Okay, since everyone else is offering observations on IP, let me just say this...

100% of the writers you love became writers because they loved somebody else's IP.

Maybe it was the original work of one creator. Maybe it was a group effort. But it was always someone else's IP.

Spider-Man? Star Wars? The works of Stephen King or Anne Rice or Piers Anthony? That's all IP.

We became writers 'cause we loved somebody's IP. So's it really that shocking that--if we're given the chance--we want to do something with said property? To tell OUR stories with it?

I can say with absolute certainty I'm writing today because of Star Wars, John Carter of Mars, Spider-Man, Machine Man, and the collected toy adaptations of Bill Mantlo. No question 99% of you would have no idea who I was if not for those IPs influencing me as a kid. I LOVED THEM

And like so many people, if I got a chance to write a Star Wars story, a Spider-Man story, a Machine Man story, a Transformers story, or the three six issue issue arcs I planned out for Rom Spaceknight, you'd better believe all that love and passion would go into that IP.

Also, apologies to the folks I know who follow me and who have direct ties to some of these IPs. This is not intended as me angling for a job.

...unless, y'know... you're hiring?