History Creator / JMichaelStraczynski

Straczynski's most recent major work was the Netflix series ''Series/Sense8'' with the Wachowskis. He has also moved into writing novels with the 2021 work ''Literature/TogetherWeWillGo''. He is Creator/HarlanEllison's literary executor and says he has sent a version of Ellison's decades-long project ''The Last Dangerous Visions'' to a publisher.

* [[ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManJMichaelStraczynski His run on Spider-Man]] which included the 9/11 issue, a failed attempt to [[RetCanon link up]] with Creator/SamRaimi's Film/SpiderManTrilogy (the ending was [[ShaggyDogStory widely-hated]], but the rest was gold), and the controversial ''ComicBook/OneMoreDay'' (which Creator/JoeQuesada forced him to write), and ''ComicBook/SinsPast'', the latter of which was finally retconned by Marvel in 2021.

* ''[[DemonNight]]''

* ''[[Literature/DemonNight]]''

* ''[[Demon Night]]''

* ''[[Literature/Demon Night]]''

* He had a run on Franchise/Superman with his ''ComicBook/SupermanGrounded'' arc. Expectations for JMS were through the roof following his Spider-Man run years earlier. It begins with some random woman laying into Superman (who is already reeling from the loss of ComicBook/NewKrypton) for saving the world instead of curing her husband of cancer or whatever it was. The story was criticized for its [[AuthorTract preachiness]], interminable length, and Superman's [[LostAesop waffling, Obama-era politics,]] though there are some good parts (opinions differ on whether they occur before or after Joe left). He stopped working on the book in order to write the ''[[ComicBook/SupermanEarthOne Earth One]]'' graphic novels, which were much better received.

* ''ComicBook/CaptainAmericaJMichaelStraczynski'' (2023-Present)

Straczynski's most recent major work was the Netflix series ''Series/Sense8'' with the Wachowskis. He has also moved into writing novels with the 2021 work ''Together We Will Go''. He is Creator/HarlanEllison's literary executor and says he has sent a version of Ellison's decades-long project ''The Last Dangerous Visions'' to a publisher.

Joseph Michael Straczynski (born July 17, 1954) is a writer in several genres and mediums, often known online as JMS. He first became well known in SF circles in the 1990s for creating the [[CultClassic cult]] {{Space Opera}} ''Series/BabylonFive''. Later major works included the screenplay for the Creator/ClintEastwood film ''Film/{{Changeling}}'', the Creator/{{Netflix}} series ''Series/Sense8'', and an earlier long run on Creator/{{Marvel|Comics}}'s [[ComicBook/JMSSpiderMan Amazing Spider-Man]]. He is known for being a fast writer. His ''[=B5=]'' scripts alone run to ten thick volumes, and he wrote a new, camera-ready shooting script for the film ''Film/NinjaAssassin'' from start to finish in 53 hours.

After ''Series/{{Jeremiah}}'' ended, Straczynski began writing for comic books. For much of the 2000s, Straczynski had an exclusive contract at Marvel, where he wrote [[ComicBook/JMSSpiderMan Amazing Spider-Man]], ComicBook/TheMightyThor, and ComicBook/SilverSurfer: Requiem among others. Later, he went to work for Creator/{{DC|Comics}}, where he wrote the well-received ComicBook/SupermanEarthOne.

* [[ComicBook/JMSSpiderMan His run on Spider-Man]] which included the 9/11 issue, a failed attempt to [[RetCanon link up]] with Creator/SamRaimi's Film/SpiderManTrilogy (the ending was [[ShaggyDogStory widely-hated]], but the rest was gold), and the controversial ''ComicBook/OneMoreDay'' (which Creator/JoeQuesada forced him to write), and ''ComicBook/SinsPast'', the latter of which was finally retconned by Marvel in 2021.

* [[ComicBook/JMSSpiderMan His run on Spider-Man]] which included the 9/11 issue, a failed attempt to [[RetCanon link up]] with Creator/SamRaimi's Film/SpiderManTrilogy (the ending was [[ShaggyDogStory widely-hated]], but the rest was gold), and the controversial ''ComicBook/OneMoreDay'' (which Creator/JoeQuesada forced him to write)

[=B5=] came to a somewhat unsatisfactory end, due to the series being cancelled, hastily concluded, then UnCancelled -- whereupon the creators had to find a way to extend the story before airing the ''actual'' conclusion. Later, Straczynski tried to realize the grander ambitions of ''[=B5=]'' with the {{Aftershow}} ''Series/{{Crusade}}'', but it [[FollowUpFailure crashed and burned]] due to [[ScrewedByTheNetwork network bickering]]. Straczynski again found himself fighting with studio execs and producers while running ''Series/{{Jeremiah}}''. He became ''persona non grata'' in television for a while. He'd done everything [[WriterRevolt to earn their ire]]: Retconning Janine's [[AdaptationalAttractiveness makeover]] in ''Ghostbusters'' as [[SexierAlterEgo the result of spiritual possession]]. Killing off [[CreatorsPest network-mandated]] additions to his cast. Tossing [=B5=]-trademarked teddy bears [[ThrownOutTheAirlock out of airlocks]] to protest [[MerchandiseDriven attempts to merchandise]] his show. (That is not a joke. This [[BitingTheHandHumor actually closed out an episode.]]) Concocting loopholes in stories he was forced to write so that they could be [[AuthorsSavingThrow overwritten]] later.

Straczynski spent some time in a {{cult}} while in college, and was once [[TheCityNarrows mugged and left near-death]]. Both experiences heavily inform his stories. In 2019 he published his autobiography ''Becoming Superman'', revealing for the first time [[MiseryLit the abuse he suffered from his father]], a former Nazi who forced JMS to wear his old uniform in an attempt to toughen him up. In retrospect, this [[PuttingOnTheReich also colors a lot of his work.]] Because of his father's refusal to let him see anything resembling a competent doctor (or spend any money for one), some of his quirks went undetected for a long time. Joe describes putting on a classmate's glasses and discovering that 20/20 vision is a thing which exists. Later self-diagnoses included Asperger's Syndrome and PTSD.

* [[ComicBook/JMSSpiderMan His run on Spider-Man]] which included the 9/11 issue, a failed attempt to [[RetCanon link up]] with Raimi's Film/SpiderManTrilogy (the ending was [[ShaggyDogStory widely-hated]] but the rest was gold), and the controversial ''ComicBook/OneMoreDay'' (which Creator/JoeQuesada forced him to write)

* He had a run on Superman with his ''ComicBook/SupermanGrounded'' arc. Expectations for JMS were through the roof following his Spider-Man run years earlier. It begins with some rando woman laying into Superman (who is already reeling from the loss of ComicBook/NewKrypton) for saving the world instead of curing her husband of cancer or whatever it was. The story was criticized for its [[AuthorTract preachiness]], interminable length, and Superman's [[LostAesop waffling, Obama-era politics,]] though there are some good parts (opinions differ on whether they occur before or after Joe left). He stopped working on the book in order to write the ''[[ComicBook/SupermanEarthOne Earth One]]'' graphic novels, which were much better received.

Joseph Michael Straczynski (born July 17, 1954) is a writer in several genres and mediums, often known online as JMS. He first became well known in SF circles in the 1990s for creating the [[CultClassic cult]] {{space opera}} ''Series/BabylonFive''. Later major works included the screenplay for the Clint Eastwood film ''Film/{{Changeling}}'', the Netflix series ''Series/Sense8'', and an earlier long run on Marvel's [[Comicbook/JMSSpiderMan Amazing Spider-Man]]. He is known for being a fast writer. His B5 scripts alone run to ten thick volumes, and he wrote a new, camera-ready shooting script for the film ''Film/NinjaAssassin'' from start to finish in 53 hours.

[=B5=] was a long-time personal project for Straczynski, to the point that he wrote most of the five-year series singlehandedly. To produce it, he endured budget headaches, unexpected actor illness and departures, multiple near-cancellations, an ongoing feud with {{Creator/Paramount}} over similarities between his show and ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', and much more.

Most of this was extensively documented. Straczynski was active on Usenet and Compuserve to a degree almost unheard of for a showrunner. He has written at great length about the show since it went off the air. ''Babylon 5'' was not a major success and was overshadowed by ''Deep Space Nine'', but it proved influential. [=B5=]'s use of early CGI and season-long arcs were revolutionary at the time and paved the way for shows like ''Series/BattleStarGalactica2003'' and later prestige television.

[=B5=] came to a somewhat unsatisfactory end, due to the series being cancelled, hastily concluded, then UnCancelled -- whereupon the creators had to find a way to extend the story before airing the ''actual'' conclusion. Later, Straczynski tried to realize the grander ambitions of [=B5=] with the {{aftershow}} ''Series/{{Crusade}}'', but it [[FollowUpFailure crashed and burned]] due to [[ScrewedByTheNetwork network bickering]]. Straczynski again found himself fighting with studio execs and producers while running ''Series/{{Jeremiah}}''. He became ''persona non grata'' in television for a while. He'd done everything [[WriterRevolt to earn their ire]]: Retconning Janine's [[AdaptationalAttractiveness makeover]] in ''Ghostbusters'' as [[SexierAlterEgo the result of spiritual possession]]. Killing off [[CreatorsPest network-mandated]] additions to his cast. Tossing [=B5=]-trademarked teddy bears [[ThrownOutTheAirlock out of airlocks]] to protest [[MerchandiseDriven attempts to merchandise]] his show. (That is not a joke. This [[BitingTheHandHumor actually closed out an episode.]]) Concocting loopholes in stories he was forced to write so that they could be [[AuthorsSavingThrow overwritten]] later.

After ''Series/{{Jeremiah}}'' ended, Straczynski began writing for comic books. For much of the 2000s, Straczynski had an exclusive contract at Marvel, where he wrote [[Comicbook/JMSSpiderMan Amazing Spider-Man]], ComicBook/TheMightyThor, and ComicBook/SilverSurfer: Requiem among others. Later he went to work for DC, where he wrote the well-received ComicBook/SupermanEarthOne.

Mostly, he wrote movies. Straczynski became a well-known screenwriter by selling his original screenplay for ''Film/{{Changeling}}''. Not all of Straczynski's scripts were produced - for example, Straczynski wrote an adaptation of the E.E. "Doc" Smith ''Lensman'' series that he says is still on Ron Howard's desk. However, he has story credit or screenplay credit on four produced movies and has written scripts for several more. According to his autobiography, he sold a still-unproduced original screenplay for over one million US dollars.

Straczynski's most recent major work was the Netflix series ''Series/Sense8'' with the Wachowskis. He has also moved into writing novels with the 2021 work ''Together We Will Go''. He is Harlan Ellison's literary executor and says he has sent a version of Ellison's decades-long project ''The Last Dangerous Visions'' to a publisher.

He shares a birthday with Creator/DavidHasselhoff and Phyllis Diller, as well as an exact birth date with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

His first name is Joseph, so his friends call him Joe; he has stated that "Straczynski" is a name which would "frighten cats." Professionally, he goes by J. Michael so as to allow people to slowly learn how to pronounce "Straczynski." First word: one letter, easy; second word: Michael, two syllables but easy enough; and then...the leap! Fans generally know and refer to him just by his initials, which is how he signs his emails and Usenet posts. For the record, his last name is supposed to be pronounced "Strat-itch-in-sky", from the [[UsefulNotes/{{Poland}} Polish]] name Straczyński; his family used to spell it with an "ń" rather than "n", producing a sound related to that of "ñ" (as in ''Espa'''ñ'''ol'').

* He wrote the shooting draft of ''Film/NinjaAssassin'' for the Wachowskis and director James McTeague.

Joseph Michael Straczynski (born July 17, 1954) is a writer in several genres and mediums, often known online as JMS. He first became well known in SF circles in the 1990s for creating the [[CultClassic cult]] {{space opera}} ''Series/BabylonFive''. Later major works included the screenplay for the Clint Eastwood film ''Film/{{Changeling}}'', the Netflix series ''Series/Sense8'', and an earlier long run on Marvel's ''The Amazing Spider-Man''. He is known for being a fast writer. His B5 scripts alone run to ten thick volumes, and he wrote a new, camera-ready shooting script for the film ''Film/NinjaAssassin'' from start to finish in 53 hours.

[=B5=] was a long-time personal project for Straczynski, to the point that he wrote most of the five-year series singlehandedly. To produce it, he endured budget headaches, unexpected actor illness and departures, multiple near-cancellations, an ongoing feud with {{Creator/Paramount}} over similarities between his show and ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', and much more. Most of this was extensively documented. Straczynski was active on Usenet and Compuserve to a degree almost unheard of for a creator at the time and has written at great length about the show since. The TV show was not a major success and later became overshadowed by ''Deep Space Nine'', but it proved influential. [=B5=]'s use of early CGI and season-long arcs were revolutionary at the time and paved the way for shows like ''Series/BattleStarGalactica2003'' and later prestige television.

[=B5=] came to a somewhat unsatisfactory end, due to the series being cancelled, hastily concluded, then UnCancelled -- whereupon the creators had to find a way to extend the story before airing the ''actual'' conclusion. Later, Straczynski tried to realize the grander ambitions of [=B5=] with the {{aftershow}} ''Series/{{Crusade}}'', but it [[FollowUpFailure crashed and burned]] due to [[ScrewedByTheNetwork network bickering]]. ''Series/{{Jeremiah}}'' was a fresh idea--but Straczynski again found himself fighting with studio execs and producers. He became ''persona non grata'' in television for a while. He'd done everything [[WriterRevolt to earn their ire]]: Retconning Janine's [[AdaptationalAttractiveness makeover]] in ''Ghostbusters'' as [[SexierAlterEgo the result of spiritual possession]]. Killing off [[CreatorsPest network-mandated]] additions to his cast. Tossing [=B5=]-trademarked teddy bears [[ThrownOutTheAirlock out of airlocks]] to protest [[MerchandiseDriven attempts to merchandise]] his show. (That is not a joke. This [[BitingTheHandHumor actually closed out an episode.]]) Concocting loopholes in stories he was forced to write so that they could be [[AuthorsSavingThrow overwritten]] later.

After ''Series/{{Jeremiah}}'' ended, Straczynski began writing for comic books. He had a long exclusive contract at Marvel, where he wrote ''Amazing Spider-Man'', ''Thor,'' and ''ComicBook/SilverSurfer: Requiem'' among others. Later he went to work for DC, where he wrote the well-received ComicBook/SupermanEarthOne.

Mostly, though, he wrote movies. Straczynski became a well-known screenwriter by selling his original screenplay for ''Film/{{Changeling}}'', based on a great deal of original research. Not all of his scripts were produced - for example, Straczynski wrote an adaptation of the E.E. "Doc" Smith ''Lensman'' series that he says is still on Ron Howard's desk. However, he has story credit or screenplay credit on four produced movies. According to his autobiography, he was successful enough to be selling original screenplays for over one million US dollars.

His most recent major work was the Netflix series ''Series/Sense8'' with the Wachowskis. He's also moved into writing novels, with the 2021 work ''Together We Will Go''. He is Harlan Ellison's literary executor and says he has sent a version of Ellison's decades-long project ''The Last Dangerous Visions'' to a publisher.

* He also wrote ''Film/UnderworldAwakening'', the fourth installment of that series.
* At least one pass at a ''Film/WorldWarZ'' treatment.
* His current projects include writing screenplays for a ''Literature/{{Lensman}}'' movie and a remake of ''Film/ForbiddenPlanet''.