February 07, 2007

Well, that went better than I expected

Just got back from the midnight opening at Midtown Comics for the first issue of the Dark Tower series. It was a little odd to be taking the Long Island Railroad into the city and be reading the "New York Daily News" and suddenly my name leaped out at me from the "Tuesday in New York" column. Yes, granted, I was described as being one of the artists on the book (along with Jae Lee) but, hey, at least they spelled my name right.

I got nervous as I approached the store because, looking up from street level at its second store location, I couldn't see anyone in the windows. I thought, "Geez, nobody's here." But the angle was deceptive; the place was packed. At least over a hundred people there, plus an assortment of on-line video folks conducting interviews and such.

Signed a whole buncha books and everyone seemed stoked to read it. Couldn't have been happier with the way everything went.

Before the gathering, I took in a show: "Avenue Q," a long-time favorite of Kathleen's. Totally demented musical. The lyrics for "The Internet is for Porn" are going to be in my head for awhile ("Grab your dick and double click, for porn, porn, porn")

PAD

Posted by Peter David at February 7, 2007 03:04 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commenting
Comments
Posted by: TallestFanEver at February 7, 2007 03:42 AM

yeah, I need to hear that "Internet is For Porn" song, like, right now.

Posted by: thejohnwilson at February 7, 2007 03:43 AM

Glad it went well for you. I look forward to reading it tomorrow. Forgot to check if there was a midnight release here in Glendale, CA... hope the one in San Diego at Comickaze went well. Hope the bug stays away from you.

Until later
John

Posted by: Elayne Riggs at February 7, 2007 06:32 AM

"Better than expected" is always good.

Did anyone bring you chicken soup? :)

Posted by: Thacher E Cleveland at February 7, 2007 08:01 AM

We did a midnight sale here in Ohio, but the weather did not cooperate. With all the snow that came down a lot of folks just didn't make the trip. We got a lot of "Are you still going to be open?" calls, but I'd say less than half of those showed up. It was fun hanging out with a lot of those, watching the Shining and eating pizza, but it would've been nicer to get a larger crowd.

Posted by: JamesLynch at February 7, 2007 08:55 AM

I haven't had the chace to see AVENUE Q, but the soundtrack is amazing. (And, of course, the "pervert" in the song is Trekkie Monster.) And if you listen to "The Internet Is For Porn" twice in a row, you will NOT get it out of your head all day long! Kind of hard to explain to coworkers why you're laughing to yourself...

Posted by: Jon-Paul at February 7, 2007 09:44 AM

You're right about Avenue Q. Very demented. I saw it in Vegas right before it closed. My wife and I both loved it, but ...


Muppet sex. That's just wrong.

Posted by: Mike Lee at February 7, 2007 09:45 AM

Avenue Q has got to be the strangest freakin' play. A song celebratin' everyone else's misfortune? wtf? I like the play, but it's definitely an acquired taste. Looking forward to picking up a copy of the comic, btw . . .

Posted by: bbayliss at February 7, 2007 10:25 AM

King revives ‘Dark Tower’ in comic form for grown-ups
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Geoff Boucher
LOS ANGELES TIMES

MARVEL COMICS

The Dark Tower, a Stephen King magnum opus about a haunted gunslinger on a quest for a mysterious spire, spanned seven novels, 22 years and 4,272 pages of eerie adventure.

The spooky thing: King fans want more.

They’re getting it today, with the author taking his readership to a scary new place.

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born, a Marvel Comics series, was launched overnight, with retailers in Los Angeles opening for midnight release parties.

Despite such intense interest, King knows he’ll need to convince many longtime readers that comics represent more than juvenilia.

"These comics aren’t junk food; they’re more like delicacies — sushi for the mind, if you like," he said.

"You have to teach yourself how to read ‘adult comics,’ which are actually comic-novel hybrids. . . . And even then you have to give yourself to the experience — which means accepting the idea that you’ll need to work a bit, as you do with any good novel."

As with the author’s novels, King’s move into comics is fraught with subplots, including one big one: The Dark Tower finished with a fizzle in 2004 — many fans complained of a letdown with the saga’s final pages and the fuzzy fate of Roland Deschain, the nomadic hero armed with revolvers in the face of mutants and magic.

The new project provides a chance for King "to make it right," noted Jud Meyers, coowner of Earth-2 Comics in Los Angeles.

"With the last novel’s ending, there really was a sense of ‘You must be kidding.’ So that certainly adds to the anticipation for the comics," Meyers said. "This is Stephen King’s first dip into this pop-culture medium, and there’s a lot of excitement. You haven’t seen anything like this in comics, so we’re getting this Harry Potter-style event."

Novelists, filmmakers and TV writers have been increasingly turning to comics not only as a moonlighting lark (among them Clerks director Kevin Smith, best-selling novelist Brad Meltzer, director and BET President Reginald Hudlin and screenwriters such as Miles Millar and John Ridley) but also to take care of unfinished business.

Take writer-director Joss Whedon, whose Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series was canceled in 2003 after seven seasons despite its cult following and unresolved plotlines.

Next month, Whedon will deliver his "Season 8," but it will be in the pages of Dark Horse Comics.

He did a similar batonpassing trick when the sci-fi TV show Firefly passed off its characters to the 2005 film Serenity and a comic-book series filled the narrative gap.

A similar tactic also let Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski extend that nixed TNT series into comics.

For his part, King promises plenty of shocks in the Dark Tower comic series, which will be drawn by artist Jae Lee.

"This is, in a sense, an ‘origin’ story and interesting in its own right," King said in an e-mail interview. "These are not just retellings of books that have already been written. The books serve as a launching pad — and a resource center, I suppose — but the flight is into brand-new territory.

"People curious about the Crimson King will find things to interest them here — and give them some nightmares, I hope."

King acknowledges that the work is collaborative: Comics writer Peter David and Robin Furth, King’s research assistant, receive credit.

"I modified their outline and have had a chance to tinker with the dialogue and narration of each issue before it gets graven in stone," he said. "I don’t tell anyone what or how to draw, though. I know my limitations."

Posted by: Kelly at February 7, 2007 10:51 AM

Heh, a while back, one of my bosses had an office located in the middle level of a library. The walls didn't reach up to the ceiling, so some degree of quiet was necessary.

I left him a burned CD of "the internet is for porn"; I didn't label it, just left a stickie on it saying "enjoy!" Cuz, well, I knew he'd find it hilarious (this being the boss who, along with a coworker, used to go around performing "the only gay eskimo" for us at random times).

What I hadn't expected was him popping the CD into his computer at playing it at full blast - sans headphones. Silly, silly me.


...boy, did the librarians and people studying appreciate that.

Posted by: Howard at February 7, 2007 11:00 AM

I learned a new german word from Avenue Q
so it's educational.
One of my favorite songs
"Everyone's a little bit racist"

Posted by: R.J. Carter at February 7, 2007 11:23 AM

"With the last novel’s ending, there really was a sense of ‘You must be kidding.’ So that certainly adds to the anticipation for the comics," Meyers said. "This is Stephen King’s first dip into this pop-culture medium, and there’s a lot of excitement. You haven’t seen anything like this in comics, so we’re getting this Harry Potter-style event."

Somebody go get Jud a copy of "Heroes Against Hunger". Or was it "Heroes for Hope"? One of the Big 2's anti-famine writer/artist cluster-fests. :) Because I know that King contributed to one of the two.

Posted by: David Serchay at February 7, 2007 11:36 AM

Somebody go get Jud a copy of "Heroes Against Hunger". Or was it "Heroes for Hope"? One of the Big 2's anti-famine writer/artist cluster-fests. :) Because I know that King contributed to one of the two.
------------------------
Heroes for Hope (the Marvel One) he did the Kitty Pryde "nightmare" bit.

So, as someone who has not read the Dark Tower books, will I enjoy the comic or be totally confused?

David

Posted by: Sheila Mayer at February 7, 2007 11:39 AM

Congratulations! Sounds like your trip went well. How are Kathleen and Ariel doing?

Posted by: Craig J. Ries at February 7, 2007 12:42 PM

I must admit, I'm surprised at all the publicity for your adaptation of Dark Tower, PAD.

Not that I'm complaining, but it is unusual for comics to get this kind of attention. It feels kind of odd, really. :)

Posted by: Christine at February 7, 2007 12:49 PM

"The new project provides a chance for King "to make it right," noted Jud Meyers, coowner of Earth-2 Comics in Los Angeles."

Is it just me or is it a bit presumptuous for people to expect an author to "make it right" when the author's vision did not match that of his readers?

Seems a bit outlandish to me.

Posted by: NYRFHerder at February 7, 2007 01:07 PM

Trekkie Monster's puppeteer is a NYRF alum....
Wish I could have been there- was going back to LI after a long day meself. Any chance
btw, we're trying to get something going for D and S in terms of a donation ( thinking Paypal ) There's also a craft-quilt project happening as well in the works - proceeds or somesuch to donate forthe boys. Am in process of setting up a Paypal whojit like they did for my friend Heather- go to www.limeproject.org- sort of nsfw- bunch of ladies from faire (rennies not cast) posing in the buff to raise $ for Heather's treatment- I'm rambling- if you want more details email me dakota2k at mac dot com. too much coffee,man.

Posted by: Alan Kistler at February 7, 2007 02:09 PM

It was fun seeing you and what a great read. Again, I stand by my belief that you did a great job of capturing the voice of Mid-World and Roland's people, which is hard to do since its such a weird mix of Old West and Middle Earth-like speech. I'm also very very excited to see anything pertaining to the Crimson King since he's so interesting to me.

But you didn't mention that you did an interview with a puppet spokesman!

Posted by: Adam at February 7, 2007 03:35 PM

What you mean this ol' thing?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5430343841227974645

Posted by: Nutter at February 7, 2007 04:47 PM

Did you check out the recent musical episode of scrubs. One of the stars from Avenue Q guest starred and the songs were written by one of the writers of avenue q. Though you will have to judge how it compares to the buffy musical.

Posted by: Foreverlad at February 7, 2007 05:35 PM

I've been a Dark Tower nut for years. I've had to wait years between installments and I've been looking forward to seeing more through these comics. I haven't picked any up yet, but there are a few things in the series that have bothered me (and other fans). Any chance to find out if these things could/might be covered?

The Dark Tower is the Roland's goal. Find it, save it. In all the pages of the series, we are never shown how Roland learns of this mission. Basically, we have no origin to Roland's quest.

This large, growing world shrunk considerably in the final installments of the series. Everyone was related or came back around. (The Oracle and it's origin, another appearance of the Way Station, for example). The series loses it's character (IMHO, of course) when we're not greeted with something new, when these stories evolve to encapsulate the B-characters instead of bringing us more new.

As the series is cyclic in nature, having to retread ground prior to an ending hurts.

Lastly, There were many throw-aways. A cancer scare, A son, A potential enemy (near the end of The Waste Lands)to name just a few. While I happily accept false-starts and "you weren't expecting that"s, a number of these issues seem to stem from the fact that ideas were incorporated near the end of a book and just didn't fit into the vision of the next one. Too much build up, far too much fizzle.

Is there any light you can shed on these? I'm not looking for spoilers, but is the staff aware of these issues?

I look forward to reading these comics Peter. Keep up the great work.

Posted by: Yudel at February 7, 2007 06:44 PM

Now that you've seen Ave. Q, you can appreciate its mashup with Fiddler on the Roof - the hilarious Ave. Jew (Currently at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdwlG05InAY)

Posted by: Joe Mac at February 7, 2007 07:14 PM

Screenwriters turning to comics or maybe it's the other way around.

Speaking of Josh, he was fired from the Wonder-Woman movie by Warner Brothers, after the studio said his concept for the movie was "Too wierd" to take seriously.

Or maybe they saw the box office for Serenity (or lack of same).

Posted by: Rich Drees at February 7, 2007 07:40 PM

Speaking of musicals, have you gotten to see EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL yet PAD? (New World Stages on 50th Street) Great fun. Unfortunately it's closing next weekend. :(

Posted by: MIchael at February 7, 2007 09:18 PM

The Dark Tower comic is awesome. I really enjoyed the book. I just finished reading your Captain Marvel Trades. I enjoyed it up until the end. Has anyone ever explained what happened to Rick and MArlo?

Posted by: Sasha at February 7, 2007 10:44 PM

You're right about Avenue Q. Very demented. I saw it in Vegas right before it closed. My wife and I both loved it, but ...


Muppet sex. That's just wrong.

Then, for the love of God, do not see MEET THE FEEBLES.

Posted by: JamesLynch at February 7, 2007 11:25 PM

"You're right about Avenue Q. Very demented. I saw it in Vegas right before it closed. My wife and I both loved it, but ...


Muppet sex. That's just wrong.

Then, for the love of God, do not see MEET THE FEEBLES."

You probably want to avoid the porno LET MY PUPPETS COME.

Posted by: Luigi Novi at February 8, 2007 12:41 AM

Yeah, the sigining was great, Peter. I took a sleeping pill and a half to make sure that I got a good night's sleep tonight, and was a bit out of it today as a result, but it was totally worth it!

Thanks again to you and Jae for signing my book and the sketch. (I'll try to get it finished and a scan of it to Glenn ASAP). I didn't even expect to see Glenn there, and I had a nice conversation with him too. I had no idea he lived in Weehawken, which should make getting the sketch to him really simple, I think.

I was really surprised when one of guys from TheComicCollective.com asked to interview me because of the sketch. Can't wait to see it within the week. :-)

Posted by: Adam at February 8, 2007 03:04 AM

I picked up the first DARK TOWER issue at the comic book store today just so I could toss it a friend who's a big fan of the series, but I did have the chance to read through it.

Here are my thoughts, which can basically be summarized as "Jae Lee does very well (with one annoying exception), but the execution from the writing end could've been a good deal better":

I loved the art, but Jae Lee makes the superhero-artist mistake of making the adult Roland Deschain too young and handsome. The man repeatedly referred to as "long, tall, and ugly", a world-weary gunslinger who has been on his quest for a thousand years' worth of time, looks like a movie star. Oy. But the art was beautiful, and I found the last page particularly well-set.

Way too many darn words on this beautiful art, though, and that's the main problem I have with the issue. I don't know how much of this is Robin Furth's fault (after all, PAD has to work within the parameters of however much space she's affording each scene if she's plotting), but I think Peter overexplains, and the Midworld-style narrator voice is far more intrusive than engaging.

"But this exposition is necessary," you might say. "I know you've read the books, Adam, but how's the first-timer to know about ka, ka-tet, etc.?"

I think the first-timer is smart enough to pick it up. Good science-fiction terms are ones that we get the gist of just from context. You don't really need to explain what "ka" is. You can just say (to paraphrase what nevertheless should be a short couple of sentences) "They are ka-tet; their ka is bound up with one another. They will experience much together..." and there you go, any decently intelligent reader gets the point.

As for the intrusiveness of the narrator, well, take the first two pages: I would've put the caption "The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed" in there just because that's sort of a legendary line now, but otherwise, isn't the cardinal rule of comics pretty much to shut up when you can and let the art tell the tale?

"Do you hear his [what was it? his grunts?]?" Peter asks, and I kept thinking: "Yes, I was listening to them, but now I'm reading you asking me about them."

Finally, there's some dialogue that's just a little baffling. Roland's "BASTARD!" line is delivered in the book because of his frustration and panic as the intruder knocks him out of bed, shoots his gun, etc. Roland's been surprised and he's getting the crap kicked out of him.

Here, Roland just starts cursing at someone he hasn't even seen yet while he pulls his gun free. Why?

Love that last page, though, and the art for the forthcoming issues is so good that in spite of my lackluster response to this issue, I have to admit I'm interested in the next.

I also liked Robin Furth's backup story, thought it was a clever way to explain the geography of Midworld, but I still kinda feel like I stepped into a college class, expecting to be taught by Professor King, and got the teacher's assistant instead.

My two cents, and I'm not actually decided on whether I even agree with all my points. I've long been one of those people that feels like every time I read a comic these days, it goes by too quickly, and one of the reasons for this has to be that modern writers ride their art far more. So now what do I when I get more words? Complain, o' course!

A

Posted by: Bill Myers at February 8, 2007 05:40 AM

Peter, I'm glad to hear things went well and you had such a good time. After all the crap you've been through recently, it's nice to hear that you had a day where everything was positive.

Posted by: Patty Cryan at February 8, 2007 08:28 AM

Oh, what I wouldn't give for a mass transit system that runs all night and lets one go to such things as midnight signings without having to depend on cars.

LIRR, how I miss thee.

Posted by: Colin at February 8, 2007 10:16 AM

I went to the release at Larry's Comics in Lowell, MA. They had a good sized crowd, about 30 people give or take a few. I'd say about half of them were not regular comic readers.

Posted by: ArcLight at February 8, 2007 01:48 PM

My personal current favorite "Internet is for Porn" video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E09M4ynst18

Oh...and PAD - Just recently read your forward to the second Doc Savage reprint book. Next time you're down south, feel free to drop by. I'll drop in my "Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze" LD and we can chill to the campiness.

Posted by: red at February 8, 2007 11:10 PM

See an interview with PAD at www.ifanboy.com

Posted by: Luigi Novi at February 8, 2007 11:35 PM

Peter, didn't you opine in one of the BID's in the collected volume that you have no problem being called an artist because writing is an art?

If not, then at least Page 80 of the 2.9.07 Entertainment Weekly got it right, as seen at: http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4492/gunslingerbornuu5.jpg

Of course, they can't help but credit the artist first......

Posted by: Alan Coil at February 10, 2007 06:22 PM

Is the post by bbayliss a possible copyright violation?

Posted by bbayliss at February 7, 2007 10:25 AM