tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post6692709505378873833..comments2024-03-24T07:53:37.246-04:00Comments on J.M. DeMatteis's CREATION POINT: ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF KIRBYUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-80629611823569361642017-09-11T11:55:09.444-04:002017-09-11T11:55:09.444-04:00I know THE WHISTLER more from parodies done on the...I know THE WHISTLER more from parodies done on the JACK BENNY SHOW than from the WHISTLER show itself.<br /><br />And, yes, DIMENSION X is great. A lot of the same scripts were done on both DX and XMO.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-91329754747852246572017-09-10T18:14:01.107-04:002017-09-10T18:14:01.107-04:00X-Minus One is great so is Dimension X.
I will sa...X-Minus One is great so is Dimension X.<br /><br />I will say this, despite the fact it is a different genre, my favorite old time radio opening s "I am the whistler, and I know many things for I walk by night."<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-33943049256950406992017-09-09T19:08:59.813-04:002017-09-09T19:08:59.813-04:00X MINUS ONE is one of my favorite Old Time Radio s...X MINUS ONE is one of my favorite Old Time Radio shows. I've been re-listening to them in the car the past few weeks. Such great stuff.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-57795444999210655082017-09-09T18:55:17.730-04:002017-09-09T18:55:17.730-04:00I heard that the first draft of the Langoliers was...I heard that the first draft of the Langoliers was basically Kraven's Last Hunt, the second draft basically just the Batman punching Gut Gardner issue. That editor really saved King from a Law Suit.<br /><br />Thanks for the link, but I already have it on CD.<br /><br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-43222745718565468492017-09-09T18:11:20.592-04:002017-09-09T18:11:20.592-04:00Everything I do, six months later that King kid d...Everything I do, six months later that King kid does the same thing!<br /><br />For your listening and dancing pleasure:<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb3HIxgOLjY<br /><br />J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-89863032635836717912017-09-09T18:08:18.900-04:002017-09-09T18:08:18.900-04:00Well, Children of the Corn is about a g guy and ga...Well, Children of the Corn is about a g guy and gal that run across a town in Nebraska, where they can't find any adults.<br /><br />They can't find any adults, because all the kids in the town killed them under the command of a mysterious and malevolent force (who may or may not be Randall Flag), who speaks to them through a child preacher.<br /><br />They then kill any adults who came into their town.<br /><br />So you know, it does seem sort of similar in basic idea.<br /><br />Of course I do enjoy Zero Hour more... no disrespect to King.<br /><br />AS far as him riding your coat tails... I heard that was just King doing his Six-Fingered Hand saga. <br /><br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-28490177756036095862017-09-09T17:24:17.614-04:002017-09-09T17:24:17.614-04:00I remember ZERO HOUR very well. Along with readin...I remember ZERO HOUR very well. Along with reading the story, I've got a few wonderful radio adaptations. CHILDREN OF THE CORN? Don't think I've ever read the story or seen the movie.<br /><br />And, yes, I believe that kid King did have a story in the same issue as the first GREENBERG story. Always riding on my coattails!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-79784893299757519252017-09-09T08:00:06.861-04:002017-09-09T08:00:06.861-04:00"new kid?" Didn't he write (or some..."new kid?" Didn't he write (or something) for the same comic that premiered Greenberg the Were-bat... or whatever he was?<br /><br />I don't think there will be a chance for that anthology, even if it could sell decently.<br /><br />With the recent announcement that comic sales dropped off 25% in just a year, my guess it will be all hands on deck for and company that could or would publish it.<br /><br />I think everyone involved in comics (creators, publishers, readers, distributors, and retailers) are all going to be holding our breaths and be in for some times.<br /><br />They are saying there hasn't been that big of a drop off since right after the crash, in 97. And there was more product THEN.<br /><br />But, isn't the real question, do you think that Stephen King's Children of teh Corn is (or was intended to be) the spiritual sequel to Bradbury's "Zero Hour"<br /><br />A lii to jog your memory if you don't remember the actual Bradbury story from memory<br />https://dmacarthur1.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/zero-hour-by-ray-bradbury.pdf<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-64459669012478874882017-09-08T07:12:57.312-04:002017-09-08T07:12:57.312-04:00Len is ALWAYS top-tier in my book!
And if that ne...Len is ALWAYS top-tier in my book!<br /><br />And if that new kid Stephen King is looking for a break, who am I to say no? (Especially since this project doesn't exist!)J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-63070425905992792792017-09-07T20:12:51.050-04:002017-09-07T20:12:51.050-04:00Of course you still want to write our anthology sh...Of course you still want to write our anthology show, no one wants to be on the S.S. comic Book when that ship sinks.<br /><br />And what do you mean by top-tier exactly? Does Len Wein count? That was the first name that popped into my head. <br /><br /> also mention Stephen King as you recall.<br /><br />I feel this s doomed to be another comic a say should happen and then someone else does it to less effect.<br /><br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-82603177936376493902017-09-07T19:30:38.416-04:002017-09-07T19:30:38.416-04:00Yeah, I think it would need top-tier creators to w...Yeah, I think it would need top-tier creators to work. But it would be great.<br /><br />But I still want to write my anthology TV show!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-68976827195597943292017-09-07T18:44:29.137-04:002017-09-07T18:44:29.137-04:00So, your dream job is to exit comics. Can't ...So, your dream job is to exit comics. Can't say I can blame you these days. Gotta get while the getting is good. No one wants be left with that check.<br /><br />However, if you did work on an anthology TV show, you would only actually write a story maybe, MAYBE once a month. Staff and all.<br /><br />However, Dynamite DOES have the rights to Twilight Zone comics, and have no current Twilight Zone projects.<br /><br />I actually have always thought an anthology could do alright in comics if you used established creators and say it is their chance to "cut loose." <br /><br />Probably wouldn't rival Spidey or Bats, but I think that it could have solid, at least Berger era-Vertigo, sales.<br /><br />Start out as a mini-series and say point blank in the end, "if this works, it goes ongoing." Maybe bring in writers like Stephen King who have an affinity for the medium.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-85003539424352798272017-09-07T11:15:25.631-04:002017-09-07T11:15:25.631-04:00Simple answer: Yes. I've often said that my ...Simple answer: Yes. I've often said that my dream gig would be writing for a TWILIGHT ZONE-like anthology show, where you get to write a different story ever week.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-41159720988962633672017-09-07T07:35:36.566-04:002017-09-07T07:35:36.566-04:00Okay, here is a question, Dematteis...
You have t...Okay, here is a question, Dematteis...<br /><br />You have talked about how great anthologies were in your early days, do you ever wish they were back?<br /><br />I mean from a creative standpoint for you.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-78109052489048668132017-09-04T09:40:57.703-04:002017-09-04T09:40:57.703-04:00Jack, back in the day I had much more disposable i...Jack, back in the day I had much more disposable income than I do now and Vertigo was such a wondrous place. If it was Vertigo, I bought it. Hellblazer was on that list. I read it for a long time, but then things happen and budgets get slashed for one reason or another. Hellblazer was one of the cuts. It held my interest the least. If you forced me to tell you my favorite Vertigo series it would always be Sandman Mystery Theater. That needs to be in a collected volume. I would buy it without hesitation.Douglas A. Waltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02312801885609153510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-82306783596964944972017-09-03T15:05:10.445-04:002017-09-03T15:05:10.445-04:00I didn't even know there was a John Constantin...I didn't even know there was a John Constantine animated project.<br /><br />As for Close Encounters, no snipe, just observation.<br /><br />It is a film about abandoning your family, but only after ignoring them. I also believe that he had a small child, and was a primary source of income.<br /><br />If you replace aliens with booze, or some chick he met at a bar, there would be no sympathy.<br /><br />It is a crystallization of every negative stereotype of Baby boomers. Not only is it active selfishly, but being applauded for it.<br /><br />Meryl Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer is the best possible comparison in terms of character. Of course she may have been portrayed in a negative light, but she was supposed to have a lot more sympathy than she deserved.<br /><br /><br />At least John hates himself for being a bastard.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-58157911304890381732017-09-03T14:31:12.081-04:002017-09-03T14:31:12.081-04:00I'll let that snipe at CLOSE ENCOUNTERS go, Ja...I'll let that snipe at CLOSE ENCOUNTERS go, Jack. But if aliens show up at your house tonight, don't be surprised.<br /><br />As for John C: From what I know about the upcoming Constantine animated project, I think you'll like it.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-51117419955824415942017-09-02T18:43:30.968-04:002017-09-02T18:43:30.968-04:00Well Mr. Waltz, I am admittedly a curious as to wh...Well Mr. Waltz, I am admittedly a curious as to why you read a 150 issues of a character that didn't do it for you, but as for not liking him... whatever.<br /><br />Vertigo under Ms. Berger is similar to Image now. There were/are a lot of books you can look at and say, "this is pretty well done... but it is not something I want to read.' Niche work. Nothing wrong with that.<br /><br />And how bg of a jackass would I have to be to say what I like has to be liked by everyone?<br /><br />John is admittedly a hard character to like. That was sort of the point, hell in Swamp Thing that was MORE than the point.<br /><br />We all have different levels of bastard we can take in characters. I can cling to the goodness John wishes he could be, and that hope. You need something firmer? No prob.<br /><br />Or maybe it is one of the other million reasons someone might not like ANY character.<br /><br />I mean for God's sake, there are enough people who think Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a story worth praising, that it is getting a massive rel-release this week.<br /><br />People are strange. while I do wish you would fix john with a different eye, and see what he has to offer, it you don't like him than you don't like him. No harm no foul.<br /><br />JAckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-16281304207399365042017-09-01T06:59:45.446-04:002017-09-01T06:59:45.446-04:00My Constantine experience is almost all Vertigo. U...My Constantine experience is almost all Vertigo. Unless you count the excellent JLD. He was pretty good in that as well. I am currently working through the Vertigo issues of Black Orchid. Douglas A. Waltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02312801885609153510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-3481239830577270272017-08-31T14:54:29.300-04:002017-08-31T14:54:29.300-04:00Okay, that's fair. And they do certainly both...Okay, that's fair. And they do certainly both deserve credit. Anyone but Kirby's art would not have had the sheer power, and as for Lee... well, I think we have all seen how characters come out when Kirby has no help.<br /><br />I will just say, Ditko has never disputed Lee coming up with the initial ideas. In a fanzine he did a drawing that said as much. Which is weird, because it was one out of anger.<br /><br />Second, just as you don't see the connections between the New Gods and Star Wars, I think the connections between the FF and challenger of the Unknown are overblown.<br /><br />You want to talk about an unoriginal concept, groups of adventurers goes back to the Victorian era. <br /><br />Challengers have no power, real personality, or many of the hallmarks for the FF. They are far more similar to Doc Savage and his crew (only for the atomic age)... but less developed as characters. Many of the similarities came later on to emulate the higher selling Fantastic Four.<br /><br />Still an amazing talent mind you, he just had more inspiration for many of his works than many people are willing to admit. It is part of the deification of the man, no one wants to admit he used the same avenue creators often use. People want to believe it is some what more mystical. People also want to believe he was taken advantage of, because it is a better story.<br /><br />I just want to point out one thing that everyone forgets, unlike your precious Beatles, Lee and Kirby DID have their reunion album, and kept i at least some kind of friendly contact int the decade before Kirby died. Facts often forgotten by those who want it to be just one guy who got screwed over.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-32796606357937132092017-08-31T13:17:01.127-04:002017-08-31T13:17:01.127-04:00There are differing opinions about who came up wit...There are differing opinions about who came up with Spider-Man, so that's hardly set in stone. As for the FF, I know about Stan's original outline, but that doesn't mean he didn't discuss it in detail with Jack before writing it up—as the similarity with Kirby's CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN underscores. That said, I don't want to get into a "who did what" debate. People have been engaging in that for years and they both deserve credit for all they did together.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-13192981355627517952017-08-30T18:59:31.902-04:002017-08-30T18:59:31.902-04:00The problem with Fawkes is run was that he clearly...The problem with Fawkes is run was that he clearly wanted to do a Vertigo style book, but had road blocks thrown in his way.<br /><br />When they revealed the NEW 52 origin for John... it hurt. I realized it can never be THAT John again. So, good or bad, that is not an easy pill to swallow.<br /><br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-58238942973856548142017-08-30T18:53:11.055-04:002017-08-30T18:53:11.055-04:00Well, Lee came up with the Fantastic FOur (and Spi...Well, Lee came up with the Fantastic FOur (and Spider-Man) in the first place. Memos have been published that proved this. And he never denied Kirby drew the Surfer first. <br /><br />As for Bekka, ell I guess first am I the only one that noticed the Becca/Becky thing?<br /><br />More importantly, Bekka was involved in my disillusionment with the Bat. <br /><br />There was a story (after she had met Orion) where she falls head over heels for Batman for a bit. And that was when Batman finally crossed that line of being WAAAY to unapproachable amazing.<br /><br />And that was the last thing she ever did, since her death at the end of the story began DEATH OF THE NEW GODS.<br /><br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-61766690580914308802017-08-30T18:02:18.761-04:002017-08-30T18:02:18.761-04:00The truest creator was the one who had the idea fi...The truest creator was the one who had the idea first, but there's some major disagreement with WHO had some of those ideas first! And that's a skein we may never unravel. And maybe it's more magical if we don't!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-69455421505486083292017-08-30T18:00:30.399-04:002017-08-30T18:00:30.399-04:00I am more familiar with the Vertigo version of Con...I am more familiar with the Vertigo version of Constantine than you may realize. That said, I loved writing the New 52 John in JLD and I think Ray Fawkes did an excellent job with the CONSTANTINE monthly.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.com