Pope Krysak wrote:
I just got a chance to reread this after a few years. Love this story! Easily one of the best stories for both characters. Any insights in to how this tale came about, Uncle Rog?
Shortly after the success of Jim Starlin's The Death of Captain Marvel, there was a lot of interest from Marvel in building the Graphic Novel market, and writers were encouraged to come up with ideas for same. I came up with a half-dozen springboards, and the one that became Triumph and Torment was the one that met with the highest approval. (Meaning that Jim Shooter really liked it.)
It took me a while to turn the basic outline into a plot because 1) I always had at least two regular assignments which I wasn't about to blow off for a one-shot grahic novel, 2) I was looking for the perfect artist, and 3) Brother Byrne was in the middle of some major stuff with Doctor Doom, and I was politely waiting until he was finished.
Years passed. Literally.
Then, JB left Marvel to write and draw SUPERMAN. And then, I was fired from the AVENGERS.
Marvel wasn't terribly interested in giving me much work, but I already had a committment for that Graphic Novel. So, I started plotting the story.
Then, I lucked into getting Mike Mignola to draw the thing.
All told, from selling the idea to seeing it in print...about seven years.
-- Uncle Rog