Tagged: Sci-Fi

DeCandido Returns to ‘Farscape’

  • News
  • September 5, 2008

Saavy readers of Previews may have already picked up on this bit of news, but BOOM! sent out a release to ensure everyone was aware that Rockne O’Bannon was getting som ehelp turning Farscape into a comic book.  Here’s the release:

September 4th, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – BOOM! Studios and The Jim Henson Company announced today that Keith R.A. DeCandido will be scripting the  Farscape miniseries from an original story by Farscape creator Rockne O’Bannon.

Using O’Bannon’s unique vision and richly detailed story, DeCandido will work with BOOM! Studios and The Jim Henson Company to bring fans the best comic this or any universe has ever seen!

Keith R.A. DeCandido has authored more than 30 novels, among them, the acclaimed  Farscape novel House of Cards, released in 2001. DeCandido also wrote three short stories in that universe for the show’s official magazine and role-playing game.

"Words cannot describe how thrilled I am to be returning to  Farscape. Writing House of Cards was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my career, and I was always sorry I didn’t get to do more work in the universe," said DeCandido.  "Re-immersing myself in the wild and wacky world of FARSCAPE has been a true joy, as the show remains just as brilliant in 2008 as it was at the turn of the century. (more…)

ComicMix Quick Picks: 8/7/08

The collection of posts that may not warrant a full entry of their own. Excelsio — er, onward and upward:

When I saw this bit about Franklin turning 40, I have to admit that wasn’t the Franklin I was thinking of… yes, Franklin Richards is 40 years old too. And people complain about Bart Simpson never aging?

The Skiffy Channel’s top 10 brilliant but cancelled sci-fi shows. Also known as their regular line-up.

Lost in all the San Diego shuffle, MTV of all people have started a comics/movies blog called Splash Page, and have gone so far as to hire former Wizard and DC Comics staffer Casey Seijas. We welcome them to the blogosphere, but would like to remind them that hiring ex-DC and Wizard employees to run a weblog is our shtick.

Paul Levitz interviewed in the Wall Street Journal. Surprise note: yes, he’s another alumni of Frank McCourt’s english classes. I always wondered where Paul picked up the Irish brogue.

Robert Downey Jr. trying to keep his ego in check for Iron Man II:

"Suddenly, for a minute, I felt like everyone needed to take a knee and listen to what I had to say, because I f–kin’ made it, and my way works and all this stuff. Then I go home and I go, ‘Oh my God, what’s happening to me? I gotta get grounded here.’ "

Downey got Tropic cowriter and actor Justin Theroux the gig writing Iron Man 2. Theroux is just crawling out from under the pile of Iron Man comics as we speak.

"I’ve just stopped marinating in all the Iron Man lore that I didn’t know, and I’m sort of firing up the chainsaw and ready to attack it," said Theroux. "You’re writing for Robert Downey Jr., so, at the end of the day, that’s an enormous amount of fun."

Online Animation: An Olympic Train Wreck?

  • News
  • August 7, 2008

Cartoonist / animator / musician Joe Fournier has been doing some sweet stuff online, including this clever black-and-white cartoon about Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics… something about a… train wreck?

Joe’s illustrations have appeared in all sorts of places – Playboy, Forbes, Premiere, and all sorts of newspapers – and he plays a vital role in the burgeoning online animation field. His cartoons have been seen on the Sci-Fi Channel, at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, and the National Gallery of Art.

It’s good stuff. Check him out. 

Doctor Who in Review: Season Four, Episode #13 – “Journey’s End”

The hit BBC series Doctor Who is now in its fourth season on the Sci-Fi Channel, and since we’re all big fans here at ComicMix, we’ve decided to kick off an episode-by-episode analysis of the reinvigorated science-fiction classic.

Every week, I’ll do my best to go through the most recent episode with a fine-tooth comb (or whatever the “sonic screwdriver” equivalent might be) and call out the highlights, low points, continuity checks and storyline hints I can find to keep in mind for future episodes. I’ll post the review each Monday, so you have ample time to check out the episode once it airs each Friday at 9 PM EST on Sci-Fi Channel before I spoil anything.

Missed a week? Check out the “Doctor Who in Review” archive or check out any of the past editions of this column via the links at the end of this article.

Keep in mind, I’m going to assume readers have already watched the episode when I put fingers to keyboard and come up with the roundup of important plot points. In other words, SPOILER ALERT!

Let’s begin now, shall we?

Season Four, Episode #13: “Journey’s End”

(more…)

Universal Studios Options “2 Guns”

  • News
  • August 1, 2008

twoguns_uni_press-00-8589552Boom! Studios announced today that Universal Studios and Wanted producer Marc Platt have optioned the Steven Grant graphic novel 2 Guns for big-screen adaptation. Boom! co-founders Andrew Cosby and Ross Richie are attached to produce via their Boom Entertainment banner.

2 GUNS was created and written by Steven Grant, a veteran comic book scribe well known for developing Marvel Comics’ THE PUNISHER into a franchise character. Story follows two thieves targeting a mob bank – unknown to either, they’re both undercover agents. They pull off their heist, only to find out they’ve stolen cash from a CIA black bag operation, not the mob, and are now in over their heads. Project is targeted to be a throwback to classic 80s buddy movies in the vein of LETHAL WEAPON and 48 HOURS, but with a modern spin. Grant is well known to comic book fans for his online Comic Book Resources column Permanent Damage as well as his work on the Dark Horse Comics character "X" and the Marvel series X-MAN.

Boom! is currently posting pages from 2 Guns on their website as part of the publisher’s free webcomic initiative.

The full press release is posted after the jump.

 

(more…)

Doctor Who in Review: Season Four, Episode #12 – “The Stolen Earth”

The hit BBC series Doctor Who is now in its fourth season on the Sci-Fi Channel, and since we’re all big fans here at ComicMix, we’ve decided to kick off an episode-by-episode analysis of the reinvigorated science-fiction classic.

Every week, I’ll do my best to go through the most recent episode with a fine-tooth comb (or whatever the “sonic screwdriver” equivalent might be) and call out the highlights, low points, continuity checks and storyline hints I can find to keep in mind for future episodes. I’ll post the review each Monday, so you have ample time to check out the episode once it airs each Friday at 9 PM EST on Sci-Fi Channel before I spoil anything.

Missed a week? Check out the “Doctor Who in Review” archive or check out any of the past editions of this column via the links at the end of this article.

Keep in mind, I’m going to assume readers have already watched the episode when I put fingers to keyboard and come up with the roundup of important plot points. In other words, SPOILER ALERT!

Let’s begin now, shall we?

Season Four, Episode #12: “The Stolen Earth”

(more…)

SDCC Interview: Exec. Producer David Eick on ‘Caprica’ and the End of ‘BSG’

  • News
  • July 27, 2008

battlestar-galacticasmall-6564484Producer and Writer David Eick has one of the best jobs in television. Each week he gets to work alongside Ron Moore, Mark Verheiden, Jane Espenson, other talented writers, a brilliant cast and a superb crew to produce one of the best shows on television: Battlestar Galactica. From his early work on projects such as Hercules: The Legendary Journeys through American Gothic until his turn on the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, Eick has consistently managed to be involved with some innovative, and in many ways groundbreaking, television shows.

I had a chance to sit down and talk with Eick during the Battlestar Galactica press event at the San Diego Comic-Con. During that time we discussed the show, its Caprica spin-off and his feelings now that Battlestar is coming to an end. There were also a few other collegues at this particular event, so any questions not mine are in italics.

COMIC MIX: You’re probably not going to be able to answer any of my questions are you?

DAVID EICK:  No, no I’m good.

CMix: You showed some footage from Caprica during the Battlestar panel today? How’s the new show going?

DE: We finished shooting on the pilot which is now in post and we’re breaking stories for the first batch of episodes that hopefully we’ll have a reason to produce. We’re excited about it and so is the network. The truth is that even more so than with the original Battlestar mini-series, we’re hopeful and anticipating a successful series run with this.

CMix: But there’s no "official" series commitment from Sci-Fi as yet?

(more…)

Interview: Jane Espenson on “Buffy” and “Battlestar Galactica”

  • News
  • July 23, 2008

Writer and producer Jane Espenson has written, or co-written, episodes of some of the most popular and successful TV shows in recent memory. From her first writing work on Star Trek: The Next Generation through stints on the hugely popular Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and Angel, to one of the most celebrated series currently on TV, Battlestar Galactica, Espenson’s career is certainly one which fans of quality writing, humor and storytelling can appreciate.

In addition to her continued professional writing accomplishments, Espenson also finds time to offer inspiration to fledgling writers by providing advice on the craft of writing, breaking into the businesss and what makes a good spec script via her personal website. Recently, I caught up with Espenson to talk about, among other things, how writers can break into "the business," her love of sci-fi and fantasy, and what episodes of Buffy are her favorites.

COMICMIX: Jane, thanks for taking the time to talk with me. For those who may not know, can you talk a bit about your background? Did you always know you wanted to write?

JANE ESPENSON: I grew up in a small town in the Midwest where I watched a heck of a lot of television — good and bad.  For every MAS*H, there’s an Enos. You don’t remember Enos?  The Dukes of Hazzard spin-off?  Well, I was watching. I always knew I wanted to write for television. 

I read an article once about spec MAS*H scripts that were submitted to the show, and I wrote one myself. I wrote "PUT COMMERCIAL HERE" after every scene. I never sent it to anyone. It’s just as well.
 
CMix: Were there any particular writers you admired when you were growing up? Anyone influence your work today?

JE: I didn’t notice the names of individual television writers back then, although all those shows certainly influenced me.  My mother introduced me to the books of Jane Austen, which I love.  Austen had that wonderful observational sense of humor rooted in character.  I’d love to think that influenced me. 

But I’m most strongly affected by the writers I’ve worked with and for.  So much of this job is about seamlessly emulating the "voice" of the show’s creator, that I’ve spent years mastering how to write like Joss Whedon and Ron Moore.

There are worse influences to have!
 
CMix: How did you first break into the business? Was there someone who gave you your first break? (more…)

Doctor Who in Review: Season Four, Episode #11 – Turn Left

The hit BBC series Doctor Who is now in its fourth season on the Sci-Fi Channel, and since we’re all big fans here at ComicMix, we’ve decided to kick off an episode-by-episode analysis of the reinvigorated science-fiction classic.

Every week, I’ll do my best to go through the most recent episode with a fine-tooth comb (or whatever the "sonic screwdriver" equivalent might be) and call out the highlights, low points, continuity checks and storyline hints I can find to keep in mind for future episodes. I’ll post the review each Monday, so you have ample time to check out the episode once it airs each Friday at 9 PM EST on Sci-Fi Channel before I spoil anything.

Missed a week? Check out the "Doctor Who in Review" archive or check out any of the past editions of this column via the links at the end of this article.

Keep in mind, I’m going to assume readers have already watched the episode when I put fingers to keyboard and come up with the roundup of important plot points. In other words, SPOILER ALERT!

Let’s begin now, shall we?

Season Four, Episode #11: "Turn Left" (more…)

Work Starts on ‘Wanted’ Sequel

  • News
  • July 18, 2008

Word from Variety is that a sequel to the Wanted film is already under development, with producer Marc Platt and director Timur Bekmambetov at work on the property.

And word is he has another couple comics properties in the works. From Variety:

Proceeding at quicker pace is "Wanted 2," though Platt acknowledged that the creative team is still working on the challenge of continuing the story after most of the principal characters — including Angelina Jolie — ended the original in no position for an encore. But the film was designed as a potential franchise, Langley said, and it is still performing strongly after grossing $192.6 million worldwide. The intention is to get James McAvoy back into gunslinging mode. ...

That duo also is teamed with Bekmambetov on a Universal adaptation of the Christian Gossett sci-fi graphic novel "The Red Star," which has a script draft by Matthew Sand.

Platt, who just received a contract extension from Universal Pictures, also is reported to be attached to the Scott Pilgrim movie.

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