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.
Friday, March 16, 2007
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.
Monday, February 12, 2007
GLC #9
Just a quick reminder that GREEN LANTERN CORPS #9, the last chapter of my three-part story "The Dark Side of Green" arrives in stores this Wednesday, the 14th.
Unless you live in England; then you've got to wait an extra day...right, Chris?
Anyway, the last three words on the last page are my personal favorite from the entire story. I'm sure you'll understand why after you read them.
I had a great time playing in the Green Lantern sandbox and I'm sure this won't be the last time I'm called on for honorary duty in the Corps. Or maybe even The Corpse.
Unless you live in England; then you've got to wait an extra day...right, Chris?
Anyway, the last three words on the last page are my personal favorite from the entire story. I'm sure you'll understand why after you read them.
I had a great time playing in the Green Lantern sandbox and I'm sure this won't be the last time I'm called on for honorary duty in the Corps. Or maybe even The Corpse.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Things I should like?
Does anybody out there watch Battlestar Galactica? I hear many good things about the show, is it worth the time to get caught up?
Friday, February 02, 2007
Things I don't like...
The Richard Donner cut of Superman II.
I watched this last night and, while I realize it's only an approximation of the 'true' version of Superman II that Richard Donner intended to make, many of the newly includes scenes left me cold.
For one, there's actually very little Superman in this movie. Aside from a brief appearance at Niagara Falls, Superman is really only in costume to battle against Zod towards the end of the second act. We get a lot more of Clark Kent (which I don't necessarily mind) but more superheroics wouldn't have hurt.
Speaking of the battle w/ Zod, while all the crazy teleporting around the fortress in the other version has always bugged me, this new version also left me cold. I don't mind seeing Superman outwit Zod. It's three against one, after all, so his quick thinking is really his only advantage. It just seems that Superman's "Don't throw me in the briar patch" solution is, well...lame. To be fair, it was lame in both versions. Watching Superman whisper his big plan to Lex made me wince, especially because Zod (with his super-hearing) is standing three feet away.
There's more of Lex Luthor, the greatest criminal mind on Earth, in the Donner version but to me, the new footage makes Lex seem more like the greatest buffoon on Earth. In his own way, he's just as dumb as Otis. There's more of Lois and, to me, Margot Kidder is terrific. But the way she tricks Superman into revealing his identity sure does make him seem like the biggest idiot in the world.
There's also more of my own personal favorite actor, Marlon Brando, but his newly restored scenes didn't really add much to the mix. The special effects...well, you can tell that they were finished on the cheap. The climactic battle against Zod seems to come very early in the film and then, we're left watching some different character-oriented scenes to round things up. Superman's new solution to the dilemma that Lois now knows his dual identity doesn't work. As implausible as the amnesia kiss was in the first version, it tied things up much more neatly and with far less plotholes left to fill.
What the Donner version does have going for it is Christopher Reeve, who is iconic as both Clark and Superman. I enjoyed the extra Clark footage throughout.
This one was a real mixed bag for me, a big letdown from what I was hoping. The Donner version of Superman II seemed ill concieved on several different levels and I much prefer the version that we all grew up with. It's far from perfect but it's much, much better as a film.
I watched this last night and, while I realize it's only an approximation of the 'true' version of Superman II that Richard Donner intended to make, many of the newly includes scenes left me cold.
For one, there's actually very little Superman in this movie. Aside from a brief appearance at Niagara Falls, Superman is really only in costume to battle against Zod towards the end of the second act. We get a lot more of Clark Kent (which I don't necessarily mind) but more superheroics wouldn't have hurt.
Speaking of the battle w/ Zod, while all the crazy teleporting around the fortress in the other version has always bugged me, this new version also left me cold. I don't mind seeing Superman outwit Zod. It's three against one, after all, so his quick thinking is really his only advantage. It just seems that Superman's "Don't throw me in the briar patch" solution is, well...lame. To be fair, it was lame in both versions. Watching Superman whisper his big plan to Lex made me wince, especially because Zod (with his super-hearing) is standing three feet away.
There's more of Lex Luthor, the greatest criminal mind on Earth, in the Donner version but to me, the new footage makes Lex seem more like the greatest buffoon on Earth. In his own way, he's just as dumb as Otis. There's more of Lois and, to me, Margot Kidder is terrific. But the way she tricks Superman into revealing his identity sure does make him seem like the biggest idiot in the world.
There's also more of my own personal favorite actor, Marlon Brando, but his newly restored scenes didn't really add much to the mix. The special effects...well, you can tell that they were finished on the cheap. The climactic battle against Zod seems to come very early in the film and then, we're left watching some different character-oriented scenes to round things up. Superman's new solution to the dilemma that Lois now knows his dual identity doesn't work. As implausible as the amnesia kiss was in the first version, it tied things up much more neatly and with far less plotholes left to fill.
What the Donner version does have going for it is Christopher Reeve, who is iconic as both Clark and Superman. I enjoyed the extra Clark footage throughout.
This one was a real mixed bag for me, a big letdown from what I was hoping. The Donner version of Superman II seemed ill concieved on several different levels and I much prefer the version that we all grew up with. It's far from perfect but it's much, much better as a film.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Things I like...
Here's a few recommendations of things that I'm enjoying lately...
ROME.
Every Sunday night on HBO. Great show, well acted, lots of political manuevering, and a feeling that anything can happen at any time. I loved the first season and the second season is so far off to a great start.
TONY LOCO.
An independent comic published by Illusive Arts, written by Derek McCaw and drawn by Mark Teague. Moody, atmospheric, mysterious...I don't know where it's going but it seems to be a strange mix of Batman and Don Quixote. Ask your comic shop to special order the first two issues, it's worth your time.
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
The book, not the movie--although I enjoy the movie too. Some of the most unpretentious, straightforward, yet beautifully powerful writing I've ever enjoyed. I recently reread it for about the tenth time and it still makes me mist up as I read the last page. I am haunted by waters, indeed.
SUICIDE SQUAD
I've been rereading some of John Ostrander's first run on the title in preparation for the new series. Tight storytelling, suspenseful, and great characterization. They hold up well after all these years.
THE WIGGLES
My son loves them and I have to admit, they've grown on me. Our Wiggles collection has grown to six movies and are now in a heavy rotation, actually beating out Bob The Builder, the reigning champion in this house for months. I often find myself singing "Here comes Wagsy, here comes Wagsy..." without realizing I was doing it.
ROME.
Every Sunday night on HBO. Great show, well acted, lots of political manuevering, and a feeling that anything can happen at any time. I loved the first season and the second season is so far off to a great start.
TONY LOCO.
An independent comic published by Illusive Arts, written by Derek McCaw and drawn by Mark Teague. Moody, atmospheric, mysterious...I don't know where it's going but it seems to be a strange mix of Batman and Don Quixote. Ask your comic shop to special order the first two issues, it's worth your time.
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
The book, not the movie--although I enjoy the movie too. Some of the most unpretentious, straightforward, yet beautifully powerful writing I've ever enjoyed. I recently reread it for about the tenth time and it still makes me mist up as I read the last page. I am haunted by waters, indeed.
SUICIDE SQUAD
I've been rereading some of John Ostrander's first run on the title in preparation for the new series. Tight storytelling, suspenseful, and great characterization. They hold up well after all these years.
THE WIGGLES
My son loves them and I have to admit, they've grown on me. Our Wiggles collection has grown to six movies and are now in a heavy rotation, actually beating out Bob The Builder, the reigning champion in this house for months. I often find myself singing "Here comes Wagsy, here comes Wagsy..." without realizing I was doing it.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Beau Smith speaks!
This meant a lot.
The last real man in comics, Beau Smith, mentioned my first issue of Green Lantern Corps in his latest online column, Busted Knuckles. Here's the linkage...
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/busted/
Beau was nice enough to email me a 'heads up' that he was talking about my writing of Guy Gardner, a character near and dear to his heart. The very nice things he said really made my day.
For the uncounted trillions of Green Lantern fans who have enjoyed my characterization of Guy, I'm just following the template that Mr. Smith laid out for two some odd years. He pretty much wrote the textbook on how GG should be portrayed. He gave Guy Gardner a soul behind the sometimes-asshole facade and the fact that I'm doing him proud makes me feel like I did something right.
To me, Guy Gardner's rough exterior masks the fact that he's got the biggest heart in the world. He doesn't let that love slip through too often but I think it's the key to what makes him tick.
Beau, if you read this, I didn't feel like I really got a handle on Guy until issue #9. Or at least, that's the issue I would have gotten a good handle on him if I didn't kill him off in issue #8. So I hope I continue to make you proud and most of all, I look forward to your inevitable return to Guy Gardner's life.
After all, John Ostrander is back on Suicide Squad. It's only a matter of time before you get yours.
Your amigo,
Keith
The last real man in comics, Beau Smith, mentioned my first issue of Green Lantern Corps in his latest online column, Busted Knuckles. Here's the linkage...
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/busted/
Beau was nice enough to email me a 'heads up' that he was talking about my writing of Guy Gardner, a character near and dear to his heart. The very nice things he said really made my day.
For the uncounted trillions of Green Lantern fans who have enjoyed my characterization of Guy, I'm just following the template that Mr. Smith laid out for two some odd years. He pretty much wrote the textbook on how GG should be portrayed. He gave Guy Gardner a soul behind the sometimes-asshole facade and the fact that I'm doing him proud makes me feel like I did something right.
To me, Guy Gardner's rough exterior masks the fact that he's got the biggest heart in the world. He doesn't let that love slip through too often but I think it's the key to what makes him tick.
Beau, if you read this, I didn't feel like I really got a handle on Guy until issue #9. Or at least, that's the issue I would have gotten a good handle on him if I didn't kill him off in issue #8. So I hope I continue to make you proud and most of all, I look forward to your inevitable return to Guy Gardner's life.
After all, John Ostrander is back on Suicide Squad. It's only a matter of time before you get yours.
Your amigo,
Keith
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Big Daddy
A few months ago, my son Jack started calling me "daddy" instead of "dada." Speech development and all that jazz. He's almost three so he's pretty much a nonstop chatterbox and his pronunciation gets clearer every day.
A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, he started calling me "Big Daddy" instead of just daddy. "Big Daddy, come play with my trains." or "Big Daddy, can I have a juicebox?" Things like that.
I don't know where he came up with Big Daddy but I've got to say, it's pretty much my favorite name ever. It literally cracks me up everytime he says it.
A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, he started calling me "Big Daddy" instead of just daddy. "Big Daddy, come play with my trains." or "Big Daddy, can I have a juicebox?" Things like that.
I don't know where he came up with Big Daddy but I've got to say, it's pretty much my favorite name ever. It literally cracks me up everytime he says it.
Friday, January 19, 2007
transcription
I'm 8 pages out from being finished with my commitment to WORLD WAR III and, if everything continues to go smoothly, I'll be able to move on from this project next week. It's been a remarkably easy ride--aside from the tighter-than-usual deadlines--and I'm increasingly anxious to move on to my next project.
Anyway, I'm waaaaaaaaaaaay late in linking to it so, instead, I'm just going to post the full text of the interview I did w/ Newsarama covering WWIII. If I wasn't tired and had something to actually say, I'd write more but I'm brain dead and I'm taking the easy way out. Some things have changed since this interview posted last week, mainly the amount of writing work and projects that I've got lined up. But I can't announce anything for a while so for now, here's the interview.
Every time Newsarama talks to Keith Champagne, the intro to the article talks about how he's an inker trying to break into the world of comics writing.
Time for that to stop.
With the announcement on Friday that DC is trusting two of its Week 50 "World War III" one shots to Keith Champagne -- pairing him up with veteran writer John Ostrander -- it's pretty safe to say he's done broken in. And this is no small project. Four 32-page issues of World War III will be released on the same Wednesday as the Week 50 issue of 52 on April 18 and will tell many of the stories of what happened during the "missing year" between Infinite Crisis and the One Year Later mark. Two of the issues -- titled Call to Arms and The Valiant -- will be written by Champagne, while the other two -- Hell is for Heroes and United We Stand -- will be penned by Ostrander.
Newsarama caught up with Champagne to talk about the story that will be told in the four issues, how he got the gig, and what he thinks about getting an opportunity to work on the story of 52.
Newsarama: You're part of the story being told in 52 - how does it feel?
Keith Champagne: Well, the 52 crew leave some pretty big footsteps to follow, and this has been a very reference heavy project -- there's been a lot of catching up on material I've only half read. Oh, and the amount of lead time is a little shorter than usual --which might be the biggest understatement ever. Plus, all four books are coming out the same day, coinciding with the release of 52 #50, which I don't think has ever been attempted before.
Aside from that, it's just another day at the office.
NRAMA: Oh, yeah. No biggie. How did you get this gig, Keith?
KC: I answered my phone to hear the deep growl of that svengali of all svengali's, Peter Tomasi, tell me he just got out of a meeting with Dan Didio and had an interesting project for me to write. After he explained the whole thing, he asked me if it was something I'd be interested in. I said yes. He asked me again, making sure I understood the tight deadlines and amount of reference involved. I said yes. He explained it again to make sure I knew what I was walking into but, since no one has ever accused me of being the sharpest knife in the drawer, I continued to say yes.
Now he's stuck with me.
NRAMA: Or you're stuck with him -- with the tight deadlines, it could be seen either way. So you're writing two of the four issues, with John Ostrander writing the other two. Are you coordinating the story between the two of you?
KC: Originally, I was slated to write all four issues. Then when we realized there just wasn't time for one person to write all four issues, John Ostrander came aboard with about a million ideas to take this project to the next level. As it stands now, I'm writing the first two and John is writing #3 and 4. John and I are working pretty close together to make sure the story flows seamlessly and with two editors watching our every move, we've got a good safety net in place to catch any balls we drop.
NRAMA: You mentioned the short lead time. I guess four 32-page one-shots is a lot of script and art to have done and ready to go for shipment on one day. How is that working from a timing standpoint?
KC: I'm going back and forth between scripts right now. All these books are being produced simultaneously so I'm basically writing half of #1 to get the penciller going, then half of #2 to get that artist working, back and forth that way. It's an interesting way to work but I've plotted everything pretty tightly so there shouldn't be any surprises or missed opportunities.
NRAMA: Does knowing that all four issues will, for many people, be read at one sitting influence the way you're writing the issues?
KC: There's a definite advantage to having all four issues being read in one sitting. Mainly that people won't forget what happened while waiting 30 days for the next issue to ship. I know if I read a comic, I only vaguely remember what was going on by the time I get the next one. But the fact that this is just BANGBANGBANGBANG one after another, it makes me feel like I can really lay in a ton of subtle touches and Easter eggs and not worry that people reading won't pick up on it.Aside from that, I'm following the same little set of guidelines I always try to. Character first!
NRAMA: What do you think of the idea of four one-shots that tie together with a fifth issue -- all being released at once?
KC: It's honestly the only way to do these books. Week 50 is World War III, and it doesn't make sense to have books shipping during weeks 51, 52, one, two, etc. -- after the fact. There's too much story here that is integral to the overall continuity.Personally, I like it. It's never been done before and it gives this project a whole different kind of event feel to it.
NRAMA: "Never been done before" seems to apply to a lot about 52. Have you gotten to talk to the writers involved in the 52 series, or are you mainly talking with the editor?
KC: I'm working with Peter Tomasi and Mike Siglain, who are co-editing. I guess Mike didn't have enough stress in his life with a weekly book so he decided to try something really challenging and ship four books in one day. Liz Gehrlein, their shiny new assistant, has been coordinating quite a bit and I've also been going back and forth with John Ostrander, who is writing the other two issues.
NRAMA: Dan Didio addressed this a bit, but from what you've seen in the stories -- what is the real purpose of doing one-shots outside the main 52 series? Is this something that further fleshes out the content of Week 50, or is it something they just couldn't fit in there? And most importantly, do you have to read these four issues to understand Week 50 of the 52 series?
KC: You know, I've read the WWIII issue of 52, and it's great. It's a homerun story, and it stands quite nicely on its own.Having said that, this is WORLD WAR III. For the past year, everything has been building up to this week. It's an event, and Dan Didio wants to make sure that the people who have been following all along are treated to just that -- a comics event. It's a bang, not a whimper.What our series is doing is weaving a story in between the events of 52 #50, both fleshing out certain elements and also introducing a lot of new content, showing much more of what's going on around the world during the war. It turns out that week 50 is one of the most pivotal seven day periods in the history of the DCU. You want to talk about ramifications, about characters living, changing, and dying ... much of what we're doing here answers the questions that were posed about the DCU when One Year Later began.So, if 52 #50 is the entree, then World War III is the bread, drinks, salad, appetizer, desert, and midnight snack.
NRAMA: You're just trying to make everyone hungry. But let's talk about that "52 entree" a little. Have you been reading 52?
KC: I'm usually behind on the issues because my comps arrive three or four weeks later, but I've been reading pretty consistently.
NRAMA: What did you think of it before you got involved?
KC: I think the book is exactly what you'd expect it to be, considering the talent involved, and I honestly think it's a legitimate achievement. When the last page is turned, they should all take a bow because they're pulling off something that no one really believed they could.
NRAMA: It sounds like you weren't really knowledgeable about the secrets of the mysteries in 52 before. Did they have to bring you up to speed?
KC: I was brought up to speed so fast, my head is still smoking.
NRAMA: Okay fanboy - does it suck to have the end of 52 spoiled now?
KC: Nah - it doesn't suck, but I'm happy to say the ending more than lives up to the hype.
NRAMA: To get to that ending, you're having to cover a lot of ground. We've been told, at least loosely, in the solicitations about some "secrets" that are contained in each one-shot. But they're called "Part One" through "Part Four" because you are tying them together with an overall story, right? I know you can't give details, but in general terms, what is the story that runs through them?
KC: Set against the backdrop of World War III, one hero goes on a journey of self-discovery to learn who he is and what role he should play -- if any -- in the DCU.
NRAMA: You call World War III a "backdrop," but the words "world war" implies a pretty battle. Is this really the big one? Or as the folks in World War I liked to say: "The war to end all wars?"
KC: This is the mother of all wars, at least until World War IV someday comes down the pike.
NRAMA: [laughs] OK, that's a safe description. But you know this is frustrating not to really know any of the answers for what you're writng. How's this: Tell us the last thing you wrote -- the last panel or page -- and what it was about.
KC: The last thing I wrote was the first ever, in continuity, appearance of Jason Todd as Nightwing. The scene I'm writing tonight concerns Supergirl and how she ends up in the 31st century -- if it is indeed her in the 31st century.
NRAMA: "If?" Argh! You're a horrible tease. OK, since you're sticking to general terms, let's talk theme. The writers of 52 have said one of the main themes of the series is "what it means to be a hero." What's the theme of these four issues?
KC: Wow, I hate these types of questions. I think the theme to these books is "how many giant changes can we make to DC continuity while still making those changes organic to the story."In terms of the characters, like I mentioned before, the theme is one of self-exploration and finding one's role in a sometimes brutal and dangerous world.
NRAMA: It seems like I've interviewed you a lot lately about your writing. Miss inking yet?KC: Inking is still my bread and butter, I inked two Jamal Igle pages today. I'd like to miss it someday but right now, it's still a big part of my daily life -- and yearly income.
NRAMA: But it does seem like doors are finally opening for you as a writer. Are you ready to switch your career entirely to writing? Or do you see yourself dabbling in a little writing while still being an artist?
KC: You know, I think about this a lot and it's hard to plan ahead like that. Doors are starting to really open for me as a writer, largely thanks to Tomasi who really champions me in the DC offices. At the same time, I equate it to David Caruso, who left his hit TV show to make movies and then fell flat on his face for a while. I don't want to be that guy, the one who ends up screwing himself over by going for too much, too fast. Ideally, and I've said this before, I'd like to ease into writing full-time. I have the chops to do it and more opportunities are popping up. On the flip side, with most of my income still coming from inking, I don't have to take every writing gig in front of me. I can be more selective and choose the ones I feel fit me better. I don't foresee leaving inking completely until someone offers me the security of a contract to write full time. I have a family to support and that's the bottom line.
NRAMA: More opportunities are popping up, huh? Can you tell us what else is coming for Keith Champagne?
KC: I'll be taking over the writing chores for my first monthly book later this year. I just wrote a 12-page Two Face story for this year's Batman Annual. And we're talking about doing a follow up to my Green Lantern Corps story when I finish World War III.
Plus, I'm inking Nightwing over the great Jamal Igle every month. So there's going to be plenty of me going around for fans to get sick of.
Anyway, I'm waaaaaaaaaaaay late in linking to it so, instead, I'm just going to post the full text of the interview I did w/ Newsarama covering WWIII. If I wasn't tired and had something to actually say, I'd write more but I'm brain dead and I'm taking the easy way out. Some things have changed since this interview posted last week, mainly the amount of writing work and projects that I've got lined up. But I can't announce anything for a while so for now, here's the interview.
Every time Newsarama talks to Keith Champagne, the intro to the article talks about how he's an inker trying to break into the world of comics writing.
Time for that to stop.
With the announcement on Friday that DC is trusting two of its Week 50 "World War III" one shots to Keith Champagne -- pairing him up with veteran writer John Ostrander -- it's pretty safe to say he's done broken in. And this is no small project. Four 32-page issues of World War III will be released on the same Wednesday as the Week 50 issue of 52 on April 18 and will tell many of the stories of what happened during the "missing year" between Infinite Crisis and the One Year Later mark. Two of the issues -- titled Call to Arms and The Valiant -- will be written by Champagne, while the other two -- Hell is for Heroes and United We Stand -- will be penned by Ostrander.
Newsarama caught up with Champagne to talk about the story that will be told in the four issues, how he got the gig, and what he thinks about getting an opportunity to work on the story of 52.
Newsarama: You're part of the story being told in 52 - how does it feel?
Keith Champagne: Well, the 52 crew leave some pretty big footsteps to follow, and this has been a very reference heavy project -- there's been a lot of catching up on material I've only half read. Oh, and the amount of lead time is a little shorter than usual --which might be the biggest understatement ever. Plus, all four books are coming out the same day, coinciding with the release of 52 #50, which I don't think has ever been attempted before.
Aside from that, it's just another day at the office.
NRAMA: Oh, yeah. No biggie. How did you get this gig, Keith?
KC: I answered my phone to hear the deep growl of that svengali of all svengali's, Peter Tomasi, tell me he just got out of a meeting with Dan Didio and had an interesting project for me to write. After he explained the whole thing, he asked me if it was something I'd be interested in. I said yes. He asked me again, making sure I understood the tight deadlines and amount of reference involved. I said yes. He explained it again to make sure I knew what I was walking into but, since no one has ever accused me of being the sharpest knife in the drawer, I continued to say yes.
Now he's stuck with me.
NRAMA: Or you're stuck with him -- with the tight deadlines, it could be seen either way. So you're writing two of the four issues, with John Ostrander writing the other two. Are you coordinating the story between the two of you?
KC: Originally, I was slated to write all four issues. Then when we realized there just wasn't time for one person to write all four issues, John Ostrander came aboard with about a million ideas to take this project to the next level. As it stands now, I'm writing the first two and John is writing #3 and 4. John and I are working pretty close together to make sure the story flows seamlessly and with two editors watching our every move, we've got a good safety net in place to catch any balls we drop.
NRAMA: You mentioned the short lead time. I guess four 32-page one-shots is a lot of script and art to have done and ready to go for shipment on one day. How is that working from a timing standpoint?
KC: I'm going back and forth between scripts right now. All these books are being produced simultaneously so I'm basically writing half of #1 to get the penciller going, then half of #2 to get that artist working, back and forth that way. It's an interesting way to work but I've plotted everything pretty tightly so there shouldn't be any surprises or missed opportunities.
NRAMA: Does knowing that all four issues will, for many people, be read at one sitting influence the way you're writing the issues?
KC: There's a definite advantage to having all four issues being read in one sitting. Mainly that people won't forget what happened while waiting 30 days for the next issue to ship. I know if I read a comic, I only vaguely remember what was going on by the time I get the next one. But the fact that this is just BANGBANGBANGBANG one after another, it makes me feel like I can really lay in a ton of subtle touches and Easter eggs and not worry that people reading won't pick up on it.Aside from that, I'm following the same little set of guidelines I always try to. Character first!
NRAMA: What do you think of the idea of four one-shots that tie together with a fifth issue -- all being released at once?
KC: It's honestly the only way to do these books. Week 50 is World War III, and it doesn't make sense to have books shipping during weeks 51, 52, one, two, etc. -- after the fact. There's too much story here that is integral to the overall continuity.Personally, I like it. It's never been done before and it gives this project a whole different kind of event feel to it.
NRAMA: "Never been done before" seems to apply to a lot about 52. Have you gotten to talk to the writers involved in the 52 series, or are you mainly talking with the editor?
KC: I'm working with Peter Tomasi and Mike Siglain, who are co-editing. I guess Mike didn't have enough stress in his life with a weekly book so he decided to try something really challenging and ship four books in one day. Liz Gehrlein, their shiny new assistant, has been coordinating quite a bit and I've also been going back and forth with John Ostrander, who is writing the other two issues.
NRAMA: Dan Didio addressed this a bit, but from what you've seen in the stories -- what is the real purpose of doing one-shots outside the main 52 series? Is this something that further fleshes out the content of Week 50, or is it something they just couldn't fit in there? And most importantly, do you have to read these four issues to understand Week 50 of the 52 series?
KC: You know, I've read the WWIII issue of 52, and it's great. It's a homerun story, and it stands quite nicely on its own.Having said that, this is WORLD WAR III. For the past year, everything has been building up to this week. It's an event, and Dan Didio wants to make sure that the people who have been following all along are treated to just that -- a comics event. It's a bang, not a whimper.What our series is doing is weaving a story in between the events of 52 #50, both fleshing out certain elements and also introducing a lot of new content, showing much more of what's going on around the world during the war. It turns out that week 50 is one of the most pivotal seven day periods in the history of the DCU. You want to talk about ramifications, about characters living, changing, and dying ... much of what we're doing here answers the questions that were posed about the DCU when One Year Later began.So, if 52 #50 is the entree, then World War III is the bread, drinks, salad, appetizer, desert, and midnight snack.
NRAMA: You're just trying to make everyone hungry. But let's talk about that "52 entree" a little. Have you been reading 52?
KC: I'm usually behind on the issues because my comps arrive three or four weeks later, but I've been reading pretty consistently.
NRAMA: What did you think of it before you got involved?
KC: I think the book is exactly what you'd expect it to be, considering the talent involved, and I honestly think it's a legitimate achievement. When the last page is turned, they should all take a bow because they're pulling off something that no one really believed they could.
NRAMA: It sounds like you weren't really knowledgeable about the secrets of the mysteries in 52 before. Did they have to bring you up to speed?
KC: I was brought up to speed so fast, my head is still smoking.
NRAMA: Okay fanboy - does it suck to have the end of 52 spoiled now?
KC: Nah - it doesn't suck, but I'm happy to say the ending more than lives up to the hype.
NRAMA: To get to that ending, you're having to cover a lot of ground. We've been told, at least loosely, in the solicitations about some "secrets" that are contained in each one-shot. But they're called "Part One" through "Part Four" because you are tying them together with an overall story, right? I know you can't give details, but in general terms, what is the story that runs through them?
KC: Set against the backdrop of World War III, one hero goes on a journey of self-discovery to learn who he is and what role he should play -- if any -- in the DCU.
NRAMA: You call World War III a "backdrop," but the words "world war" implies a pretty battle. Is this really the big one? Or as the folks in World War I liked to say: "The war to end all wars?"
KC: This is the mother of all wars, at least until World War IV someday comes down the pike.
NRAMA: [laughs] OK, that's a safe description. But you know this is frustrating not to really know any of the answers for what you're writng. How's this: Tell us the last thing you wrote -- the last panel or page -- and what it was about.
KC: The last thing I wrote was the first ever, in continuity, appearance of Jason Todd as Nightwing. The scene I'm writing tonight concerns Supergirl and how she ends up in the 31st century -- if it is indeed her in the 31st century.
NRAMA: "If?" Argh! You're a horrible tease. OK, since you're sticking to general terms, let's talk theme. The writers of 52 have said one of the main themes of the series is "what it means to be a hero." What's the theme of these four issues?
KC: Wow, I hate these types of questions. I think the theme to these books is "how many giant changes can we make to DC continuity while still making those changes organic to the story."In terms of the characters, like I mentioned before, the theme is one of self-exploration and finding one's role in a sometimes brutal and dangerous world.
NRAMA: It seems like I've interviewed you a lot lately about your writing. Miss inking yet?KC: Inking is still my bread and butter, I inked two Jamal Igle pages today. I'd like to miss it someday but right now, it's still a big part of my daily life -- and yearly income.
NRAMA: But it does seem like doors are finally opening for you as a writer. Are you ready to switch your career entirely to writing? Or do you see yourself dabbling in a little writing while still being an artist?
KC: You know, I think about this a lot and it's hard to plan ahead like that. Doors are starting to really open for me as a writer, largely thanks to Tomasi who really champions me in the DC offices. At the same time, I equate it to David Caruso, who left his hit TV show to make movies and then fell flat on his face for a while. I don't want to be that guy, the one who ends up screwing himself over by going for too much, too fast. Ideally, and I've said this before, I'd like to ease into writing full-time. I have the chops to do it and more opportunities are popping up. On the flip side, with most of my income still coming from inking, I don't have to take every writing gig in front of me. I can be more selective and choose the ones I feel fit me better. I don't foresee leaving inking completely until someone offers me the security of a contract to write full time. I have a family to support and that's the bottom line.
NRAMA: More opportunities are popping up, huh? Can you tell us what else is coming for Keith Champagne?
KC: I'll be taking over the writing chores for my first monthly book later this year. I just wrote a 12-page Two Face story for this year's Batman Annual. And we're talking about doing a follow up to my Green Lantern Corps story when I finish World War III.
Plus, I'm inking Nightwing over the great Jamal Igle every month. So there's going to be plenty of me going around for fans to get sick of.
Friday, January 12, 2007
linkage
Here's a couple of links for those keeping score at home.
My week of Comic book Internet Media whoring continues.
This one covers my Xena annual, finally coming out Wednesday the 17th (I believe). Vaneta did an excellent job (as always) of making my boring answers sound like a real conversation.
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=97114
And this one reveals the big project I've been working like a dog on the past couple of weeks, a little ditty called World War III.
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=97276
One more interview coming up on Monday, again at Newsarama, containing everything you ever wanted to know about World War III and more. And then I'm shutting up for a while.
My week of Comic book Internet Media whoring continues.
This one covers my Xena annual, finally coming out Wednesday the 17th (I believe). Vaneta did an excellent job (as always) of making my boring answers sound like a real conversation.
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=97114
And this one reveals the big project I've been working like a dog on the past couple of weeks, a little ditty called World War III.
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=97276
One more interview coming up on Monday, again at Newsarama, containing everything you ever wanted to know about World War III and more. And then I'm shutting up for a while.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Interview time
Fanboy planet just posted a very Green Lantern Corps-centric interview we did together on their site. Here's the linkage:
http://www.fanboyplanet.com/interviews/mc-keithchampagne3.php
I'm pretty much an interview machine lately, I'll have links to a few more posted over the next week. I never seem to shut up but that's how the game is played these days...promote, promote, promote.
Don't worry though...just when you're on the verge of being sick of me, I'll disappear for a couple of more months.
http://www.fanboyplanet.com/interviews/mc-keithchampagne3.php
I'm pretty much an interview machine lately, I'll have links to a few more posted over the next week. I never seem to shut up but that's how the game is played these days...promote, promote, promote.
Don't worry though...just when you're on the verge of being sick of me, I'll disappear for a couple of more months.
Did I mention...
Did I mention that Green Lantern Corps #8 arrives in stores today? What are you waiting for, people? Get out there and spend that money!!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
All lines currently busy
Haven't had much time for blogging lately and that's actually a good thing.
Similar to this time last year, when I was working overtime inking my first issues of Batman and Firestorm, this year finds me swamped in much the same manner, exception being that this year, it's writing work that has me up at the wee hours of dawn.
About a week and a half ago, I was offered my highest profile writing gig (by far) from DC and took it without hesitation. The flip side is that, because this project was decided on at a very late hour, there's no lead time and the shipping date (April) is absolutely inflexible. Unlike the Green Lantern Corps work, where I basically went off on my own and did whatever I wanted, I'm currently living in a world of editorial mandates. It's forcing me to use different sets of muscles creatively, trying to build a story around things instead of building things around a story.
It's fun though, and exciting if not stressful and a bit nervewracking. I'm also getting to work with another creator whom I admire very much and have for a long time.
All of this is very vague because there's nothing specific I can say. The project will be announced in about another week, if not sooner. Anyone who pays attention to the DC solicitations will recognize what I'm talking about pretty easily.
Oh, by the way, Green Lantern Corps #8 (written by yours truly) and 52 #36 (pencils by Jamal Igle, inks by me) are both shipping this Wednesday, January 10th. If you check them out, I hope you'll enjoy them.
Similar to this time last year, when I was working overtime inking my first issues of Batman and Firestorm, this year finds me swamped in much the same manner, exception being that this year, it's writing work that has me up at the wee hours of dawn.
About a week and a half ago, I was offered my highest profile writing gig (by far) from DC and took it without hesitation. The flip side is that, because this project was decided on at a very late hour, there's no lead time and the shipping date (April) is absolutely inflexible. Unlike the Green Lantern Corps work, where I basically went off on my own and did whatever I wanted, I'm currently living in a world of editorial mandates. It's forcing me to use different sets of muscles creatively, trying to build a story around things instead of building things around a story.
It's fun though, and exciting if not stressful and a bit nervewracking. I'm also getting to work with another creator whom I admire very much and have for a long time.
All of this is very vague because there's nothing specific I can say. The project will be announced in about another week, if not sooner. Anyone who pays attention to the DC solicitations will recognize what I'm talking about pretty easily.
Oh, by the way, Green Lantern Corps #8 (written by yours truly) and 52 #36 (pencils by Jamal Igle, inks by me) are both shipping this Wednesday, January 10th. If you check them out, I hope you'll enjoy them.
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