By Todd Allen
The season of writer changes continues at DC. It’s been rumored for weeks that Gail Simone left her co-writing duties on Firestorm. Today, DC confirms Simone’s departure and names Joe Harris her replacement. Issue 7 will be his first.
In the greater scheme of things, Harris is probably best known to the world at large as the screenwriter for the horror film Darkness Falls. In the comics world, Harris has done a little work for a lot of publishers. Joker’s Asylum – Scarecrow and Battle for the Cowl: Man-Bat for DC. Bishop, Slingers and X-Men: The Search for Cyclops for Marvel. B.R.P.D and Creepy for Dark Horse. Ghost Projekt for Oni. Vampirella and the Scarlet Legion for Dynamite.
Yes, Bishop and Slingers were from the Bob Harras Marvel era.
Co-writer Ethan Van Sciver (who’s remaining on the book) will be drawing issues 7 and 8, then Yildiray Cinar will return and remain as the regular artist.
As for Simone’s status, DC puts it this way:
FIRESTORM’s co-plotter for the first six issues, Gail Simone will remain entrenched in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, focusing her attention on the Gotham City exploits of BATGIRL.
Weeks? Months.
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/10/12/gail-simone-quits-firestorm/
DCnU=Marvelo(ld)U?
Just throw another old Harras crony on the DC payroll. Who needs actual talent at the Big Two anymore?
I don’t understand the logic of giving the writer assignments to “old school” writers who weren’t that great during their prime, much less now…
Bob Harras screwed up the X-Universe during his tenure, now he’ll do the same in the DCnU.
“Meet the new boss, same as the OLD boss!”
Well that’s one title dropped from my pull list.
When will Gail be along to tell everyone how awesome this development is?
it’s too bad she’s leaving. this was defintely one of the underrated and strangely criticized books of the new 52 and didn’t deserve a writer change. it’s conspiracy, sci-fi, summer thriller tone was really unique. here’s hoping it will continue!
This just proves that DC hates women!
Oh give me a break! Here we go, Gail leaves so its a blow against feminism and proof of homophobia.
Gail Simone wrote the Birds of Prey themed Batman: Brave and Bold episode that aired this week.
This was the one where they really seemed to be letting Gail be Gail — the thrilling canvass of cutthroat geopolitics, doomsday physics and everyday highschool discontent. (Not to mention an unsparing but sensitive take on global terrorism and homegrown racial tensions that made it something I’d like to read to Frank Miller, but I don’t believe in torture.) Oh well. This will make room for Annie Nocenti’s Green Arrow. For as long as they let her last — the real comparison is mid-’70s Atlas Comics; if it ain’t broke, try harder.
This book was a wreck. Any change is for the better if they want to keep publishing it.