InCONpetence
A new Scryptic column is up. It's the second in two weeks, and the fiftieth in total. This one recounts my recent travails at the New York Comic Con. ("Travails" may not be a word, but I'm late for a work, so I leave that to you to decide.") Check it out.
For Girls and Geeks Like Me
New Scryptic column is up. This one offers more insight to the origins of my comic-in-progress, Across the Universe. Loyal wuh - wuh - wuh - period - DrewMelbourne - period - C - O - M readers may recall an earlier article on this site that covers similar ground. Check 'em both out! And stay tuned for more details on AtU.
Melbournesque
Another week means another installment of my ScrypticStudios.com column, Think Like Tomorrow. This week, I discuss We are the Conspiracy, apologize for ArchEnemies, explain why comic book readers don't like superheroes, and - most importantly - explain what it means to be... "Melbournesque"!
And if you're looking for your classic TLT fix, virtually the entire run of volume one has now been cleaned up and reformatted for the new site. Check out the entire archive or just start at the beginning with my very first column, "The Great Walnut Talkers".
The Sophomore Stone
Now that ScrypticStudios.com is back up and running, I've returned to writing my weekly column, Think Like Tomorrow. This week's column, The Sophomore Stone, lays out the missions statement for "volume two" and serves as an introduction to new readers.
PLUS: a quick preview of some of the comics I'm currently developing.
Writing Your Pitch
New at Scryptic:
Issue three of ARCHENEMIES is in stores now. But two years ago, all I had was his pitch, some samples pages, and a whole lot of gumption. In this special edition of TLT, I talk about pitch format and offer up a rare peek at the pitch that started it all.
Read it here.
The Rain and Spain
New at Scryptic:
More anecdotes about my experiences with ArchEnemies, my growing Spanish-language fanbase, and my attempts not to avoid a reputation as the "Robin Williams in the back of the comedy club*" of comics.
Read it here.
(*Read the column, do some googling, and you'll figure out what I'm talking about.)
So What Now???
The latest Scrypic column is now live here.
It's a grab bag of anecdotes this week, including the fun story of how I defaced this copy of ArchEnemies #1.
PLUS: another story about how I'm a huge, huge, huge idiot!
I'm right. You're wrong.
The latest Scrypic column is now live here.
Not the most fact-tastic installment, but hopefully you'll get a few laughs out of the thing.
(Assuming you dig Kant jokes.)
Secret Origins of ARCHENEMIES, Part 5
New at Scryptic:
ArchEnemies #1 will be out April 5th! In the mean time, check out the final part in this series, recounting the series' journey from concept to almost certain to published comics series!
Read it here.
Read Part 1 here.
Secret Origins of ARCHENEMIES, Part 4
New at Scryptic:
In Part 4 of this multi-part series, I revisit an old column and reveal how it connects to my upcoming Dark Horse series, ARCHENEMIES. PLUS: convention news!
Read it here.
Read Part 1 here.
Secret Origins of ARCHENEMIES, Part 3
New at Scryptic:
In Part 3 of this multi-part series, I continue to trace the development of his upcoming Dark Horse comic. If you thought I made the pitch process look easy in his last installment, don't worry: this week I talk you through the low points.
Read it here.
Read Part 1 here.
Secret Origins of ARCHENEMIES, Part 2
New at Scryptic:
The second part of a multi-part series, tracing the roots of my upcoming Dark Horse Comics series. This week, I explain how the creative team came together, introduce the world to the phrases "writer stew bait" and "new comic alarm," and reveal whether Kurt Busiek is about to sue me for everything I'm worth.
Read it here.
Read Part 1 here.
Secret Origins of ARCHENEMIES, Part 1
New at Scryptic:
For anybody who's always asking the question, "How do I break in?" here's the inside scoop on how ARCHENEMIES went from being a funny one-liner to a big time mini-series from Dark Horse Comics.
Plus: Is ARCHENEMIES doomed? Only Kurt Busiek knows for sure.
This is part one of a multi-part series.
Read it here.
The Art of Format - Last Column of 2005
Over at Scryptic, you can read my last column of 2005. It's a very nuts-and-boltsy column about formatting your comic book scripts.
I've been doing the column for about a year now, starting as a weekly column and then switching to bi-weekly. The timing of the column is a little awkward, as 2005 was my last "pre-published" year. I was writing a column about writing comics, when no one had ever seen any of my comics work.
This year, that's obviously going to change. As everyone knows, AE is due out in April, and the big announcements, interviews, etc. are all (hopefully) going to be starting up soon. TLT will be your backstage pass to the new series:
How did I come up with the initial idea? How did I pull the creative team together? How did I line up a publisher? How has it come together? What's it like doing interviews and promoting your book?
And hopefully you won't all be AE'd out by April.
Onward and upward.
New TLT
I have a new Scryptic column up that wraps up my "proof of concept" series. Consider my concept proofed? (Wait... That doesn't sound right.)
Coming soon to TLT: Countdown to ArchEnemies.
New TLT Logo
This just in:
"Experts call the new logo for Drew Melbourne's THINK LIKE TOMORROW column at Scryptic Studios, 'Drew's Most Pretentious, Self-Engrandizing Nonsense to Date!' Laymen across the nation nod in silent assent."
There's no new column this week, but I wanted to show off the weird new logo.
Beats, Shifts & Flips
Another new column at Scryptic, focusing on my tentative "Last Hour" project and some of the subtleties of composition.
Plus, it inspired me to draw this:
I think I'm slowly going mad...
Proof of Concept
My latest column is up at Scryptic:
(Actually, it's been up for about two weeks. Next one'll be up in a couple days.)
Ersatz
My latest column is up at Scryptic. This week we explore the seedy world of "backmatter," that stuff that people shove into the back of comics in efforts to amuse you for a few additional seconds before you toss their comic in the garbage.
PLUS: I think I commit libel in this column, and I definitely do a disservice to a beloved Moore-Gibbons classic. All that, plus I answer the question that everything hypothetical reader is asking, "What's an ersatz?"
- Go now.
Ten Minutes Plus
This week at Scryptic, we get some hyperactive humor, the importance of mystery, and a massive/useless grammar digression. Fun for the whole family! Go! Go! Go!
It's Official...
I am a stupid, stupid man. How stupid? Well, let's put it this way:
New column is up at Scryptic, where I try to explain the other life altering change that I made this week. (Besides the three nostrils thing.)
New Seasons
My latest Scryptic column takes a look at a few of the latest trends in network television and ponders how they might be hacked for comics. Because, let's be honest: as awful and unoriginal as we say network television is, it's still a lot more diverse than "superhero comics, some of which don't have Spider-Man or Batman in them."
Read it here.
Not an Excerpt
My latest column at Scryptic features an excerpt from an alternate reality version of the script for ArchEnemies #3, due out next year.
That's right! You lucky people get to check out an excerpt from an imaginary script for a comic that won't be out this year! But, hey, if you're a script geek, at least it's a chance to see my funky page/panel decimal system of doom.
The 3 E's
My latest column is up at Scryptic:
This time I tackle a topic that's very close to my heart. (Fly fishing.) As a change of pace, I specifically didn't mention comic books, except in maybe one or two places. I specifically edited out references, because I thought the overall message applied to all writing, and not just writing comics. That's either smart or stupid of me. I'm not sure which yet.
The column lays out a theory of writing for children I call "the 3 E's." But it's very much a work in progress. If you find the column useful or stupid, or if you have any feedback, drop me a line at my Scryptic address, drew@scrypticstudios.com.
Write NOT for Yourself
New at Scryptic:
The article is "Writing NOT for Yourself." The image will make a little more sense in context. (But only a little.)
"It's Clobberin' Time!"
My latest interview is live on Scryptic. As we say on the site:
He's one of the most talented writers currently working in the industry, but Dan Slott's story doesn't begin and end with SHE-HULK, GLA, or even his upcoming THING solo series. Find out where Dan Slott came from, where he's heading, and all stops in-between! Packed with loads of promo art, story excerpts, and other suprises!
PLUS: underwear models?!?
Check it out now.
Advice for a Nickel
New column up at Scryptic about the kinds of nothing questions that would-be writers live and die by. And, for those of you who miss my old cartoon avatar, there's a treat at the end of the column.
And, as always, it is unbelievably funny. No serious. I dare you to believe how funny it is! THAT'S RIGHT! YOU CAN'T DO IT!!!
MU HA HA HA HA HA!!!
Ahem. Um. Sorry about that. That was a, uh... keyboard malfunction.
Darn thing has a life of its own.
Greatest Show in the Galaxy
I'm busy gearing up for the convention, but here's a quick (but brillianht) column.
For a fun time, count the plugs...
We've Been Hacked!
For some reason, someone thought it would be a good idea to hack the Scryptic Studios site. It wasn't a very serious hack; they just locked out the admins and made it slightly more difficult for us to get in and update the site.
(And to be fair, I wouldn't rule out that one of us accidentally unchecked something somewhere, and that there really IS no phantom hacker; kind of like how I've now accidentally edited over two people's posts in the forums...)
But hackers do exists, and they do do stuff like this. As I understand it, the justification, when there is one, is that "sites should have been security." A hacker exposes weaknesses and forces you to become a better site.
Kind of like how your father dressed you up in a little pink dress, slapped you, and called you "Suzie."
Or, you know, so I've heard.
The Dream Lives
Please read my latest column at Scryptic.
Unconventional
The folks at Scryptic asked me to put together a convention report covering the recent Wizard World convention that I attended. I probably shouldn't become a reporter, because this is what I came up with.
Seth Green - Oh, How I Hate Him!
My favorite Peanuts strip is the very first one. Two kids sit on the curb watching Charlie Brown walk by. "There goes good ol' Charlie Brown," the boy says. "Good ol' Charlie Brown."
After Charlie Brown has come and gone (without saying a word) the boy finally lets his true feelings be known: "Good ol' Charlie Brown... How I hate him!"
Charles Schultz knew the great truth of comedy: Bitterness is hilarious. And if I can share my bitterness with all of you, and you can laugh at me.. I mean, laugh at my bitterness... Well, then it's all been worth while.
This week, I am proud to present a column twenty years in the making: "Seth Green - Oh, How I Hate Him!"
(With apologies to Chuck Schultz and, of course, to Seth Green.)
Writing for WHICH Trade?
I recently ran into a strange problem: I was asked to extend a three issue mini-series to four issues. You think I'd just be happy for the extra money, right? No, I have to complain, complain, complain. But, hey, I got a column out of it! This week, I consider that immortal question, "Writing for WHICH Trade?"
In Clouds and Boxes
This is a one-off column, and one of my favorites. Why have thought balloons fallen out of favor? Are caption boxes a thing of the past, too? Why do so many writers hate thinking. Find out in my latest column, "In Clouds and Boxes."
What's in the Oven?
Okay, I was hoping to be able to make a big announcement around now, but it didn't happen. Or at least, it hasn't happened yet. So, in this week's column, I talk about bad timing. If you like cooking metaphors, you'll love "What's in the Oven?"
Clocking Angst's Jaw
Where would a superhero be without his supervillains? Happy, probably, but that would make for some boring comic books. The struggle between superhero and supervillain is a metaphoric struggle of good vs. evil. Or brain vs. brawn. Or brawn vs. brain. Or bats vs. clowns. Okay, it's really arbitrary, but it works. How do you settle a conflict between two amorphous concepts? Personify, slugfest, repeat. I think I've probably summed up the entire column, but if you're still interested you might enjoy reading "Clocking Angst's Jaw."
Premise to Plot
Okay, so you have a great idea for a comic book. Or, at the very least, an idea. What now? In this week's column, I discuss ways to get from Premise to Plot.
...and This is Mine
I thought it would be a good idea to develop a new comics project and chart its developement in my column. That way people could learn from example. Last week I gave you a plan of attack. In this week's column, "...and This is Mine," well... you get the idea.
Your Plan of Attack
"But Drew," you ask, "How can I break into the comic book industry?" People try to make it mysterious. People try to make it seem difficult. And it is. But let me tell you, it can be done. Find out how in this week's column, "Your Plan of Attack."
Why Superheroes? - Part 2
Another week of superhero history lesson-ing. For all those Optic Nerve fans out there, I apologize. But then, with the comics market the way it is, I'm sure you've gotten used to being treated like second-class citizens. You, more than anyone, have probably been asking yourselves "Why Superheroes?"
Why Superheroes? - Part 1
Another two part column, because I can write them all at once and then sleep for two weeks. The question this week (and next) is "Why Superheroes?" Why are superheroes cool? Why SHOULDN'T you feel embarrassed reading (or writing) superhero comics? Who is the Grey Seal? All this and more in this week's column.
My Comics is Broken - Part 2
Last week, I wrote a column that look at what's wrong with comics. This week, in part 2, I look at a possible solution. The question of the week, "What is panel density?" Find out in "My Comics is Broken - Part 2."
My Comics is Broken - Part 1
Part one of my first two part column. Because my column came out too long, and I'm too weak-willed to cut anything. What is wrong with modern comics? Lots of people complain, but the ultimate goal must be to diagnose and cure. Step One: Somebody has to tell my why My Comics is Broken!
The Writer and the Artist
If you're a comic book writer, and you can draw, you're lucky. If you're a comic book writer, and you can't draw, you're the rest of us. The relationship between writer and artist is always a little tricky. This week's column explores the touchy relationship between The Writer and the Artist.
Questioning Comics
Why do people become comic book writers? It's not for the respect. It's not to make money. It's certainly not to be cool. So why? In this week's column, "Questioning Comics," I look for answers.
The Charlatans of Zen
People will tell you that writing is a magical experience. That you merely are a vessel for the poetry of the universe. That the characters will take on a life of their own and begin writing their own dialogue for you. This is a lie. Do not trust The Charlatans of Zen.
The Great Walnut Talkers
Will Eisner is dead. Sooner or later, all the greats will be gone. Who will take their place? This is the question I wrestle with in the first edition of my new column at Scryptic Studios, "The Great Walnut Talkers."
Think Like Tomorrow
Drew writes a regular "how to write comics" web column for Scryptic Studios. It is, as he calls it, "An Idiot's Guide to Becoming the World's Greatest Comic Book Writer." Which, as far as we can tell, makes him the idiot...