Shocking: Mark Waid Reveals 50 Answers in 1 Hour

The Rapid-Fire Q&A Session

Waid’s Preparations: How Does He Prepare to Write a Major Character?

Mark Waid’s response to how he prepares to write a major character was straightforward: “You read comics since you were five years old.” This approach highlights the importance of having a deep understanding of the character’s history and background. For Waid, this means immersing himself in the character’s previous comic book appearances and storylines. By doing so, he can develop a comprehensive understanding of the character’s personality, motivations, and actions.

Comic Book Care: How Does He Take Care of His Comics?

Waid’s method for taking care of his comics is quite interesting. He revealed that he put everything on consignment a few years ago but has everything “important” in trade collections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he began to collect Silver Age books, which showcases his passion for comic book collecting. This approach allows him to preserve his most valuable comics while still having access to the stories and characters he loves.

Early Beginnings: What Was the First Comic He Ever Read, and the First One That Made Him Go “Oh My God”?

Waid shared that the first comic he ever read was Batman #180, which was the first one to come out after the TV show. This comic had a significant impact on him, and he noted that it “stuck with me… I was a DC boy exclusively until 1970,” due to the lack of Marvel distribution in the South. This experience highlights the influence that early comic book reading can have on a person’s preferences and interests.

Characters and Storylines

Unconventional Crushes: What Does Waid Think About Stucky, and Other Unexpected Relationships?

Waid’s thoughts on Stucky, the relationship between Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, are intriguing. He mentioned that he once made a joke about Bucky having a crush on Steve, but it was a “man crush.” However, this joke quickly took on a life of its own, and Waid’s intention was not to imply a romantic relationship between the two characters. This example illustrates how comic book creators’ comments can be interpreted and reinterpreted by fans and the media.

Dream Team-Ups: Characters He Wants in Justice League Unlimited, and His Ideal Artist Collaborations

Waid expressed his desire to include certain characters in Justice League Unlimited, such as Orchid and Dial H for Hero, which will be “coming in sooner rather than later.” He also mentioned his ideal artist collaborations, including working with the late Steve Ditko. Additionally, he expressed his interest in collaborating with other artists, such as Dennis Callum. These collaborations would allow Waid to bring his unique storytelling style to a wide range of characters and genres.

Waid’s preferences for certain characters and storylines are also reflected in his answers to other questions. For example, when asked about a cage match between Gorilla Grodd, Martian Manhunter, and another telepath, Waid stated that Martian Manhunter would win. He also noted that Namor would be the better choice for a character on the moon, as there is no limit to his distance from water. These responses demonstrate Waid’s in-depth knowledge of the comic book universe and its many characters.

Other Insights and Preferences

Waid shared his thoughts on various other topics, including his favorite issue of 52, which is the issue where they introduce Blood Kryptonite. He also discussed his favorite comic book characters, such as Bart Allen, whom he created. Waid’s original design sketch for the character is even on his wall, showcasing his pride in his work. Furthermore, he mentioned the top three books that have made him cry, including Death of Jean Grey, Superman #148, and a Superman novel titled Miracle Monday.

Waid’s experiences and preferences offer valuable insights into the comic book industry and the creative process. His dedication to his craft and his passion for comic books are evident in his responses, and his fans are sure to appreciate the opportunity to learn more about his thoughts and feelings on various topics.

• Waid’s favorite moment from World’s Finest is when Felix Faust makes Superman and Batman think they’re in hell, and Superman snaps out immediately because he doesn’t really believe in hell, he believes in redemption.
• He thinks Dan Mora is the greatest artist alive.
• Waid’s favorite memory of the DC implosion is from 1978, when DC was doing a big expansion of the line with more books, which cost more money. None of the books were on the stands, but his neighbor’s cousin filled him in on what happened — that DC had to actually cut back because of lack of faith from Warner Bros.

These examples demonstrate Waid’s ability to balance his creative vision with the demands of the comic book industry. His commitment to his fans and his passion for storytelling are evident in his responses, and his insights offer a unique perspective on the world of comic books.

Superhero Showdowns

At WonderCon 2025, Mark Waid participated in a rapid-fire Q&A session, answering audience questions about himself, his career, and comics in general. One of the most intriguing questions posed to Waid was about a hypothetical cage match between Gorilla Grodd, Martian Manhunter, and another telepath. Waid’s response was unequivocal: Martian Manhunter would emerge victorious. This answer is not surprising, given Martian Manhunter’s impressive array of powers, including telepathy, telekinesis, and shape-shifting. However, it’s interesting to consider the potential strategies that Gorilla Grodd and the other telepath might employ to counter Martian Manhunter’s abilities.

Waid’s response highlights the complexities of superhero showdowns, where the outcome often depends on a nuanced understanding of each character’s strengths and weaknesses. In this case, Martian Manhunter’s powers make him a formidable opponent, but Gorilla Grodd’s cunning and the other telepath’s abilities could potentially create an interesting and unpredictable battle. As Waid’s answer demonstrates, even the most experienced comic book writers must carefully consider the intricacies of superhero combat when pitting iconic characters against each other.

DC Comics Insider

Reading Habits

Waid’s reading habits are a testament to his dedication to the comic book industry. When asked if he had read every DC comic ever, Waid replied that he had read every Superman comic ever, as well as most Batman comics. He also mentioned that he had read every Wonder Woman, Flash, and Green Lantern comic. This impressive feat demonstrates Waid’s commitment to understanding the intricacies of the DC Universe and its characters. However, Waid also humorously noted that he hadn’t read any good fiction books in the past twenty years, highlighting the time-consuming nature of his work in the comic book industry.

Behind-the-Scenes

Waid also shared his thoughts on continuity twists and the challenges of dealing with complex character histories. When asked about his approach to handling continuity, Waid mentioned that he was currently working on the New History of the DC Universe, which had 120 pages to cover 80 years of DC history. He noted that the hardest characters to wrangle were Hawkman and Wonder Girl, due to their intricate and often convoluted backstories. Waid’s experiences highlight the difficulties of navigating complex comic book universes, where characters’ histories can span decades and multiple storylines.

Favorite Moments

Waid also discussed his favorite moments from various comic book series. When asked about his favorite issue of 52, Waid mentioned the issue that introduced Blood Kryptonite, which was significant because it was the first issue he could remember. He also shared his favorite moment from World’s Finest, where Felix Faust makes Superman and Batman think they’re in hell, only for Superman to quickly realize the truth due to his strong sense of redemption. Waid’s fondness for this moment showcases his appreciation for clever storytelling and character development.

Personal Insights and Industry Secrets

Emotional Storytelling

Waid shared his thoughts on the emotional impact of comic books, revealing that certain issues had made him cry. The top three books that had this effect on him were Death of Jean Grey, Superman #148 (also known as “Superman Owes A Billion Dollars”), and a Superman novel titled Miracle Monday. Waid’s emotional responses to these stories demonstrate the power of comic books to evoke strong feelings and connections in readers. By crafting narratives that resonate with audiences, comic book writers like Waid can create lasting impressions and memorable characters.

Marketing Control

Waid also discussed his level of control over marketing and the reveal of upcoming storylines. He stated that he had control over what was revealed three months in advance, allowing him to balance the need for promotional hype with the desire to avoid spoilers. This careful approach to marketing is essential in the comic book industry, where fans often eagerly anticipate upcoming issues and story arcs. By carefully managing the release of information, writers like Waid can build excitement and maintain suspense without compromising the integrity of their stories.

Industry Memories

Waid reflected on his favorite memory of the DC implosion, which occurred in 1978 when DC was forced to cut back on its expansion due to lack of faith from Warner Bros. Waid recalled that his neighbor’s cousin had filled him in on the details of the implosion, which had a significant impact on the comic book industry at the time. This experience likely influenced Waid’s approach to the industry and his understanding of the complexities involved in creating and publishing comic books. As a seasoned writer, Waid has learned valuable lessons from his experiences and has developed a nuanced appreciation for the inner workings of the comic book industry.