Brian Keene's Blog, page 120
March 11, 2014
Alan Rodgers R.I.P.
Locus is reporting that World Fantasy Award nominee and Bram Stoker Award winner Alan Rodgers passed away March 4 in Anaheim CA. Rodgers was best known for being the associate editor of the seminal TWILIGHT ZONE magazine, and the editor of the equally important NIGHT CRY magazine, another 80′s staple. His novels, novellas, and collections included BLOOD OF THE CHILDREN, FIRE, NIGHT, BONE MUSIC, GHOSTS WHO CANNOT SLEEP, and THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD, as well as a BATTLESTAR GALACTICA tie-in with Richard Hatch. He is survived by his three children.
March 9, 2014
March 8, 2014
Paul Godfrey
CLICKERS III: DAGON RISING Back In Print!
CLICKERS III: DAGON RISING is back in print in paperback once again, as well as on Kindle and Nook.
Featuring a crossover with the EARTHWORM GODS series, this book has been unavailable in paperback for several months, while rights transferred from the former publisher to Deadite Press. Now, it’s back.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PAPERBACK
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR KINDLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR NOOK
And for a complete list of the CLICKERS series, as well as the rest of my books, click here.
March 6, 2014
THANK YOU!
On behalf of myself and everyone at Antarctic Press, I’d like to sincerely thank you for making our Kickstarter for hardcover and paperback editions of THE LAST ZOMBIE OMNIBUS such a success. We asked for $7,285. You gave us $29,245. I’m absolutely stunned by that. We really appreciate your efforts, dedication, and support. As noted in one of the stretch goal updates, every supporter will also be reciving three brand-new short stories from me. Those stories are “Keepsakes”, “Hide and Seek”, and “Baby Talk”. All three have been completed, and I’m sending them to Antarctic Press now.
March 5, 2014
Booster Gold
I’ve been compiling material for a forthcoming book called APOCRYPHA (which will be given free to former newsletter subscribers). In doing so, I’ve been digging deep into my archives, and have found two-dozen plus projects that died on the vine. A few weeks ago, I posted the outline for one of those projects, a novel called DAY OF TERROR. You responded with requests for more, and since I’m under the deadline gun and don’t have time to generate new content here, let’s take a look at another one.
As has been reported (by Bleeding Cool, The Outhouse, and others), I was to be one of the writers on DC Comics’ upcoming FUTURE’S END, but I ended my involvement with the project before scripting began. During that time, I was asked to pitch several other projects, including ANIMAL MAN, RAGMAN, VIGILANTE, and BOOSTER GOLD. What follows is my pitch for the latter. It should be noted that the only guidance I was given was, “We want Quantam Leap meets Doctor Who.” It was my impression (and only my impression) that editorial didn’t really have a vision of what to do with the character when they rebooted their line-wide continuity. This was the solution I offered, but it was ultimately rejected. It should also be noted that all characters in this pitch are the trademarked properties of DC Entertainment, and absolutely no infringement is intended. The pitch is offered here merely for educational purposes.
BOOSTER GOLD
Brian Keene
Quantum Leap meets Doctor Who…
THE PROBLEM: Booster Gold doesn’t fit in the New52. The most prominent reason for this is because readers don’t yet have a sense of history for the New52. They’ve seen only glimpses of its past and future. Booster is a time-traveler. That rich sense of history is what should inform him and drive him, allowing readers to identify with him. All of that is missing. I propose that Booster and the readers discover that history together.
THE FIX: So far, Booster has been seen uncontrollably phasing in and out of time. (It’s been hinted this might be the doing of Rip Hunter). What if, each time he jumps from one time period to another, Booster loses a little more of his memory, to the point where he becomes an amnesiac? As his journey toward self-discovery then begins, so does the reader’s connection with him — and thus, we have a broad tapestry in which to explore this character in ways we never have before, while simultaneously exploring the history of the New52.
I envision each issue as self-contained, focusing on Booster in a different time period. But there is a deeper, more mysterious sub-plot running through all of the issues, ultimately culminating in Booster rediscovering who he is, and unraveling the mysteries of his past (the death of his sister, what’s really going on with Rip Hunter, etc.)
THE FIRST SIX ISSUES:
1. Booster and Skeets materialize in Earth’s Cretaceous period, and Skeets is eaten by a Tyrannosaurus. Booster must ultimately fight the beast. After defeating it, he decides to search the dinosaur’s stomach for Skeets, but before he can, he phases out of time again and appears on the deck of a ship off the coast of 10th century “Vinland” (North America), where he is knocked unconscious and captured by Viking Prince.
2. Viking Prince interrogates Booster, believing him to be magic (which would account for his strange garb and sudden appearance). Booster tries to convince him otherwise, but in recounting his tale, is alarmed to discover that he can’t remember certain things about himself. He breaks free of his bonds, but does not attack the Vikings, proving he means them no harm. He then accompanies them ashore, where they encounter Arak, son of Thunder, and members of his tribe. The Vikings and Native Americans are suspicious of each other, and a battle ensues, but Booster diplomatically brokers peace between them (reminding the readers that he’s not just empowered by his suit and future weaponry, but also his charisma and showmanship). During a feast between the two groups, Booster phases out of time and appears in the ruins of Metropolis, where he is confronted by a walking, talking dog who introduces himself. “I’m Doctor Canus, and this is my boy, Kamandi.” When Canus asks Booster for his name, he can no longer remember it.
3. It is revealed that while Booster knows he’s a time traveler and can remember periods of history, he can no longer remember his name or any of his past, nor how he came upon his suit and equipment. He knows, for example, that he’s in the era of The Great Disaster, but doesn’t know how he knows that. Canus and Kamandi offer him shelter within the confines of a Tiger-controlled city ruled by Prince Tuftan. Both Kamandi and Canus are intrigued by Booster — talking humans are a rarity in this era. Booster is soon drafted into helping them repel an invasion by intelligent rats. One of the rats seems to have superpowers similar to that of a Red Lantern. The tiger army is helpless against this foe, and it is up to Booster to tackle this new menace. But then Booster sees a young human female killed and has a flashback to the death of a similar woman. Unbeknownst to Booster, this flashback is the death of his sister, for which he was responsible. As Booster struggles with this memory and is incapacitated, the rats regain the upper hand and breach the city’s defenses.
4. Still struggling to make sense of his flashback, Booster is on the run with Canus, Kamandi, and Tuftan. But as the Red Lantern rat lays siege to the city, Booster fights back. He defeats his foe, even as the others repel the rats once and for all. It is revealed that the rats seek an artifact—a mythical golden lasso—which the tigers supposedly hold. Tuftan doesn’t know what they are talking about, but mention of the lasso inspires another flashback for Booster — a powerful woman and a super man, whose love doomed the world… but before he can unravel this new memory, Booster fades from reality again, and appears in a World War II foxhole with Sergeant Rock and the men from Easy Company.
5. Booster’s grip on reality is slipping further. Now he can remember nothing, including how to work his futuristic equipment or suit. Panicked, confused, and terrified, he finds himself fighting alongside Rock and the members of Easy Company who are surrounded by German forces. Outmanned and outgunned, things look grim for them, but the men of Easy Company refuse to fall. Just as the German forces close in on them, Booster fades from view again… and this time finds himself floating in a black void.
6. In the void, a voice speaks to Booster, saying it’s all his fault. He cries out, desperate to understand what is happening to him. Then he finds himself in the cockpit with Enemy Ace. Throughout this issue, his time jumps increase in rapidity, as he pops in and out of reality and history like a cork bobbing on the surface of a fast-moving stream. He encounters the Justice League 3000, the Lady Johanna Constantine, Hiroshima as seen in Superman Unchained, the Demon Knights, Anthro, Bat Lash, Big Anvil, and many more. Bewildered, frightened, and bordering on the edge of a complete mental and emotional breakdown, Booster then appears in a futuristic looking chamber. As he lies trembling on the floor, curled into the fetal position, Rip Hunter, Skeets, and a future version of himself appear and loom over him. The time for explanations has come.
Attn: Foreign Publishers
Effective immediately, I am representing myself for foreign translation rights, rather than through an agency or agent. Interested parties should email briankeene@live.com. Click here for a complete list of foreign translations.
March 3, 2014
Crawling From the Wreckage
Photo copyright Kasey Lansdale
So after two months of ice storms, blizzards, power outages, burst pipes, fallen trees, sporadic internet access, school cancellations, HN1 death flu, near-bankruptcy, PTSD, and very little writing, I made it back to civilization in time for yesterday’s appearance with Kasey Lansdale at Comix Connection (as well as a nice lunch with J.F. Gonzalez, Robert Swartwood, Chet Williamson, and Laurie Williamson).
The National Weather Service was calling for another 6-10 inches of snow, but despite that, you folks showed up and made the signing a big success. Shout out to Chris who drove four hours from Poughkeepsie, NY, and the other Chris who drove up from College Park, MD, and Kevin who made the trek from Hagerstown, MD. Thanks to Deena for the cookies, and Paul for the DEAD SEA-inspired painting. Special thanks to Tim Truman and Beth Truman for their kindness. And, as always, to Bill, Ned, Jared, Steve, and the rest of the Comix Connection crew for being such excellent hosts.
There are a bunch more signings and appearances scheduled for this year (with more to be added). You can find them all here.
Photo copyright Matt Blazi
This morning I awoke to a pleasant surprise. Instead of the forecast 6-10 inches, it looks like we’ll get far less. Maybe this long, cold, dark winter is finally on the wane. That would be okay with me.Things will remain sporadic here for the foreseeable future. After much careful thought and consideration, I’m abandoning this mountaintop cabin and moving back to civilization. Yes, it was my dream home, and yes, I’m a prepper, but this situation has been tough on my five-year old. He deserves to live in a more comfortable setting where falling trees don’t smash your emergency generator and where you don’t have to pour river water into the toilet to flush it. So we’re moving back to town. I’ll find a different wilderness retreat when he’s 18 (and this time, I’ll protect the generator better). So, thanks in advance for your continued patience during this transition.
February 28, 2014
The Final Countdown
We hit 100% of our goal in the first 24 hours (which went completely ignored by the comics journalism Blogosphere), but with only five days left until the end of the campaign, this is your last chance to get in on THE LAST ZOMBIE omnibus, which collects my entire comic book series. Both softcover and hardcover editions are available.
THE LAST ZOMBIE takes place after the zombie apocalypse is over, and focuses on mankind’s efforts to rebuild civilization. But although the dead may be dead again, the world is still dangerous, with roving marauders, starvation, private armies, disease, wild animal packs, nuclear disasters, wildfires, and the now-dormant zombie virus… which could reappear at any time. (Labyrinth Mythos junkies should note that the series guest-stars Frankie from THE RISING and CITY OF THE DEAD).
February 25, 2014
Brian Keene & Kasey Lansdale – This Sunday
Photo copyright Kasey Lansdale
Photo copyright John A. Pavoncello
This Sunday, I hope you’ll join me and country music superstar, author, and editor Kasey Lansdale as we sign books and comics at Comix Connection, West Manchester Mall 1800 Loucks Road, York, PA 17408.
Originally, this signing was to be held at The York Emporium and would have included a free concert by Kasey, emceed by myself. Unfortunately, some recent health developments with the Emporium’s Jim Lewin made it necessary to find another venue (and we all wish Jim a speedy recovery). Luckily, Comix Connection’s Bill Wahl and Ned Senft stepped in to host. This is a nice bit of synchronicity, since one of the first signings they ever hosted back in the day was Kasey’s father Joe R. Lansdale and Tim Truman.
As the comic shop is located inside a shopping mall, we’ve had to forego the concert, but Kasey will have copies of her new book, IMPOSSIBLE MONSTERS, and her debut album RESTLESS (produced by Grammy Award-winner John Carter Cash) on hand to sign, and I’ll be signing a stack of comic books that the store keeps on hand for just such occasions. You can also bring along things of your own to be signed.
It’s been a rough winter. Please come out and show your support.
