Here’s how Marvel handled the removal of its controversial, but very successful, Editor in Chief.
2 thoughts on “BULLPEN BULLETINS: SHOOTER STEPS DOWN (1987)”
One has to wonder just exactly how much of Shooter’s “decision” to leave the lofty and impressive Editor-in-Chief position was his idea, and exactly how much of his departure had to do with the total disaster that was his “New Universe” baby. Those comics were even worse than the ‘New Defenders’ comics Marvel subjected the world to just a couple-to-few years earlier. Following the debacle of “The New Universe”, I heard that Shooter went into commercial truck-driving, and after having read a few of the “New Universe” selections, I could easily believe it. Holy career-busters!! These days, Shooter works for some third-level publisher, as I understand, which is still better than driving trucks-believe me, I know. Nevertheless, some of Shooter’s late-Seventies/early-Eighties ‘Avengers’ stuff remain some of my all-favorite comics, especially issue# 162’s “The Bride of Ultron”, and 214’s “Three Angels Fallen”. Salutations to Jim “Trouble” Shooter, wherever he may be.
Jim gets a bad rap. I think overall he did well for Marvel. I also agree with your prior comment about admiring his integrity. I know lots of people didn’t share his vision, and sometimes he could be hard to work with, but some of the best Marvel stories of all time came out on his watch.
One has to wonder just exactly how much of Shooter’s “decision” to leave the lofty and impressive Editor-in-Chief position was his idea, and exactly how much of his departure had to do with the total disaster that was his “New Universe” baby. Those comics were even worse than the ‘New Defenders’ comics Marvel subjected the world to just a couple-to-few years earlier. Following the debacle of “The New Universe”, I heard that Shooter went into commercial truck-driving, and after having read a few of the “New Universe” selections, I could easily believe it. Holy career-busters!! These days, Shooter works for some third-level publisher, as I understand, which is still better than driving trucks-believe me, I know. Nevertheless, some of Shooter’s late-Seventies/early-Eighties ‘Avengers’ stuff remain some of my all-favorite comics, especially issue# 162’s “The Bride of Ultron”, and 214’s “Three Angels Fallen”. Salutations to Jim “Trouble” Shooter, wherever he may be.
Jim gets a bad rap. I think overall he did well for Marvel. I also agree with your prior comment about admiring his integrity. I know lots of people didn’t share his vision, and sometimes he could be hard to work with, but some of the best Marvel stories of all time came out on his watch.