Crawl Space #10 Discussion Thread

[Kevin Cushing]

The truth? I wrote this entire script on Monday and edited it on Tuesday.

Are you serious? If so, consider me impressed because it did not seem rushed at all.

Entirely serious, yeah. And thanks!

I had one thought...Why didn't Carly use her gun on the rogue Spidey in the previous issue?

Note that Carlie tells Flash she has no problem shooting them because "they're not real people."

unless you include the Daily Bugle gang but it doesn't seem like they'll be playing a very big part in the near future

Wait for #12

Does Toxin know? I'd guess not, but I really don't know....

Nope.

2. Sooooooo.... Does "little interaction with the MU outside the spiderverse" mean "when they bring Red Skull back we won't an epic showdown with Black Spider?" I was already looking forward to that, haha....

I actually would like to have a Simon/Skull confrontation, but it'll depend on the Red Skull's status at the time. It wouldn't be for awhile still, though.

3. Hm.... Kaine.... Cool!
Everything I've heard about him sounds great, but since I haven't read the second Clone Saga, I haven't actually read any comics with him. This'll be fun!

I hope you like it! I'll do my very best to fill you in within the story on what you need to know, but believe it or not, even though the Clone Saga was the most convoluted story in Spidey history (until OMIT...), there's not a huge amount of info you'll need to get the story.

4. Well, the real question is how long you'd been plotting the story before you put your ideas on paper.

That is indeed the point. I'm kind of a perfectionist, so I don't tend to put anything on paper until I'm 100% satisfied with it. This leads to a lot of planning/plotting/editing-in-my-head, and much less time actually writing. I had the basic idea for the story years ago, figured out the major beats when I started plotting the Crawl Space ongoing back in '08, and it's been spinning around in my head ever since (along with the rest of the ongoing narrative). Over the last few weeks I'd been getting more specific into it, figuring out exactly what needed to happen in each issue, and as soon as I was done with #9 I started working out the flow of #10 in my head. Then outline and refinement, then finally writing it on Monday. I might have written it in one day, but it's definitely not something I just pulled out of my ass!

[FSUSpiderFan]

I had one thought...Why didn't Carly use her gun on the rogue Spidey in the previous issue?

Note that Carlie tells Flash she has no problem shooting them because "they're not real people."

Ok, but why didn't she at least draw her gun on the spider clone in #9? It might have made him back off, at least temporarily until she could get away or get help.

I might have written it in one day, but it's definitely not something I just pulled out of my ass!

If you did pull it out of your ass, it sounds like that would hurt!

[Kevin Cushing]

Ok, but why didn't she at least draw her gun on the spider clone in #9? It might have made him back off, at least temporarily until she could get away or get help.

A variety of reasons. A)He was swinging on a web at her, which he can do pretty quickly, and she was running for her life, not stopping to fumble through her purse, B) He was swinging on a web at her quickly so she was flustered and probably didn't think of it, C) It's something she wouldn't have imagined herself ever using.

[FSUSpiderFan]

Ok, but why didn't she at least draw her gun on the spider clone in #9? It might have made him back off, at least temporarily until she could get away or get help.

A variety of reasons. A)He was swinging on a web at her, which he can do pretty quickly, and she was running for her life, not stopping to fumble through her purse, B) He was swinging on a web at her quickly so she was flustered and probably didn't think of it, C) It's something she wouldn't have imagined herself ever using.

Ok. Fair enough. I'm satisfied. If only I could get Marvel writers to answer my questions like this and admit when they might not be perfect as you have earlier in this thread.... Hopefully when you get rich and famous you will stay cool!

[Peter Palmer]

So "One in a Million" is shaping up to be a pretty awesome story. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Chalk up another vote for your version of Carlie Cooper. I didn't think any writer could make me care about Cardboard Carlie. Eh, this crow's not bad... Pass the salt! It doesn't hurt that her blossoming romance with Flash Thompson is cute as hell. Also, great job writing Flash, BTW. He's a longtime favorite supporting character of mine.

I was also surprised at how much I liked Toxic, Honestly, I have never read the character before, but I don't really care for the symbiotes in general; I guess I'm still reeling from 90s overexposure. However, he seems to be a fairly cool character, at least in the proper hands.

Also I am really digging your portrayal of Harry. I think I might like your version of Harry even better than J.M. DeMatteis; no small praise coming from me.

Of course Pete and MJ are spot on. It's such a pleasure to see these classic characters handled so well. Great stuff!

[Kevin Cushing]

If only I could get Marvel writers to answer my questions like this and admit when they might not be perfect as you have earlier in this thread.... Hopefully when you get rich and famous you will stay cool!

Haha, thanks for assuming I the rich and famous part!

Chalk up another vote for your version of Carlie Cooper. I didn't think any writer could make me care about Cardboard Carlie. Eh, this crow's not bad... Pass the salt! It doesn't hurt that her blossoming romance with Flash Thompson is cute as hell.

Thanks! I really love her, and I'm glad people are responding to her, despite her more famous counterpart.

Also, great job writing Flash, BTW. He's a longtime favorite supporting character of mine.

That's great to hear! I haven't gotten a lot of feedback on Flash, so it's nice to know a fan of the character approves

I was also surprised at how much I liked Toxic, Honestly, I have never read the character before, but I don't really care for the symbiotes in general; I guess I'm still reeling from 90s overexposure. However, he seems to be a fairly cool character, at least in the proper hands.

He really is a great character, and I'm glad you're liking him so far!

And I think it's my fault for putting in that "Toxic" ringtone that everybody's calling him Toxic (it's Toxin)

Also I am really digging your portrayal of Harry. I think I might like your version of Harry even better than J.M. DeMatteis; no small praise coming from me.

Wow, I really don't deserve that, but thank you very much! Stay tuned - big developments with him coming up!

Of course Pete and MJ are spot on. It's such a pleasure to see these classic characters handled so well. Great stuff!

Thanks man! I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment, and I'm glad you're digging it!

[Spekkio]

Y'know, I didn't notice the Black Cat costume change until reading the postscript about it. And Some of the criticisms that others have do have some validity...and let's face it, if you look at the Cat from a different perspective, you might think you're looking at a Dominatrix.

Perhaps a future issue could address the costume change...or even kick it up a notch or two. Since Peter has OsCorp resources at his disposal now, he could help Felicia out with some tech upgrades. If anyone needs it, it would be her, given that she doesn't really have much in the way of superhuman powers. The only reasons why he wouldn't is A. jealousy on the part of MJ and B. not trusting Felicia to use the equipment responsibly. The only trouble is that I don't have any brilliant ideas for new equipment...she already has retractable claws and a grapnel launcher. Maybe she could use some tech to upgrade her vision, hearing, and jumping skill to better match her namesake. (I even understand that some cats use echolocation. I'm pretty sure my youngest kitty does. It's really quite amusing.)

Anyway, loved the issue.

Oh, and one more thing, since I never get to post in the podcast question thread...I totally want to hear the group do the Green Lantern oath in unison.

[FSUSpiderFan]

Y'know, I didn't notice the Black Cat costume change until reading the postscript about it. And Some of the criticisms that others have do have some validity...and let's face it, if you look at the Cat from a different perspective, you might think you're looking at a Dominatrix.

Perhaps a future issue could address the costume change...or even kick it up a notch or two. Since Peter has OsCorp resources at his disposal now, he could help Felicia out with some tech upgrades. If anyone needs it, it would be her, given that she doesn't really have much in the way of superhuman powers. The only reasons why he wouldn't is A. jealousy on the part of MJ and B. not trusting Felicia to use the equipment responsibly. The only trouble is that I don't have any brilliant ideas for new equipment...she already has retractable claws and a grapnel launcher. Maybe she could use some tech to upgrade her vision, hearing, and jumping skill to better match her namesake. (I even understand that some cats use echolocation. I'm pretty sure my youngest kitty does. It's really quite amusing.)

Anyway, loved the issue.

Oh, and one more thing, since I never get to post in the podcast question thread...I totally want to hear the group do the Green Lantern oath in unison.

You could always go all 90's and give the Black Cat some big Honkin guns and belts!

Why don't you get to post on the podcast thread? The August one is still open I think...

[Kevin Cushing]

Perhaps a future issue could address the costume change...or even kick it up a notch or two. Since Peter has OsCorp resources at his disposal now, he could help Felicia out with some tech upgrades. If anyone needs it, it would be her, given that she doesn't really have much in the way of superhuman powers. The only reasons why he wouldn't is A. jealousy on the part of MJ and B. not trusting Felicia to use the equipment responsibly. The only trouble is that I don't have any brilliant ideas for new equipment...she already has retractable claws and a grapnel launcher. Maybe she could use some tech to upgrade her vision, hearing, and jumping skill to better match her namesake. (I even understand that some cats use echolocation. I'm pretty sure my youngest kitty does. It's really quite amusing.)

No worries, I've got definite plans for the Black Cat.

Anyway, loved the issue.

Thanks, glad to hear it!

Oh, and one more thing, since I never get to post in the podcast question thread...I totally want to hear the group do the Green Lantern oath in unison.

Heh, sorry, you're a little late. We finished recording 2 and a half hours before you posted. You can always try putting it in the next question thread, but good luck getting Brad to go along with it

You could always go all 90's and give the Black Cat some big Honkin guns and belts!

Ok, definitely don't have those plans!

[FSUSpiderFan]

You could always go all 90's and give the Black Cat some big Honkin guns and belts!

Oh, I forgot the pouches on the belts. Lots of pouches!

[Hambone]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned the "sonic toad" reference...

Another fun issue! I have to admit I too was a bit disapppointed Carlie didn't get to unmask the unconscious Spider-clone from last issue. Curious what you're planning with Spidey's "Other" powers, since they seem to be on the fritz. (Hopefully they disappear for good! )

Y'know, I didn't notice the Black Cat costume change until reading the postscript about it. And Some of the criticisms that others have do have some validity...and let's face it, if you look at the Cat from a different perspective, you might think you're looking at a Dominatrix.

Sorry the costume wasn't to your liking. Trying to be sexy while showing as little skin as possible can be a bit challenging. I tried a couple different looks but found myself returning to the pvc bondage-wear "dominatrix" look. For those of you who want "cheesecake" I could always finish my original cover concept, which had the suit partially unzipped...

Just for kicks I grabbed a few other designs I had tucked away and quickly inked them for you to see:



This was going to be her original outfit, only with a larger mask and a studded collar replacing the fur around her neck. It seemed a bit dull so I didn't bother showing it to Kevin. Plus, the mask was a bit too similar to the Huntress/ Catwoman's silver age look.



This one here incorporated a black leather trenchcoat into what would become the final design. The coat was fur-lined, which I liked, and incorporated a "cat ultility belt" for her to keep her lock picks and whatnot. Unfortunately, it just seemed too cliche. There are simply too many movies today that have tough confident women running around in black trenchcoats. (Trinity from the Matrix and Selene from Underworld immediately come to mind.)



For some reason I can't see this picture in Kevin's original post, so I included it here. The final look.

[Kevin Cushing]

Another fun issue!

Glad the artist extraordinaire approves!

Curious what you're planning with Spidey's "Other" powers, since they seem to be on the fritz. (Hopefully they disappear for good! )

Well that wasn't intended to be much of a mystery, just his powers beginning got come back sporadically as Reed said they would. The stingers were the first things to show themselves, but they weren't working perfectly immediately. Much like some of his strength returned to him near the end there, but that might not hold entirely steady through to the end.

Just for kicks I grabbed a few other designs I had tucked away and quickly inked them for you to see:

These look great, man! Saved!

[spidertour02]

You could always go all 90's and give the Black Cat some big Honkin guns and belts!

Felicia has always had big honkers, what are you talking ab-- Oh, right.