Gail Simone's Blog, page 772

Can you give us any hints for the upcoming issues once you're back on Batgirl?

People are going to be talking about 19, for sure. Really.

Then after that, we have two issues with the new Ventriloquist, following that, maybe we see Barbara go on a real live date, and then the return of the most-requested new Batgirl villain, and IT GETS VERY UGLY VERY QUICKLY.

miss simone, i notice that, even in cases where she comes up, you never seem to talk about kori, aka starfire. do you not really care for her as a character?

No, I adore Kory, I’m just not reading that book right now so I am not up on the day-to-day stuff.

I love Starfire. Eisner-winner Pia Guerra and I both adore the Tamaran mythology, we almost pitched a mini-series about Starfire and Blackfire.

I was aware of the controversy over the first issues, but I haven’t kept up on the later issues, just too busy!

Gail, the problem is, the New 52 thing hasn't really done anything extremely substantial for DC sales-wise, has it? I mean, from what I understand, things are pretty much what they are before the reboot, and in the process countless loyal fans have been a

No, that’s just internet mythology.

I’m sorry, whoever is saying the new52 didn’t boost sales is so completely off-base they couldn’t be actually BE more wrong.

I can’t get into the total numbers. But sales are up, way up. There are still flop books, but there will always be flop books. TPBS are up, digital is through the roof, overseas sales are up, individual issues are up.

Yes, loyal fans have been alienated. I am not denying that at all. But talk to virtually any retailer, not internet experts who haven’t got a clue what they’re talking about (not talking about you, here, but I’ve seen some of this goofyass analysis), and I guarantee you almost all of them will tell you their DC subscriptions are way up.

You can be upset about the new52 for a multitude of reasons.  But sales are way up.

Sales have nothing to do with the creative validity of a work, anyway. I kind of hate this argument.  Some of the best books sell nothing and some of the top books are horrid, the industry has always been that way.

I have mixed feelings about the new52. There’s stuff I love, stuff I don’t, and stuff I am still hoping to see. We don’t have to agree on that, but hopefully you acknowledge my right to a differing opinion from yours.

I think most people got that my Flash statement was hyperbole, for Pete’s sake. But seventy years of continuity can pile up pretty significantly.

Gail, the problem is, the New 52 thing hasn't really done anything extremely substantial for DC sales-wise, has it? I mean, from what I understand, things are pretty much what they are before the reboot, and in the process countless loyal fans have been a

No, that’s just internet mythology.

I’m sorry, whoever is saying the new52 didn’t boost sales is so completely off-base they couldn’t be actually BE more wrong.

I can’t get into the total numbers. But sales are up, way up. There are still flop books, but there will always be flop books. TPBS are up, digital is through the roof, overseas sales are up, individual issues are up.

Yes, loyal fans have been alienated. I am not denying that at all. But talk to virtually any retailer, not internet experts who haven’t got a clue what they’re talking about (not talking about you, here, but I’ve seen some of this goofyass analysis), and I guarantee you almost all of them will tell you their DC subscriptions are way up.

You can be upset about the new52 for a multitude of reasons.  But sales are way up.

Sales have nothing to do with the creative validity of a work, anyway. I kind of hate this argument.  Some of the best books sell nothing and some of the top books are horrid, the industry has always been that way.

I have mixed feelings about the new52. There’s stuff I love, stuff I don’t, and stuff I am still hoping to see. We don’t have to agree on that, but hopefully you acknowledge my right to a differing opinion from yours.

I think most people got that my Flash statement was hyperbole, for Pete’s sake. But seventy years of continuity can pile up pretty significantly.

To The Lovely Person Who Just Sent a Private Message From Ireland

Tumblr is acting weird for me right now, here in Australia, and I can’t seem to reply anonymously to your very moving letter. I would just reblog it, but I didn’t know if you wanted the information in your letter out there in connection with your Tumblr handle, so I am posting a reply here without using your name.

First, thank you for the very kind words about my work. I am very happy to hear that Agent X and Mary Zero helped you through some difficult times. I hope that you are doing okay with the depression and bulimia. I know what a struggle those things can be, and it doesn’t sound like you are getting much support right now.

To answer your question, it’s true that it is unlikely that I will be able to write any more Agent X stories any time soon. But I hope you will give the MOVEMENT a chance, not because I want to boost sales, but because it, too, is a very odd, often funny book, and there might be some characters in there of particular interest to you.

I am saddened to hear of your difficulties obtaining the hormones, and of the creepy cis guys making life harder for you. I wish I could be more helpful than just letting you know that I am thinking of you and wishing the very best for you in this difficult situation. I hope you also know that being bigoted is THEIR problem, it’s a problem in THEIR souls, and does not reflect on you whatsoever.

I am hesitant to mention any more detail because I don’t want to be giving clues to your identity without permission. But I will be in your country later in the year, I would love to meet you and give you a hug in person for your kind and moving letter.

Please take care of yourself, I know life is a struggle and sometimes the mountains seem too big to climb, but there are a LOT of people right here on Tumblr who have been through the gender issues you are talking about and have positive and helpful advice and stories to tell.

I am definitely thinking of you and wishing you well. Drop me a line and let me know how things are progressing, okay? I know you can make it through this rough spot.

Very much love,

Gail

Why are so many female characters benched (Cassandra, Stephanie, Helena)?

The characters that were most likely to be benched are spin-off characters, and a lot of them are female. I don’t know that it’s really that unbalanced, as Connor Hawke and Wally West and other characters like that are also benched for now.

And again, DC has six female lead books that are selling great, that’s probably a first in decades. So it’s a mixed-bag for gender representation right now. Some good, some bad.

Miss Simone, which benched out character do you miss the most in the New 52?

Tough one.  Either Cassandra Cain or Helena Bertinelli, probably.

What are your thoughts on the Catman/You relationship rumors going around? - Beachgnome

I am for it.

Hi Gail! I don't know if you mind, because in the past you sometimes haven't, but that JLA: Classified post you reblogged just now (the one with Supes and J'onn going against Chemo) is actually kinda mean towards your writing and Mr. Janson's work. Since i

Nah, it’s fine, I love those issues and everyone has a right to an opinion. But thanks!

Hi Gail! I don't know if you mind, because in the past you sometimes haven't, but that JLA: Classified post you reblogged just now (the one with Supes and J'onn going against Chemo) is actually kinda mean towards your writing and Mr. Janson's work. Since i

Nah, it’s fine, I love those issues and everyone has a right to an opinion. But thanks!