The Other Shoe Dropped

Posted by Bob Greenberger on January 11, 2006

For a number of reasons, I’ve avoided talking about the news but now that it’s out on the web and other people are talking, I figured the time has come.

On Friday, around 3:30, I was called into my boss’s office and was fired. He didn’t explain why but had the HR folk hand me papers and some checks and told me to start cleaning out my office.

As has been speculated elsewhere, the final factor seems to be the misprint in the Golden Age Hawkman Archives. My superiors never talked to me about the problem that occurred, how something so seemingly obvious could be missed, nor did they seem interested. Instead, they saw this as a persistent pattern (meaning that other errors have occurred, something that happens when you produce as much as Collected Editions did in 2005) that wasn’t going to change even though we just changed the structure of the department, adding some much needed support staff, to make sure things like this wasn’t going to happen again. Management seemed unwilling to wait and see if things would improve.

Instead, by 5:30 I was packed and out the door. The news slowly spread over the weekend until it broke on the Internet at my pal Gormuu’s Marvel Masterworks board and Rich Johnston’s Lying in the Gutters. Gormuu wrote some lovely things as did many of the regulars on the board. Rich, I have to say, was surprisingly sensitive to me and even offered to delay the report a week if I wanted. Instead, I’d prefer the net folk read it, debate it and move on.

We had stuff already scheduled for the weekend so Deb saw to it I stayed out and about. We didn’t mention it at the Bar Mitzvah, the family party or the Church Volunteers’ Reception. Instead, we waited until a quiet moment on Sunday to tell the immediate family.

The reaction on line has been interesting. At Gormuu’s message boards, people were demanding that someone be fired for the Hawkman error and now that someone has been (more or less) they suddenly think they may have overacted. The debate at Newsarama was more positive and I was touched when Peter David came to my defense. All in all, I’m reminded of the third season West Wing episode when Josh discovers Lemonlyman.com and tries to interact with the community only to discover most are off their meds – an episode I re-watched only a week previous.

Since then, I have been flooded with kind e-mails from people throughout the various circles I travel. Freelancers I haven’t worked with in years reached out as well as others who were doing work for me last week. Friends from publishing, again including those I deal with regularly and others I haven’t chatted with in years, all got in touch. I feel most gratified by their support and offers to point me in various directions.

Which also means it’s time to figure out the next chapter of my career. It’s rather odd, in that my first day of unemployment marked the 22nd anniversary of my first joining DC and is also the week marking the fourth anniversary of my being dismissed by Bill Jemas at Marvel. All of which weighs somewhat heavily on my mind.

While I love comic books and would be happy finding a position at some company, I also truly enjoying publishing and would be pleased to land a place at a book or magazine house. Of course, these aren’t great times for publishing with consolidations occurring at most places so we’ll see what happens.

Short term, I am also working on finding some freelance writing to help fill the hours. While I still have my next Star Trek: Corps of Engineers in progress, that’s all I have confirmed. I did receive, yesterday, two offers for short works which will help to a degree. Once those become real, I’ll mention what they are.

Sadly, Deb and I have been through this before. The business world hasn’t necessarily been kind to her before the Marvel thing gave me a taste of the uncertainty and demoralizing aspects of job hunting. The kids understand how we adjust to accommodate the sudden reduction in income. We’re both very cognizant that we need to keep each other’s spirits up and that during the hunt there still needs to be downtime for mental health. I certainly have enough reading around the house and a ton of premium cable channels should it come to that. And I’ll keep up my political life and exercising at the gym and home chores, just shifting more of that stuff to daylight hours.

And we’ll still talk here.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Comments

77 Responses to “The Other Shoe Dropped”

Tom Peyer says:

January 12, 2006 at 7:40 pm

Bob, keep your head up. You’re a good man.
Cindy Geppi-Shockey says:

January 12, 2006 at 7:43 pm

I am so shocked and sad to read your most recent news. You have shared your love of comics with readers the world over and I don’t think anyone can thank you enough. You never forgot what it was like to pick up a long awaited issue or go back and read your favorite much read comic.

As for DC – well they blew it big time (as my daughter likes to say) and I don’t think I will ever look at them the same way again.

And I know you well enough to know you have landed on your feet and will continue to make dreams come true. With that I wish you Deb, Rob, and Kate the best and I will see you soon!
Lance Woods says:

January 12, 2006 at 7:56 pm

Bob,

I know we’ve already had our personal email exchange, but this was something I wanted to say in front of a room full of people.

In the dámn-nëár-15 years I’ve been in the comics industry with you, it has been a privilege to think of you not only as a friend I made long before I got into the business, but also as a professional colleague.

When things got tough for me work-wise, I can honestly say that’s one of the things that kept me from walking away: the knowledge that I worked in the same business as you.

I still think of you as a colleague. The responses from some of the industry heavyweights here — and from your legion of fans — shows that I’m not alone.

Whether you end up in comics or another branch of publishing, I await my colleague’s triumphant return.
Amie says:

January 12, 2006 at 8:14 pm

Bob, please email me at brockwaymetcalf at mac dot com so I can mail you your issues from various TPBs, and offer my best wishes. fondly–A
gordon says:

January 12, 2006 at 10:59 pm

As I’ve said before Bob, you’re the best. You are far too talented to be down too long. The outside world often values creative types more than the comics industry anyway. My best wishes for a sweeter new year.
David S. says:

January 12, 2006 at 11:03 pm

They say when one door closes, another one opens. May the next door lead you to major success!

Best wishes from a former comic book retailer who has fond memories of the Star Trek comics that you edited for DC over 10 years ago!
blackcat says:

January 13, 2006 at 1:11 am

bob. sorry to hear dc fired you over a mistake for this shows a little bit of hyprocrosy on dcs part for after all mistakes happend all the time and the higher ups who did this to you proably have done some doziez good luck in your next endevor.
Trish Mulvihill says:

January 13, 2006 at 2:43 am

Well I think you’re beyond swell, and bet you’re kept busy with something new and exciting before you know it. Big big hug…. Trish
Jen Stosser says:

January 13, 2006 at 6:54 am

Bob,
Count me amongst all your supporters out there – even from so far away
Jenny from Australia
Martin Gray says:

January 13, 2006 at 8:03 am

This is rotten news Bob, I hope things quickly improve for you. It’s great that Deb and the family are so understanding.

I’ve worked in UK comics and book publishing, I work in newspapers now, and I agree that given the volume of production, mistakes are bound to happen. People need to take a ‘there but for the grace of God’ approach and keep things in perspective.

If you’re ever passing through Edinburgh, say hi!
Joel Meadows says:

January 13, 2006 at 8:57 am

This news came as a real shock to me. When I popped up to see you back in November, I obviously didn’t expect this to happen.
Best of luck joining the ranks of us freelancers…

best wishes

Joel Meadows
Craig Delich says:

January 13, 2006 at 10:10 am

Bob,

I was truly shocked to hear of your being fired from DC. I really appreciate all the great things you have done for comics and for fans over the years, and especially the help you gave to me out of the DC Archives.

I know from having been a school teacher for 31 years how the great things you do can be over-shadowed by a mistake made in error. Life can sure be the pits at times, but I pray that the good Lord will watch over you and yours, and allow this to be the beginning of something better.

Craig
Bob Kahan says:

January 13, 2006 at 11:10 am

I was truly sorry when I heard the news. Bob was in on the ground floor of the now-burgeoning “graphic novel” business and a good deal of its current success is due to his efforts both as the collected editions editor and, in supporting me a few years back when I held the position. His encyclopedic knowledge and love for comics is legendary. DC’s loss will be profound. They just don’t know it. Bob was a pioneer in his unequivocal support of collected editions being something so much more than just reprints. We should remember that pioneers are the folks with arrows in their backs.

Bob, I know you’ll come out of this just fine. You have the support of your family and legions of friends and colleagues.
Jackie says:

January 13, 2006 at 12:47 pm

I’m so sorry and quite frankly shocked to hear this news. Given your experience and talent though I have every confidence you’re going to land on your feet.

Keep your chin up!
fred Hembeck says:

January 13, 2006 at 6:51 pm

Not much for me to add, Bob, except to second each and every one of the good wishes above that are aimed in your direction. Y’know, I honestly didn’t realize the folks running DC these days were so clueless.
Jeff Linder says:

January 13, 2006 at 10:29 pm

Dang Bob, that sucks..

If I see ya at Farpoint I’ll stand ya a drink.
john rieber says:

January 14, 2006 at 10:34 am

I’m sorry to hear this has happened to you. It’s hard to believe.

Thank you for all the good things you’ve done for us over the years. I’m sure that the handful of us who’re posting here aren’t the only ones who remember and appreciate you.

I hope it’s not long before you’re looking back at this and feeling that the change was for the best.
Stuart Moore says:

January 14, 2006 at 10:47 am

Belated condolences, Bob. I was very sorry to hear about this.

If you like, give me a call or email when things settle down & I’ll buy you lunch. Men of leisure like us should stick together.

Best,
Stuart
EDouglas says:

January 14, 2006 at 6:11 pm

Sorry to hear that Bob… I remember really enjoying one of your panels/talks at I-Con a couple years back. I seem to remember you giving me a soda, too.

Although I’ll admit to not having bought an Archive in some time, I always thought that it was a great program and my friend Jim wrote a couple of the intros, which I enjoyed reading. I certainly don’t think that your dismissal bodes well for the program, and I hope that you find something new to do very soon.
George Freeman says:

January 14, 2006 at 6:22 pm

Bob,
I’m sorry to hear about the turmoil in your life. All the times we worked together, whether I was Digtal’s art director or as a freelance penciller and inker, every experience has been positive and productive. Your input is one reason I still have warm feelings for DC. I think this is their loss and your next employer’s gain. By all means get in touch if there’s anything I can do.

George
MICHAEL CLARK. says:

January 15, 2006 at 6:53 pm

bob;so sorry to hear that you were fired from D.C.!! i did a short stint of work for the company during the 80′s. and you were so nice enough to give me a shot at a trek-script!!! i know that you’ll find something else soon!!! it’s rare to find people that really care/love the buisness that they’re working in!! it’s really D.C.’s loss!! well—from one trek-fan to another— i know that “YOU’LL LIVE LONG AND PROSPER”!!! sincerly, mike clark!!!! {‘NUFF-SAID!!! }
JonBCooke says:

January 18, 2006 at 1:22 pm

Hi, Bob.

I’m sorry to hear of your recent dismissal. This is becoming all too common in this industry, one which fails to appreciate those who helped build and sustain it. You’ve always been a mensch in our dealings together and state for the world to read that you certainly ranked high on my list of favorite folks at DC Comics, and remain a pal o’ mine, so I look forward to keeping in contact. My best to you, amigo, and whatever I can do for ya, don’t hesitate to ask.
Take care,
Jon
P.S. Can you e-mail direct? I need to talk about your CBA comp, as well as another matter. Thanks!
Ben says:

January 19, 2006 at 10:26 am

Dear Bob,

We’ve never met, but I’ve been a fan of your comics work and your novels for quite some time. So, I thought I’d pop up anonymously to say something.

As someone who is not in the comics industry, I have to say that I’ve never seen such an outpouring for a colleague dismissed by any companies in my industry.

Suffice it to say, you’re obviously deeply respected, and I imagine this respect will translate into work sooner than later.

Keep your chin up, sir! Even a guy who’s never met you can tell you’re one of the Good Guys.

Ben
Gord says:

January 22, 2006 at 4:48 pm

I’m coming to this a little late but I’m sorry to hear this Bob!

Good luck in your future and I await your next Trek novel!

Gord
Max Ballstein says:

August 4, 2006 at 12:50 pm

You can’t be 77308 serious?!?