Joss Whedon

SAM LOEB THE 26

Jeph Loeb and a few of his well-known friends pay tribute to his son Sam at Wizard World LA

A panel of assorted creators including Geoff Johns, Mike Turner, Jim Lee, Joss Whedon, Allan Heinberg, Rob Liefeld, Tim Sale, Pat Lee, Joe Casey and more joined Jeph Loeb to pay tribute to his son Sam who passed away earlier last year. He also used this impromptu press conference to get the word out on Superman/Batman #26, a tribute issue plotted out by the late Sam Loeb and scripted and drawn by 26 various artists and writers, most of whom were in attendence today.

"Everyone who was on this panel and who were [invloved] were both profoundly affected and equally generous with coming to me to help out," Loeb told the crowd.

Loeb went into detail about the origin of behind the collaborative effort that took place in creating this issue.

"My son began writing at the age of 16 and plotted the story for Superman/Batman #26, a Superboy/Robin story that he and Pat Lee were going to do," Loeb explained. "So when everyone came to me separately, we decided we had this unfinished story and thought this was the perfect way to do something about it."

Loeb explained how the proceeds, royalties and page rates the artists and writers usually charge are all going to a scholarship set up in Sam’s high school, North Hollywood High and given to one child each year. The idea would be that each of these children who were awarded the scholarship would carry on the legacy, the memory of Sam Loeb.

Loeb wanted to make sure that retailers were aware of the significance of the book as well as the fact that there are two Michael Turner covers. The book hits at the end of April and anyone who would like to make a contribution to this fund should make it a point to pick up this issue.

Slid into Wizard World L.A. today to sit in on the panel for the upcoming comic by Sam Loeb and The 26 (reported on here earlier, don’t ask me to link, I frighten easily.) On the panel, the very kings of comics: Jeph Loeb, Michael Turner, Tim Sale, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Pat Lee, Alan Heinberg, Rob Liefeld, splendiferous me, and more guys whom I either didn’t know or were too far away to see. It’s the most comics greatness to assemble in one room since Alan Moore sat very quietly by himself. Ironic, then, that the room should be so small and unpopulated. It was like the Avengers announcing their new line up — to the Defenders. Really. I think we could have taken the audience in a tug-of-war. But the feeling was good, and the book looks great. Fun how all those different artists capture different ways of looking at Batty Jr and Li’l Supes, but what surprised even me was how the writers, without ever conferring or even knowing each other’s parts, all seemed to find the same voice. Then I realized: It’s Sam’s voice. So no wonder.

Anyway, thanks to those who came. The book comes out in April.

(That thing I said about Moore --- didn’t someone say that about Thomas Jefferson once? Oh well. If I don’t mention it no one will notice.)

Oh, and I turned in a script for something. I can’t remember what.

joss | 01:30 CET

Thanks for the update! You certainly have a way with words, whoever you are. And may I just add that no one should ever learn to write by writing fanfic. Neither should there be spec scripts for aspiring televsion writers or — and I can’t stress this enough — the drawing of existing characters by comic book artists. Can you imagine how the guy who draws Spider Man would feel if someone ELSE drew him too?

Uh, I’m in the wrong thread, aren’t I?

joss | March 19, 01:34 CET