Max Allan Collins's Blog, page 74

Skin Game

My latest collaboration with Mickey Spillane is available in e-book only from Dutton’s e-relaunch of its Gilt-Edged Mystery Line, of which Mickey was the first great star, actually easily the greatest star. It’s a nice honor that they are making Mickey a big part of this new start.

Here’s where you can read about the novella and order it from parent company Penguin. It’s also available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other e-book sellers.

The novella is my completion of a very interesting fragment from the Spillane files – a typically great opening from Mickey. It’s already generating some terrific reviews, like this one…and this one.

Meanwhile, LADY, GO DIE! continues to get nice notices. Here’s one of the latest.

And for an in-depth view of the First Comics panel at San Diego Comic-Con, with an emphasis on Ms. Tree, check this out.

And the next Hammer novel – COMPLEX 90, the long-awaited third book in Mickey’s Red Scare trilogy (the other two novels are ONE LONELY NIGHT and THE GIRL HUNTERS) – has been delivered to Titan. I finished right before we left for San Diego.

M.A.C.

San Diego Comic-Con Archive

Now that we’ve all arrived safely back home in the Midwest and the triple-digit weather we’d left behind, I thought I’d give Max a break from the update this week and post some photos I found on the net from the San Diego Comic Convention…1982.

All photos were taken and shared by Alan Light. The full set of his 1982 San Diego Comic Con photos is up on Alan’s Flickr.

M.A.C. receives an Inkpot Award while Sergio Aragonés does a sketch of him.

Hank Ketcham and M.A.C. talk over dinner at the Inkpot Awards ceremony. Rox Kirby (Mrs. Jack Kirby), in pink, sits at left.

Here’s Barbara looking radiant as always. You wouldn’t believe it from the photo, but I was born the coming November, in a way making this my first Comic-Con.

Terry Beatty, M.A.C., and Catherine Yronwode speak on a panel discussion.

Bart Bush and M.A.C. talk on the dealers room floor.

Surrounded by original comic strip art, M.A.C. signs a book for Frank Miller (looks to be one of the Nolans — just published that year and now available on Kindle!)

M.A.C. hunts for bargains in the dealers room (looks like manga — I wonder if he still has those…). In the background is an attendee in a Rollerball costume.

M.A.C., Terry Beatty, and Rick Best take a break from the convention at the Sunset Lounge.

Terry and Max at the Hollywood Bowl.

M.A.C. meets Leslie Nielsen on the plane home.

See you next year, San Diego!

San Diego Comic-Con 2012: Exit the Con

Sunday, the final day of the con, once was the lightest of the days and a great one for bargain hunting. The latter is still true, but the dealer’s room floor today was packed, easily to the Wed., Thurs., Fri. levels (I wasn’t there on Saturday). I think this has to do with Sunday being much lighter on the big deal Hollywood events that take place in that aircraft hanger known as Hall H.

I had luck buying books at 50% off and bought a few original pieces of daily comic strip art, an old addiction of mine that I’ve been dipping back into lately. I love daily originals because they don’t take up much wall space and sometimes are bargains. I talked with lots of cool people, including Brian at Shout Factory, one of the truly great Blu-ray/DVD labels.

But this con is getting oppressive. The security is just a nightmare. They suddenly decide you can’t cross an aisle until traffic (!) slows. They suddenly decide that one of the relative handfuls of entrances onto the dealer’s room floor is now entrance only or exit only (no signs posted). You can’t get in the building with having your pass on its necklace seen and approved by a security staffer, but after that, you are constantly required to show your passes to security people at various doors and self-created, pointless bottlenecks. Understand this: you can’t get in the building without your pass. Yet you are constantly forced to prove that you are legally in the building. How stupid and bullying are the security people? Here’s the last thing I heard screamed at me as I headed out of the convention center: “Exit through the doors!”

I love this con, but it’s a beauty who with age has grown fat and sloppy. It’s still a great deal of fun and an amazing spectacle/train-wreck to witness. I will probably go back. But that I just said “probably” about a show I have not missed in well over a decade speaks volumes.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012: Day Four

We spent the day away from the con — our annual “family day,” which included a trip to Old Town and a meal at a fabulous Mexican restaurant, Casa Guadalaljara. Then Nate and Abby went off to Coronado Island for bike-riding and a visit to the famous hotel there, and Barb and I shared a quiet dinner (and a lively business meeting) with Titan publisher Nick Landau, at a wildly different Mexican place, Candelas near the convention center. Nick is a great guy and we could talk pop culture for hours…and we did.

Tomorrow is the final day of the con, unbelievably, and Nate, Abby and I will be there till the bitter end. Barb will shop elsewhere. This has been a fine year where appearing on panels and business was concerned, but less enjoyable for the con itself. The only panel I wanted to get into, the Warner Archive one (they do made-to-order DVDs of classic movies and TV shows, and have sucked thousands of dollars out of me) was packed due to the scheduled appearances of actors from the old SHAZAM kids’ show, which they are about to release on DVD. The line was endless and many were turned away. You’d have thought the Beatles were performing, not Billy Batson. The whole con is like that — you can’t get into anything without standing in line, sometimes for hours, sometimes over night (a woman died in a traffic accident early on in the con trying to maintain her position in a re-directed line for a TWILIGHT event). The security at the con has been inconsistent to say the least — sometimes nice, other times belligerent and frequently ill-informed, keeping people out of places that were open to them. For reasons I will never understand, masses of people are often directed through single doors (where there are multiple ones). Mid-way in the outer hall, everyone is forced through a one-person-only passageway for no discernible reason. I have always loved this con, but they are making it hard for me.

Let me briefly note the passing of the producer of ROAD TO PERDITION, the great Richard D. Zanuck. I will talk more about this fine gentleman in a future update.

M.A.C.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012: Day Three

The panel was a smashing success.

We had a huge room filled to capacity (a very popular panel was following us), but the crowd, for whatever reason they were there, were captivated by a great panel and were extremely responsive.

Everyone on the panel did stellar work, but our grandmaster Kevin J. Anderson was wonderful — funny and informative. Bob Greenberger announced the awards with confidence and humor, and I couldn’t have been more pleased.

The format was fun and perhaps a little unusual, because we put the emphasis on our grandmaster by having each of our panel members ask him a question. A lot of back and forth about the craft of writing tie-ins and the current state of the trade followed.

I didn’t think we could top the Peter David panel last year, but we may have — or anyway did just as well.

My thanks to all.

M.A.C.

International Association of Media Tie-In Writers Scribe Awards 2012

Bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson was honored as this year’s Grandmaster at the International Association of Media Tie-In Writer’s annual Scribe Awards ceremony, held Friday night at Comic-Con in San Diego.

Anderson was honored for remarkable achievements in the tie-in field, which include more than one hundred novels, adding up to over 20 million books in print in thirty languages. His work includes the Star Wars “Jedi Academy” books, three internationally bestselling X-Files novels, the Superman novels The Last Days of Krypton and Enemies & Allies, many novelizations (Sky Captain & The World of Tomorrow, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, etc.) and, of course, the ten globally bestselling DUNE novels he has co-authored with Brian Herbert.

Receiving the honor was, for Anderson, “like receiving a standing ovation for something that was already fun in the first place, and I am very honored to be recognized by my colleagues in this particularly challenging line of writing.”

He wasn’t alone accepting honors on Friday. The Scribe Awards, recognizing excellence in the field of media tie-in writing, for Best Original Novel in Speculative and General Fiction genres, Best Adaptation, Best Young Adult novels and Best Audio performance, were also awarded at the event, which included a lively panel discussion with the winners and nominees.

“The Scribe Awards honor a very popular but under-celebrated branch of popular fiction,” said Lee Goldberg, IAMTW’s co-founder, “and this year’s awards show the breadth and depth of the field.”

Cowboys & Aliens by Joan D. Vinge was the winner for Best Adaptation, Dungeons & Dragons – Forgotten Realms: Brimstone Angels by Erin M. Evans took the prize for Best Speculative Original Novel, Mike Hammer: Kiss Her Goodbye by Max Allan Collins & Mickey Spillane won for Best Original Novel, and Thunderbirds: Extreme Hazard by Joan Marie Yerba was honored for Best Young Adult Novel. Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer: Encore for Murder by Max Allan Collins won the Best Audio award.

Collins was “blown away” by his double win this year, but was particularly pleased that “the work I’ve been doing to bring Mickey Spillane’s unpublished, unfinished material to fruition has earned this kind of recognition.”

The IAMTW (I Am a Tie-In Writer) is dedicated to enhancing the professional and public image of tie-in writers…to working with the media to review tie-in novels and publicize their authors…to educating people about who we are and what we do….and to providing a forum for tie-in writers to share information, support one another, and discuss issues relating to their field.

For more information, visit www.iamtw.org.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012: Day Two

Here’s some snaps from our panels today. M.A.C. has one more panel at the con on Friday from 5:00-6:00: the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers: Scribe Awards in room 23ABC. Max and Barbara (together as Barbara Allan), and the rest of the panel will sign from 6:30 – 7:00 at AA9.

Larry Young, the Fillbach Brothers, M.A.C.

Jonathan Tarbox, Stephen Paul, Nathan Collins

Bonus picture: GIR

San Diego Comic-Con 2012: Day One

Nate here —

Bud Plant returned to the Comic-Con this year with a great 50% off sale, and with my father recovering from walking the length of the impressive convention hall with his equally impressive haul of books, I’m taking over today’s mini-update to plug my panel on Thursday:

6:30-8:00 Lost in Translation— As some manga companies such as TokyoPop, CMX, and Bandai Entertainment leave the picture, other manga venues such as JManga are coming onto the manga scene. With so much change, this is a turbulent time for manga freelancers. Find out how the industry is faring in a question-and-answer session with William Flanagan (Madoka Magica Manga), Jonathan Tarbox (Fist of the Northstar), Shaenon Garrity (Hunter X Hunter), Stephen Paul (One Piece), Nathan Collins (Metal Gear Solid: Guns of Patriots) and maybe even some surprise panelists. Room 26AB

And if you’re at the con, don’t forget to go to M.A.C.’s panel from 5:00 – 6:00: First Comics: 30th Anniversary Extravaganza! at Room 23ABC. More details in his post below.

Finally, in order to have at least some content in this post about the Comic-Con preview night, here’s my vote for the stealth hit of the show this year…Mustache Monocles.

San Diego Comic Con Sked

Barb, Nate, and I will be attending the Comic Con again this year (Nate’s fiancee, Abby, will be along again as well!). I will be doing brief daily updates with pics.

Here’s my schedule (two panels):

Thursday, July 12

5:00-6:00 First Comics: 30th Anniversary Extravaganza!—Legendary ’80s independent publishing powerhouse First Comics is rocking into San Diego with the assembled might of extraordinary comics creators Bill Willingham, Max Allan Collins, The Fillbach Brothers, Steve Stern, Dan Cote, and Larry Young. With giveaways, surprise guests, elephants, circus clowns, and more as befitting a 30th Anniversary-come celebrate with First! Moderated by Ken F. Levin. Room 23ABC

Friday, July 13

5:00-6:00 International Association of Media Tie-in Writers: Scribe Awards—Max Allan Collins (Mike Hammer), co-founder of the IAMTW, will announce the winners of this year’s Scribe Awards for excellence in tie-in writing. He will be joined by this year’s Grandmaster Award “Faust” winner, Kevin J. Anderson (Dune), Stacia Deutsch (Batman), Glenn Hauman (Star Trek), Jeff Mariotte (CSI), Deborah Lynn Smith (Dark Shadows), and Dayton Ward (Star Trek) for a freewheeling look at one of the most popular and yet underappreciated branches of the writing trade. Followed by a Q&A session. Room 23ABC

Check out the free download of my original radio play, “Mercy,” for Fangoria’s Dreadtime Stories, which puts a movie idea I’ve been noodling with one its feet. I love this story and I love the way it turned out. There are three other of my radio plays available there as well, but a cheap download fee. My buddy Carl Amari produced and directed.

Here’s a link to a video interview I did with Mr. Media. My first experience with Skype finds me looking like a drunken aardvark with a beanie propeller hat. Something must be done.

Here, of all things, is a fun review of one of the DARK ANGEL novels Matt Clemens and I wrote together (we had a blast doing those and feel the trio of novels represent some of our best collaborations).

Here’s another fun review, this one of LADY, GO DIE!

Turns out “A Long Time Dead” (a Mike Hammer story by Mickey and me) was indeed nominated for a Dagger. We did not, however, win.

See you later this week.

M.A.C.

Nolan on Kindle!

For the first time, the complete Nolan series is available on Kindle for $4.99 each. These are published by Perfect Crime, who offer them as trade paperbacks, as well. NOTE: The first two Nolans, BAIT MONEY and BLOOD MONEY, are available together on e-book (and real book) from Hard Case Crime.

Check out this terrific LADY, GO DIE! review, and a follow-up interview that I hope is interesting (I’ve done a lot of these in support of this book!)

Crimespree has a nice LADY, GO DIE! review as well.

And here’s a great review of MICKEY SPILLANE ON SCREEN from Ron Fortier. FYI: the prices have gone up at both Barnes and Noble and Amazon on line for this book, $39.95 and $45 respectively. Amazon has it from secondary sellers for just under thirty bucks.

As promised, here is the full list of awards from the International Mystery Writers’ Festival:

2012 ANGIE AWARD WINNERS

BEST MOVIE ACTRESS – Sabrina Segal

BEST MOVIE ACTOR – Eric Altheide

BEST MOVIE DETECTIVE – Todd Reynolds

BEST SCRIPT – Max Allan Collins for “Encore for Murder”

BEST FEATURED ACTOR – Richard Fish for Pat Chambers in “Encore for Murder”

BEST ACTOR – Gary Sandy for Mike Hammer in “Encore for Murder”

BEST FEATURED ACTRESS – Amy Walker for Rita Vance in “Encore for Murder”

BEST ACTRESS – Cassie Post for Ariel in “Lost at Sea”

FESTIVAL CREATOR – Zev Buffman

LORD OF MYSTERY – Max Allan Collins

BEST PRODUCTION – “Encore for Murder”

International Mystery Writer’s Festival 2012 photo spread:

Top Row (l t r): M.A.C., Roxi Witt (producer of event), Lee Goldberg, Bob Randisi | M.A.C., Barb | M.A.C.

2nd Row: M.A.C., Lee | Barb, Gary Sandy, M.A.C. | M.A.C., Gary

3rd Row: Roxi, M.A.C., Barb | M.A.C., Gary, Gary’s Mom, Barb | M.A.C., Bob

M.A.C.