The Star Wars: Shadow of Vader five-issue mini series Chuck Wendig was writing won’t be published at all, despite his having written the first three issues.
Bleeding Cool reported, citing retailers, that Marvel had started informing them that the series, which was due to debut in January, wouldn’t be replaced or resolicited, effectively killing the project. Marvel didn’t respond to an email seeking details about the decision.
Wendig, on Twitter, noted that the mini series, which was to focus on Vader through the eyes of those around him or near him or even aware of him, was going to have some crossovers with the characters he’d created in his Star Wars: Aftermath trilogy of novels, including “… a glimpse of Sinjir, the Acolytes of the Beyond, some Snap. That’s my greatest bummer. I’d love to continue seeing the AFTERMATH characters elsewhere. Alas. Onward!”
He added: “Obviously, I’m disappointed — er, moreso because I was knocked from the book in the first place, because I’d written three issues, and honestly, I thought they were really good. Especially the one with the Death Star morgue attendant.” Wendig also said the art that had been done by Juanan Ramirez was next level in its approach and depth.
Shadow of Vader was set to come immediately after the final issue of Vol. 2 of the Charles Soule-written Star Wars: Darth Vader, which is ending in December.
In a lengthy thread Oct. 13, Wendig wrote that “So, here’s a thing that has happened – I just got fired from Marvel. Taken off issues 4 and 5 of SHADOW OF VADER, and taken off an as-yet-unannounced SW book. This might be a long thread, so apologies in advance.”
Wendig, a prolific and robust user of Twitter, explained how he got the call from Mark Paniccia, who took over as editor of Marvel’s Star Wars comics line earlier this year, on Friday.
“Today I got the call. I’m fired. Because of the negativity and vulgarity that my tweets bring,” Wendig wrote on his Twitter feed. “Seriously, that’s what Mark, the editor said. It was too much politics, too much vulgarity, too much negativity on my part.”
Marvel didn’t respond to an email from Coffee With Kenobi seeking comment.
Wendig drew acclaim for adding new characters to the Star Wars Saga, including those of different backgrounds, beliefs and more, a move that drew criticism from a small yet vociferous crowd.
Wendig added that it was his understanding that the decision to fire him “… was that this was a Marvel decision, not an LFL decision, but I can’t really confirm that,” adding that “The editor said he had made the call. He seemed genuinely upset at my tweets and profanity, so maybe that’s accurate. And again, that’s his right to do so.”
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