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Spoilers => Other Reviews => Topic started by: sheridan on 02 September, 2016, 01:33:50 AM

Title: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 02 September, 2016, 01:33:50 AM
Is it to early to start a thread on this?  It's had it's launch party / signing, but is still on pre-release...

Tharg's Future Shop page (http://shop.2000adonline.com/products/the_mighty_one).
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Rackle on 02 September, 2016, 02:09:03 AM
Should be so long as you use spoilers in the event any juicy gossip about Tharg such as [spoiler] he actually comes from Eternia and is plotting to overthrow Skeletor[/spoiler]. Other than that I don't see why the thread can't start already.

What Sheridan really means is:he's all excited about the book launch and woke me up to show me his signed book and comics when he got home.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 02 September, 2016, 06:00:48 PM
Quote from: Rackle on 02 September, 2016, 02:09:03 AM
Should be so long as you use spoilers in the event any juicy gossip about Tharg such as [spoiler] he actually comes from Eternia and is plotting to overthrow Skeletor[/spoiler]. Other than that I don't see why the thread can't start already.

What Sheridan really means is:he's all excited about the book launch and woke me up to show me his signed book and comics when he got home.
...and the pic of vidcast star Molch-R and me :-)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Mattofthespurs on 03 September, 2016, 12:37:42 PM
Delighted to have had the foresight to have ordered the limited edition, especially as it was sold out the following day.
Really looking forward to getting the book.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: jannerboyuk on 03 September, 2016, 08:06:02 PM
Got this t'other day, about two thirds through. Really enjoying it, especially the lost world of British comics publishing. Seems pretty well disposed to everyone involved so far, except the management obviously. His outrage at the crass commercialism of judge Dredd pyjamas made me laugh as all I could think was I would have loved a pair of them :)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: COMMANDO FORCES on 03 September, 2016, 08:24:13 PM
I have a pair of them  ;)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Frank on 03 September, 2016, 09:12:30 PM
.
Though it accounts for a tiny percentage of the page count, the Crisis section is the best:


p.266: "Crisis didn't make money, but it established a market for comics aimed at older readers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance)"


Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 03 September, 2016, 09:39:36 PM
p.s. Steve was very gracious when I asked him to sign just underneath his toe-tag in the mortuary in part three of Judge Death :-)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: moldovangerbil on 03 September, 2016, 09:42:05 PM
Anyone have any idea when the limited editions will be sent out?

(Not that I've been keen to get my hands on this since January or anything....)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Frank on 04 September, 2016, 11:19:14 AM
.
It's an often bizarre read, equal parts Alan Partridge and American Psycho.

For every tale of Loony Dave from accounts doing something hilarious, there's an episode of appalling behaviour that concludes with the line nobody else knew what to say, so there was just silence.

There's lots of factual information though. The first one that grabbed me was that Battle was pitched at the 100,000 boys aged 8-12 living in Britain at that time (McManus, 75).

The first issue of 2000ad sold 350,000 copies (Bishop, 28), so almost every pre-teen in the UK must have read it. A million, if you use the rule of thumb that every copy was read by 2-3 people.


Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Leigh S on 04 September, 2016, 03:52:51 PM
I would have thought there was more like a million boys aged between 8-12, even 40 years ago - maybe missing a zero?
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Frank on 04 September, 2016, 05:37:07 PM
Quote from: Leigh S on 04 September, 2016, 03:52:51 PM
I would have thought there was more like a million boys aged between 8-12, even 40 years ago - maybe missing a zero?

Typing that with one finger while enjoying red pepper soup, I managed a transcription error; MacManus claims the figure was 200,000. 2 million does seem a little more like it - there are apparently 5.6 million (http://5,6) boys age 0-14 (not 8-12) in the UK today.

If the actual figure was 2 million, one in every six boys in your school playground bought a copy. If that rule of thumb holds true, then every second boy in that age range read prog 1, which is pretty incredible.


Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Leigh S on 04 September, 2016, 06:09:55 PM
Quote from: Frank on 04 September, 2016, 05:37:07 PM
Quote from: Leigh S on 04 September, 2016, 03:52:51 PM
I would have thought there was more like a million boys aged between 8-12, even 40 years ago - maybe missing a zero?

Typing that with one finger while enjoying red pepper soup, I managed a transcription error; MacManus claims the figure was 200,000. 2 million does seem a little more like it - there are apparently 5.6 million (http://5,6) boys age 0-14 (not 8-12) in the UK today.

Yeah, it is still pretty good coverage - I know that a good chunk of my class read 2000AD, maybe a quarter to a third knew about it I'd reckon.  Wiki says there are about 3.7 million children aged between 10-14 so half that and you get 2 mill or thereabouts
If the actual figure was 2 million, one in every six boys in your school playground bought a copy. If that rule of thumb holds true, then every second boy in that age range read prog 1, which is pretty incredible.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: The Enigmatic Dr X on 05 September, 2016, 07:16:22 PM
Quote from: Frank on 04 September, 2016, 05:37:07 PM
Quote from: Leigh S on 04 September, 2016, 03:52:51 PM
I would have thought there was more like a million boys aged between 8-12, even 40 years ago - maybe missing a zero?

Typing that with one finger while enjoying red pepper soup, I managed a transcription error; MacManus claims the figure was 200,000. 2 million does seem a little more like it - there are apparently 5.6 million (http://5,6) boys age 0-14 (not 8-12) in the UK today.

If the actual figure was 2 million, one in every six boys in your school playground bought a copy. If that rule of thumb holds true, then every second boy in that age range read prog 1, which is pretty incredible.

At one point in the early 80s, it felt like every boy in my class was reading 2000ad. I even put a diary entry into every Saturday in my Letts diary (in advance): "Got 2000ad", and then added a "Didn't" if it was bought on a different day. Priorities. None of this stuff about girls and things. Just a record of weekly Thrill-Power infusion.

Sadly, I am the only one of my class who still reads it...
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: jannerboyuk on 05 September, 2016, 07:45:12 PM
Quote from: Frank on 04 September, 2016, 11:19:14 AM
.
It's an often bizarre read, equal parts Alan Partridge and American Psycho.

For every tale of Loony Dave from accounts doing something hilarious, there's an episode of appalling behaviour that concludes with the line nobody else knew what to say, so there was just silence.

There's lots of factual information though. The first one that grabbed me was that Battle was pitched at the 100,000 boys aged 8-12 living in Britain at that time (McManus, 75).

The first issue of 2000ad sold 350,000 copies (Bishop, 28), so almost every pre-teen in the UK must have read it. A million, if you use the rule of thumb that every copy was read by 2-3 people.
I thought the Alan Partridge crack was a bit harsh until I got to page 228: "I was still on my way out, but had been handed a return ticket, one that I tucked carefully into my metaphorical hatband...right next to the ace of spades." I could partridge saying that :)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: jannerboyuk on 05 September, 2016, 09:57:25 PM
Just finished this now - bad Steve is, er, interesting! Some might say mr McManus had a bit of a drink problem! Real interesting stuff on crisis and revolver, definitely worth a read.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 06 September, 2016, 04:07:36 PM
Quote from: jannerboyuk on 05 September, 2016, 09:57:25 PM
Just finished this now - bad Steve is, er, interesting! Some might say mr McManus had a bit of a drink problem! Real interesting stuff on crisis and revolver, definitely worth a read.
Don't know if it gets mentioned in the book yet, but at the launch, Steve said that this book was effectively written by Good Steve, and that there are plenty of things left that Bad Steve could reveal (so here's to a sequel).
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Mattofthespurs on 07 September, 2016, 10:24:02 AM
My hardback, signed copy arrived this morning. Hoorah!
107/200 for those that like that sort of thing.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: COMMANDO FORCES on 07 September, 2016, 03:15:31 PM
Mine just arrived as well. 88/200 for me :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Leigh S on 07 September, 2016, 04:40:04 PM
Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 07 September, 2016, 03:15:31 PM
Mine just arrived as well. 88/200 for me :thumbsup:

23 of 200 - just started and already hooked!
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Mattofthespurs on 07 September, 2016, 05:23:15 PM
I've read about half now and after discovery that Steve is a Spurs supporter I shall forgive his, occasional, flowery prose.
I now think Mick MacMahon's art is shit though.  ;)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Frank on 07 September, 2016, 06:07:39 PM
.
Imagine Matt's dilemma if we discovered Mike Fleischer had a season ticket at White Hart Lane.

My favourite Partridge moment is the board room meeting that ends in embarrassed silence when McM responds to the suggestion that poor sales of Crisis demonstrate that the kids don't want politics in their comics by snapping that Enya is at number one, singing about environmental issues ...

... only to realise she isn't singing [spoiler]save the whale, save the whale, save the whale[/spoiler]*.


* link (http://i.imgur.com/f3rxKCa.jpg).


Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Mattofthespurs on 07 September, 2016, 08:52:29 PM
Quote from: Frank on 07 September, 2016, 06:07:39 PM
.
Imagine Matt's dilemma if we discovered Mike Fleischer had a season ticket at White Hart Lane.

Imagine!
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Michael Knight on 08 September, 2016, 03:41:01 AM
25/200 signed. Really love this! Worth the money for the Hardback in my opinion. Cheers Tharg!  :)   
Title: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Arkwright99 on 08 September, 2016, 04:20:53 AM
My signed hardback was waiting for me when I got home from work last night; wasn't sure what it was until I opened the package so was a nice surprise. Have only read the first couple of chapters but MacManus's writing style is very relaxed and conversational so I look forward to ploughing through it quickly over the next few days. 197/200.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Trent on 08 September, 2016, 12:59:54 PM
Just dropped through the letterbox. Paper quality is like 1978 2000AD but I just got a huge rush from the photo of Wagner et al signing the 1981 Judge Dredd Annual.
I was there!
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Fungus on 08 September, 2016, 01:29:31 PM
Quote from: Trent on 08 September, 2016, 12:59:54 PM
Paper quality is like 1978 2000AD

As it should be. Looking forward to this hugely.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Frank on 08 September, 2016, 02:05:07 PM
Quote from: Leigh S on 07 September, 2016, 04:40:04 PM
Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 07 September, 2016, 03:15:31 PM
Quote from: Michael Knight on 08 September, 2016, 03:41:01 AM
Quote from: Arkwright99 on 08 September, 2016, 04:20:53 AM
197/200

25/200 

88/200

23 of 200 - just started and already hooked!

For the first few of these posts, I thought readers were offering a critical score. Baffled as to why marks out of 200 was chosen, and mystified that Burdis rated the book so low, given that it had only just dropped through his letterbox.

This thread is definitely the best of the two competing, identically named threads about this book.


Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Mattofthespurs on 08 September, 2016, 03:37:19 PM
I finished this book this morning less than 24 hours after receiving it which should tell anyone who hasn't got it yet what and easy read it is.
It was only after closing the book up that I realised I had just read a book about working in an office in the 70's and 80's and yet still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 08 September, 2016, 04:12:00 PM
Quote from: Frank on 08 September, 2016, 02:05:07 PM
Quote from: Leigh S on 07 September, 2016, 04:40:04 PM
Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 07 September, 2016, 03:15:31 PM
Quote from: Michael Knight on 08 September, 2016, 03:41:01 AM
Quote from: Arkwright99 on 08 September, 2016, 04:20:53 AM
197/200

25/200 

88/200

23 of 200 - just started and already hooked!

For the first few of these posts, I thought readers were offering a critical score. Baffled as to why marks out of 200 was chosen, and mystified that Burdis rated the book so low, given that it had only just dropped through his letterbox.

This thread is definitely the best of the two competing, identically named threads about this book.

Yes - about that - I looked in the 'reviews' section and didn't find anything, not realising the thread sort-of existed in 'news'.  What's the protocol for something that has an announcement in news but has actually been released?  Carry on reviewing it in the news section, or start a new thread, like I did?
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 08 September, 2016, 04:13:35 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 08 September, 2016, 04:12:00 PM
This thread is definitely the best of the two competing, identically named threads about this book.

Yes - about that - I looked in the 'reviews' section and didn't find anything, not realising the thread sort-of existed in 'news'.  What's the protocol for something that has an announcement in news but has actually been released?  Carry on reviewing it in the news section, or start a new thread, like I did?
[/quote]
By which I meant that the initial thread had been when it was announced but not released (and so is news and speculative) but the secondary thread is after it has been released and is a review?
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Keef Monkey on 08 September, 2016, 05:18:00 PM
Just arrived, 6/200 for me! Looks like it'll be a good read. I'm off on holiday next week and needed a poolside read and this'll do more than nicely.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Frank on 08 September, 2016, 05:33:00 PM
Quote from: Mattofthespurs on 08 September, 2016, 03:37:19 PM
I realised I had just read a book about working in an office in the 70's and 80's and yet still thoroughly enjoyed it.

Haha! Pity it's too late to put that endorsement on the dust cover.

Quote from: sheridan on 08 September, 2016, 04:13:35 PM
What's the protocol for something that has an announcement in news but has actually been released? Carry on reviewing it in the news section, or start a new thread, like I did?

I consulted the forum rules (https://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php?topic=26148.0), and the appropriate etiquette is to light a massive joint and relax. These are also the forum rules regarding the Politics Thread*. Someone should create a sticky.


* ... and that story where they made Dredd young again
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Fungus on 08 September, 2016, 05:46:35 PM
You mean Tharg lied about the spaceship?
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 08 September, 2016, 05:53:04 PM
Quote from: Fungus on 08 September, 2016, 05:46:35 PM
You mean Tharg lied about the spaceship?
What about Ghastly McNasty?  And Ernie the Eagle?
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Mattofthespurs on 08 September, 2016, 05:57:11 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 08 September, 2016, 05:53:04 PM
Quote from: Fungus on 08 September, 2016, 05:46:35 PM
You mean Tharg lied about the spaceship?
What about Ghastly McNasty?  And Ernie the Eagle?

Don't forget the Big E. I'm still trying but always end up having nightmares about him.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 08 September, 2016, 06:02:21 PM
Quote from: Mattofthespurs on 08 September, 2016, 05:57:11 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 08 September, 2016, 05:53:04 PM
Quote from: Fungus on 08 September, 2016, 05:46:35 PM
You mean Tharg lied about the spaceship?
What about Ghastly McNasty?  And Ernie the Eagle?

Don't forget the Big E. I'm still trying but always end up having nightmares about him.
Where did the Big E live?  I know Ernie lived in the heights of Kings Reach, and Ghastly was way below in a sub-sub-dungeon somewhere...
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Mattofthespurs on 08 September, 2016, 06:03:43 PM
I shudder to think.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: matty_ae on 09 September, 2016, 11:50:16 AM
Orbital London still has signed copies of the paperback at £9.
Also Gosh still has Cursed Earth if you're down in the smoke soon.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 09 September, 2016, 12:46:22 PM
Quote from: matty_ae on 09 September, 2016, 11:50:16 AM
Orbital London still has signed copies of the paperback at £9.
Also Gosh still has Cursed Earth if you're down in the smoke soon.
It has?  It had sold out on the day of the signing, so I guess they must have had further deliveries?
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: WhizzBang on 09 September, 2016, 05:56:59 PM
Is this likely to become available digitally on Amazon?
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Steve Green on 09 September, 2016, 07:43:09 PM
Digitally via the 2000AD shop I believe.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: matty_ae on 10 September, 2016, 05:12:23 AM
Re: gosh

I think they allowed customers to reserve them by email and are now selling the books that were never picked up.
That's my guess.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: james newell on 11 September, 2016, 07:17:22 PM
am reading it now, only got to the launch of action and the move to new offices, already loving it, it is a great, in depth read so far of comic publishing in the 70's.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 12 September, 2016, 02:18:04 AM
Page 72, they're in Kings Reach and Pat is working on a top-secret new project, having passed Action over to other hands.  Interesting take on the fall of Action, and contrary to what I've read before (never actually having read the comic itself).  It appears it had lost its way before being subject to censorship...
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: james newell on 03 October, 2016, 08:32:45 PM
Finish it last week, thoroughly enjoyed it, thanks to Steve for giving us a great in sight in to comic publishing in the 70's, 80's, and 90's.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Spikes on 04 October, 2016, 10:56:21 AM
And popping down to London for the Prog 2000 signing, I managed to snag a signed copy. Mightily looking forward to reading this.

(http://i.imgur.com/Lbnhkbk.jpg)



(http://i.imgur.com/VuiwF5p.jpg)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Fungus on 06 October, 2016, 01:37:51 PM
Only 3 chapters in, but this is a joy to read. Who knew Tharg was so entertaining?!
Makes this comics publishing lark sound like the Best Job in the World  :)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Dash Decent on 07 October, 2016, 03:17:40 AM
Quote from: Leigh S on 07 September, 2016, 04:40:04 PM
Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 07 September, 2016, 03:15:31 PM
Quote from: Michael Knight on 08 September, 2016, 03:41:01 AM
Quote from: Arkwright99 on 08 September, 2016, 04:20:53 AM
197/200
25/200 
88/200
23 of 200 - just started and already hooked!

These must be selling like hotcakes.  I went for the general paperback and the number on mine is 9,781,781,084,755!
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 08 October, 2016, 08:26:05 AM
Quote from: Dash Decent on 07 October, 2016, 03:17:40 AM
Quote from: Leigh S on 07 September, 2016, 04:40:04 PM
Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 07 September, 2016, 03:15:31 PM
Quote from: Michael Knight on 08 September, 2016, 03:41:01 AM
Quote from: Arkwright99 on 08 September, 2016, 04:20:53 AM
197/200
25/200 
88/200
23 of 200 - just started and already hooked!

These must be selling like hotcakes.  I went for the general paperback and the number on mine is 9,781,781,084,755!

Very droll :D
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Michael Knight on 08 October, 2016, 11:38:40 PM
Bought this from the 2000ad Store, but yet to finish. Enjoyed it so far. Those Winter nights drawing in will be perfect chance to catch up  :)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: AlexF on 19 October, 2016, 11:51:10 AM
Anyone who's read the book might appreciate this little Nerve Centre in-joke that I stumbled across in Prog 1029:

(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m251/alexfrith/FullSizeRender.jpg)

It's part of a spread showing a spaceship design by Chris Foss
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Magnetica on 08 December, 2016, 09:06:11 PM
Just finished reading this. Thanks for the recommendation Sheridan. I enjoyed it very much. I did think it wrapped up quite quickly and would happily have read more.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Tiplodocus on 17 January, 2018, 10:52:38 PM
Enjoyed this quite a bit. Lots of stuff (mainly not 2000ad) that I Didn't know before. 

Some bizarre daydream sequences seem a bit like padding. And "Bad Steve sounds like a cop out equivalent to me referring to any of my past indiscretions being performed by "Him".

But overall a fast paced and enjoyable read.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Funt Solo on 17 July, 2020, 06:58:49 PM
Sorry to necro-thread, but I'm in the middle of reading this and need somewhere to decompress.

It's both completely believable but also quite surprising how little Tharg (i.e. Steve MacManus) knew about or had control over the comic at a meta level. I mean, I know he was the one editing it, but in terms of promotional items he just discovered them like everyone else when he saw the ads.

And I've just got past the part where the art department was centralized and so they lost their cohesive design narrative. And their's was a real best seller (2000 AD, I mean) - this idea of management from on high fucking with their own golden goose by assuming they knew best how to do things (when actually they weren't the ones at the coal face) feels frustrating, to say the least.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 17 July, 2020, 07:03:11 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 17 July, 2020, 06:58:49 PM
by assuming they knew best how to do things (when actually they weren't the ones at the coal face) feels frustrating, to say the least.


Yeah - who would ever think management of any company, government or anything else would act in such a way and ignore those who actually have day-to-day knowledge?  ;-)
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Richard on 17 July, 2020, 09:03:22 PM
The company where I work is slowly being destroyed by senior management, who are clueless about the disastrous effects of everything they're doing. It's amazing how these fuckers are so arrogant that they think they know better than the people who actually do the work that the company exists to provide. How 2000AD survived being owned by people like that for 23 years is beyond me.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: broodblik on 18 July, 2020, 05:30:25 AM
Quote from: Richard on 17 July, 2020, 09:03:22 PM
How 2000AD survived being owned by people like that for 23 years is beyond me.

I think mostly of the quality of creators he had available. At on stage we literally only had 6 thrills that interchanged between each other. Good "managers"  shield their "workers" from the politics and intrigues
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: broodblik on 18 July, 2020, 05:34:51 AM
Quote from: broodblik on 18 July, 2020, 05:30:25 AM
Quote from: Richard on 17 July, 2020, 09:03:22 PM
How 2000AD survived being owned by people like that for 23 years is beyond me.

I think mostly of the quality of creators he had available. At on stage we literally only had 6 thrills that interchanged between each other. Good "managers"  shield their "workers" from the politics and intrigues

I wanted to add that this interchanging thrills created a very stable publication. It helped a lot that these thrills were very popular as well: Strontium Dog, Saline, Nemesis, Robo-hunter, Ace and Rogue
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: sheridan on 18 July, 2020, 12:26:48 PM
Quote from: broodblik on 18 July, 2020, 05:34:51 AM
Quote from: broodblik on 18 July, 2020, 05:30:25 AM
Quote from: Richard on 17 July, 2020, 09:03:22 PM
How 2000AD survived being owned by people like that for 23 years is beyond me.

I think mostly of the quality of creators he had available. At on stage we literally only had 6 thrills that interchanged between each other. Good "managers"  shield their "workers" from the politics and intrigues

I wanted to add that this interchanging thrills created a very stable publication. It helped a lot that these thrills were very popular as well: Strontium Dog, Saline, Nemesis, Robo-hunter, Ace and Rogue

Yep.  As much as I like some individual Future-Shocks and Time Twisters (Alan Moore's greatest were running in the very first progs I ever read) my prog slog is at the stage where the line-up is The Graveyard Shift, Sláine, Nemesis Book III, the Moses Incident and Rogue Trooper, week after week for some time to come.
Title: Re: The Mighty One: My Life Inside the Nerve Centre by Steve MacManus
Post by: Funt Solo on 21 July, 2020, 03:07:37 PM
Getting towards the end of the book, and the Crisis/Revolver bubble has just burst. It didn't surprise me that Crisis died - I'd managed to keep up with it for the first 48 issues, but The New Adventures of Hitler was the final nail in the coffin and I had to give up.

It seems like the central conceit for "adult comics" was wrong. As in, it's much more difficult to grow a new market than it is to tap into an existing one. 2000 AD only sold to adults because they'd started in on it when they were kids: so the market grew naturally. Trying to force a European sensibility (which seems to mean pretentious codswallop, given the content of much of Crisis & Revolver ... & Deadline) seems an odd thing to attempt.

There is some recognition in the text that the Megazine effectively ate into the market share of Crisis & Revolver.

I tried to keep up at the time, but I was a poor student and my wallet didn't stretch that far. (I'm guessing this was the problem - the market didn't grow, but the existing one got squeezed too tightly.)

Imagine trying to keep up with the cohort of UK comics at the time: 2000 AD, the Meg, Revolver, Crisis, Toxic!(or Strip!) & Deadline would set you back a tidy sum on a monthly spend (and those weren't the only ones on the market).