So, now that the hype has died down and all the late shipping books are out of the way, I picked up a copy of the CIVIL WAR trade paperback from Amazon. If you're a comic fan, you know what Civll War was. If you're one of my friends or family reading this, Civil War was a big, multi-part crossover that redefined the Marvel universe.
Mark Millar is a fine writer. I'm a fan of his and have been since he co-wrote a book called Aztek that I inked long ago. His Tangent Superman is a book I remember being really impressed by, I loved his Wolverine run, and I've enjoyed Ultimates. In other words, he's got a good track record as far as I'm concerned and I have a lot of respect for his writing. Which is something I can't honestly say about 90% of the writers working in comics.
But Civil War didn't click for me. Reading the core mini-series over the space of a couple of days, there were just too many beats missing. And yes, I realize that the series acted like a spine, more or less, and that something would be insinuated, and then huge chunks of the story were told in the various spin offs. But you know what? The central book should still tell a complete story. This felt very incomplete.
The art was solid enough but it didn't knock me on my ass. It's nicely drawn and competently inked but without the coloring, it would have been very flat. With the coloring, it was pretty overdone. Digital painting is probably the wave of the future but I felt that, while the coloring gave the book a really distinctive look, it was a little too...worked. Out of all the characters represented, I liked McNiven's Spider-Man the most. He had a lot of movement.
There's a pretty telling line of dialogue in the seventh issue that I think says it all, sort of a read between the lines apology from the writer for the numerous missed shipping dates etc. To paraphrase (because I don't have the book in front of me), Reed Richards is writing a letter to his wife and he makes a point that she'll, "never know the pressure we were under, to create or revamp so many heroes..."
To me, that's a comment that can be read in a lot of ways. I think when the writer takes the time to subtly break the fourth wall and apologize to the reader, that says a lot more than my little blog review ever could. I'll look forward to Mark Millar's next work but this one didn't rock my boat.
If you're looking for a good collection, try "COBB: OFF THE LEASH" by manly man Beau Smith and Eduardo Barretto. More testosterone and character per page than most men can handle. Good, pulpy stuff and I give it a recommendation.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Smorgasborg
First off, here's something that made me laugh. If you do a search on Youtube for Burger boys, you'll find a bunch of these. Chances are, if this makes you laugh, the rest will too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kROEAJ7sIMM
I had a couple of day trips last week, one to my old stomping grounds at The Joe Kubert School in New Jersey, the other a couple of days later to the DC offices to meet about a new project. I had a lot of fun meeting with the students at the Kubert School as well as catching up with some old classmates and teachers. I have a lot of affection for the school and think fondly of that time in my life where, for three years I was completely dedicated to learning how to create comic books.
I'll be doing a little more travelling than usual over the next couple of months, appearing at GraniteCon in New Hampshire later this month, then down to Knoxville, Tennessee the first weekend of June for the very first Adventure Con. Then it's a family vacation at Disney in the middle of June, followed by the big San Diego convention at the end of July. I'm pretty much a homebody so for me, this is quite a busy schedule. I'll post links to the actual conventions a little closer to the dates of the shows.
Spidey 3 this weekend!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kROEAJ7sIMM
I had a couple of day trips last week, one to my old stomping grounds at The Joe Kubert School in New Jersey, the other a couple of days later to the DC offices to meet about a new project. I had a lot of fun meeting with the students at the Kubert School as well as catching up with some old classmates and teachers. I have a lot of affection for the school and think fondly of that time in my life where, for three years I was completely dedicated to learning how to create comic books.
I'll be doing a little more travelling than usual over the next couple of months, appearing at GraniteCon in New Hampshire later this month, then down to Knoxville, Tennessee the first weekend of June for the very first Adventure Con. Then it's a family vacation at Disney in the middle of June, followed by the big San Diego convention at the end of July. I'm pretty much a homebody so for me, this is quite a busy schedule. I'll post links to the actual conventions a little closer to the dates of the shows.
Spidey 3 this weekend!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
80's movie question
Anyone out there remember a movie from the (early) eighties (I think) about a guy who accidentally designs a pair of jeans with two holes cut out where the back pockets should be? The ass-revealing jeans start a fashion craze; everybody is wearing them, and wacky hijinx ensue from there.
Ring any bells? I've got 3-1 odds Mr. Ninja comes through. I remember watching it on HBO like fifty times w/ my brothers but I can't remember what it was called.
Ring any bells? I've got 3-1 odds Mr. Ninja comes through. I remember watching it on HBO like fifty times w/ my brothers but I can't remember what it was called.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The cycle begins anew...
Well, today is the big day for World War III and the most exciting day so far for my little writing career. I'm going to give it another day or two before I try to find any online reviews and see what people think, but I hope everyone enjoys the war. John Ostrander and I really did work our asses off to make this more than an 'event'.
I really came to admire John and his work, by the way.
While I've been lucky to line up enough writing work to keep me busy until 2008, none of it has really felt like an 'official' follow up to World War III. I guess that changed today.
Serendipitously, Dan Didio and Mike Siglain both called me today to offer me a pretty exciting project. It's...big...enough that I'm still wrapping my head around the overall concept, but there definitely seems to be plenty of room to do something memorable. and if I have my way, it'll make this World War look like a couple of school kids scuffling in the playground.
Because I haven't posted much lately, there are a bunch of random things I have tucked in the back of my head. I guess the first one I'll throw out there is that lately, I've started thinking about expanding my blog into a full-fledged website. I registered Keithchampagne.com a couple of weeks ago and now I'm sort of waiting to come up with some good ideas to make an actual website a little different and fun. If anyone has any good ideas, feel free to leave them in the comments section and I'll be happy to steal them.
Anyway, time for dinner. Talk to y'all soon.
I really came to admire John and his work, by the way.
While I've been lucky to line up enough writing work to keep me busy until 2008, none of it has really felt like an 'official' follow up to World War III. I guess that changed today.
Serendipitously, Dan Didio and Mike Siglain both called me today to offer me a pretty exciting project. It's...big...enough that I'm still wrapping my head around the overall concept, but there definitely seems to be plenty of room to do something memorable. and if I have my way, it'll make this World War look like a couple of school kids scuffling in the playground.
Because I haven't posted much lately, there are a bunch of random things I have tucked in the back of my head. I guess the first one I'll throw out there is that lately, I've started thinking about expanding my blog into a full-fledged website. I registered Keithchampagne.com a couple of weeks ago and now I'm sort of waiting to come up with some good ideas to make an actual website a little different and fun. If anyone has any good ideas, feel free to leave them in the comments section and I'll be happy to steal them.
Anyway, time for dinner. Talk to y'all soon.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
WORLD WAR III
World War III begins (and ends) this Wednesday the 18th. I've been anxiously waiting for these books to ship and I hope everyone will enjoy the blood-soaked fruits of our labors.
I'll have more to say about World War III on Wednesday so for now, this is just a reminder to...
Check 'em out!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Sorry for the unexpected hiatus. For whatever reason, I haven't been able to sign into my own blog for the last week and a half. Finally, I downloaded Netscape and this worked so maybe it's a problem with IE, I don't know. I've had more computer problems in the past month then I've had since I first got my Commodore 64 (Bard's Tale still rocks!)
Back shortly. Today is a deadline day but I have a ton of posts to catch up on, starting tonight or tomorrow.
Back shortly. Today is a deadline day but I have a ton of posts to catch up on, starting tonight or tomorrow.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Interview time
With World War III fast approaching, I've been doing the almost requisite interview rounds again.
Vaneta Rogers does her usual nice job over at Newsarama and I've learned she does not suffer fools who do not include her byline. So here's the link:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=106993
And here's an interview on Wizard about Book II, conducted by Brian Marmoth, mostly concerning Aquaman. He does whatever a fish can plus more, you know.
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/004102471.cfm
Back shortly with more Batman pages.
Vaneta Rogers does her usual nice job over at Newsarama and I've learned she does not suffer fools who do not include her byline. So here's the link:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=106993
And here's an interview on Wizard about Book II, conducted by Brian Marmoth, mostly concerning Aquaman. He does whatever a fish can plus more, you know.
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/004102471.cfm
Back shortly with more Batman pages.
Interview time
With World War III fast approaching, I've been doing the almost requisite interview rounds again.
Vaneta Rogers does her usual nice job over at Newsarama and I've learned she does not suffer fools who do not include her byline. So here's the link:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=106993
And here's an interview on Wizard about Book II, conducted by Brian Marmoth, mostly concerning Aquaman. He does whatever a fish can plus more, you know.
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/004102471.cfm
Back shortly with more Batman pages.
Vaneta Rogers does her usual nice job over at Newsarama and I've learned she does not suffer fools who do not include her byline. So here's the link:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=106993
And here's an interview on Wizard about Book II, conducted by Brian Marmoth, mostly concerning Aquaman. He does whatever a fish can plus more, you know.
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/004102471.cfm
Back shortly with more Batman pages.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Happy Birthday to Wags The Dog.
In about another 45 minutes, it will become March 30th.
Three years ago, at 5:03 in the morning on March 30th, my very best friend and favorite person in the entire world was born.
Happy birthday to my dear son, Jack, AKA Wags The Dog, AKA The Woofie Machine, AKA Scoots or Big Boy or any of another half a dozen nicknames.
Over the past year, Jack has reminded me how much I've forgotten about life. Simple things like:
Why walk when you can run?
Why run when you can jump?
Why jump when you can climb?
Why climb? Why not?
The sky is really, really blue and at night, it's full of stars.
Snow is much more fun than I give it credit for.
Cardboard boxes make the best toys of all.
Most importantly, there's nothing I love more in this world than being his daddy and no one I love more than my little boy.
Happy birthday, Wags!! Daddy loves you.
Three years ago, at 5:03 in the morning on March 30th, my very best friend and favorite person in the entire world was born.
Happy birthday to my dear son, Jack, AKA Wags The Dog, AKA The Woofie Machine, AKA Scoots or Big Boy or any of another half a dozen nicknames.
Over the past year, Jack has reminded me how much I've forgotten about life. Simple things like:
Why walk when you can run?
Why run when you can jump?
Why jump when you can climb?
Why climb? Why not?
The sky is really, really blue and at night, it's full of stars.
Snow is much more fun than I give it credit for.
Cardboard boxes make the best toys of all.
Most importantly, there's nothing I love more in this world than being his daddy and no one I love more than my little boy.
Happy birthday, Wags!! Daddy loves you.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Broken Master: Pages 6 and 7
Sorry for the delay in putting these up. Not only am I sometimes a himbo, I also have other things on my plate that steal my tiny attention span away. Plus my main computer refuses to boot up anymore, preferring to taunt me with a bright blue screen and enigmatic words like "physical memory dump." I don't know what that is but it doesn't sound good.
Anyway, here's a couple of more pages of script. I enjoyed writing faithful butler and Jiminy Cricket-like Alfred quite a bit.
PAGE SIX
PANEL ONE
Cut to the Bat-cave where Bruce Wayne is standing atop some thick scaffolding, hunched over the cockpit of the Bat-plane, hard at work running through a systems check.
There are a couple of workbenches covered with tools positioned at the base of the scaffolding.
ALFRED approaches. He’s carrying a tray of food: A thick steak, baked potato, and a glass of milk.
1- CAPTION: Later.
2- ALFRED: Master Bruce?
3- BRUCE WAYNE: Almost done, Alfred. The throttle was sticking but I’ve got the kinks worked out.
4- ALFRED: Have you left any time in your last minute preparations to EAT or did this poor cow I cooked lose its life for nothing?
PANEL TWO
Bruce springs off the scaffolding, flips in midair, and lands next to Alfred.
This is one of those action sequences where we should see a couple of different ghost figures of Bruce in various stages of motion, ending with him landing next to his butler.
5- BRUCE WAYNE (atop the scaffolding): What would I do—
6- BRUCE WAYNE (lands next to Alfred): --without you, old friend?
7- ALFRED: Starve to death, most likely.
8- ALFRED: Will you be eating upstairs in your stately and magnificent DINING ROOM or down HERE, in your dank and humid cave?
PANEL THREE
Bruce takes the platter of food from Alfred, a wry smile on his face.
9- BRUCE WAYNE: You’d probably have a heart attack if I actually took my meal upstairs.
10- ALFRED: Will you require anything else before I retire, sir?
PANEL FOUR
Bruce, having set the platter of food down on a nearby workbench, begins to eat. Alfred stands nearby.
11- BRUCE WAYNE: Just a talk, perhaps, while I eat.
12- ALFRED: Very good, sir. Shall I try to read your mind or would you rather tell me what’s on it?
PANEL FIVE
Angle on Bruce, pensive.
13- BRUCE WAYNE: Bane.
PAGE SEVEN
PANEL ONE
Bruce takes a slug of milk. Nearby, Alfred begins to dust off a computer console with his handkerchief.
1- BRUCE WAYNE: At one point, I thought we had reached an UNDERSTANDING. I was skeptical he would turn over a new leaf but still…I had HOPE.
2- ALFRED: Never put your trust in a man who almost crippled you, sir. My grandmother always SWORE to that and it’s never failed me yet.
PANEL TWO
Angle on Bruce. He’s cocking an eyebrow towards Alfred.
3- BRUCE WAYNE: You never joke this much, not unless you’re worried about me.
PANEL THREE
Angle on Alfred, focused on his dusting.
4- ALFRED: Ridiculous. I’m merely distracting you from the fear that’s doubtlessly clogging your arteries.
5- ALFRED: I’d imagine this sort of situation--where you don’t have the slightest idea what you’re walking into—could be unnerving.
PANEL FOUR
Bruce takes the handkerchief from Alfred’s hand.
6- BRUCE WAYNE: Bane doesn’t get to hurt anybody else. Not if I can help it. It ends with Judomaster and it should never have gone THAT far.
7- BRUCE WAYNE: That MONSTER may have beaten me ONCE but ultimately, he only made me STRONGER. I’ve proved it every time we’ve butted heads since.
8- ALFRED: As you say, sir.
PANEL FIVE
Bruce begins to ascend back up the scaffolding towards the Bat-plane. He’s looking back down at Alfred.
9- BRUCE WAYNE: One last thing, Alfred.
10- BRUCE WAYNE: I’ve got a LONG flight ahead. Would you mind packing me a doggie bag?
11- ALFRED: But of course, sir.
Anyway, here's a couple of more pages of script. I enjoyed writing faithful butler and Jiminy Cricket-like Alfred quite a bit.
PAGE SIX
PANEL ONE
Cut to the Bat-cave where Bruce Wayne is standing atop some thick scaffolding, hunched over the cockpit of the Bat-plane, hard at work running through a systems check.
There are a couple of workbenches covered with tools positioned at the base of the scaffolding.
ALFRED approaches. He’s carrying a tray of food: A thick steak, baked potato, and a glass of milk.
1- CAPTION: Later.
2- ALFRED: Master Bruce?
3- BRUCE WAYNE: Almost done, Alfred. The throttle was sticking but I’ve got the kinks worked out.
4- ALFRED: Have you left any time in your last minute preparations to EAT or did this poor cow I cooked lose its life for nothing?
PANEL TWO
Bruce springs off the scaffolding, flips in midair, and lands next to Alfred.
This is one of those action sequences where we should see a couple of different ghost figures of Bruce in various stages of motion, ending with him landing next to his butler.
5- BRUCE WAYNE (atop the scaffolding): What would I do—
6- BRUCE WAYNE (lands next to Alfred): --without you, old friend?
7- ALFRED: Starve to death, most likely.
8- ALFRED: Will you be eating upstairs in your stately and magnificent DINING ROOM or down HERE, in your dank and humid cave?
PANEL THREE
Bruce takes the platter of food from Alfred, a wry smile on his face.
9- BRUCE WAYNE: You’d probably have a heart attack if I actually took my meal upstairs.
10- ALFRED: Will you require anything else before I retire, sir?
PANEL FOUR
Bruce, having set the platter of food down on a nearby workbench, begins to eat. Alfred stands nearby.
11- BRUCE WAYNE: Just a talk, perhaps, while I eat.
12- ALFRED: Very good, sir. Shall I try to read your mind or would you rather tell me what’s on it?
PANEL FIVE
Angle on Bruce, pensive.
13- BRUCE WAYNE: Bane.
PAGE SEVEN
PANEL ONE
Bruce takes a slug of milk. Nearby, Alfred begins to dust off a computer console with his handkerchief.
1- BRUCE WAYNE: At one point, I thought we had reached an UNDERSTANDING. I was skeptical he would turn over a new leaf but still…I had HOPE.
2- ALFRED: Never put your trust in a man who almost crippled you, sir. My grandmother always SWORE to that and it’s never failed me yet.
PANEL TWO
Angle on Bruce. He’s cocking an eyebrow towards Alfred.
3- BRUCE WAYNE: You never joke this much, not unless you’re worried about me.
PANEL THREE
Angle on Alfred, focused on his dusting.
4- ALFRED: Ridiculous. I’m merely distracting you from the fear that’s doubtlessly clogging your arteries.
5- ALFRED: I’d imagine this sort of situation--where you don’t have the slightest idea what you’re walking into—could be unnerving.
PANEL FOUR
Bruce takes the handkerchief from Alfred’s hand.
6- BRUCE WAYNE: Bane doesn’t get to hurt anybody else. Not if I can help it. It ends with Judomaster and it should never have gone THAT far.
7- BRUCE WAYNE: That MONSTER may have beaten me ONCE but ultimately, he only made me STRONGER. I’ve proved it every time we’ve butted heads since.
8- ALFRED: As you say, sir.
PANEL FIVE
Bruce begins to ascend back up the scaffolding towards the Bat-plane. He’s looking back down at Alfred.
9- BRUCE WAYNE: One last thing, Alfred.
10- BRUCE WAYNE: I’ve got a LONG flight ahead. Would you mind packing me a doggie bag?
11- ALFRED: But of course, sir.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
BROKEN MASTER: Pages 4 and 5
PAGE FOUR
PANEL ONE
Batman steps up onto the ledge of the roof, his cape flickering in the wind and rain. His back is turned to The Question so he can keep an eye on Gotham City while they converse.
1- BATMAN (caption): Judomaster.
2- BATMAN (caption): Few have fought so long and hard to make a difference as Ripley Jagger.
3- BATMAN (caption): His back was broken trying to take down BANE. One of MINE.
PANEL TWO
Closer on Batman; he’s looking over his shoulder back at The Question.
Lightning flashes behind him.
4- BATMAN: You’ve got my attention.
PANEL THREE
The Question steps up onto the ledge next to Batman. Neither one should look at the other while they speak. Both stare out over the city.
5- THE QUESTION: Slippery up here. You should be careful.
6- BATMAN: Get to the point, Sage.
7- THE QUESTION: A few of us are heading to Nanda Parbat to do what we can for Judomaster. Bronze Tiger. Richard Dragon. Myself.
PANEL FOUR
Close on The Question. Big drops of rain pelt off his mask.
8- THE QUESTION: He asked for YOU, too.
PANEL FIVE
Looking up the exterior of the precinct house at Batman and The Question, standing on the ledge high above ground.
10- BATMAN: I RESPECT Judomaster but…Nanda Parbat is halfway around the world. I’ve spent too much time away from Gotham. Away from my responsibilities here.
11- BATMAN: What does he need ME for when he’s already got the three of you?
12- THE QUESTION: Is that rhetorical or are you showing off your MODEST side?
PANEL SIX
Batman ignores the Question. He shields his eyes from the rain with a hand and squints out at the city.
13- BATMAN: I hear SIRENS about six blocks NORTH.
14- BATMAN: Make your pitch. I'm needed elsewhere.
PAGE FIVE
PANEL ONE
The Question turns his head, looks over at Batman.
1- THE QUESTION: To the point it is, then.
2- THE QUESTION: Ripley Jagger asked for YOUR help, same as he asked for OURS. After all he's done to make this world a better place, I think he's earned a little LATITUDE.
3- THE QUESTION: Pull the bat-stick out of your ass and lend a hand.
PANEL TWO
Close on Batman, stoic, pelted by rain. He's lost in inscrutable thought.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL THREE
Batman leaps off the roof and out into the night, leaving The Question alone on the precinct roof.
3- BATMAN: I’ll meet you in Nanda Parbat.
PANEL ONE
Batman steps up onto the ledge of the roof, his cape flickering in the wind and rain. His back is turned to The Question so he can keep an eye on Gotham City while they converse.
1- BATMAN (caption): Judomaster.
2- BATMAN (caption): Few have fought so long and hard to make a difference as Ripley Jagger.
3- BATMAN (caption): His back was broken trying to take down BANE. One of MINE.
PANEL TWO
Closer on Batman; he’s looking over his shoulder back at The Question.
Lightning flashes behind him.
4- BATMAN: You’ve got my attention.
PANEL THREE
The Question steps up onto the ledge next to Batman. Neither one should look at the other while they speak. Both stare out over the city.
5- THE QUESTION: Slippery up here. You should be careful.
6- BATMAN: Get to the point, Sage.
7- THE QUESTION: A few of us are heading to Nanda Parbat to do what we can for Judomaster. Bronze Tiger. Richard Dragon. Myself.
PANEL FOUR
Close on The Question. Big drops of rain pelt off his mask.
8- THE QUESTION: He asked for YOU, too.
PANEL FIVE
Looking up the exterior of the precinct house at Batman and The Question, standing on the ledge high above ground.
10- BATMAN: I RESPECT Judomaster but…Nanda Parbat is halfway around the world. I’ve spent too much time away from Gotham. Away from my responsibilities here.
11- BATMAN: What does he need ME for when he’s already got the three of you?
12- THE QUESTION: Is that rhetorical or are you showing off your MODEST side?
PANEL SIX
Batman ignores the Question. He shields his eyes from the rain with a hand and squints out at the city.
13- BATMAN: I hear SIRENS about six blocks NORTH.
14- BATMAN: Make your pitch. I'm needed elsewhere.
PAGE FIVE
PANEL ONE
The Question turns his head, looks over at Batman.
1- THE QUESTION: To the point it is, then.
2- THE QUESTION: Ripley Jagger asked for YOUR help, same as he asked for OURS. After all he's done to make this world a better place, I think he's earned a little LATITUDE.
3- THE QUESTION: Pull the bat-stick out of your ass and lend a hand.
PANEL TWO
Close on Batman, stoic, pelted by rain. He's lost in inscrutable thought.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL THREE
Batman leaps off the roof and out into the night, leaving The Question alone on the precinct roof.
3- BATMAN: I’ll meet you in Nanda Parbat.
Friday, March 16, 2007
BROKEN MASTER: PAGES 2 and 3
Been having some browser issues over the last few days, meaning this post is a little later than I thought it was going to be. I switched to Netscape after IE decided it no longer wants to work but for some reason, signing into my blog crashes Netscape dead. Hopefully, I can get all this stuff worked out and get back on track. In the meantime, here's a couple of more pages.
Oh, I got an email from an aspiring penciller asking if he could draw some samples from this script. Anyone that wants to, feel more than free. I'd be glad to provide a critique.
PAGE TWO
FULL PAGE SPLASH!
Rain pours down. Lightning flashes. Thunder booms. It’s quite a contrast from the idyllic weather in Nanda Parbat.
In the middle of the raging elements, BATMAN slices through the concrete canyons of Gotham City, borne aloft on his razor-thin bat-line.
The bat-signal lights up the sky above him.
1- BATMAN (caption): In the world I live in, the rain is a FRIEND.
2- BATMAN (caption): On a night like THIS, all the decent people in Gotham are huddled up at home with their families.
3- BATMAN (caption): All the DECENT people.
4- BATMAN (caption): It makes my life so much easier.
TITLE: BROKEN MASTER (part one of two)
CREDITS:
Writer: Keith Champagne
Penciller: Tbd
Inker: Tbd
Letterer: Tbd
Colorist: Tbd
Grasshopper: Michael Siglain
Grand Master: Peter Tomasi
PAGE THREE
PANEL ONE
The Bat-signal sits, seemingly deserted, on the roof of the precinct house. No one seems to be around to have lit it, yet nonetheless, there it shines into the stormy night.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL TWO
In the foreground, THE QUESTION hides in the shadow of the bat-signal. His identity should be obscured until the next panel.
Batman swings to a landing atop the roof of the precinct.
1- BATMAN: You might as well come out. I saw you three blocks ago.
2- BATMAN: I have a busy night. What do you want? And how did you gain access to the signal?
PANEL THREE
The Question steps out of the shadows.
3- THE QUESTION: And here I thought it was MY job to ask the questions.
PANEL FOUR
Batman shoots the Question an icy glare. Pure intimidation.
4- BATMAN (caption): Vic Sage. THE QUESTION.
5- BATMAN (caption): Unless the world is ending, he should know BETTER. Only GORDON has the right to call me this way.
6- BATMAN: If you’re wasting my time, you’re not going to like the ANSWERS.
PANEL FIVE
The Question holds out his hands, palms forward, gesturing for Batman to stand down.
7- THE QUESTION: Unclench, big man. You're gonna pop a blood vessel.
8- THE QUESTION: I’ve got an urgent message for you from a mutual FRIEND.
8- THE QUESTION: Judomaster. He needs your HELP.
Oh, I got an email from an aspiring penciller asking if he could draw some samples from this script. Anyone that wants to, feel more than free. I'd be glad to provide a critique.
PAGE TWO
FULL PAGE SPLASH!
Rain pours down. Lightning flashes. Thunder booms. It’s quite a contrast from the idyllic weather in Nanda Parbat.
In the middle of the raging elements, BATMAN slices through the concrete canyons of Gotham City, borne aloft on his razor-thin bat-line.
The bat-signal lights up the sky above him.
1- BATMAN (caption): In the world I live in, the rain is a FRIEND.
2- BATMAN (caption): On a night like THIS, all the decent people in Gotham are huddled up at home with their families.
3- BATMAN (caption): All the DECENT people.
4- BATMAN (caption): It makes my life so much easier.
TITLE: BROKEN MASTER (part one of two)
CREDITS:
Writer: Keith Champagne
Penciller: Tbd
Inker: Tbd
Letterer: Tbd
Colorist: Tbd
Grasshopper: Michael Siglain
Grand Master: Peter Tomasi
PAGE THREE
PANEL ONE
The Bat-signal sits, seemingly deserted, on the roof of the precinct house. No one seems to be around to have lit it, yet nonetheless, there it shines into the stormy night.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL TWO
In the foreground, THE QUESTION hides in the shadow of the bat-signal. His identity should be obscured until the next panel.
Batman swings to a landing atop the roof of the precinct.
1- BATMAN: You might as well come out. I saw you three blocks ago.
2- BATMAN: I have a busy night. What do you want? And how did you gain access to the signal?
PANEL THREE
The Question steps out of the shadows.
3- THE QUESTION: And here I thought it was MY job to ask the questions.
PANEL FOUR
Batman shoots the Question an icy glare. Pure intimidation.
4- BATMAN (caption): Vic Sage. THE QUESTION.
5- BATMAN (caption): Unless the world is ending, he should know BETTER. Only GORDON has the right to call me this way.
6- BATMAN: If you’re wasting my time, you’re not going to like the ANSWERS.
PANEL FIVE
The Question holds out his hands, palms forward, gesturing for Batman to stand down.
7- THE QUESTION: Unclench, big man. You're gonna pop a blood vessel.
8- THE QUESTION: I’ve got an urgent message for you from a mutual FRIEND.
8- THE QUESTION: Judomaster. He needs your HELP.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Broken Master: PAGE ONE
PAGE ONE
PANEL ONE
A scenic view of NANDA PARBAT, vibrant, green, and full of life.
The village is ringed on all sides by vast, snow-covered mountain ranges. The sky above is brilliant blue, dotted with soft white clouds. It’s the picture of a simple, beautiful, paradise.
From a distance it’s hard to tell but as we get closer to the mountains, it will become clear that there are temples carved directly out of the stone.
1- CAPTION: Nanda Parbat.
PANEL TWO
Closer on the mountains that have been painstakingly transformed over the years into a breathtaking display of rock cut architecture. An entire second community lives in ornate temples that have been excavated out of the vertical face of the mountains.
NOTE: For an introduction to rock cut architecture, try:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellora or Google the term “Rock Cut Architecture.”
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL THREE
Zooming in on a balcony attached to the exterior of a large, pillared chamber of one of the temples.
A MAN sits in a bamboo chair on the balcony. This is RIPLEY JAGGER, The Judomaster. He’s not in costume. In fact, he’s shirtless and his lower back and torso are heavily bandaged. Although we don’t need to see it in this panel, his legs are useless. They’re bound together by straps of canvas at the ankles, knees, and thighs.
There’s a second man standing obscured in the shadows behind him. We’ll see shortly that this is BANE.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL FOUR
Angle on Ripley Jagger.
His eyes are squinted as he tirelessly scans the village far below. His face is pinched, tight with the pain that he’s feeling every second of every day.
Bane, from behind Jagger, places his hand on Judomaster’s shoulder.
2- BANE: Easy, my former little Judomaster.
3- BANE: There’s no need to get up, not on MY account.
PANEL FIVE
Angle on Bane, revealing his identity. I thought this might be a good time to redesign him a bit to make him look a little bit less like a Mexican wrestler and more like a super villain.
Either way, he’s not wearing his mask and is looking down at Ripley Jagger with a cold, smug grin on his face. He has the Judomaster costume slung around his shoulders the way a hunter wears the pelt of an animal he’s killed.
4- BANE: Your FRIENDS will be here soon enough.
PANEL ONE
A scenic view of NANDA PARBAT, vibrant, green, and full of life.
The village is ringed on all sides by vast, snow-covered mountain ranges. The sky above is brilliant blue, dotted with soft white clouds. It’s the picture of a simple, beautiful, paradise.
From a distance it’s hard to tell but as we get closer to the mountains, it will become clear that there are temples carved directly out of the stone.
1- CAPTION: Nanda Parbat.
PANEL TWO
Closer on the mountains that have been painstakingly transformed over the years into a breathtaking display of rock cut architecture. An entire second community lives in ornate temples that have been excavated out of the vertical face of the mountains.
NOTE: For an introduction to rock cut architecture, try:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellora or Google the term “Rock Cut Architecture.”
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL THREE
Zooming in on a balcony attached to the exterior of a large, pillared chamber of one of the temples.
A MAN sits in a bamboo chair on the balcony. This is RIPLEY JAGGER, The Judomaster. He’s not in costume. In fact, he’s shirtless and his lower back and torso are heavily bandaged. Although we don’t need to see it in this panel, his legs are useless. They’re bound together by straps of canvas at the ankles, knees, and thighs.
There’s a second man standing obscured in the shadows behind him. We’ll see shortly that this is BANE.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL FOUR
Angle on Ripley Jagger.
His eyes are squinted as he tirelessly scans the village far below. His face is pinched, tight with the pain that he’s feeling every second of every day.
Bane, from behind Jagger, places his hand on Judomaster’s shoulder.
2- BANE: Easy, my former little Judomaster.
3- BANE: There’s no need to get up, not on MY account.
PANEL FIVE
Angle on Bane, revealing his identity. I thought this might be a good time to redesign him a bit to make him look a little bit less like a Mexican wrestler and more like a super villain.
Either way, he’s not wearing his mask and is looking down at Ripley Jagger with a cold, smug grin on his face. He has the Judomaster costume slung around his shoulders the way a hunter wears the pelt of an animal he’s killed.
4- BANE: Your FRIENDS will be here soon enough.
Monday, March 12, 2007
BATMAN: BROKEN MASTER
Around the middle of last year, as I was finishing up my Green Lantern Corps assignment, I was given two issues of Batman to write and told to go off and come up with some ideas.
I knew right away what I wanted to do.
The DC universe is chock full of martial artists, all of them seemingly the toughest of the tough, world class fighters who have mastered every conceivable discipline known to man and quite a few that have been made up over the years. I've always kind of wondered who was the baddest mofo running around town.
So I pitched the idea of a tournament consisting of six or eight of the top fighters running around the DC Universe. Guys like Batman, Richard Dragon, Bronze Tiger, and The Question. Ladies like Shiva. A few more thrown in for good measure, for reasons related to the story. All I needed was a context to give them a good reason to fight.
I got that context from Infinite Crisis, specifically the panel where Bane breaks JudoMaster's back. It was a throwaway moment (at least I thought so) but it gave me the germ of an idea that grew into my Batman pitch.
After breaking Judomaster in half, Bane, being the asshole that he is, would have claimed the mantle of Judomaster. By doing so, he steals Judomaster's identity and, more importantly, his honor. Now paralyzed and unable to wrest his honor back from Bane, Judomaster sends out a call for help to some of his friends.
They all assemble in Nanda Parbat and agree to fight tournament style, with the winner challenging Bane in Judomaster's stead. Bane agrees to go along with it because, in a nutshell, it gets him off to drive everyone nuts like this.
I wrote up the first fifteen or sixteen pages of issue #1 and then my little project was killed. Due to 52 and One Year Later, almost every character I was using would either be unavailable at the time the story took place or drastically changed by the time it saw print (See: The Question.) Not to mention, the powers that be had decided that Judomaster was killed during Bane's attack, not paralyzed.
It was disappointing and frustrating but these kinds of things happen when you work in a shared universe. I went on to write two issues of Batman about a new villain, The Mirror, that should see print sooner or later.
In the meantime, I thought I'd post up my script for BATMAN: BROKEN MASTER here on my blog, one page at a time. So look for page one starting later this week, and I'll probably post a new page every couple of days. When I'm out of script, maybe I'll post the complete synopsis so you can see how it was all going to end. Or maybe not, maybe it's better just to make up your own ending. We'll have to see how it plays out.
So keep an eye out and I hope you'll enjoy it.
I knew right away what I wanted to do.
The DC universe is chock full of martial artists, all of them seemingly the toughest of the tough, world class fighters who have mastered every conceivable discipline known to man and quite a few that have been made up over the years. I've always kind of wondered who was the baddest mofo running around town.
So I pitched the idea of a tournament consisting of six or eight of the top fighters running around the DC Universe. Guys like Batman, Richard Dragon, Bronze Tiger, and The Question. Ladies like Shiva. A few more thrown in for good measure, for reasons related to the story. All I needed was a context to give them a good reason to fight.
I got that context from Infinite Crisis, specifically the panel where Bane breaks JudoMaster's back. It was a throwaway moment (at least I thought so) but it gave me the germ of an idea that grew into my Batman pitch.
After breaking Judomaster in half, Bane, being the asshole that he is, would have claimed the mantle of Judomaster. By doing so, he steals Judomaster's identity and, more importantly, his honor. Now paralyzed and unable to wrest his honor back from Bane, Judomaster sends out a call for help to some of his friends.
They all assemble in Nanda Parbat and agree to fight tournament style, with the winner challenging Bane in Judomaster's stead. Bane agrees to go along with it because, in a nutshell, it gets him off to drive everyone nuts like this.
I wrote up the first fifteen or sixteen pages of issue #1 and then my little project was killed. Due to 52 and One Year Later, almost every character I was using would either be unavailable at the time the story took place or drastically changed by the time it saw print (See: The Question.) Not to mention, the powers that be had decided that Judomaster was killed during Bane's attack, not paralyzed.
It was disappointing and frustrating but these kinds of things happen when you work in a shared universe. I went on to write two issues of Batman about a new villain, The Mirror, that should see print sooner or later.
In the meantime, I thought I'd post up my script for BATMAN: BROKEN MASTER here on my blog, one page at a time. So look for page one starting later this week, and I'll probably post a new page every couple of days. When I'm out of script, maybe I'll post the complete synopsis so you can see how it was all going to end. Or maybe not, maybe it's better just to make up your own ending. We'll have to see how it plays out.
So keep an eye out and I hope you'll enjoy it.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Care Bear Stare!
In light of not having much time to post anything this week, I thought I'd crib the photoshop mastery of the mysterious "Dan", who whipped this together, and throw it up here. This was probably ridiculously easy to do for anyone except for me. The only thing I'm good at doing in photoshop is getting frustrated.
Thanks, "Dan!"
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Randy Couture
Twenty years from now, when Hollywood makes a movie out of Randy Couture's life and fighting career, I'm buying a ticket for opening night.
Insane.
Insane.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Robo-Keith
Here's America's favorite writer-inker at the DC panel last week.
Brad, you weren't kidding when you said I look like Robo-Keith. I'm used to getting red eye in pictures, very rarely do I take a picture without it. But what's up with the blue-ish teeth? It looks like I just had a blueberry popsicle or something.
Green? Yellow? Sure, I could buy that. But blue?? That's just weird.
Maybe some Photoshop wizard out there can have me shooting energy out of my robo-eyes or something cool.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Random convention thoughts
All in all, the second NY comic convention was a great improvement over last year's disaster. This time, it was actually a real convention and ran as such whereas last year, it was a complete trainwreck. I'm told over 40,000 people attended on Saturday alone, yet at no point did it feel as if the Javitz Center was about to explode.
Which is a good thing.
I was a part of DC's panel on Saturday, in front of a very packed room of fans, answering questions along with a bunch of other comic creators as best I could. It was my first time being a part of a panel and I found it a little nervewracking in the beginning. All in all, I don't think I said anything too completely stupid and I got a few laughs out of the room which is really all one can hope for in that kind of situation. It's definitely a different experience promoting a project like World War III than I've had at these conventions previously.
I enjoyed spending some time with Pat Gleason, talking about life, Green Lantern and comparing notes and ideas about the future of The Corpse. I now consider myself an honorary member of the Minnesota wrecking crew of comic creators and I'm proud to be the Connecticut branch of such a nice group of guys.
I also had a nice little mini-reunion with a couple of my best friends from my days in The Kubert School. It's nice to reconnect with old friends, especially when you fall back so easily into the old rhythm of friendship. Video interviews seem to be the trend these days, as I did about 4-5 of them over the course of my time at the convention. I think I prefer email interviews, where I can weigh my answers more deliberately but I started getting used to it just about towards the end of the last one I did.
On the flip side, the sheer arrogance of some of my peers never fails to surprise me. The things some people say, either when talking shop or about their own work, can be mind boggling. We make comics, people, not anything important. A little perspective never hurts and, when you're not looking, can keep you growing not only as an artist but also as a person.
A nice time when all was said and done. Next for me on the convention circuit will be San Diego in July and that'll mostly likely be a wrap for my con experiences for the year.
Which is a good thing.
I was a part of DC's panel on Saturday, in front of a very packed room of fans, answering questions along with a bunch of other comic creators as best I could. It was my first time being a part of a panel and I found it a little nervewracking in the beginning. All in all, I don't think I said anything too completely stupid and I got a few laughs out of the room which is really all one can hope for in that kind of situation. It's definitely a different experience promoting a project like World War III than I've had at these conventions previously.
I enjoyed spending some time with Pat Gleason, talking about life, Green Lantern and comparing notes and ideas about the future of The Corpse. I now consider myself an honorary member of the Minnesota wrecking crew of comic creators and I'm proud to be the Connecticut branch of such a nice group of guys.
I also had a nice little mini-reunion with a couple of my best friends from my days in The Kubert School. It's nice to reconnect with old friends, especially when you fall back so easily into the old rhythm of friendship. Video interviews seem to be the trend these days, as I did about 4-5 of them over the course of my time at the convention. I think I prefer email interviews, where I can weigh my answers more deliberately but I started getting used to it just about towards the end of the last one I did.
On the flip side, the sheer arrogance of some of my peers never fails to surprise me. The things some people say, either when talking shop or about their own work, can be mind boggling. We make comics, people, not anything important. A little perspective never hurts and, when you're not looking, can keep you growing not only as an artist but also as a person.
A nice time when all was said and done. Next for me on the convention circuit will be San Diego in July and that'll mostly likely be a wrap for my con experiences for the year.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Not The End...
It's probably way early to announce this and who knows? It might even get me in some warm water with the powers that be, but I'm bored tonight and I need a break from cleaning my office.
So the totally hardcore, no wimps allowed, secret Black Ops division of the Green Lantern Corps, THE CORPSE, is coming back--six issues stronger in a story called "The New Black."
To date, I've turned in the first script, an outline for issue #2, and a synopsis for the overall series. It's too early to say whether this new adventure will stand on its own legs as a separate mini-series or perhaps double ship for three months in the pages of GLC. Both ideas have been talked over and there are advantages to both approaches. I'm leaning towards the mini-series approach because it doesn't interfere with Mr. Gibbons' run and it's also food for my ego. However, running in the pages of GLC gives the concept a nice safety net so we'll see what happens as we go along.
In either case, I don't think we'll see the light of day until early 08.
Pat, I want you back. I hope you're schedule will allow it because this is OUR baby. I don't want to raise it with someone else.
Obviously, I'm not going to spoil any content this far out but I will say that now that The Corpse has been established, we can take off the training wheels and get our hands dirty. 'The Dark Side Of Green' was a nice appetizer for where things are going but in some very subtle ways, it was watered down by editorial decisions that needed to be made in regards to the whole Green Lantern Franchise. Nothing that killed the story but its teeth were definitely sanded down a bit.
Not so, next time out.
One last note. The clincher to this project getting the greenlight was the overwhelmingly positive response to The Corpse and their initial adventure. You guys created a real buzz on the message boards and with the positive reviews and the people at DC pay attention to what you think.
So this is me saying thanks! And I'll try to say it again--a little louder--by giving you your money's worth next year with THE NEW BLACK.
So the totally hardcore, no wimps allowed, secret Black Ops division of the Green Lantern Corps, THE CORPSE, is coming back--six issues stronger in a story called "The New Black."
To date, I've turned in the first script, an outline for issue #2, and a synopsis for the overall series. It's too early to say whether this new adventure will stand on its own legs as a separate mini-series or perhaps double ship for three months in the pages of GLC. Both ideas have been talked over and there are advantages to both approaches. I'm leaning towards the mini-series approach because it doesn't interfere with Mr. Gibbons' run and it's also food for my ego. However, running in the pages of GLC gives the concept a nice safety net so we'll see what happens as we go along.
In either case, I don't think we'll see the light of day until early 08.
Pat, I want you back. I hope you're schedule will allow it because this is OUR baby. I don't want to raise it with someone else.
Obviously, I'm not going to spoil any content this far out but I will say that now that The Corpse has been established, we can take off the training wheels and get our hands dirty. 'The Dark Side Of Green' was a nice appetizer for where things are going but in some very subtle ways, it was watered down by editorial decisions that needed to be made in regards to the whole Green Lantern Franchise. Nothing that killed the story but its teeth were definitely sanded down a bit.
Not so, next time out.
One last note. The clincher to this project getting the greenlight was the overwhelmingly positive response to The Corpse and their initial adventure. You guys created a real buzz on the message boards and with the positive reviews and the people at DC pay attention to what you think.
So this is me saying thanks! And I'll try to say it again--a little louder--by giving you your money's worth next year with THE NEW BLACK.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
New York Comic Con
I guess I should mention that I'll be appearing next weekend at the 2nd Annual New York Comic Con at the Jacob Javitz center.
I like the idea of having a large convention (such as the NYCC is rapidly becoming) so relatively close to home. I think this convention's stated goal is to become San Diego: East or something like that, meaning it has grand ambitions. This year is make or break for me with this show. Last year was the worst convention I've ever attended. It was a disaster in almost every way. I'm giving it another shot because it was their first year and the response to the show was much greater than the organizers anticipated. But if it sucks again, that's it for me.
I don't know what my signing schedule is but I know I'll be appearing at the DC booth. It's probably a safe bet to say I'll be their w/ either Jamal Igle or w/ Pat Gleason, seeing as they've been my partners in crime lately. I'm also looking forward to a small scale reunion of some of my Kubert school classmates.
I'm out of there relatively early on Saturday to make it home to see my lovely wife and tuck my son into bed, plus I'm anxious to watch Pride's second card from Las Vegas, the aptly titled Second Coming, which runs that night on Pay Per View. You and me, Kenny!
If you're at the convention, please come say hi. If you're a reader of this blog, I've got a special little freebie for you.
I like the idea of having a large convention (such as the NYCC is rapidly becoming) so relatively close to home. I think this convention's stated goal is to become San Diego: East or something like that, meaning it has grand ambitions. This year is make or break for me with this show. Last year was the worst convention I've ever attended. It was a disaster in almost every way. I'm giving it another shot because it was their first year and the response to the show was much greater than the organizers anticipated. But if it sucks again, that's it for me.
I don't know what my signing schedule is but I know I'll be appearing at the DC booth. It's probably a safe bet to say I'll be their w/ either Jamal Igle or w/ Pat Gleason, seeing as they've been my partners in crime lately. I'm also looking forward to a small scale reunion of some of my Kubert school classmates.
I'm out of there relatively early on Saturday to make it home to see my lovely wife and tuck my son into bed, plus I'm anxious to watch Pride's second card from Las Vegas, the aptly titled Second Coming, which runs that night on Pay Per View. You and me, Kenny!
If you're at the convention, please come say hi. If you're a reader of this blog, I've got a special little freebie for you.
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