Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve written a proper update. It was one Hell of a year and 2010 is shaping up to be even busier, and hopefully more fun. Most of my last year was consumed working on a new novel and a videogame. Any spare time in between was spent working on all new comic projects for 2010.
It’s been really fun putting all the older concepts and working from scratch again. Here’s a brief rundown of what’s coming…
MYSTERY SOCIETY – This is a series that Ash Wood and I created together. I’m working with the amazingly talented Fiona Staples on this series and having a great time. The concept will be announced soon, I’ll let IDW have some fun, but it’s quiet a departure from my usually gory stories, but there’s no shortage of strangeness! It’s a bit more action oriented with lots of creatures and unexplained phenomena. Fiona is doing all of the art from pencils to colors and every page I see from her makes me what to write better. I’m also very happy and lucky as Hell to be reunited with one of my favorite humans on Earth, editor Bob Schreck! For those of you who don’t know Bob, he was the first person to publish Cal McDonald way back in a time we now call “The 80’s”.
EDGE OF DOOM – Following our stint at DC and Dark Horse, Kelley Jones and I have created what we hope is a truly unique horror comic experience. Each story appears to be a stand-alone horror tale, but something links them all together in one big nightmare. This is some of the best (and most disturbing) art I have ever seen from Kelley. Again Bob edits and IDW will publish.
DOC MACABRE – Following The Ghoul, Bernie Wrightson and I are doing the 3rd and final new character mini-series that will all culminate in a maxi-series called THE REJECTS. Basically, this will be a team of Wrightson monsters. Doc Macabre himself is a boy genius who uses his superior intellect to use science to fight the supernatural. And another one for Bob to edit and IDW to publish.
WILDSTORM – I have two projects going right now. One is co-written with Adam Jones, the other is with Glenn Fabry. I can’t say much about either, but both are pretty damned exciting. I have plans to do several projects with WS and working with Ben and Hank is proving to be a blast.
CRIMINAL MACABRE – With the film on track Dark Horse is keen on getting lots of Cal McDonald books out there; so expect news about new Cal comics very soon!
VIDEOGAME – Again, I can’t say much. I signed an NDA that gives them my house if I talk, but we are gearing up for an announcement soon! It’s been a great experience working in games and I hope to do more down the line.
FILMS – Right now there are several movies in various stages of happening.
CRIMINAL MACABRE is set up at Universal and the script is being written under the watchful eye of Mike Richardson and Dark Horse Entertainment. I’m very happy with the speed and direction of this movie.
FREAKS OF THE HEARTLAND is being written now as well and will be directed by David Gordon Green, also through Mike and DH Entertainment.
DARK DAYS, directed by Ben Ketia is being edited and I’m anxiously waiting seeing a cut. I spoke to Sam Raimi recently and he said he’s very happy, so that’s good enough for me!
ALEISTER ARCANE - News on this soon.
WAKE THE DEAD - Jay Russell and I are going to get this made or die trying. Jay and I have another story up our sleeves too. If we get that one made the villagers will be chasing us with torches. It'll be fun.
Gah! That’s just the tip of the iceberg too! I’m working on setting up several other new projects that’s I’ll announce as they happen. Among those are a short for LUGOSI COMICS, a possible TICK series, and a Poe project that has me very excited.
And now...
Ugly Rumors: Generally I don’t address online rumors but this one really bugged me. Apparently there are several people in the industry spreading a rumor that I don’t write my own books, that I use a ghostwriter. As anybody who knows me knows, I love writing so this is just stupid. I am also one of the few writers in comics who regularly teams up with other writers; Clive Barker, Jeff Marriott, Rob Zombie, Thomas Jane, Dan Wickline, Kelley Sue DeConnick, Adam Jones and Scott Hampton to name a few. In all cases I gave shared credit AND shared rights. I always split ownership with writers and artists when they want. Not something commonly practiced.
In trying to think why a rumor like this was started I thought back. The closest thing to a ghostwriter I have used was a couple issues of Simon Dark where co-creator Scott Hampton took the reins while I dealt with some personal problems. Anyone who looks at the books will see that as of those issues the credits in the book changed to give Scott credit for his work.
Right now I have some great things going with Tool’s Adam Jones and the amazing talent known as R.H. Stavis…and they too will get credit and rights.
I very much enjoy collaboration. It’s a shame that these rumors are going to make me much more cautious about collaborating ever again.
To the few spreading the rumors, I know who you are, and I know this is a tough business, but trashing other creators only reflects badly on you.
I’ve worked very hard for many years, so I hope you can see why this particular gossip upset me. To put it in plain English; I love writing and I write my own fucking stuff unless clearly stated in the copyright.
Well, I don’t want to end on a bummer note so I should mention some other fun and good things happening.
Just yesterday I spoke to IDW about another series and it looks like they are into it. Again, I can’t say much but I can say I’ll be working with two fantastic humans, RH Stavis will be co-writing (not ghosting dammit!) and Stephanie Buscema will tackle the art chores. Stephanie and I have wanted to work on something for a while and I’m thrilled. Rachel Stavis is somebody I plan on working with a lot as well. That woman is a powerhouse and a damn good friend I’m happy to say.
There’s more, but I’m sick of talking about myself. I can only imagine how you feel!
SPECTRE cartoon coming.
...and SACRED HEARTS from me and NAT JONES!
Ok, that’s it.
Really.
Except for the series I’m developing with Simon Bisley. Me and that sick bastard were destined to work together.
Ok. That’s enough from me.
As always, thank you so much.
Love you guys!
