“They’re not my taste. The eyes are too small and don’t contain very much gelatin.” – Akemi on why brill fish eyeballs are inferior to snapper eyeballs.
A productive writing day! I hit the 38 page mark of my creepy horror script. I’m figuring the first draft should come in at a little over 90 pages so I’m aiming to have it 2/3 completed before I head for Tokyo later next week. I’ll finish it up when I get back, get notes from Paul and Ivon, have a revised draft out before the end of March which will be perfect timing for Ivon to start thinking about that two minute trailer for the film-to-be. I promise to upload it here as soon as it’s done after which we’ll no doubt be making the rounds in L.A. And then, it’ll be smooooooooooooth sailing!
So, some of you have weighed in with some comments and questions on the first issue of Dark Matter, our exciting new SF comic book series. I’ve answered in today’s mailbag and invite anyone other readers out there to post their thoughts on Dark Matter #1. Pictured above, the Garry Brown/Ryan Hill cover to Dark Matter’s second issue that comes out February 8th (coincidentally, on the day I’m scheduled to fly back from Tokyo). So, what’s in store for our intrepid crew (and you, dear readers)? Well, I’m glad you asked…
“On the run, with no memory of who they are or where they are going, and being pursued by an unknown enemy, the crew unearths a clue buried deep within the ship’s database. Their search for answers leads them to a remote world, an alien threat, and, ultimately, the startling truth about their past!“
I know, I know. After so many questions in issue #1, finally some answers!
Oh, and some sneak peeks at what lies in store:
And, oh yeah – at some point, I’d like to have artist Garry Brown swing by this blog to field some of your questions. That’s whenever, of course, his busy schedule allows. Garry’s done some great work on the series, I’m sure you’ll agree, and I wanted to give you all a peek at the evolution of some of his work – specifically, the transformation of his fantastic inks to awesome colors once colorist Ryan Hill has worked his magic, then taken to the next level with addition of letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft.
Pretty cool, no?
Hey! DarkHorse is holding a twitter contest! Head on over for a chance to win a digital copy of Dark Matter #1: http://www.darkhorse.com/Press-Releases/1855/Dark-Horse-Twitter-Contest-Round-76-1-20-2012. Thanks to Sylvia for tipping me off!
Mailbag:
Major D. Davis writes: “Also, cool piece of news. I just got accepted into the University of Southern California Cinematic Arts Summer Program….”
Answer: Welcome back to the blog and congratulations, Adam! One day, I’ll be able to say: “I knew him when…” Good luck in California. Keep us posted on your progress.
JeffW writes: “Have you ever tried or wanted to make your own pizza?”
Answer: Yes and the results were just short of disastrous. My pizza was so piled high with toppings that the dough didn’t fully cook through. Nevertheless, I did manage to scorch the hell out of the pizza stone. Thanks for the recipe though!
Cherluvya writes: “Actually…it is really my six children and nine grandchildren that make my world go round.”
Answer: Wow! What an accomplishment. I’m still waiting for my kids to make me a grandfather but Lulu is more interested in playing catch while Bubba is more interested in, well, humping Maximus.
Line Noise writes: “Technically something I’ll be doing in the future but it’s still pretty awesome: I’m going to the recording of an episode of Red Dwarf next Friday.”
Answer: Wait. They’re producing new episodes?
Joe writes: “Joe, don’t you like olives?”
Answer: Depends on the olives. I like those mild butter olives. Not a fan of sour at all.
Peeter writes: ” I will be visting your fair city next week for meetings at work. My hotel is in Gastown. Any good restaurants in the area?”
Answer: Yep. Cobre Restaurant – Cobre | Latin fusion | latin restaurant and tequila …, Boneta – Loves You, L’Abattoir : Gastown : Vancouver
Dave Clark writes: “I enjoyed Dark Matter, but I thought the incident with the security robot wrapped up a little too quickly. It would have been nice to have a running game of cat-and-mouse with him which lasted a while, but hey, it’s only four issues so I guess time isn’t a luxury. I hope this can be made into a series, it looks good so far.”
Answer: Thanks, Dave. Yes, the 22 page narrative structure can be a little constrictive at times – but, on the bright side, allows for some very tightly-paced storytelling. I elected to limit the security robot encounter to the hangar so I could concentrate more on introducing the characters and the various shipboard mysteries. Next issue (#2 hits the stands February 8th!) kicks off with a ship to ship pursuit and ends with a shocking revelation that sends the series off in a new direction. I look forward to reading your thoughts when I get back to from Tokyo.
JimFromJersey writes: “I may go wheeling in the Pine Barrens tomorrow with my Jeep club! ”
Answer: Have fun! And good luck! Don’t end up like Paulie Walnuts and Christopher in the Pine Barrens episode of The Sopranos.
Lori writes: “I’m sure you’ve tried everything at this point to entice Maximus’s appetite, but just in case you haven’t tried warm honey water, I found that very effective with one of our dogs who wasn’t responding to antibiotics after a tooth infection.”
Answer: Thanks for the tip. Tried it today and, while he didn’t seem to like it, he didn’t spit up quite as much.
SiSi writes: “Joe, I mentioned you and your blog in my own blog today. I wrote about SF/F books I liked in 2011…”
Answer: I have to get around to reading Robopocalypse.
Tam Dixon writes: “Your new comic seems to be in short supply? Is that a good thing from your perspective?”
Answer: Hard to say. It could be selling well – or it could simply be a case of comic stores not ordering many copies. Hmmmm.
TeesterX writes: “American Horror Story is great, but extremely disturbing, though in an entertaining way. It gets crazier with each episode!”
Answer: I just got to the mutant-brother-in-the-attic episode. I have to ask if there’s a horror movie convention they don’t use?
Michelle writes: “Hey Joe, looks your old job on Transporter is open again. Serious Help Wanted! What advice would you give to potential job seekers? 
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cinemaxs-cursed-transporter-series-shoot-283533”
Answer: Hunh. Clearly, I’m not the guy to ask.
Bilo&Bella writes: “Got married while in Maui to a wonderful man.”
Answer: Congratulations. Did you bring me back something? Some chocolate-covered macadamia nuts?
dasndanger writes: “Read #1 and loved it! Kudos to you and Paul! Only problem is that I wish it was longer…wish the bit with the android guy (whitey…heh ) took up the entire book. And samurai boy…oh, my…what a pretty fella! Yeah, I like that one a lot.”
Answer: Well, as issue #1 would suggest, Whitey will be sticking around for the time being – especially since he’s the one who seemingly knows most of the ins and outs of operating the ship. As for samurai boy – congrats on recognizing the fact that he IS a boy. A couple of reviewers assumed he was a she. Granted, he is pretty, but that will be clarified in issue #2. Along with the deal on that weird kid! P.S. I had a feeling you’d like the guy with the swords (aka FOUR).
dasndanger also writes: “And now I have a lot of questions. I’ll ask just one – why only 4 issues? Was that what Dark Horse wanted, or was that your call? I’m asking because already I can see how this could easily have covered 6 issues. Of course, maybe I’m just being greedy. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a good sci fi anything, and I’m already sad that there’s only 3 issues left.”
Answer: The limited four-issue run was Dark Horse’s call. The point, after all, was to use this opening arc as a springboard to a television series. Having said that, I’d be more than happy to continue the series in comic book form.
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