Over the holidays, I went through the comics, scripts, comic scripts, and books that have been virtually piling up on my iPad — plus a few shows and movies. A lot of them were pieces of speculative work, but there were those that have been published/made that I really enjoyed. I thought I’d summarize them here.
In no particular order (I swear)…
COOKING WILL BREAK YOUR HEART (GREG PAK)
Greg stands for the proposition that I’ve met some of the nicest people in my life though comics. Although he is an accomplished writer and photographer, it turns out that he’s also a pretty remarkable and experienced cook.
So, yes, I read his cookbook, Cooking Will Break Your Heart. I have no aptitude for cooking (as my wife and daughters will attest), so reading this was just an exercise in getting to know a different aspect of Greg’s writing/life. It works just as well as a kind of autobiography as much as a cook book. But as a cook book, in addition to the recipes (many of which even I daresay I could pull off with Greg’s guidance), there are a lot of wonderfully practically tips for day-to-day cooking.
If you’re intrigued, I recommend learning more about it here
CRASHING (IDW)
Crashing is a (relatively) new comic that’s currently being published by IDW. Heather Antos had sent me the first three issues in the expectation that I would enjoy them and I absolutely did. It’s about a doctor who specializes in treating patients with superpowers who works at a hospital with a strict policy against treating patients with — you guessed it — superpowers.
I’m really not doing the book justice with the above description. What makes it really compelling is that it’s actually a book about addiction and recovery with some plot turns that genuinely took me by surprise.
Crashing is written by Matthew Klein, illustrated by Morgan Beem, and colored by Triona Farrell — none of whom I’ve ever met, but I’m looking forward to checking out the next few issues. You can check out the first issue here.
UNTITLED AUBREY SITTERSON COMIC
I’m sworn to secrecy on this one, but I read a preview of it over the holidays, really enjoyed and, therefore, wanted to include. Aubrey was my editor on my (long ago) Blade run with Howard Chaykin. He’s the one to blame for Blade’s machinegun hand (I kid you not). Anyway, in the year’s since he’s become a good friend and a talented writer in his own right. I can’t wait for you to see what he’s cooking up. It’s really fun stuff (as if Aubrey writes any other kind of comic).
WRITING SAMPLES (MISCELLANEOUS)
I also read many writing samples written by friends of mine. That experience, combined with some pre-holiday advice I gave to an acquaintance has me wondering if I should share my thoughts about what makes a good sample in a future Dispatch edition. So… should I?
PRISONERS (WARNER BROS., 2013)
Yeah, I’m late to the party.
Prisoners was a movie that’s been on my list since, well, 2013. So a while.
It’s written by Aaron Guzikowski and directed by the incomparable Dennis Villeneuve. The idea of what a parent would do to get their missing/probably abducted child back is solid enough, but it’s Guzikowski’s story execution that really makes this one shine.
To say more would risk spoilers.
WORK UPDATES
(No, this isn’t something I read/watched over the holidays.)
As threatened, I turned in the script for the first issue of PROJECT HOURGLASS on Tuesday. As it turns out, it was so jam-packed with reference for the artist that it didn’t make it through Marvel’s servers. So, after having not heard from my editors on Wednesday, I emailed to make sure they got it. This email literally crossed cyberspace with a contemporaneous email from my editor saying, “Hey, where’s the script?”
I ended up chopping the script into two parts.
The rest of the week was mainly focused on revisions to PROJECT SPECTRE. I’m cranking hard to get the newest draft — a pretty significant re-imagining — off my desk sometime over the weekend. Also got notes on the latest draft of the Too Dead To Die screenplay. Honestly, I just want to get this movie made so I have a chance at making a sequel called Two Dead Two Die. (It’s the little things in life that motivate you.)
Next week, it’s more work on PROJECT ARTERY and, theoretically, moving the ball down the field on a bunch of the TV pitches I’m developing. The TV market is a volcanic hellscape at the moment, so I’m trying to plant a lot of seeds in the hope of getting a single budding plant. Crazy times.
Well, hellscapes are always a good note to end on, right? I’ll be back next week.
Be good to each other.
Best,
Marc
Encino, California
1.13.23
Dear Lord yes to thoughts on a “good” sample. It is of course so subjective, but having reminders of wtf we’re even supposed to be doing is incredible helpful, especially from the trenches, whether it’s your first or fifteenth or fiftieth sample or script.
Yes, that would be amazing!!