Greg Weisman: Master of the Story Arc

As of yesterday, i made a realization that many of you have no doubt already made (so don't bother pointing that out): Greg Weisman is a genius when it comes to creating overarching story arcs. Gargoyles, The Spectacular Spiderman, Young Justice: he worked on them all and every single one had complex story arcs that were not only entertaining to watch (to a certain degree) but also always seemed to add up, they never felt forced. Granted, these shows may have done things that we probably wished didn't happen (a friendship/relationship ending, a character dying, etc.) but with the way the story arc is going, you're left wanting to know how everything works out.

Yes, agreed. With the exception of the Avalon World Tour which was a good idea in concept but a vast collection of Poorly Disguised Pilots mixed with a few great single-episodes and a Green Aesop in execution.

edited 27th Jan '13 10:59:41 AM by Ronnie

I'll drink to that.

Or I would if I drank alcohol that is.

edited 27th Jan '13 12:11:20 PM by HandsomeRob

then, let us drink milk!

edited 27th Jan '13 12:13:20 PM by SaintDeltora

The world tour was okay it just went on for too goddamn long. What was it, 20 episodes? That's pretty much an entire season's worth of material spent on what are largely one-shots. If it was kept to around ten episodes it would have been better. They could have also found a way to include the Manhattan Clan more since watching the same four characters got a little boring after a while.

Unfortunately I'm not too familiar with any of Weisman's other work but if Gargoyles is any indication it's probably worth checking out.

Young Justice and the spetacular spider-man are definitely worth checking out.

What, you guys are not enjoying new peach-flavored Reach drinks?

I must admit, the revelation that Xanathos' assistant was Puck all along was an incredible OF COURSE! IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE!! moment to me. Weiss has had my loyal following since then.

edited 27th Jan '13 2:50:31 PM by Sijo

Gargoyles and Spec Spidey are both awesome series, and great with the story arcs, but I think Weisman may have bit himself in the ass with this in Young Justice. Gargoyles and Spidey are mostly one-episode adventures, with the bigger arc going on in the background. YJ, however, is 100% story arc plot every episode, and I think this makes it kind of inaccessible to most viewers.

I've enjoyed the arc nature of the series Greg Weisman has helmed(Gargoyles and Spec Spidey mainly), but at the same time as pointed out, it can be tiring to constantly build towards an overarching story.

Gargoyle sure Spec spider hell yes

YJ... It took to damn long for the heroes to realize the overall arching plot and the ight meeting at the end of the episode didn't help.

Don't forget WITCH, the second season of which Weisman worked on, which is heavily arc-based and quite good (though you have to make it through the So Okay, It's Average first season to really get what's going on, unfortunately).

I just cant wait until YJ is cancelled so I can see what he'll work on next.

"I just cant wait until YJ is cancelled"

do not jinx it, please.

I thought it already was.

We guess it is in all but official name, but nothing has been outright stated.

United States animation networks hate Masters of Story Arcs.

Well, on a more optimistic note, now that YJ is officially over(or at least will be when Invasion conclues airing), I have to wonder what Weisman's next project will be. Another comic adaptaion? An entirely new project? Finally managing to get one of the myriad Gargoyles spin-offs he'd planned off the ground? I could get behind any of them, honestly.

Regarding Weisman, would Gargoyles reputation be as tragic if it just ended abruptly than if the shown got plagued by the Goliath Chronicles? As his signature show, it still lasted a fairly long time right?

I hope he stays away from cable television, personally. The companies do not compliment what he writes.