And the new Dark Crystal: Creation Myths writer is…

Yes, I do realize that it’s been months since I’ve updated my blog. I can’t imagine there’s anyone out there who cares all that much, but if I’m wrong, then allow me to offer my apologies. I’ve been extremely busy lately. To tell the truth, I still don’t have much in the way of free time, but it occurred to me that if I don’t start posting updates again every now and then, my blog would start qualifying for Forgotten Friday.

And of course, I wouldn’t be around here to write Forgotten Friday anymore. Quite frankly, I can’t think of something sadder than that.

So what’s been keeping me so busy? Well, there’s a lot I’m not able to talk about right now, but one thing that I can discuss is Dark Crystal: Creation Myths vol. 2. We’re just a little less than halfway through it right now, and I have to say, I think we may outdo the first volume with this one. Vol. 2 deals with the second conjunction, the darkening of the crystal and the emergence of Mystics and Skeksis. We’re telling the story that gives the entire franchise its name and that sets in motion all of the events that lead up to the film. It’s some powerful, dramatic stuff, and fortunately, we have an amazing writer onboard to help us realize it.

Yeah, we have a new writer on this volume, and while it’s been announced, I think it got a little overshadowed by some of the other Archaia news that’s hit this past month. Starting with Vol. 2, Joshua Dysart, the Eisner-nominated writer of Unknown Soldier, BPRD, Conan and Swamp Thing is taking over writing duties, and considering the balance of social themes and action that’s prevalent in our next two volumes, I think Josh is the perfect man for the job. Trust me, you’re going to love what he’s been doing.

Also, on a complete fluke, I came across this review of Vol. 1 earlier today.

First, I certainly can’t take issue with the reviewer’s opinion of the book. If he didn’t care for it, he didn’t care for it. I can’t change that. I believe we’re producing a headier book than many people expect from licensed comics, playing with the idea of mythology and its role in shaping and defining society, and if you’re expecting something more action-oriented, this first volume might come off as a bit slow moving. I get that, and it was something we realized going in. Vol. 1 covers over a thousand years of events, so we knew the reader was going to be somewhat removed from it since there are only a couple of characters who appear in all the segments.

I think we did a good job compensating for that, but you’re all free to disagree. However, what I really don’t agree with in this review, at all, is the idea that comics can’t capture puppetry. It’s a different medium to be sure, but puppets take to comics every bit as well as anything else. Certainly, seeing the work of Jim Henson and his team come to life onscreen is something amazing, and we’re never going to be able to reproduce that, but we’re not trying to. We’re trying to tell a good story through the medium of comic books that just happens to take place in the world of the film. That’s the essence of all licensed comics, and if the creative team’s hearts are all in the right place, it’s successful. It’s not the same experience as watching puppets on film, it’s a different, equally enjoyable experience. If the reviewer didn’t find it as enjoyable as the movie, that’s his opinion and he has every right to it. But it’s not because the medium’s incompatible with puppetry. Trust me, I’ve spent the last eight years bringing the creations of Jim Henson to comics, and the popularity and critical acclaim those books have received is more than enough to prove otherwise.

I should hopefully have some cool new announcements to make here soon, along with some art from Dark Crystal Vol. 2. I also have some recent prose stories that I may be posting. We’ll see. Has anyone actually read the prose stories that are on here?

Have a happy Passover and/or Easter, folks!

Jim Henson’s Labyrinth returns to comics…

So, any Labyrinth fans out there?

I can finally announce that Archaia’s new Labyrinth graphic novel will be hitting stores in 2012. It’s written by the imaginative duo of Ted Naifeh (Courtney Crumrin, Polly and the Pirates) and Adrianne Ambrose (Fangs for Nothing, Confessions of a Virgin Sacrifice). Bringing Jareth and the Goblin Kingdom to life through his amazing watercolors will be Cory Godbey (Flight). I greatly enjoyed working with both Cory and Adrianne on Fraggle Rock, and I’ve been wanting to work with Ted for years now, so this is all quite exciting.

Also, if you’re a Labyrinth fan, you’ll definitely want to get your hands on Archaia’s 2012 Free Comic Book Day offering. They’re releasing a free hardcover (yes, you read that right, a free HARDCOVER) that contains original stories from some of their biggest releases, including Labyrinth.

Their press release is below, if you’d like more information on the upcoming FCBD book. For more information on the Labyrinth graphic novel, stay tuned…

ARCHAIA ANNOUNCES AN ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL HARDCOVER FOR FREE COMIC BOOK DAY IN 2012

48-PAGE, FULL-COLOR BOOK CONTAINING ORIGINAL MATERIAL FROM ‘MOUSE GUARD,’ ‘JIM HENSON’S LABYRINTH,’ ‘CURSED PIRATE GIRL, ‘RUST,’ ‘COW BOY’ AND ‘DAPPER MEN’ TO BE OFFERED COMPLETELY FOR FREE

Los Angeles, CA (December 2, 2011) – On May 5, 2012, Free Comic Book Day Gold Sponsor Archaia Entertainment will make history when it offers an all-ages, original graphic novel hardcover completely for free to fans who flock to their local comic book stores. The 6” x 9”, 48-page, full-color book will contain all-original stories—not reprints or excerpts from upcoming releases — from Mouse Guard, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, Cursed Pirate Girl, Rust, Cow Boy and Dapper Men, announced Archaia President and CEO PJ Bickett.

Officially titled Mouse Guard, Labyrinth and Other Stories, the offering will be a shining example of Archaia’s commitment to produce high-quality graphic novels, despite its free price tag.

“We’ve offered single issues for past Free Comic Book Days but Archaia’s specialty is producing beautiful, hardbound collections,” said Bickett. “Offering a hardcover book for Free Comic Book Day is our way of helping to drive more potential customers to comic book stores on what has historically been their busiest sales day of the year. But it’s also a way to educate readers on what Archaia is all about: high-quality graphic novel collections of stories they can’t get anywhere else.

“On Free Comic Book Day, be sure to get to your local comic book shop early because this special book is guaranteed to run out fast and become an instant collector’s item!” said Archaia Marketing Manager Mel Caylo.

Below is the complete solicitation for Archaia’s 2012 Free Comic Book Day offering:

MOUSE GUARD, LABYRINTH AND OTHER STORIES
Original Graphic Novel Hardcover
2012 Free Comic Book Day
Retail Price:
Free
Page Count: 48 pages
Format: Hardcover with no dust jacket (paper over board), 6” x 9”, full color
UPC: 811514010689 00311
Country: U.S.

Written by Jeremy Bastian, Nate Cosby, Royden Lepp, Jim McCann, Ted Naifeh and David Petersen
Illustrated by Jeremy Bastian, Chris Eliopoulos, Cory Godbey, Janet Lee, Royden Lepp and David Petersen
Cover by David Petersen

This Free Comic Book Day, Archaia offers readers the chance to experience history in the making with a FREE, gorgeous, 48-page, 6” x 9” full color hardcover original graphic novel featuring all-new material! David Petersen returns with an all-new Mouse Guard tale that’s guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings! Lose yourself once again in Jim Henson’s amazing world of Labyrinth, featuring a fantastical story from Eisner Award nominee Ted Naifeh (Courtney Crumrin) and Cory Godbey (Fraggle Rock). Get a new perspective on Jet Jones in Royden Lepp’s critically acclaimed Rust, with a short story seen through the eyes of younger brother Oswald Taylor. Jeremy Bastian’s acclaimed Cursed Pirate Girl hits the high seas in this whimsical, swashbuckling tale of wonderland journeys and unimaginable dangers. Nate Cosby (Pigs) and Chris Eliopoulos (Franklin Richards) present Cow Boy, a comedy/western that tells the tale of a young bounty hunter determined to send his entire outlaw family to jail. And Jim McCann and Janet Lee follow up their Eisner Award-winning Return of the Dapper Men with an all-new short story that leads into the upcoming sequel, Time of the Dapper Men. Witness the origin of a new, major character! And…the return of 41?!

About Archaia Entertainment

Archaia Entertainment is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 50 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, Gunnerkrigg Court, Awakening, The Killer, Days Missing, Tumor, Syndrome, Artesia, The Engineer, and an entire line of The Jim Henson Company graphic novels, including Tale of Sand, which is based on an unproduced screenplay discovered in the Henson Archives. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. Archaia was named Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year according to Ain’t it Cool News, Graphic Policy, and Comic Related, and was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations. Archaia has also successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media.

2011 West Hollywood Book Fair

The 2011 West Hollywood Book Fair is less than a month away, and once again I’ve been helping the fair with its comics and graphic novel programming. I certainly hope you can make it this year because we’re putting together some great panel discussions and signings to mark the fair’s 10th Anniversary.

If you’re not familiar with the West Hollywood Book Fair, it’s one of the largest literary events in California, drawing over 25,000 people to the city of West Hollywood over the course of one day. All genres and types of books are represented: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s, YA, experimental and, of course, comics. If you enjoy reading at all, there’s something for you.

This year’s fair is on Sunday, October 2nd. I’ve put together two panels for the Comics and Graphic Novels stage, one of which I’ll be moderating and both of which I’ll be attending. I hope you can make it out for at least one of them…

Creators Assemble!: The Rise of the Graphic Novel Anthology

12:15-1:15 p.m.

Moderator: Asterios Kokkinos (Devastator)

Kazu Kibuishi (Flight, Explorer)
D.J. Kirkbride (Popgun)
Michael Woods (Outlaw Territory, Low Orbit)
Nicole Sixx (Womanthology)

As the graphic novel has grown in popularity, so too has the graphic novel anthology. Are these story collections an attempt to keep short fiction relevant in long-form comics? Are they born from a desire to explore a theme from many points of view? Or are anthologies simply a way of compiling some of the best work in comics into one diverse book? Join some of the writers, artists and editors responsible for five of the most highly acclaimed graphic novel anthologies as we discuss how bigger can be better, what makes a great collection and how the anthology format benefits creators.

Jim Henson and Comic Books: Putting Puppets to Paper

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Moderator: Tim Beedle (Muppet Robin Hood, Fraggle Rock)

Brian Holguin (The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths)
Heather Nuhfer (Fraggle Rock)
Joe LeFavi (Fraggle Rock, Return to Labyrinth)
Jim Formanek (Director of Product Development, The Jim Henson Company)

For over 75 years, the work of Jim Henson has entertained and inspired viewers of all ages and won him millions of fans worldwide. Today, the legacy of this creative genius has expanded into a new medium—comic books! Learn how classic fantasy movies like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth along with beloved TV shows like Fraggle Rock are being brought back to life by the writers and editors who are doing it. Plus, discover how this new medium is allowing The Jim Henson Company to bring life to some of Jim Henson’s unrealized projects, such as the upcoming A Tale of Sand.

The West Hollywood Book Fair is a great way to meet and interact with local authors, and to pick up some new books while you’re doing it. It’s free, runs all day and this year coincides with the opening of the new West Hollywood Library. I hope to see you all there.

For a full listing of this year’s programming, check out the fair’s website: www.westhollywoodbookfair.org

And take a look at this year’s PSA while you’re at it: