Tuesday, February 19, 2013

IMAGINATION RISING

After months asleep in the deeps of the unconscious, the beast that is my IMAGINATION 101 writing workshop is rising once again, spreading its wings and flying, straight and sure, for the realms of art, craft and cosmic creativity.  The next workshop will be at Modern Myths in Northampton, Massachusetts the weekend of May 17—19.  You can find all the info here.  Come join us!

31 comments:

  1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpqwY7QL7r8


    -Jack

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, sorry I forgot my usual sign off. I feel so ashamed. I'll do my best not to let it happen again.

      It is a groovy clip. I saw it when trying to kill time and went looking for a Churchill speech.

      Now, I have an exercise to expand YOUR imagination Dematteis. There have been so many great authors, and so few have written comics. If some of them chose to, what do you think that their superheroes would be like? Come on, tell me this doesn't sound fun. Lets see how many we can do, and try to get as much detail as we can. Of course no one will force you, but can J.M. Dematteis really pass up the chance to describe a Vonnegut Vigilante, or Dostroyevski's take on a strange visitor from another what have you? I think not. Of course I have been wrong before. If you do decide, to help things out lets say all are as if crated sometime in the past 50 years, writers from a hundred years past work, but let's pretend they were transported and well soaked into the mid-20th century to now.

      Come on Dematteis, what would a Charles Dickens written crime fighter from the 1970's be like?

      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
    2. Cool concept, Jack.

      Vonnegut? I'd imagine something a little like MOONSHADOW, albeit less mystical and a more cynical: a sort of cosmic Candide...with a compassionate hero who keeps getting dumped on by the universe. (By the way: My original conception of MOON, years before I did the actual series, was super-heroish.)

      Dostoyevsky would have a tortured hero, guilt-ridden, perhaps suffering from epilepsy. A dark fanatic, ala the Batman in his darkest portrayals, who thinks he's above the law but ultimately realizes the error of his ways.

      Dickens? A superhero not unlike the early Superman: a tough, but heartfelt, guy who is dedicated to taking on the Powers That Be and working on behalf of society's underdogs: the poor, the orphans, the forgotten.

      How's that?

      Delete
  2. You know, I seem to remember there being talk of Vonnegut being a fan of Will Eisner, and having appeared in a documentary about him shortly before he died. But that was a few years ago and the mind is a bit fuzzy.

    Dickens: I think you are on the right track. Maybe sort of a combination of the Siegel Superman and the Eisner Spirit?

    Dostoyevsky: Funny, I see a certain amount of Lee-Kirby in this, and a bit of Denny O'neil. In your description I mean. Also, a bit more operatic than pulp origins?

    Vonnegut: Your description sounds like a very Marvel character. Almost like they would belong in that period in the 70's of young writers trying to capture Lee-Kirby-Ditko ideas, while paving there own way through a darker world.

    Though, if you like the idea so much why stop at just the authors I named, or with a character description.

    Philip K. Dick: Most likely male. Either divorces, or in a troubled marriage. The origin would probably require a large event trigger him, but not out of guilt, rather just to realize how apathetic they had become. Certainly a Marvel type of man, weak in some ways, certainly alienated by the modern world. A Superhero as a loner, but open with others out side the mask. Definitely a secret identity. The two identities would probably be played up as two parts to one whole being. Villains would be mad scientists, and shadowy government type organizations, also cosmic beings set down on Earth. The idea of being lost in roles and not necessarily able to keep them straight as time goes on would be a factor for sure. Maybe suffering from a bit of clinical depression. possibly a phobia. certainly some type of mental issue, but not hearing voices though.Either no powers or not very strong ones.

    Kerouac: Almost a western. A man goes from town to town to city. No powers. a mask would be the only article of superheroness he wears. Certainly a drunk. I said back half of the 20th century right? because I definitely like the idea of this taking place in the 50's. Probably would only deal with low level criminals. Philosophizing the whole way, book-ending each tale maybe. Certainly a lost and confused character.

    Ray Bradbury: Easy. Every 50's sci-fi hero ever. Science based. Good upbringing created this character with a past he remembers fondly. All juxtaposed against to possibilities for both a dark present and future and a bright shining one. Maybe a bit Man-Thing inspired in that he isn't always the main character. But he would be a lot of the time.


    Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
    Jack

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great stuff, Jack: I especially like the idea of a Kerouac Western. Amazing!

      I think you've created a brilliant new comic book parlor game.

      Delete
    2. Or have I just set the groundwork for the next Dematteis epic.

      By the by, how accurate was my interpretation of your statements? And how accurate where mine,. in your eyes? Just Curious.
      Finally

      Heinlein: Super spy for sure. Ex-military without a doubt. Cap meets Mulder and Scully. More cock-sure of himself than any of those three though. No self doubt. (not a hue Heinlein scholar though)

      H.P. Lovecraft: Dark. Fighting monsters and old gods for sure along with there agents on Earth. A former life of shattered. Slightly crippled by madness. Ugly. I think Hellboy captud the type of stories some what well, but less inpecting, but none of the heroes are Lovecraftian. also He should be arrogant, and angry. bitter. Impatient with the world for not having seen what he has. wouldn't bitehr with a secret identity.

      H.G. Wells: Simple Reed Richards, with a bit of Hal Joradn thrown in for good measure. A tinkering type of inventor. More an explorer tan a straight up mask and cape guy.

      Now for your final, how about, J.R.R. Tolkien (remember Conan isn't a superhero), Richard Matheson, and two authors of your choice

      I was stoked for Cap from image one (though I did question casting at first), my only complaint is that it jumped to the future too soon. I think a whole trilogy could take place in WWII. Though I guess that is what happens when you are the last of a team to get a movie. Also the helmet instead of mas (rather then the more logical over it) bugged me, but not much.

      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
    3. Tolkien would, of course, do an epic. In fact, he'd be the guy to turn to for a massive inter-company crossover, utilizing all the heroes and villains in the epic to end all epics.

      Matheson would go for the supernatural, Dr. Strange type of story; although his protagonist would be an everyman, suddenly plunged into a world that is far more magical, and dangerous, than he ever imagined.

      Two more? Stephen King would, of course, go for horror. He'd be the perfect guy to tackle a TOMB OF DRACULA like reimagining of classic horror characters. And Isaac Bashevis Singer would build a modern hero around the classic Jewish tale of the Golem.

      And now we need some other people to join in! David...?

      Delete
  3. Robert Ludlum (of Jason Bourne fame) on CAPTAIN AMERICA. I'm thinking it would be an interesting blend of Miller's Cap from BORN AGAIN, Waid's 'man of action/spy' sensibilities, and Englehart's SECRET EMPIRE arc. Goverment forces would undoubtedly try to manipulate Cap into doing something he's not comfortable with (But they wouldn't kill as indiscriminately as they do in the Matt Damon films. Ludlum's CIA and DoD are cold manipulative bastards, but not bloodthirsty.)

    PKD on SILVER SURFER. By the time it all ended, you'd definitely wonder if it took place in the Surfer's mind, in ours, or somewhere else entirely--and why not all three? But Surfer's got the kind of philosophic bent to give narrative voice to that question.

    Dostoevsky on DAREDEVIL! How could he resist the narrative tension between Catholic sensuality and seedy back alleys? The duality of a lawyer who's also a vigilante, and a Christian superhero who plays the role of a devil? He couldn't!

    Jim Butcher on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, because the man excels at smartass dialogue with Harry Dresden.

    --David


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All great suggestions, David—but Dostoyevsky on DAREDEVIL is my favorite! Thanks for adding your thoughts to this fascinating what-if.

      Delete
    2. Love Dostroyevski idea. Dematteis, you love him, get on it! David, your his collaborator on editor, CHOP CHOP!

      what about Butcher on Blue Beetle?

      PKD on Silver Surfer though? I love both, but I am not sure Surfer is damaged though. Certainly not flawed enough. But maybe a tale where all that is Norrin Radd fragiity as a man comes to lie wrestles with the all that is the Surfer. Maybe even splitting the two, and causing the new Silver God to act as the personal diety of Norrin Radd. Okay, maybe this idea does have wings.



      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
    3. Interesting, Jack. Years back I did a SURFER story where he was split in two: the cold, emotionless Kirby Surfer and the passionate, poetic Lee Surfer. Similar, in a way, to what you're suggesting!

      Delete
    4. Damn! I actually remember that now. It must have sunk in subconsciously. Or it just seems like an obvious kind of great story for the character. unless... wait, Deamtteis, did you take this idea from me and travel back in time to write it during your run? Typical Dematteis, warping space and time all over the place with no regard for anyone else. The story taking thing is new though.

      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
    5. Let's keep my time-traveling abilities between us, Jack. I'm humble.

      Delete
    6. Couldn't you just travel back in time and keep me from deducing it? Or spread a series of false clues to make it look like I am the one following false clues? That's what I would do, the latter I mean, it seems more fun.




      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
  4. Thanks, JMD! That was my favorite suggestion, too. He'd be a natural for ol' Hornhead.

    As far as Tolkien goes, I'd love to see it on the grounds of a personal prejudice: I love his characters, worlds, and their poetic dialogue, but I can't stand the way he goes on and on about every mountain, hill and valley. So if he wrote a comic, he'd essentially be forced to let the artist handle that part of the story, and focus on the stuff I like!

    (Although the artist might not appreciate the 2,000 page script for a 22 page story!)

    --David

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not to mention those long sequences where the Thor leads the Avengers in singing ancient, and very long, songs!

      Delete
  5. LOL! Maybe Cap could put some of his broadway experience to good use.

    ReplyDelete
  6. BTW, as an aside: Stephen King scripted a backup feature for the first six (I think) issues of Scott Synder's AMERICAN VAMPIRE.

    --David

    ReplyDelete
  7. I could swear I put that Cap thing with the other Cap movie talk. One of the great mysteries of comics i guess.

    Now that I think about it though, Tolkien's version of a superehero does sort of exist. Thor, specifically Lee-Kirby and Simonson. In fact, I think I remember reading that Lee borrowed some from Tolkien in some instances, or was at least inspired. Of course Tolkien's would probably difffer, but still, worth mentioning.

    See, here is why I don't like the "parlor game" idea, one day you'll be back stage at some comic show with Len Wein, Steve Engelhart, and I don't know... Jeff McArthur (whoever that is) and you'll be sitting bored, you'll play this game, then as the game wound down you would recall this. One of you will say, "hey I think we have some hits here!" You create an amazing new universe of characters using me and David's baseline with yours, all while having literature's greatest as inspiration. this is obviously going to be a hit, pushing comics not only to it's previous heights, but beyond. There will be Emmy winning T.V. series (one for each character and a team one), Oscar winning movies, novel spinoffs. And of course politicians quoting it and making references in a futile attempt to win votes. All the greats of comics (all of them) come in. Ongoings eventually go weekly, countless miniseries follow. All the while I become drunk and disheveled, my mid goes as I claim "It was my idea." and they all just laugh at me, and my claim that I stated it on a glowing box on a desk. Oh Well, can't change the future.

    Oddly, I was going to ask where David went (David are you a Wizard?), so What writers do you think should be on what already established characters Dematteis?

    Finally, back to the original idea, What would a an Orson Welles and a Rod Serling Super hero be like? I know I said the last one was the last, but that was literature, and this is cinematic, an really is the last one.


    Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
    Jack

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Orson Welles? He'd do a Doctor Strange-like sorcerer...lots of low-angle shots, big German Expressionist shadows. Although, thinking of his classic CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT, he might do a great job on a Thor-like, neo-Shakespearean god, too.

      As for Rod, his protagonist would be a weary, middle-aged Everyman (no doubt working for an ad agency) who suddenly found himself imbued with incredible powers—and discovered, in the end, that his life was far better than he realized BEFORE he became super.

      Delete
    2. Really, Doc Strange? I think it would be more like a grim avenger, sort of a Shadow type thing, but with a larger array of villians from not only the obvious crime land characters, but also advanced science and light mysticism, but still very dark in tone. Very pulp like.


      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
    3. Hey, I'd go see that, too, Jack! And considering Welles played the Shadow on radio, that project might be right up his alley.

      Delete
    4. He think I remember heard that he was also friends with the creator of the Shadow. They bonded largely over magic I think.

      He also appeared in a Superman comic in the Golden Age.

      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
    5. That would make sense, Jack, since Welles loved magic and magicians. (Another reason he might go for a Doc Strange-like character!)

      I've never read that Superman story, I should see if it's online somewhere.

      Delete
    6. It is issue #62. I heard rumors he also wrote it, but I can't confirm, or dent that.

      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
    7. Wait a minute. Wouldn't they have a copy of it in the DC morgue?



      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
  8. Oh, and sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but ione of your creations has died. And given their nature they very likely won't come back.

    Ashley Kafka
    1991-2013
    Not enough was done for one with such potential.



    Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
    Jack

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I heard about Ashley K's demise last week, Jack. The good news is, it's comics. One day, some way, she'll be back!

      Delete
    2. Hopefully, but being non-superpowered and having been unused for over a decade, it's hard to tell. But I hope so

      Also, some years ago, I loaned my Moonshadow trade to a friend of mine. He very much enjoyed it and even bought the Complete MoonShadow a year or two later. However, at the time he said it was (and remember he was a long time comic reader) "like Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, except way more poetic, and a more vulgar." Come on Demattteis, FORGET Bradbury, that is what you need on the cover of that book. Just an interesting tid bit I recently remembered.

      Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,
      Jack

      Delete
    3. "More poetic and more vulgar"! I love it!

      Delete