I just finished "Unhinged" (both wonderful by the way) and as I was reading Unhinged, it felt like I was missing a bunch of info (Knockout, when Bane comes in, etc) am I missing something, or is all that

Ah, I'm glad you enjoyed the books!  It's not that you are missing something, so much. The membership of the Six was always a little bit fluid. By starting in media res, we are conveying that some time has passed. Bane joining was never shown on panel, and Knockout was killed (regretfully) in another book. I'm sorry if that was confusing!

Hi Gail, I read the Villains United Secret Six, and I just finished "Unhinged" (both wonderful by the way) and as I was reading Unhinged, it felt like I was missing a bunch of info (Knockout, when Bane comes in, etc) am I missing something, or is all that

Ah, I'm glad you enjoyed the books!  It's not that you are missing something, so much. The membership of the Six was always a little bit fluid. By starting in media res, we are conveying that some time has passed. Bane joining was never shown on panel, and Knockout was killed (regretfully) in another book. I'm sorry if that was confusing!

Hi Gail, I read the Villains United Secret Six, and I just finished "Unhinged" (both wonderful by the way) and as I was reading Unhinged, it felt like I was missing a bunch of info (Knockout, when Bane comes in, etc) am I missing something, or is all that

Ah, I'm glad you enjoyed the books!  It's not that you are missing something, so much. The membership of the Six was always a little bit fluid. By starting in media res, we are conveying that some time has passed. Bane joining was never shown on panel, and Knockout was killed (regretfully) in another book. I'm sorry if that was confusing!