Scott Snyder: Navigating DC's New 52 and Creator Owned Work

►Support this channel on Patreon: / comictropes
►Support this channel by becoming a KZbin member:
/ @comictropes
Donate a one-time tip: www.ko-fi.com/ComicTropes
►Check out my weekly live show: / prosandconslive
►Take Scott Snyder's Classes on Comics Writing: bestjackettpress.substack.com/
Scott Snyder is a writer who has had an acclaimed run on Batman and has also created a number of his own comics: Nocterra, We Have Demons, Dark Spaces: Wildfire, and Night of the Ghoul to name a few. In this interview, Scott discusses his work habits, his approach to characters, why he likes horror, and more. Snyder shares what it was like to work for DC during their chaotic New 52 era as well as how he got Stephen King to write a comic book.
Chapters:
0:00:00 Intro
0:01:07 Scott's Intro to Comics
0:06:24 Comic Con Experience
0:09:52 Getting Stephen King into Comics
0:15:45 New 52 Chaos
0:32:55 New Big Ideas for Superhero Comics
0:41:53 Scott's Typical Work Day
0:49:04 Arguments with DC
1:02:13 Scott's Interest in Horror
1:14:57 The Fun in Teaching
1:19:22 Upcoming Comics

[@peterburman5193]

Crazy how Scott and Greg didn't realize how iconic their Batman run was/would become!

[@johnv3623]

Top seller for 5 years straight! Crazy popular - a Batman for the 21st century.

[@shengcer]

Became pretty mediocre since super heavy all the way to last knight on earth,

[@HishamA.N_Comicbroe]

Wow getting Scott Snyder here is a big win

[@carlitogilchrist1939]

You gotta respect Scott for really speaking his mind and not sugar coating it.

[@MisterZealot]

The mad lad himself! What a treat! Thanks for this Chris. Scott has written some of my favourite stories through the years, it's amazing to see how much of a down to earth of a guy he is. This access to such a legend speaks volumes about you own work and attitude towards the industry. Keep on going, you are a treasure my man.

[@aurahoneydew9607]

Mad lad? Get with the times it's Chad now.

[@HiveofLive]

Great interview. Scott was more candid than I expected.

[@Vegitodraws]

Scott Snyder literally made my childhood, this makes me so happy

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

Your parents had something to do with it.

[@Vegitodraws]

@@noneofyourbusiness4616 Nah! My parents don't even know what a Court of Owls is. Like, my Dad got me into DC, but I got me into Court of Owls. My sister helped get me into modern comics tho

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

@@Vegitodraws They literally made a child.

[@Vegitodraws]

@@noneofyourbusiness4616 not what I meant by "made my childhood," but sure. But it's kinda hard to count that when your mom was an abusive, alcoholic piece of shit

[@user-nv9vn8fm1d]

​@@Vegitodraws Me and my brother connected about comics for a long time too! =)

[@cjfhotshot2838]

I will say that hearing the down parts Scott's time at DC was very strange, because at the time he was worried about his Batman run and having a rough time at first with Capullo, That Batman run was DC's hot ticket Item for the N52. That was the only thing that seemed to be going without a hitch, but it seems that the New 52 still had this type of an effect on Scott

[@-Teague-]

My favorite comics KZbinr with one of my favorite comics authors?? This is phenomenal! Can't wait to watch it!

[@JUGO1979]

Scott and Greg have always been THE creative team for me. Right up there with Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale (R.I.P.). I had gotten away from comics until, on a whim, grabbed their Batman title just to check it out. I was hooked after that! The first story arc of American Vampire with Rafael Albuquerque was amazing as well! Keep up the great work, Chris! I’m also a huge fan of your channel! This was a great interview!

[@peterburman5193]

Scott is one of my favorite writers! SO cool you got to interview him!

[@carlitogilchrist1939]

Chris needs to be the late night interviewer for comic’s creators. Unplugged and honest like this.

[@matthewbecker7389]

Chris, you always know how to make me smile. Thanks for this early Xmas gift. Finding out Scott ended up in school with Stephen Kings son just re-enforced my notion that the universe has a sense of humour and everything is nicely connected. Scott, thanks for being so open and for all the amazing stories that continue to impress even after the twentieth reread. Much love to you both!

[@darriendastar3941]

This was great. Scott Snyder is one of those writers who is so capable that it's madness to try to binge-read him. I love his ability to set up a scene so you expect him to slap you with a Great White Shark and instead it's a goldfish that slips down your throat and eats out all your insides. I actually ration the amount of Snyder I read because I don't want to read everything and then have him hit by a bus and find there's nothing else to read. This is just my way of saying thanks Chris, and to Mr Snyder. An excellent interview, gentlemen, Thank you both for taking the time to talk to each other and us.

[@jordanrodrigues8435]

Oh, hey! You just caught me watching the best interview I've ever had the privilege to watch. I have so much respect for both of you. Wytches and Comic Tropes have gotten me through a lot of the darkest times of my life. Thanks guys, the honesty and integrity are out of proportion and such a breath of fresh air. Kudos Mr. Tropes.

[@Shinmsl]

I honestly never read anything written by the guy but it's always interesting to listen to another creative, and he certainly was very honest and open about everything. Great episode as always but at the same time very different and an exciting change of pace for your show

[@stephenjohnson9745]

In regards to Snyder's view on events and such, I feel like Young Animal's Milk Wars was the perfect way to do an event. Largely separate stories converging on one story that feels right for all the books involved, and then the following series after the event are affected by it but still doing their own things without being bogged down. The more I think about YA the more spectacular the entire line was

[@MaxCartwright]

What a fantastic interview! Great questions, and shout out to Scott for being so engaged and candid.

[@Thebabybadass101]

Chris out here continuing to get to interact with juggernauts in the industry, cool to see

[@pensado3000]

Chris brought his A+ game on the interview questions. He's throwing 7 different kinds of smoke.

[@-Teague-]

0:32:55 YES. THIS. American comics desperately needs change. But the problem is that whenever they try to "change things up," it basically just means "hey, let's slaughter the older continuity so we can make something more generic and less interesting for longtime fans." The recent Metal events at DC were one of the few recent examples of an actually interesting event, but they followed that up with the straight up mid Future State, which could've been cool if it had actually brought about any permanent change. What I personally think should change about comics is they should be allowed to tell more wacky stories outside the regular comfort zones of the characters, but not just in events. Spiderman has pretty much been fighting the same villians since what, 2000? I wanna see him get sent back in time and have to invent new technology like that one old Iron Man story, or get trapped in some kinda crazy Twilight Zone plot, really I just want comics to be less monotonous. They feel so on the beaten path these days for the most part, I want to see more experimentation on the ground level not just in events.

[@ShogunZIlla]

Excellent interview!! He’s a fascinating guy.

[@kbar4462]

Great interview with a great writer. Scott came off as incredibly humble and likeable, really enjoyed the whole interview. I very much appreciate his honesty about all his shortcomings and missteps with interactions he's had in his career. Always very interesting to see what goes on in the kitchen, so to speak

[@rasslebaby]

For better for worse, Dark Knights Metal is what brought me back into comics as a whole. Scott’s writing has always inspired me without realizing it, and I immediately did a deep dive into his work both as a Batman writer but as an independent writer. I love his work so much, very formative for me.

[@richardNbacchus]

This was a great interview! I wish Scott could have given his thoughts on Dark Crisis because not only was it an "Event" that changed the DC line. It was also the scraped title that the editors wanted Dark Knights Metal to be called.

[@juliusmaloney]

So interesting to hear Snyder’s feedback on the New 52. I remember at the time my frustration at Batman’s continuity & history pretty much remaining intact while other legacy heroes were (what seemed at the time) lost to time. Understanding how protective Snyder was of the Bat-verse it makes a lot more sense. 🦇

[@stealthcomics8280]

The Owen King/Stephen King resemblance story really reminds me of the Lincoln March reveal in Court of Owls 🤣

[@themangochannel]

Wow, great of Scott to make the time. Great interview, thanks to you both for setting it up!

[@akkakkakekkn]

This was a great interview!

[@GamesWithBrainz]

Scott's batman is my favorite superhero comic run and got me into reading comics seriously, I even liked metal and death metal (for the most part). His fully original works are solid too I like what I've read of undiscovered country. In my top 5 authors

[@oudevoida]

Great interview! Never read any of his stuff but now I look forward to doing so.

[@DAGDRUM53]

I was the same as you. At age 60 I worked with a 19-year-old guy who was nuts about Batman. I hadn't read comics in 40 years so I argued with him: "Batman? Are you serious?" He loved Court of Owls (which I recommend as your starting point with Snyder) and I told the guy, "Sell me on it." And did he ever! Owls, and the next story arc with the Joker, Death of the Family (not to be confused with Death in the Family), are stupendous story-wise and art-wise. You'll definitely enjoy yourself.

[@DasNordlicht91]

One story about Scott I enjoy was that one of the characters he created for Batman, Bluebird, was named after a character the daughter of a cosplayer created.

[@wesc6755]

Nocterra is one of the best series I've ever read.

[@Bishlawy]

Thank you for all the amazing and consistent content, Chris! I’ve watched your videos for so long and only just realized that I wasn’t actually subscribed! Your videos are great and I especially love it when you interview creators.

[@Rycait2]

Fantastic interview. I had no idea Scott had books out on dark horse. Just ordered night of the ghoul and we have demons. Love his work.

[@schmuckytheraiderbear5043]

One of the best and most honest interviews I've seen. Quality content.

[@mormorgranat]

Great interview. Wow, Scott is an easy interview. Props to Chris for letting him go on monologues

[@mormorgranat]

Should mention, I didn't think of it. I've got Batman #6 First court of owls 9.8 up here behind me together with the Black & White Batmonster Court of Owls figure

[@musiciohann]

Hey Chris, I’ve been subscribed to your channel for a while and really appreciate your content and channel. I recommend it whenever possible and it is my number one comics related channel. 🙏🏻 I just had a long weekend so I binged dozens of your videos. Some for the first time and others that I rewatch whenever possible. I think I have watched like… 90% of your videos maybe and I would like to ask or at least propose a couple of topics or ideas so that, hopefully, one of this days I can see them done by you with your awesome presentation and narration. (I’m sorry if I ask for a video that is already on your channel, but as far as I know, they aren’t): *Some of the artists (other than Jim Lee, McFarlane, Liefeld) that were absolutely important during the 90’s for good or for wrong. Maybe their stories or their comics analysis (i.e: Chris Bachalo (my favorite), Humberto Ramos, J. Scott Campbell, Joe Madureira, Andy Kubert & Jeff Matsuda). *The Inhumans, Ghost Rider, Silver Surfer, The Defenders, Excalibur, Heroes for Hire, Damage Control, New Warriors, Ka-zar, Slingers, Force Works, Starjammers. *Cable, X-Man, Cyclops, Bishop… and that kind of “futuristic mythology” that was fascinating. -Age of Apocalypse (the 90’s one). *90’s-00’s X-titles (besides X-men) Mutant X, X Force, Generation X. *Weddings and fake weddings in comics. Heh heh I know, a weird topic, but there were so many cool, weird and fake ones that I remember. She Hulk, Sue Summer suddenly in love with Dr. Doom (secretly Reed Richards), Rick Jones, etc. Sorry for the lengthy message. Love your channel. If anyone was kind and patient enough to get here… thank you for your time. KEEP READING COMICS!! 😃

[@gunnarhartmann5833]

Thanks Chris for this interview with Scott. You always deliver, love your content ❤

[@girlfan]

Absolutely wild interview get. Really enjoy Scott and his passion for comics. Excellent interview as always Chris!

[@jonathantash7596]

Great interview all around. Thanks t both of you for making it happen and an interesting indepth discussion.

[@camerongodsey9847]

So happy you did this video! Scott is my favorite creator in today’s comic lexicon, and I love hearing his experiences!

[@eduardoruiz7600]

Batman Zero Year was the first Batman story I ever read monthly. Played a huge role in me becoming the comic book fan I am today

[@richardNbacchus]

No wayyyyyy, this is going to be amazing!!

[@bowmancollar3684]

This is so cool! You get some really great interviews bud!

[@kylecarter1599]

Nice get, Chris! This was worth the wait!

[@sanmamiac]

what a detailed and insider scoop to how modern comics industry and artistry works. Thanks Chris, this was a treat :D

[@steveralston8837]

Big fan of Scott Snyder. And I love how he talks about so much in interviews and is so honest. It actually makes me appreciate his passion and perspective more.

[@ronaldmaclean1344]

Such a great interview Chris. You never disappoint. I wish you all the best and keep up the fantastic work you do.

[@yoy5903]

Scott Snyder is one of my favorite comic writers!

[@daveherz998]

Great interview! I'm not super familiar with a lot of Scott's work, but you have left me with the desire to make an effort to check out some more of it. I hope you can get Ed Brubaker someday. I adore his work and I'm sure you could get some really interesting stuff out of him.

[@dhruvwason1992]

Thank you Chris for doing this! Scott Snyder is my favourite writer hands down and is the sole reason why I got back into DC comics. Being in India, I don't think I would ever be able to meet him but it was really nice to see you asking him questions that I would have definitely asked myself had I met him. Really appreciate you doing this! ❤️

[@MJSHappy]

Scott Snyder’s Batman and Rick Reminder’s Venom are still my two favorite superhero comic runs

[@MindlessGenius]

Great interview. One of my favorite writers and his insights were so interesting

[@jessesvictory]

Thanks Comic Tropes Great Interview!

[@edeargle9253]

Really good interview and episode. Haven’t had the opportunity to meet Scott Snyder but now I want to even more. Seems like a great guy.

[@victorvelasquez2918]

This is an outstanding interview. Truly exceptional. First rate stuff. Thank you very much for doing it.

[@Wildbadger]

What a great interview!

[@alexandrebelinge8996]

Very good interview, what a great guest !

[@ReaperXC]

Scott Snyder seems like such a nice guy.

[@cicolasnage5684]

Snyder seems like a really cool and chill guy, he’s always a fantastic interview as he’s open and is truthful about the hurtles and creative blocks one comes up against in the comics industry. It’s so funny how he and capullo were so resistant to each other but ended up being a creative force and putting out some very exciting books. He gets a lot of push back for things he did after his Batman run but quite honestly, for me at least, Dark Nights Metal/Death metal and his justice league run was so fun and bombastic, wild, colorful and kinetic and of course Morrisonian. His undiscovered country is very underrated

[@johnv3623]

Great interview Chris!

[@jimmyboyle3543]

The video I’ve been waiting for that I never knew I’d get.

[@shirleydowning9383]

Extremely interesting. Especially the way you connected with each other in the same language and experiences. ❤️

[@eboi5575]

Awesome as always , scott is great

[@destiny-theseries]

Scott is always a great interview.

[@horatiojones7960]

Great interview!

[@Superpicl]

Hoo boy! Excited for this one! Been reading the Snyder/Capullo Batman run, so this video is perfectly timed.

[@davidtorres2048]

Love both these guys!!!

[@NOTSparkyPants]

What a fantastic interview.

[@abh623]

Great interview Chris =). Scott Snyder's someone i've always wanted to read and after your interview i'm definitely reading his works. Such a humble guy.

[@juanrorschach]

Chris, thank you for this. Scott is THE BEST writer of the last decade. My favorite comic books were written by him: Batman, Swamp Thing, American Vampire, Dark Knights Metal and Death Metal, his JLA run (amazing), etc...Thank you Scott for all your work and making me travel to the world of heroes when our world gets stranger than fiction.

[@mmytacist]

articulate and down to earth. great interview

[@bluespaceman7937]

Very good interview.

[@saturncrush]

Give this man his flowers.

[@delusionalhobo6676]

Amazing interview.

[@xokirei]

great interview

[@josephb1884]

I enjoyed this immensely. :)

[@vincentfranklin17]

Snyder's entire Batman run during The New 52 was nothing short of excellent! Just my opinion.

[@JUGO1979]

Yes it was! I was kinda broke at the time but went back and bought the entire run! Fantastic reading!

[@sloansabbath7117]

The intro is FIRE

[@21smac30]

To Scott's idea that "Let's figure out a way to be 'seismic'": My favorite Batman series is "No Man's Land." And I'm not even much of a comics reader/buyer. But "No Man's Land" me going back to meet comic store owners, going to new sites, ordering online, just to complete my minuscule collection. It had this amazing combination of "complex, but naturally altruistic people" trying to be diplomatic and navigate a decaying/semi-destroyed world with criminal factions that some (like the Penguin turf) have a stake in keeping the city alive, to a certain degree. I definitely feel like those themes/tropes could have a seismic recall. They're relevant, nowadays especially, while also respecting history and being 15-20 years later as an idea. My lasting memory is Superman using his heat vision to grow a plant and finally make rain fall, to help the neighborhood grow a garden. And Batman begrudgingly accepts "Well... I'm cool with you helping with THAT." It doesn't even need to be a huge crossover event, or whatever. Just an idea that could work, again, I suppose.

[@TheEr910]

Amazing interview. Thank you both. I prefer big events that happen in limited series or annual. I never liked disrupting a story arc to do a tie in or crossover.

[@bretts7072]

Great interview! Snyder is a stand up guy.

[@jeffpearljam1976]

If more creators were like Scott, comics would be fun again. He’s such a stand up guy.

[@CesarIsaacPerez]

Didn't know he had so many problems getting that awesome run of Batman done. I love most of what he does.

[@andrepaul3483]

Scott's run on All Star Batman is what reignited my love for Batman. Awesome interview Chris!

[@GuillaumeLevasseur]

I’m discovering Scott with his recent indie work and it was great to have that background with the man. The story with Stephen King was certainly Inspiring.

[@willc3900]

Awesome stuff

[@juniorjames7076]

1986 was smack dab in the golden age of the medium.

[@matthinton19]

Joker endgame was what got me back into comics as an adult. I always enjoyed the characters and stories but didn’t start actively reading and collecting again until I read that. I love the fact you let people talk, you have plenty to add but don’t interrupt

[@stardust_memories2260]

Good stuff ✨

[@manuelaxolot4945]

one of the writers that got me ito comics

[@ericburke9490]

Pre- New 52 I got fed up with DC and dropped Batman and Detective from my pull list… and wound up regretting it after about a year when I read his Batman run. So good! Bought some of the tpb’s since.

[@patrickhouchard5532]

I love his movies!

[@brandonf6169]

love this, Scott has always been super-friendly at cons.

[@moondog548]

Your work is the best, and your interviews are the best of the best! Amazing stories from amazing storytellers of amazing stories! :D

[@TrustInTheShorts]

Sweet!

[@user-bt1fn2dk5l]

Wow!!

[@veles1415]

Scott is so cool.

[@nkanyisoinnocentkhwane3752]

wow, I hope Scott gets to publish the extras if Stephen King is interested. Great interview 🇿🇦🙌🏾

[@quocanhnguyen7275]

SCOTT SNYDER's the ABSOLUTE GOAT