So, It’s Done.

 

For those that missed the hubbub , A Wicked Little Town is (was) a serialized graphic novel, a murder mystery, set in the old west, with Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday acting as the detectives. (Doc really did the brain work, Wyatt was more the muscle.) It was written, of course, by me, with art by the very talented Keith Perkins.

75 pages presented in 15 weekly installments (with an additional 6 page prelude that appeared in the first issue of Weaponizer Quarterly). It was serialized by the good folks over at Weaponizer (about whom, there shall be more in a moment).

It was a project conceived back at the beginning of the new year, it debuted in May (I think, dates have never been my thing) and concluded today. It ran pretty much exactly according to schedule (I think a technical glitch delayed one chapter by a day, back toward the beginning, but that was the only chapter that didn’t appear on the Friday on which it was scheduled ).

That, in and of itself, amazes me. I’ve been on the outskirts of this industry long enough to know how many things can go wrong during a run like this, and we were incredibly fortunate. We were also, not to do too much horn tooting, incredibly determined. I know from my end that many long nights were spent crafting those scripts, many social obligations skipped over, much sleep lost. I can only assume the same is true of Keith (who, oddly, I’ve never spoken to directly, we’ve only communicated by email and messages on Twitter. Isn’t the world amazing, these days?)

And here we are, at the end of August, and it is a finished thing. For good or bad (for good, I hope) it exists, a complete graphic novel, with our names on it. And let me tell you, it feels pretty damn good.

My thanks go out to Keith, first and foremost. The work he produced has been amazing, even more so considering the time involved. Also, a tip of the hat to Bram and the fine folks at Weaponizer (Tom & Cook) for all the hard work they’ve done, both from the publishing and promotional ends. Finally, on a personal level, a thank you to my family and friends who’ve been so supportive (and understanding of deadlines) through this process. Thank you Janice, Tia, Taylor, Eddie, Amanda and everyone else who has helped in one way or another.

A special thank you to Mike Rooth and Chris Graves, who produced a couple of ridiculously awesome pin-ups for our two week break.

Now, for the news portion of this far too wordy missive.

We are currently revving up for the production of the print version of A Wicked Little Town. Now, why should you buy such a thing when you can read it all for free on the fabulous interwubs? Glad you asked. First thing, the print version shall be in glorious color (or colour, for my friends in the UK and Canada…) It shall also include several text pieces, including the Recollections of Wyatt Earp (the three that already appeared on Weaponizer and two more, written especially for this volume) and an essay on the history surrounding Earp’s time in Dodge City. It will also include the 6 page prequel that appeared in Weaponizer Quarterly and, maybe (I say maybe because I haven’t run this one by Keith yet and he may kill me….), just maybe, a 6 page aftermath. Look for this one, hopefully, in time for your holiday shopping.

And lastly, yes, there will be a sequel next year. It is current going by the unlikely title “Ten Little Cardsharps”, it takes place on a riverboat during a poker tournament and anyone who has read a fair amount of Agatha Christie probably has a pretty good idea of what’s going to happen.

And that, for now, is enough from me. Thank you for reading and I hope you’ve enjoyed the ride.

K. Patrick Glover

New Bits and Bobs

First up, I’ve now got one of those Facebook Fan Page thingimabobs, so, if you feel like stroking my ego or validating my existence, you can go here and click on the “like” button.

Second, I’ve got a collection of stories coming for the Kindle, probably next week, for just (I think) 99 cents. More details as soon as I have them, but you can see the cover below.

Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season

So, working my way through the summer months with more projects then I can handle, but, better busy then not, I suppose.

First up, a short little tribute story, dedicated to Robert B. Parker and written for The Thirsty Wench can now be found here.

Links for A Wicked Little Town are in the posts below, and it’s rapidly heading for a slam bang finale.

The Invisible Skein should be returning by the end of the year. More on that later.

I’ve got two novels I’m working on, at least one of which should be done by November. We’ll see.

And, let’s see, what else…?

I’m currently writing a one hour audio play which should be available online by early spring.

And then there’s that movie script……

A Quick Note To The Comic Industry

You’re never going to grow into all the new readers you want as long as your distribution is limited to comic shops. Digital is not the answer.

You want new readers? You want to return to the glory days?

Get comics back into convenience stores. Into grocery stores. Newstands. If you can pick up a copy of Spider-Man everywhere that you can buy a bottle of Pepsi or time for your Tracfone, readership will grow by leaps and bounds.

I know, I know, I’ve heard all the reasons it won’t work. Comics are too expensive, the return system would be too complicated, etc, etc. Get over it. Bite the bullet, work it out and get on with it. You make comics convenient, make them an impulse and the readers will come.

Quick Updates

A Wicked Little Town, my current webcomic with artist Keith Perkins is currently in it’s 4th week. You can read the latest installment, or start from the beginning.

We got a nice little feature write up over at CBR, which you can check out here.

And Bale’s Game, my serialized thriller is now at chapter 12, or you start from the top.

A WICKED LITTLE TOWN

and here we are at last. A Wicked Little Town, my latest comic, begins online tomorrow at Weaponizer, with art by Keith Perkins. It shall appear weekly, 5 pages every Friday (with a probable 2 week hiatus at about the halfway point).

In preparation, Weaponizer has been publishing a series of short, fictional memoirs (written by me), detailing some of the early history of Wyatt Earp. They can be found here, here and here.

Also, A Wicked Little Town has its own Facebook page, which you should join, because along with announcements and such, it will also contain some exclusive, behind the scenes stuff as we move forward.

So, buckle up, we’re just getting started…

Could Firefly Return?

Okay, here’s a thought.

If someone at Fox could crunch some numbers and decide two things, what it would cost to produce a season of Firefly and what the network would consider a reasonable profit to turn on that season. Put those numbers together.

Whatever the figure is, announce it. Then start a campaign, selling subscriptions for the season. Credit card numbers are taken, but no money is charged yet. Consider it a secured pledge.

If the subscriptions hit the magic number (cost + profit) that makes Fox happy, cards are charged and production begins.

We get a new season of Firefly, Fox turns a nice profit and everybody is happy.

Sherlock Redux

If you haven’t seen the recent BBC series “Sherlock“, what follows probably won’t mean very much to you. So, feel free to skip over this. IF you have seen it….

Some time back, before the BBC show was announced and before I knew that it was happening, I had an (what I thought was a brilliant) idea that involved updating Sherlock Holmes. Bringing him into the 21st century. I talked to a couple of fine folks at a couple of small comic companies (who were also, apparently, blissfully unaware of the coming BBC show) and they both said to put together a pitch. Amanda (Hayes, my partner on The Invisible Skein) liked the idea and started working up some character designs. I put together a few pages of rough. 1st draft sample script (which you’ll find below).

Now, I’m not saying that Mark and Stephen (the creators of the BBC show) somehow read my mind or anything. I’m sure their show was well under way at this point. But damn. If you’ve seen the first episode… well, just read what’s below and you’ll understand.

 

SCARLET STUDIES REDUX

PAGE 1 (6 Panels in a grid, 2 across, 3 down)

Panel 1 – An outside shot of a bar in a dingy Baltimore neighborhood. It’s the corner business on the block and a cheap neon sign reading beer glows in the window. One of the “e”’s is out, so only BE R actually lights up.

CAPTION:  Baltimore, MD June 2010

Panel 2 – Interior of the bar, which is almost empty. Two men sit at a booth in the corner. One of the men is John Watson, the other is his friend, Stamford.

STAMFORD: You’re looking better, John.

Panel 3 – Close up on Watson.

WATSON: I wish I could say I was feeling better. My leg is killing me and I need to find an apartment soon. I can’t afford to keep staying at the hotel. I’ll be broke in a month.

Panel 4 – Close up of Stamford

STAMFORD: Yes, I’ve been thinking about that. I might be able to help.

Panel 5 – Slightly wider angle, but clear on Watson’s face. His face has perked up a bit.

WATSON: How?

Panel 6 – Same wider angle but with a view of Stamford’s face.

STAMFORD: I have a friend looking for a roommate. But I have to warn you, he’s a bit odd…

PAGE 2 (5 Panels, Similar grid, but the center row is all one panel.)

Panel 1 – Outside shot of the hospital morgue. A sign on the door reads Morgue nice and clear. Watson and Stamford are standing outside the door.

CAPTION: The next day.

WATSON: The morgue? Is he a medical man?

Panel 2 – Stamford opening the door and leading Watson inside.

STAMFORD: Not so much.

Panel 3 – Our first look at Holmes, gleefully swinging a baseball bat at the back of a corpse lying on a metal gurney.

Panel 4 – A closer shot as the bat hits the corpse with a thwacking noise.

Panel 5 – Reaction shot of Watson and Stamford. Watson looks horrified. Stamford looks amused.

PAGE 3 (6 panel grid, like page 1)

Panel 1 – Holmes smiling and laying aside the bat.

HOLMES: Dr. Watson, glad to be back from Afghanistan?

Panel 2 – Watson looking shocked.

WATSON: How the hell…?

Panel 3 – Holmes waving a hand, dismissively.

HOLMES: It’s nothing.

Panel 4 – Watson and Stamford. Watson is starting to look angry, Stamford is starting to look bored.

WATSON: You’ve been checking on me? Stamford told you I was coming?

Panel 5 – Holmes

HOLMES: Of course not. I had no idea who you were when you walked through that door. I see, I deduce.

Panel 6 – Watson

WATSON: Then explain yourself.

PAGE 4 (another 6 panel grid)

(Some of the panels should focus on Holmes as he speaks, others on the parts of Watson that he’s speaking about. Your decision as to which should be which.)

Panel 1

HOLMES: You carry yourself like a military man. It’s in the shoulders. But your hands are soft, well manicured. So not infantry. Leaves many possibilities, but you’re friends with Stamford and he’s a surgeon, so doctor is a fair guess.

Panel 2

HOLMES: Your cane is new. The ferrule is barely worn. So, a recent injury, perhaps one that would involve your release from active duty.

Panel 3

HOLMES: The pattern of the scarf you wear, while not unique, is common to the villages along the Afghan/Pakistan border.

Panel 4

WATSON: And my name?

Panel 5

HOLMES: Ah, that. There was an article in the paper last week about a returning war hero, a doctor who was injured, shrapnel in the leg, I believe. Saved a young woman caught in a crossfire just outside of Kabul.

Panel 6

HOLMES: With the deductions I had already made about you, it didn’t seem like much of a leap to conclude that you and that doctor were one and the same.

 

Talking Earp

It’s time to discuss this in a little more depth.

As has been previously announced, I’m writing a new webcomic. It’s called A Wicked Little Town and it’s about Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. It takes place in Dodge City, during the year before they lit out for Tombstone. It’s being drawn by Keith Perkins and shall be published at Weaponizer.

That’s what we’ve released so far.

What else can I tell you? Well, I’m glad you asked.

The project started a few months back. Keith and I had decided that we wanted to work on something together and I was casting about for ideas. We wanted to do something short, four or five pages, maybe a little science-fiction piece.

This is when I discovered something. Writing a short comic is not at all like writing a short story. There’s very little space to work with. I just couldn’t come up with anything interesting to say that would fit in five script pages.

I talked it over with Keith and he agreed that we ought to take a whack at a bigger project, something with a little meat on it. So, I went back to the drawing board, or, more precisely, back to the drawer where I keep all the notes about story ideas that I’ve come up with over the years.

Two jumped out as being good ideas for a graphic novel. I’m not going to tell you about one of them, because we may go back and try it someday. The other involved Wyatt. I’ve always thought it interesting that every story I’ve read or seen about Earp focused on gunfights. Earp was a lawman. He didn’t just shoot people. If someone committed a crime, Wyatt had to figure out what happened.

If someone committed a murder, and nobody was sure who did it, Wyatt would have to investigate it.

So why not do a straight forward, traditional, murder mystery, with Wyatt as the detective? It seemed obvious to me. Keith liked the idea, and when I mentioned it to Bram at Weaponizer, he liked it, also.

So, the planning began.

A Wicked Little Town is serialized graphic novel. It has a beginning, a middle and an end. It will run, weekly, in five page installments, at Weaponizer, beginning sometime in March.

Before it debuts, Weaponizer will be releasing the first issue of their print magazine, Weaponizer Quarterly. The magazine will contain a six page prologue / teaser story called Loyal Friends and Good Company. That short story will not be reprinted on the web. It will only be available in the magazine.

Until the story is finished, that is. Upon completion, A Wicked Little Town will be released in a single volume graphic novel. The prequel story will be included. As an added bonus, even though the weekly comic will be in black and white, when the graphic novel hits, it will be in full color.

More on that as time goes on. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy A Wicked Little Town.

Whitechapel Class of 2010-2011

So, I belong to this odd little online community called Whitechapel. It’s a general forum hosted by Warren Ellis and named from the setting of his webcomic, FreakAngels. (Yes, I know Whitechapel is a real place, but it this context, the name comes from that comic.)

Anyway, I’ve met a lot of new friends at Whitechapel over the last couple of years and I just came to the realization the other day that many of us are doing webcomics now.

André Navarro has been doing the hilarious Pitch Black for some time now.

Chris Graves is doing a very hip job on Space Shark.

William Couper recently did Kink Walker over at Weaponizer.

Robin LeBlanc is writing the upcoming Remnants with artist Neil Struthers.

and I’m currently working on A Wicked Little Town with Keith Perkins.

A lot of other webcomics are coming out of that community as well, a startling amount to be honest, but these are the ones produced by my friends and I.  Rather astonishing.