Everything Old Is New Again... Too New

[Sean]

It's a common start to a flame war online. Someone's favorite character, usually from an older work, is getting a new lease on life for modern readers. Great! Right? Only, it turns out not so great. Someone's favorite character isn't quite the same anymore.

He may have a new female sidekick. His ethic about killing may have changed. He began during Kuwait instead of WWII. Or the costume doesn't have the underwear on the outside anymore.

Whatever the reason, the old fans aren't happy.

But the studio/publisher doesn't seem to care. They have to, after all, "re-imagine" the character for today's audience of readers/movie-goers.

So this week, we're going to look at that process with the help of several writers who regularly have to make those choices as they bring commonly known characters to life in their tales of action and adventure.

Read the full interview: http://seanhtaylor.blogspot.com/2012/...

[Jim]

Interesting, Sean. It's something I've seen as I grew up with James Bond & Matt Helm. Both started out as WWII vets. I thought Hamilton did a good job of turning Helm into an ageless hero.

[Sean]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Jim]

I'm not reading it yet, but I thought I'd let everyone know that the Matt Helm novels are being reissued. You can pre-order the first two on Amazon now. They'll be released 5Feb2013. Death of a Citizen & The Wrecking Crew are the books.

The great news is they're planning on re-printing the entire series, so in a few years they should get to the final novel that Hamilton wrote before he died. The last Matt Helm novel that was finished, but never published. I can't wait!

As it is, it will be great to have new books to read. My originals are just that - original paperbacks, many almost 50 years old. It's a great series.