On this, the eve of the NIGHT OF THE OWLS crossover event, I would be remiss if I didn't salute the maestro behind it all, Mr. Scott Snyder.
While certainly the key to the success of a runaway hit like BATMAN can only come through that perfect union of writer and artist -- and Scott has been blessed by Greg Capullo's sheer awesomeness -- I can only speak to my experience on the crossover through my dealings with Mr. Snyder.
For everyone who wonders if this kid is the serious, thoughtful, generous genius that he's portrayed as so glowingly in the press... the answer is yes. It should surprise no one at all that Scott would be the first writer out of the DCNu gate to explode with a story that simply could not be contained in one monthly title! (Heck, even five bat books weren't enough! Ten?! I can't keep track!)
Trust me when I tell you I've had more than my fair share of crossovers in my career -- from the position where another writer would essentially hand me a synopsis of my chapter in the larger story, to the times I'd be the guy in front of the room writing maniacally on the dry erase board while everyone else squinted and asked each other "What the hell is he talking about?" So when I say Scott has been a consummate professional throughout, know that I know of what I speak.
== TEASER ==
From the very first "Hey, Guys!" email where Scott threw wide the metaphorical gates of Gotham and invited any and all of us to join in, he meticulously laid out the whole world or the Court of the Owls for us. He explained the history of the Talons but then made it clear that involvement in the story wasn't mandatory:
He wasn't dictating, he was welcoming. He was never intimidating, he was encouraging.
(It was no coincidence that every other Bat-writer at the company -- and then some -- hurled ourselves into the Owl mixing bowl! And even less of a coincidence I was the one who shyly asked "Can I have Mr. Freeze for my story?!" No fool am I -- despite what you may have read on Tumblr!)
But don't think he stopped there -- despite a workload that includes SWAMP THING and Vertigo's AMERICAN VAMPIRE, Scott looked at every page of plot and script and pencils that came in and gave helpful and supportive notes on everything from a Talon's back story to their speaking patterns to insights into their individual back stories. Because I am one of those writers who writes plot first and then scripts only after the page arrives, Scott had to do double the work on my RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS entry. Through it all he was never anything less than gracious.
So this is me, one seasoned comic warhorse giving a shout out to a fellow writer who month to month kicks ass on his own title while also sharing his time and talent with the rest of us. (Now I hope you've all saved up your pennies! Because NIGHT OF THE OWLS starts next week and you are not going to want to miss a single issue!)
Scott Snyder, thank you!
Scott Lobdell
Los Angeles
Occasional contributor Scott Lobdell can no longer abide an Internet determined to cut everything down. So keep an eye on this spot somewhat regularly as he writes about people and things in comic book industry that he actually likes!