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WHELMING RESPONSES 2017-01 (Jan)

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Todd Jensen writes...

I thought I'd tell you that I enjoyed your recent response to the question about how the Martians in "Young Justice" feel about depictions of Martians in human pop culture as invaders (whether H. G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" and its movie adaptations or Marvin the Martian in "Looney Tunes") - especially the bit about Martian Manhunter being bewildered by the title of "Life on Mars". It reminded me of my occasional musings over how Goliath and his clan must have responded to the way that gargoyles are depicted in pop culture - generally the bad guys (particularly in "Dungeons and Dragons"-type fantasy role-playing games) - with more sympathetic portrayals being much rarer (though I've seen a few outside the series, such as the Ultima computer games or the children's picture book "God Bless the Gargoyles"). (Though I won't ask you about the details of the Manhattan clan's response, since those probably fall in the "no spoilers" category.)

Greg responds...

Yeah, it's always interesting (if somewhat dicey) to start playing those meta-fictional games. How does Dr. Watson's published accounts of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes effect his life and methods, etc.

Response recorded on January 30, 2017

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EXALT writes...

1)When Macbeth first fought the Manhattan Clan, did he know they were members of Demona's original clan? And that Goliath was her former mate?
2)As of Phoenix, how much does Mac know of Demona's past before they first met? Does he know about the Wyvern Massacre and the role she played?
3)During the 17 golden years of Mac's kingdom, did he and Demona ever discuss her past? And if yes, how honest was she?

Greg responds...

1. He knew the former, not necessarily the latter.

2. I assume you mean as of the END (i.e. the present day 1997 ending) of Phoenix. If so, he knows about the massacre. He's heard HER version of the role she played. I doubt she'd have copped to the entire truth.

3. Yes.

3a. She was completely honest to her thinking. Emotionally honest. She just left out a few details.

Response recorded on January 30, 2017

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B writes...

"I'd have to do some research, but I recall both Dark Elves and Dwarves in Norse mythology as two different species."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svart%C3%A1lfar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ni%C3%B0avellir

Greg responds...

That's a start. But I don't use wikipedia as a final source for anything.

I also have no memory what this was in reference to.

Response recorded on January 25, 2017

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Bat-Mite writes...

Did the Joker kill Jason Todd?

Greg responds...

I assume you're asking about YJ. In which case... No spoilers.

Response recorded on January 25, 2017

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Phil Anderson writes...

Grand Rapids Comic-Con Journal
October 21-23, 2016

This past weekend I spent three days at the Grand Rapids Comic Con where I finally got my chance to meet Greg Weisman. I've been following him at Station 8 for almost twenty years, but I never made it to any of the Gatherings so I had never met him in person before.

After weeks of anticipation Friday came. I took the afternoon off work and set out for the convention center, ten minutes from my house. Comic Con is a different world; there were a lot of people wearing costumes, some quite impressive and others not so much. Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad version) is the most popular this year.

I grabbed a program, checked the map, and made a beeline for Greg's table. I arrived to find him talking to a Penguin. (Not the flightless Antarctic bird, but a man in a tuxedo wearing a pointy rubber nose and carrying an umbrella.) I circled around a few times, watching for my opportunity while trying to remain inconspicuous. The Penguin and his friend finally walked away and I stepped up to the table.

"Hi, I'm Phil," I said.

"Hi Phil," he replied. He pointed out the scripts, books, and posters he had for sale. "Let me know if you have any questions." (Do I have questions?!)

He was responding to an important text on his phone, so I hesitated for a moment. "I'm a big fan. I've been following you on Ask Greg at Station 8 for almost twenty years."

He looked up at me. "Oh, you're *that* Phil." He shook my hand.

I don't remember what I said next. Something fanboy-ish, I'm sure. He smiled. I didn't know what to say next. He didn't seem to know what to say. It was awkward. Very awkward.

I told him I would see him again soon, since I had a lot of stuff for him to sign, and walked away. Then I remembered that I wanted a picture to send my daughters (who were driving home from college to meet Greg on Saturday) so I went back. He came out from behind his table and we took a selfie. He looks a little uncertain in the picture.

After walking around a little more, I left to pick up my teenage son, Henry, from school and bring him back to the Con with me. We explored together, commenting on the interesting and the weird. He seemed a little overwhelmed.

We passed by Greg's table again and met Mara, who was there with Greg. She was easier to talk to than Greg. I introduced Henry, and mentioned that he was a fan of Young Justice. Greg told us about the Young Justice presentation he was doing that evening. Henry looked over the scripts and art prints Greg was selling and determined how much money he would need to bring the next day. Then we continued on our way. It was less awkward this time.

Henry and I went to the Young Justice presentation. To be honest, Young Justice never grabbed me, despite Greg's involvement. (I'm more of a Marvel fan.) But it was enjoyable nonetheless. Greg is much more personable and engaging in front of a group. He talked about the strategy for getting Season 3: binge watch Netflix and buy the comics online (so WB sees the money).

After that, the Con was winding down for the night, so we drove home. Henry asked to watch Young Justice again on Netflix that night, but there was homework and housework to do. He also asked how he could get the Young Justice comics in time for Greg to autograph them.

Late that night my two oldest daughters arrived home from college with five friends. Saturday morning eleven of us were ready for Comic Con (my wife and I, our four kids [three daughters and a son], and five college friends). My girls all wanted to dress up, but there was a bit of conflict over who would be what character. The older and younger ended up both going as Elisa Maza, while the middle one painted a blue fox tattoo around her eye. Henry was planning to wear a Star Wars T-shirt and carry a lightsaber, but his sisters pressured him into painting three red stripes on his face and going as Young Gillecomgain. My oldest daughter's boyfriend wore a Gargoyles T-shirt that we later realized was not official merchandise. We were ready to go.

Upon entering Comic Con on Saturday we headed straight for Greg's table. I introduced my family and Greg seemed a little overwhelmed. My daughters were all speechless and my oldest gave a fangirl squeal. My wife (who only came along so she wouldn't have to spend the day at home alone) asked Greg about his convention schedule and how many he goes to each year. They had a normal conversation, no awkwardness at all.

During the course of the day we stopped back at Greg's table several times. We bought books and scripts and art prints. We had him sign stuff we brought from home: DVDs, comics, a Gargoyles picture book, and printouts of "Three Brothers" and "Hyppolyta" (which Greg said he had never signed before). I tried to get some clarification on the Percival/Duval/Peredur relationship, but all Greg would say is "All things are true."

We went to a panel that afternoon led by Comfort Love and Adam Withers. Greg was participating and when we trooped in a few minutes before it started he pointed us out to his fellow panelists. Later in the day when we walked by Comfort and Adam's table she recognized us as "Greg's posse" which my daughter thought was the best moment of the day.

We couldn't make it Sunday morning, so I missed Greg's presentation on "TV Production from Beginning to End" but I was there in the afternoon in time for another panel with Comfort and Adam. After the panel Greg had to leave soon to catch his flight, so I hurried to his table to buy a couple more things and shake his hand one more time.

Overall it was a fun weekend. Greg Weisman is a celebrity at my house and it was great to meet him. Each time I stopped at his table it was a little less awkward, and I enjoyed talking to him. I still have a lot of questions, but none that I actually wanted him to answer in person. I don't just want to know what happens next, I want to see/read/experience it. So here's hoping for more Greg and more Gargoyles in some form, someday.

Greg responds...

From your lips...

It was great meeting you in person. I hope I wasn't QUITE so awkward or unapproachable. I am better in front of an audience than I am at making small talk. But I get by. :)

Response recorded on January 25, 2017

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Algernon writes...

I don't usually ask YJ questions but I just gotta know something...

What exactly is a Ma'alefa'ak?

Greg responds...

A rabid beast on Mars.

Response recorded on January 25, 2017

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Peter writes...

1) Does Bruce Wayne fight crime? I mean economically and socially? Creating workplaces, factories etc? Fighting poverty? He has money after all, and it's a rational thing to do, it prevents people from becoming criminals. YJ!Batman is the most sensible Batman I've ever seen, it would fit his personality. Instead of spending all money on creating more ways to beat people
What is Gotham like? Dirty and rotten like in Batman Begins? Or more like Central City, because I imagine things are pretty good there? Though I think after 11/16 years of Batman things are much better than they were before
2) Love that Batman is a supporting character. No need for conflict for him, Gotham can be a safer place, criminals are locked up in Arkham and not escaping, his relationships with his partners are healthy, maybe he can even be happy. All of this is unlikely to happen when Bruce is a main character, and the last one is impossible. It irritates me sometimes, the guy just can't get a break, I don't care if he is Batman, everyone needs rest. And it's very irritating how he alienates his partners by being a jerk. Come on! It doesn't make sense!
3) Also I don't like when people say that Batman never got over his parents death and in his heart he is still a boy that lost his parents. Clearly not the case in Earth 16, where Bruce is a parental figure to Dick, especially when he says he doesn't want Robin to become Batman
4) Had adoption of Dick made Bruce more happy?
5) Would it be theoretically possible for YJ!Batman to be in a stable lasting relationship? Which is absolutely impossible when he's the main character. Like in the Mask of the Phantasm but without the need to break them up
6) Is he happy? On the one hand he doesn't want Dick to become him. Implies that Bruce doesn't see being Batman as a burden. But I can easily picture him being in a relationship. What do you think?

Greg responds...

I'm sorry, but you're really pushing the five question per post limit here. For starters, you have six numbered questions, and then you ask multiple questions within most of the numbers. Please follow the guidelines. It's only fair.

Response recorded on January 25, 2017

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RobinFan writes...

Hi, Mr. Weisman. I've got some questions about YJ.

1) How can Commissioner Gordon afford to have Barbara in a private academy?
2) Does Barbara have any siblings?
3) Are any of the 2 Roy Harpers the chick magnet he is in the comics?
4) Does Conner Kent have a second name?
5) Did Wally and Artemis stay together during the 5 year time jump, or did they ever "take a break"?

Greg responds...

1. Scholarship.

2. Nope.

3. Well, clone Roy seemed pretty magnetic to Cheshire.

4. You mean, like, Superboy?

5. No spoilers.

Response recorded on January 23, 2017

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probably overthinking writes...

1. In "The Mirror" was the decision to make Demona human during the day intended as symbolic, because she embodies all the qualities that she claims to despise in humans (bigotry, treachery, etc.). Or am I reading too much into it and it was just a way to make her a more powerful villain by freeing her of the limitations that hamper other gargoyles?

2. On that same note, was Demona's smashing of Titania's mirror upon seeing her new human form symbolic of her inability to face herself and admit that she possesses all of the above mentioned qualities? Or am I overthinking again and she just smashed the mirror because you didn't want to do any more stories involving that mirror and it was the only way to explain why Demona never again attempted to use it.

Greg responds...

1. Does it have to be either/or?

2. Does it have to be either/or?

Response recorded on January 23, 2017

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Fallenlegend writes...

Hey Greg in one of your questions you answered that you thought that in part of what made Superman great was truth, justice and "the American way" so my questions are:

What is the American way for you?
Do you think superman stands up for those that aren't American.

For example I'm Mexican.

Greg responds...

I do think Superman stands up for those who aren't American. I think standing up for others - in theory - SHOULD be part of the American Way. At our best, which is rarely evident these days, the United States should SET AN EXAMPLE as a bastion of freedom, liberty and democracy. It should respect diversity. It should govern by majority rule with respect - actual RESPECT, not mere tolerance - for minority rights. It should be better than the enemy, not just in might but in right - in a very Arthurian sense. For example, I don't care if the enemy tortures people, the United States government and its representatives NEVER should. NEVER. We need to be better than that.

I believe in the ideals of the United States of America. I trust those ideals. If sometimes they bite us on the ass, then I accept that too. Because the alternative, that we fall into the gutter, is much, much worse.

That, to me, in a nutshell, is the American Way.

Response recorded on January 23, 2017

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W. Jend writes...

Hello Greg,

I am a Film and Video Production student writing a paper about Star Wars Animation and I wanted to know...

1.What is it about computer animated television that fits Star Wars so well?

Greg responds...

1. I don't know. What?

Seriously, I think a great Star Wars show could be done with cell animation. But there's a certain synergy to doing Star Wars in CGI, given that so much of the live action movies is done/enhanced with CGI, including characters, effects, ships, monsters, etc.

Response recorded on January 23, 2017

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Daniel writes...

Hi Greg. This might be a dated question, but if I remember correctly, you had a CV site many years back on what I think was called "mindspring.com", and there was a link on there to a script for a dark Captain Planet remake. Is that still available anywhere?

Greg responds...

I have no memory of mindspring.com. None. I'm not saying you're wrong, because I'm old and my memory is a sieve. But it rings no bells, so are you sure?

As for Captain Planet, I have twice developed a take for a reboot of that series for Cartoon Network. I wouldn't say that either take was dark, at all. Both were ultimately rejected, and I doubt I would EVER have made either available. And I'm not going to make them available now.

Sorry.

Response recorded on January 23, 2017

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R.I.P. Miguel Ferrer

Just a few words about Miguel Ferrer, who passed away yesterday. I won't pretend I knew him very well, but he was always a pleasure to have in the booth. He was the voice of Silvio "Silvermane" Manfredi on The Spectacular Spider-Man, and Bo "Bibbo" Bibbowski and Tribune #1 on Young Justice.

Did I forget anything? Oh, yes. His brilliant portrayal of Vandal Savage in Young Justice, making him one of the most interesting and complex hero/villains I've ever had the pleasure of working on.

His talent - both in material I was involved in and in the many, many things I simply watched as a fan - was immense.

He will be missed.


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James writes...

Hey Greg,

I have some more questions about S2 Ep1 of Spectacular Spider-Man.

1) Did you voice anyone else other than Menken?

2) How did Xander Berkeley land the role of Mysterio?

3) What inspired your version of Mysterio?

4) Where did the idea of the little purple bat things come from? Who voiced them?

I liked the Star Wars reference when Spidey said "May the Spidey Sense be with me."

Greg responds...

1. The truck driver, maybe. I'd have to look at it again.

2. I suggested him. He and voice director Jamie Thomason and I had worked together on GARGOYLES, in which he played Coldsteel, so we knew he'd be great.

3. The comics and the core idea of the character.

4. The Homunculi seemed to fit Mysterio's M.O.

4a. Thom Adcox, Dee Bradley Baker, Steve Blum, Phil Lamarr, Cree Summer and James Arnold Taylor. I loved those little guys and wanted to do a spinoff series with them.

Response recorded on January 20, 2017

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James writes...

Hey Greg,

Spectacular Spider-Man is the best Spidey adaptation ever in my opinion. I have a few questions about S2 Ep1 "Blueprints".

1) Who was Eddie's roommate?

2) Where did Eddie live? Was it a dorm on campus?

3) How was it having Stan Lee making a cameo?

4) What all does Liz Allan's father own? Liz says he owns some hotels and in a previous episode they gang ate at his restaurant.

5) Where was Miles Warren before he returned to NYC?

I have more questions so I am going to submit another discussion because of the 5 question rule.

Greg responds...

1. Oh, I used to know this. I really did. But its been so long, I can't remember. It was a character from the canon. I want to say... Josh something. But honestly, I can't remember now.

2. Dorm on campus.

3. F---ing AWESOME!

4. The restaurant was IN one of his hotels. He owns hotels.

5. Elsewhere. (Never bothered to figure that out.)

Response recorded on January 20, 2017

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James writes...

Hey Greg,

I love Rebels, and I think you guys did a great job setting it all up in Season 1. I also really enjoyed the Kanan comic. I have a few questions about that.

1) What was your inspiration for Caleb's backstory?

2) What was the interaction with the story group like?

3) How big of a leash did they give you creation wise?

Keep up the great work!

Greg responds...

1. We all worked out that backstory together when we were figuring out the first season of Rebels. Inspiration? I'm not sure what that means in this context.

2. It was great. This was all stuff we had discussed for the most part, so I'd write up a short proposal for each arc, and that was pretty much it. Occasionally, I'd have a question for Pablo or Leland. They'd answer. Boom.

3. It wasn't really an issue of "leashes". We all agreed on the story. I'm just the one who wrote it up. I created some of the characters, and obviously did NOT create others. But it was pretty much drama-free.

Response recorded on January 20, 2017

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Hazecrisp writes...

I've recently been obsessed with W.I.T.C.H recently and have been rewatching all the episodes. I absolutely love the show from the plot, writing, voice acting, animation and sound. And over all it's so fun to wacth
1)How do you think Nerissa and Cassidy fell in love and got together?
2)Do you have a favourite pairing within W.I.T.C.H. I personally quite like the idea of Will and Hay Lin.

Greg responds...

1. It's been sooooo long that if I had a specific notion, I don't remember. Otherwise, they were teammates and spent a lot of time together, so one thing led to another.

2. Well, I think both Will and Hay Lin are straight. But this sounds like shipping, and it's not my job to rain on your parade. So have fun with it.

Response recorded on January 20, 2017

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RobertDev writes...

It seems to me that Thailog has an obvious complex with his 'father' Goliath (perhaps with all three of his fathers actually) but in particular I think that in creating the first set of clones he was trying to build something equal to what his 'father' had, with Demona's influence of course.

Clearly after the comics Thailog will continue cloning to try and build his own clan, but I wonder, should that clan fail too, do you see Thailog, no matter how successful he is in business and his other ventures, always trying to compete with Goliath on that personal level, and seeking a clan of his own?

Greg responds...

I don't know how to answer this without at least implying spoilers, which I won't do. And in any case, this feels like the kind of thing best left to each fan's personal interpretation.

Response recorded on January 20, 2017

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RobertDev writes...

Hello Greg,

I have been a big fan of yours for a very long time. In fact Gargoyles was my favorite show as a child. Now I am 29, and in addition to being a teacher, I am trying to make it as a novelist in NYC. Gargoyles, and you/your writing in general, inspired me a long time ago to pursue telling stories for kids or young adults that are complex and diverse in lieu of "talking" down to them. Since then I have had many more influences, but you really were one of the first. I think I may have been 6 or 7 when Gargoyles first came out and I certainly had my parents add to Disney's coffers with Gargoyle merch.

I have a few questions. I know you are not into hypotheticals or spoilers, so I will try to phrase my questions as proper as possible. Also, as these questions may not exactly fall under the same subject, I will submit multiple questions, as per the instructions.

Long ago I wrote to you about the biology of the Avalon clan. Specifically I asked whether or not it was possible for a mature Avalon couple to travel to the outside world, for say 9 months or a year (1 week or less on Avalon), sync with the natural state of the planet and produce an egg. That was met with an affirmative.

When further questioned as to whether or not they could do this multiple times over the course of their lifetime, producing many more eggs than the standard 3, you wrote that it would be a good topic of discussion during the biology panel (I think it was specifically called something else) at convergence. Unfortunately another Convergence has not occurred for some time and I still, all these years later, wonder about the biology of it all.

Could a gargoyle couple from Avalon come to the outside world every other, or every third, cycle (or whatever) and produce many more eggs than the usual three? Could they produce five or ten eggs? And would there be a detriment to the gargoyle's body in producing that many eggs if they could do all that?

I know this question is long and possibly overwritten but I recently re-watched my DVD sets (and reread the comics) and it got me thinking. I'd appreciate your thoughts on the matter.

I made a promise to myself, many years ago that if I ever became a successful writer I would find a way to work with you one day and/or help you bring Gargoyles back in some form. I still hope to do so. Best of luck to you sir and thank you for your influence and inspiration. Should I one day meet you in a professional capacity I will point out this entry.

Greg responds...

I don't think so. Three max. I'm sticking with that.

Response recorded on January 18, 2017

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Victor Valente writes...

Hi Greg,
So a new Spider-Man series was announced yesterday at the New York Comic Con. Are you taking part in this project in any way? If your not, is there any way you could get aboard it because that would be spectacular.
Thank you so much for your time.

Greg responds...

No. And no. I'm busy on Young Justice S3, and in any case, Marvel would have to want me on it. They certainly know how to find me. There's clearly no interest in putting me and the character back together at this time.

Response recorded on January 18, 2017

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Matt writes...

What happened to red arrow after he found arsenal. He stopped showing up.

Greg responds...

Well, he showed up in 208 and 220. But he was busy trying to make a life for his daughter, and seeing if he and Cheshire could make another go at it.

Response recorded on January 18, 2017

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Anonymous writes...

How would you describe Barbara Gordon/Batgirl?

Greg responds...

In what context?

Look, I did an entire season and six issues of a comic with her. How I "describe" her is on the screen and the page.

Response recorded on January 18, 2017

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Jarrod writes...

Hello Greg!

As Always, thank you for all the work you do, I find your writing fantastic.

My Question relates to Tye Longshadow's mother in YJ.

I wonder why she stays with Maurice. She was previously with Tye's father, who we know no personal details about, and somehow is no with Maurice who by her own admission has "a lot of bad days." I think it is important to have that bit of reality in your works, there are people who stay in emotionally, verbally, or even physically abusive relationships for a variety of reasons. I certainly appreciate that you put the effort into showcasing real world problems, even in a superhero show. But why Maurice? She has a future (possibly) Tribal Chief for a son, why stay with such a repulsive man?

Since we never see her again, I hope she left him when Jaime turned him in for the bootlegging...

Many Thanks!

Greg responds...

Well, we don't know EXACTLY when she gave Maurice his walking papers, but it clearly happened before Tye and Asami came back to live with her at the end of episode 220.

The answer to "Why Maurice?" is pretty much what you listed above. It was an unhealthy relationship, but for a period of time, she thought it was all she deserved, and that many of the problems were her fault.

(And I wouldn't read too much into things like "future tribal chief". That's really got nothing to do with anything, even if it is true.)

Response recorded on January 18, 2017

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Jon Winsil writes...

Dear Mr Weisman,
I would like to thank you for all the great work you have done in past, and I look foward, as I'm sure many of us do, to seeing it being continued. I would like to, in my question, both ask, as well as show my support and desire for a continuation of the Young Justice series. I really hope that the series will be continued, as many of us do - the statistics around the reception of the show speak for themselves. My question, is as follows:
Why (and I personally belive that this is one of the many reasons why it was so good) did the team behind The Team choose to introduce a heavy emphasis on the interpersonal relationships and the back story's of each character?
Thank you for considering my question,
Kind regards, a loyal fan of Young Justice

Greg responds...

Well, as you probably know by now, we're at work on Season Three.

But I'll admit to being a bit mystified by your question. What else would we deal with INSTEAD of "the interpersonal relationships and the back story's of each character"?

Response recorded on January 17, 2017

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Mair writes...

Hi Greg,
First of all I just want to say thank you for every piece of writing you've ever done. You're a genuine source of inspiration to me and i'm continually amazed by the depth of your storytelling.

You've talked in the past about your decision to keep Emily Osborn alive and around in Spectacular instead of being a missing mother. I was thinking recently about how it's not uncommon for writers to imply that Norman's treatment of Harry to the idea that Harry's birth caused or bought about Emily's death.
You're Norman is probably the most explicitly cruel of all the Norman adaptations towards his son, and yet he totally lacks this excuse. I was wondering if that was something you where conscious of when writing the Osborns?

(P.S Spec!Norman is probably my favourite version of the character. He's cold, clever, charming and creepy, but most of all he's an unnervingly believable bully.)

Greg responds...

I never really bought into that as an excuse for Norman. If he had been a decent man up to the point of Emily's death, then he would have treated his son with decency. But he wasn't, so he didn't. So it didn't bother me to "lose" that particular motivation when weighed against other concerns.

Response recorded on January 17, 2017


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