UWC After Hours: Comic Book Writing

On Friday, September 24 at 4:30, the Undergraduate Writing Center at the University of Texas hosts a discussion between me, fellow Dark Forcians Paul Benjamin and Alan J. Porter, and Matthew Sturges about our work, writing process, and how we became comic book writers.

The free event, held at Joynes Reading Room, Carothers Dormitory, UT Campus (25th St. and Whitis) is open to the UT students/faculty/staff and members of the public. Refreshments will be provided (but sadly no pie).


This will be second such panel for me and Alan within the past six months. Early this summer, we both appeared on the Beyond the Strip: Inside the World of Comics & Graphic Novels panel at the 2009 Writers League of Texas Agents Conference. I expect the UT event to be fun as well.

STAPLE! and Alan J. Porter interview

My latest Nexus Graphic column over at SF Site centers on my visit to the 5th STAPLE! con.

Subtitled "the independent media expo," STAPLE! began in March, 2005 after Chris "Uncle Staple" Nicholas, co-creator of You Chose Right The First Time, realized that the Austin area offered enough talent "to put on a pretty good indie comics show" but none in the region. By combining a focus on independent, alternative, and small press media with independent-friendly comic book shop sponsorship and an affordable entrance fee, STAPLE! succeeded like none before. Each successive show, while staying true to Uncle Staple's vision, has attracted more fans and required a larger venue.

More than sixty exhibitor tables showcased a multiplicity of works in both content and medium. The creators and fans present varied in age, race, and gender. In an unusual and welcome change, young adult women represented a large percentage of the attendees. Long seen as a key to the industry's survival, the need for inclusion of women in the field as both creators and fans led to the 1997 creation of the Friends of Lulu, whose "purpose is to promote and encourage female readership and participation in the comic book industry." From where I stood, the group has made serious inroads over the past twelve years.

I then go on to talk about several of the people I met. This issue's reviews all tie in with STAPLE! including coverage on Alan J. Porter's James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007 and the anticipated The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Century: 1910.


Speaking of Porter, the latest edition of my Baker's Dozen interview series focuses on Mr. Porter, James Bond, comics, and Cars.

The bottom line is that neither of the property owners; Ian Fleming Publications who hold the rights to the literary Bond, nor Eon Productions, who hold the rights to the cinematic Bond, seem interested in granting a license to do comics. I know of at least one US based publisher who applied a few years ago and was refused. I am working with another US publisher who has a strong track record with high profile licensed properties, to see if we can get something off the ground, but so far have had no response from either license holder.

Believe you me, I would love nothing more than to be writing an ongoing James Bond comic series.

A Difference of Opinion

Both Alan and I reviewed the recently released Ratatouille DVD with radically different opinions.

Alan wrote of the movie:

The movie did nothing for me. I didn't hate it, nor did I love it. I found it mediocre on all counts. I didn't engage with any of the characters, rodent or human, on any level. Their story didn't interest me and there seemed, with one notable exception, to be no character growth. While there were some occasionally funny lines, the script seemed to flounder with no real direction. Sub-plots that would have made for great quick asides (the frozen food line) were overplayed, while others that could have been steadily built up (the health inspector) seemed to be thrown in at the last minute.

While I ventured a somewhat different observation:

More than a movie about food, Ratatouille explores the well-trodden territory of characters reaching beyond their limitations and with a little help from their friends overcoming the obstacles to their dreams. Remy's relationships with his huge extended pack as he struggles with his dream of being a chef and Liguini overcoming his fears of, well, almost everything form the core of this charming film.

We also held opposing views on the rat protagonists and the animated short "Your Friend the Rat".

Alan:

Rounding off the DVD is a short piece of propaganda in support of genus rattus presented by two of the movie's lead characters. Your Friend The Rat vainly attempts to set the historical record straight and explains why we should embrace the existence of rats rather than try to exterminate them.

It didn't work. I still don't like rats.

Me:

Not only does Ratatouille include the animated short "Lifted," which originally appeared with the movies's theatrical release, but also features the highly entertaining original short "Your Friend the Rat." Rendered in a combination of traditional and computer-generated animation styles, Remy (Patton Oswalt) and his brother Emile (Peter Sohn) recount the history and occasionally positive aspects of rat-human relations. Did you know that the black rat (rattus rattus) first arrived in the West after hitching a ride with the Crusaders? Or that rats weren't the cause of the plague but rather it started with fleas? Remy and Emile present these fascinating facts and a lot more in a friendly, non-icky way, successfully showcasing the more appealing aspects of the vermin.

There was one area of the DVD that Alan and I agreed upon: the deleted scenes.

Alan: "The so called feature movie related bonus materials consist of three deleted scenes that add nothing to the story, nor offer any fresh perspective..."

Me: "As per usual, the deleted scenes accompany the movie and add absolutely nothing of consequence to the original film."

It's always nice when friends can agree on something.

Alan Porter Signing

Imagine my surprise when I opened up the latest Austin Books & Comics *We've Got Issues* newsletter only to discover that as part of their annual clearance sale preview night on Thursday, August 30 that our very own ALAN PORTER WILL BE SIGNING!

To America, With Love: Bond in U.S. Comics
Alan Porter signing 007 James Bond: Death Wing at Preview Night

BondWriter Alan Porter will be joining us Thursday evening to sign copies of the most recent James Bond graphic novel, Death Wing. In it is a detailed feature written by Porter about Bond's history in American comics. He's well-versed on the subject, and it's interesting to read what a British writer has to say about the American adaptations.

These events are usually a lot of fun and this time you get the added bonus of getting a book signed by Alan!