Duane Swierczynski's Blog, page 3

Forbidden Rituals

The other day I read Jack Kirby's delightfully batshit-insane and somewhat paranoid Spirit World, a comic magazine that lasted but a single issue. At a glance, you'd assume it was your typical supernatural anthology comic circa 1970, complete with its own horror host, Doctor E. Leopold Maas ("Essentially, I try to separate the devil from the deep!!"). But then you see the fumetti-style stories, and the bizarro layouts and photo-illustrations and then you realize that Kirby was trying something quite different from the Creepys and Eeries of the day. The magazine has a fever dream feel to it, offering up disturbing questions and ominous warnings ("Don't Plan On Visit Paris in the Year 1983") instead of your tired shock or twist endings. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, comes a page of Sergio Aragones one-panel gags ("Weird Humor.") It's a trippy read.

DC Comics has just reprinted Spirit World in a gorgeous, slender hardcover edition, and an essay from Mark Evanier (who served as one of the assistant editors on the magazine) reveals that Kirby has something much more ambitious in mind. Kirby wanted to do a proper magazine, complete with "full color, glossy paper, photo features, name authors ads, columns... and lots of comic book stories aimed at a more adult audience," writes Evanier. Kirby had just left Marvel for DC, and was bursting with ideas. Kirby was especially keen to experiment with fumetti. The reaction, according to Evanier?

A great idea, the creative folks at DC said.

An expensive, impractical gamble, the business folks said.

Slowly, Kirby's vision was hobbled into something a little more in line with other comic mags of the day. Black and white art, no columns, no name writers, just Kirby and his assistants (Evanier and Steve Sherman) who had three weeks to create the entire thing from scratch. While the end result is still a lot of weird fun, I wish Kirby had been given the opportunity to execute what he had in mind.

I hope DC will reprint the other Kirby magazine experiment from the same year, In the Day of the Mob, inspired by Godfather-mania:


Though, um, wasn't it the 20s that were roaring? Anyway...

Way Out There

It doesn't say so on the website, but I promise, I have a short comic story in Mystery In Space #1, a new anthology out tomorrow from Vertigo Comics. My tale, "Verbinsky Doesn't Appreciate It," was a late addition; I had pitched a bunch of ideas just after the book had been filled. But then one story dropped out at the last minute (in comic book terms, anyway) and "Verbinsky" muscled its way into the contents. This is a huge thrill for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I'm a longtime Vertigo fanboy, especially Vertigo's occasional anthology series such as Flinch (aww, remember Flinch?), Weird Western Tales, Gangland, Weird War Tales, Strange Adventures, and so on. "Verbinsky" is a brand new comic, but it began life as an abandoned sci-fi short story I wrote while living in Brooklyn back in 1998. At one point, maybe six years ago, I gave this early version a lame non-ending and it was published on a (since defunct) flash fiction site, but I was never all that happy with it. So I relished the opportunity to revisit in a totally new form, with an ending I like. People often ask me how long it takes to write novels, comics or stories. I can honestly say that this 8-page sci-fi tale set in a New Jersey bar took me, um, fourteen years.

Time Travel and Goats

Downtown Phoenixville and its legendary Colonial movie theater.
I drove to Phoenixville, PA the same day they were racing goats just three miles outside of town. This is not a joke; the goat race is serious business 'round these parts. Every year Sly Fox brews up a new batch of bock beer and names it after the winning goat. One year, they tell me, a three-legged goat won. Another year, a young girl gently guided her animal to victory... as burly bikers struggled to drag their beasts across the finish line. But I wasn't here for the goats. Jason Hafer, a Phoenixville-based writer who leads a local crime fiction reading group, invited me up to talk about my novel Expiration Date. I'd met Jason and his fellow group members this past January at the Goodis Bus Tour. The tour was clearly a hit, because the group was already looking forward to next year's trek. (Lou, we need to start planning soon.) It was incredibly flattering to have a table full of lively, smart people ask questions about the novel. Some asked about the time travel elements, which I admitted, was based on some very wonky faux-science. (But it all makes sense in my head!) Others wondered how much of the novel autobiographical. I told them that there was a lot of the real me in the book: the actual address of my childhood home, the neighborhood stores I'd visit, certain family details. "This is my life, if it had gone in a very different direction," I said. And that was the peculiar fun of writing Expiration Date: blending real life with heaps of sci-fi and murder and what-ifs, both fantastical and mundane. I loved talking about the book, even when one of the group members (looking at you, Norris) pointed out a few of my continuity flubs. But hell, my real life is full of continuity errors. Why should the novel be any different?

Tonight, the Ghost of HST Smiled Upon Me

For years I've enjoyed Kentucky Derby weekend... without watching a single minute of the actual race. Usually, it's all about the Hunter S. Thompson and the mint juleps. Well, this year I decided to actualy watch it. My first horse race, ever. I posted this on Twitter, along with my pick:



I'll be honest: I picked "I'll Have Another" because of the obvious drinking reference. Lo and behold, I'll Have Another surged late against Bodemeister, who'd led the pack for almost the entire race! I was astonished:


I also wished I'd bet money on the damned thing. Sadly, I'm not a gambling man, even though some of my literary heroes (namely Bukowski) liked to spend a lot of time and money on the ponies. If I did follow a sport, horse racing would be awfully appealing. Over in about two minutes, and usually involves drinking in the sun. This year, I made my not-so-bad Julep and paired it with a Corona and lime, in honor of Cinco de Mayo:


I feel a tingle in my brain. I may even watch the goddamned Preakness...

Warning: Decadence & Depravity Ahead

This is Kentucky Derby weekend, which is my excuse to make a mint julep and re-read Hunter S. Thompson's "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved," long hailed as the prototype of Gonzo journalism. Only this year, I don't have to re-read it; I can listen to it. There's a new audio version (on CD, as well as iTunes), narrated by Tim Robbins with a score by Bill Frisell. There are also guest stars: Dr. John, Will Forte, and, in a surreal masterstroke, artist Ralph Steadman, who voices himself. I've only listened to a few sections, wanting to save most of it for later, when I've mixed my first not-so-bad julep. Like Thompson, I could give a crap about the horse race. I love "Kentucky Derby" for the voice, and you know what? Robbins does a pretty great HST, and it's no clone of Johnny Depp's version.

In case you were curious, here's my julep recipe:

Swierczy's Not-So-Bad Derby Day Mint Julep

2 1/2 oz. bourbon (Jim Beam if I'm feeling depraved; Woodford Reserve if I'm feeling decadent)
1/2 oz. simple syrup
mint leaves
mint sprigs
crushed ice*
skinny bar straws

Until a recent purchase of an authentic julep cup, I used to build this in an oversized rocks glass. (Go ahead. I won't tell anyone.) Pluck a half-dozen mint leaves and line the bottom of your cup or glass. Add the simple syrup (I keep a premixed bottle from Stirrings in the fridge) then muddle a little to release the oils. Add the bourbon then pack the cup two-thirds of the way with crushed ice. Stir gently, until the outside of the cup is cold. Add more ice, then add the Southern garden, a.k.a. mint sprigs, jamming the stems down into the ice. Don't be stingy here. You want a faceful of delicious mint whenever you take a sip. Stick two skinny straws down into the works for that miniature double shotgun barrel effect. Cue up the HST and enjoy.

* While the bourbon and mint are essential, the crushed ice here is your secret weapon. Big chunky cubes from the tray won't do this drink justice. Crushing it yourself can be very satisfying.)

Delayed Reaction

Yes, the rumors are true: Point & Shoot, the third novel in my Charlie Hardie series, has been pushed back to April 2013. This is entirely my doing; I simply needed more time with the novel. And I'd rather give you guys the best novel I could write rather than "the best possible novel I could write by a certain date," you know?

Over the years deadlines have saved my ass as much as they've nearly killed me. While there's no thrill like racing up against a deadline... and there's no desperation like a writer who sees a deadline ready to flatten him like an 18 wheeler. Maybe it's the fact that I'm older now (40, God help me), but the crush of a brutal deadline seems to be hurting more than helping. So I've decided not to step into the middle of the freeway anytime soon. I'm through selling novels with sample pages and an outline; I'm just going to write the the things, giving them as much time as they need (could be two weeks, could be 12 years) and then see if anyone's interested.

Comics are different; that's a deadline driven business, and I do my best to nail those, because writers are at the start of a long production line involving artists and letterers and colorists and editors and production folks... and if I screw up my deadline, those folks don't eat. Comics are also different because they follow a somewhat predictable schedule (for me, anyway). I pitch a short idea, I write a 700 to 1,000 word plot (or "beat sheet"), receive notes, then write the script. I know which deadlines I can hit because I know how much time each step takes.

Novels, though... they don't usually fit into these neat little boxes. They need to breathe and develop and mutate on their own.

That said... I'm very proud of what I accomplished with Point & Shoot. The first draft is in, and it's the pulpiest (and probably most violent) thing I've ever written. I can't wait for you guys to read it; I just hope you'll think it was worth the wait.

Knockin' Down Your House This May

  You know that thing I teased about a few days ago, about a comic series involving an "well-known man in a suit"? Well, there was a typo. That should have been, "man in suit." That is, a Godzilla suit. Yep, coming this spring, to finer comic shops everywhere...

Godzilla #1

Duane Swierczynski (w) • Simon Gane (a) • Art Adams, Tony Harris (c)

Godzilla is back... in an all-new ongoing series! Duane Swierczynski and Simon Gane launch this ultimate action-movie blockbuster, ushering in a new era of monster battles. Ex-special forces tough-guy Boxer is a man with a grudge and vows to end the terror of Godzilla, no matter what. He assembles a top notch team to take down monster-sized threats... at $7 billion a bounty. What starts as a vendetta could become a lucrative business for Boxer... if he can live past day one!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant Covers:Ryan Kelly movie-tribute cover!
Art Adams gatefold cover!

Bullet Points: The new ongoing Godzilla series STARTS HERE!

Bigger, badder and more radioactive... this is the ultimate Godzilla tale!

Every issue contains a random Art Adams monster trading card! 9 different cards available, collect the whole set! Also, look for randomly inserted unique sketch cards from Matt Frank!

As a kid who grew up watching giant monsters beat the crap out of each other on UHF, this is pretty much a dream gig. Hope you'll check it out this May.

Fun with Ivy, Barry, Grabinski and Lexi

Some quick mid-month updates for you:

Birds of Prey #6, the penultimate issue of my first full arc, will be available at finer comic shops (and e-readers) everywhere tomorrow! Usually, the sixth installment of a seven-part story isn't the place to jump on board, but I think you'd do fine in this case. Of course, why skip the joyful mayhem of issues one through five?

There's more comics news to report, but I can't... quite... yet. Some hints, though: One title is about an extremely well-known man in a suit. And the other calls to mind bleeding and drinking. Any guesses? Leave 'em in the comments below.

I'm very proud to report that Fun & Games, the first Charlie Hardie novel, was nominated for a Barry Award in the category of Best Paperback original. The winner will be announced at this year's Bouchercon in Cleveland.

Go watch BenDavid Grabinski's pulpy, splattery short "Cost of Living," especially if you're an 80s action junkie.

Go buy David J. Schow's Upgunned, out today. Here's the first line: "I had just wrapped up having sex with my best friend's ex-wife, after shooting naked pictures of her, when I heard a slight entry noise from the elevator end of the loft, and looked up into the face of a man holding a gun." How can you not buy a novel that opens with this line? You can't!

Go download Adam Cesare's Tribesmen, one of the first installments of an e-book line edited by the legendary John Skipp. It's violent, sick, brilliant and hilarious. Adam had me at "Italian cannibal."

And finally: While I can't tell you everything about my forthcoming collaboration with Lexi Alexander (see previous entry), enough's been spilled on Twitter that I can give you some real skinny. I wrote a short film called "Execution Style," directed by the immortal Ms. Alexander, for a new YouTube Channel that Anthony E. Zuiker is launching in collaboration with BlackBoxTV. The film stars Goran Visnjic, Nicki Aycox, Bill Bellamy and Rene Auberjonois, and was shot over three days in early February. I was lucky enough to hang out on set (and even be useful every once in a while). And I can confirm the film is full of exotic weapons, blood, firearms, punches, kicks, insults and German beer. "Execution" will debut this spring, so stay tuned for more...

Kickin' Out Some Updates

Lexi Alexander sparring with Pat Johnson. (Photo courtesy Ms. Alexander.)
Some random links, likes, rumors, and half-baked truths for you (all three of you who still check this blog, despite the lack of regular posts):

I wrote a short piece for the Amazon Kindle UK site called "Once More, With Feeling," which is all about writing novel sequels, to mark the publication of my first sequel, Hell & Gone.

Speaking of Hell & Gone: Cullen Gallagher at Pulp Serenade called the second Charlie Hardie novel "another homerun for Philadelphia's mad hatter of crime fiction." Which makes me really happy, because I don't even wear hats! (My head is way too large.) And the Geeks of Doom say that H&G is "one hell of a run ride!"

Last week I talked about Birds of Prey, my monthly DC Comics series, with the fine ladies over at the 3 Chicks Review Comics podcast. (Though only 2 of the chicks were present.)

Also last week: I made my IDW Comics debut with Infestation 2 #1, which kicks off a new Lovecraftian crossover series. The Geeks of Doom encourage you to "GET THIS NOW!!!"

Likes: Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive; Showtime's Shameless; Fun.'s "We Are Young" (and its slo-mo mayhem video); Peter Farris' debut novel Last Call for the Living; Sazeracs at Philly's The Farmer's Cabinet; cashews.

Dislikes: January.

Looking forward to: The Complete Slayers by Paul Cain (Centipede Press): Upgunned by David J. Schow; Dead Harvest by Chris F. Holm.

And some harmless teasing: Over on Twitter, I've been dropping hints about a forthcoming collaboration with director Lexi Alexander (Green Street Hooligans, Punisher War Zone). And Lexi has been dropping some hint-tweets, too. So what is it we're doing, exactly? Well, I can't spill all quite yet. But I can encourage to watch both of our Twitter feeds (@swierczy and @lexialex) in the coming week for more hints.

Retreat to Goodisville: The Slideshow

Fellow David Goodis fan and photographer (and, coincidentally, my RA during my junior year of college) Mark Krajnak put together this moody and noirish slideshow with highlights from our Retreat to Goodisville. Pour yourself a drink, light a smoke, lean back, and enjoy.