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| | | | Thursday, May 31, 2001 |
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"Snow, Glass, Apples" Audio Play on SciFi
Posted by puck at 4:01 PM PDT
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There's a small piece on SciFi.com's audio play of Snow, Glass, Apples in today's USA Today (Life section, page 3D).
Near the bottom, Neil mentions his favourite fan site! C'mon, guess! |
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"Snow Glass Apples" audio play feature - USA Today
Posted by lucy_anne at 3:00 AM PDT
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Kornblum, Janet. "A dark twist on 'Snow White' story", USA Today, 31 May 2001, D.03.
This is one fairy tale that you won't want the kids to hear late at night -- or any other time. But if you're on the Net and want a very different take on the classic tale of Snow White, check out Scifi.com.
Today, the site is premiering the first installment of Neil Gaiman's Snow Glass Apples audio play, starring Bebe Neuwirth (Lilith from Cheers). The play, adapted from Gaiman's 1994 short story of the same name, is a fanciful and dark tale written from the perspective of the Evil Queen -- who in this version is not so evil, while Snow is not so pure. Part 2 goes up June 7.
The inspiration came to Gaiman, perhaps best known as author of comic-book series The Sandman, one day while reading a book on English folk tales and coming across Snow White. "Hold on, what kind of prince rides up and sees a dead girl in her coffin and says, 'I must have her!' " he says. "I thought, 'My God, wouldn't it be interesting to tell a very familiar story, but from a different point of view?' "
Though Gaiman, 40, a Brit living near Minneapolis, acknowledges that the story may be too edgy for American radio (the tale is sexual and delves into Snow White's dark side), he's glad it's on the Net for other reasons as well. "It's there when you want it," he says. And though he could have turned the play into a movie for a few million, it not only saved a lot of cash to do it as an audio play, but it also seemed a fitting way to tell a tale vivid enough to create mental pictures.
"The joy for me is knowing that somebody can have this strange audio experience," he says. "They're getting something as good as you get from radio."
Though many Web sites are dedicated to Gaiman, his efforts right now are focused on his site for his upcoming novel, American Gods. But he does have a favorite fan site -- Holycow.com/dreaming, where he says he sometimes first hears news about himself.
* http://www.americangods.com
* http://www.holycow.com/dreaming
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| | | Wednesday, May 30, 2001 |
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Harlequin Valentine
Posted by puck at 7:16 PM PDT
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According to this Newsarama posting, Dark Horse will be releasing a 32 page comic adaptation of a short story Neil wrote in 1999. Here's a bit from the article:
Harlequin Valentine was originally planned as a 32-page comic, but when the art came in, it was far too luscious to see print in only a periodical - something retailers would order in just to sell out the same week it arrived on their shelves," explained the project's editor Diana Schutz. "I felt the quality of the work demanded a more permanent format, so I discussed this with Neil and John, and we agreed to release the work in a hardcover format that would be perennially available - and could be released through bookstores as well as comics specialty shops." |
| | | Saturday, May 26, 2001 |
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Brazilian Interview
Posted by puck at 4:05 PM PDT
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Universo HQ has an interview they conducted on May 22nd, 2001 with Neil while he was down in Sao Paulo, freshly translated to English.
Thanks to Chris for posting that to the alt.fan-thingy |
| | | Friday, May 25, 2001 |
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Neverwhere review - Liberation
Posted by lucy_anne at 3:00 AM PDT
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Roussel, Frédérique, "Neverwhere", Liberation, 25 May 2001, p.30
«A son arrivée, il avait trouvé Londres immense, bizarre, fondamentalement incompréhensible. Seule la carte du métro, cette élégante représentation topographique multicolore des lignes et des stations, lui imposait un semblant d'ordre.» Derrière ces entrelacs ponctués de stations aux noms historiques - Earl's Court, Marble Arch, Blackfriars, Angel - se meut une humanité insoupçonnée: le Londres d'en bas. Le brave Richard Mayhew, employé dans une société de Bourse et sur le point de se fiancer avec l'impeccable Jessica, va y être catapulté malgré lui. Sous les pieds des Londoniens grouille une gigantesque cour des Miracles. Odeurs et couleurs garanties. Avec ses créatures féeriques et sanglantes, l'under-ground de Neil Gaiman rappelle des divagations oniriques. Terrorisant et ensorcelant. |
| | | Sunday, May 20, 2001 |
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Signing Additions and Changes
Posted by puck at 7:30 PM PDT
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Due to OVERWHELMING RESPONSE Book Soup is changing the event venue on June 29th to their larger space, and moving the time to an hour earlier. Books will of course be sold on-site.
So, the new specifics:
FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 7:00 PM
BOOK SOUP
Speaking/Q & A/signing to take place at:
Beverly Hills Library
444 N. Rexford St.
Beverly Hills, CA
phone: 310-659-3684
Additional: As well I've added a few more UK tour dates to the Schedule (at right). |
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The Quotable Sandman
Posted by puck at 7:16 PM PDT
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Amazon.com has a listing for a new hardcover entitled The Quotable Sandman. The page has no information on the book other than a release date of May 2001, which they're probably not aware is Right Now.
I'll post more info on this when I track it down.
Update: Thanks to the Lance "Squiddie" Smith, knower of all bookish things Gaiman (ok, I'm stretching) says:
It's a small (roughly 5" square) hardcover book which combines quotes from Sandman with various Sandman art. 94 pages. The art is from all over: comics, galleries, trading cards, posters and T-shirts. So nothing new. Even the writers biography is taken from Season of Mists, I think.
I think it was originally packaged with the Sandman mini bookends. |
| | | Wednesday, May 16, 2001 |
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Gone For A Bit
Posted by puck at 2:55 PM PDT
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I'll be off to E3 in LA until Sunday. If there is any breaking news, it'll probably have to wait until then. |
| | | Tuesday, May 15, 2001 |
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Miracleman Followup
Posted by puck at 11:53 PM PDT
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Though it's emphasized that this is just a rumour by an interstitial form, Silver Bullet Comics has an image of the cover to Hellspawn #13. Thanks to Lance "Squiddie" Smith for passing along the URL.
Addendum: It's not a rumour. The above image also appears on Todd McFarlane's site. |
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Miracleman Status
Posted by puck at 7:27 PM PDT
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There have been a few stories flying around about the current status of Miracleman. Newsarama posted a story saying that Todd McFarlane had handed over all rights and films (not movies, but the films used to create the plates that run on a printing press) for Miracleman and all the comics to Neil as payment for the Angela character he created (for the Spawn comic).
In this posting this news is clarified as something that is not new at all, but was the start of the current stalemate going on with the character.
It seems, though, that Todd McFarlane has introduced the Matt Morgan character in his Hellspawn comic and has plans to fully reintroduce Miracleman in upcoming issues. This despite the fact that Neil has a written agreement from Mr. McFarlane that he was handing over the Miracleman rights to him.
Image Comics was started so that creators could retain their rights to the characters they created. Todd McFarlane was at the forefront of this creator-based movement, but to me it seems that he is only for creator rights if that creator is Todd McFarlane. Way to go, Todd. You've cut off a monster's head and put your own in its place. |
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"Murder Mysteries" movie
Posted by lucy_anne at 3:00 AM PDT
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Kit,Zorianna, "Goyer reteams with Dimension on 'Mysteries'", Hollywood Reporter, 11 May 2001, 368(13), p.1
Filmmaker David Goyer will write and direct Dimension Films' supernatural thriller "Murder Mysteries" for producers Don Murphy and Alessandro Camon. The project is the first of a two-picture writing and directing deal Goyer has signed with the studio. The second project has yet to be determined.
The project reteams Goyer with Dimension, which is developing the Goyer-written feature "Ghost Rider," based on the Marvel Comic that Steve Norrington is attached to helm in the fall.
Based on a short story by author and comic book scribe Neil Gaiman, "Murder" is described as being in the vein of "Wings of Desire." The story is a film noir set in heaven during the last days of Earth's creation. It follows the angel of vengeance as he sets out to solve the first murder ever committed, which occurs among the angels in heaven.
"Neil Gaiman is a great writer," Goyer said. "I've been a fan of his ever since his days on (the Gaiman-created comic book series) 'Sandman, and this has always been my favorite short story of his. It should make for a very provocative and frightening film. I am excited that Dimension sees the same potential in the story that I do."
Dimension co-head of production Andrew Rona brought the project to the studio and will oversee. Dimension parent company Miramax Pictures has worked with Gaiman on "Princess Mononoke," the English-language script Gaiman penned for the studio. Miramax also is adapting Gaiman's bestselling novel "Stardust." Gaiman is repped by CAA.
Goyer, repped by WMA, recently wrapping shooting his feature directorial debut on Franchise Pictures' "Zigzag," which he also wrote. He is in Europe executive producing New Line Cinema's "Blade 2: Bloodlust," the sequel to the original, both of which he wrote.
Murphy next produces Columbia Pictures' "From Hell" and Lions Gate Films' "Bully." He is developing Gaiman's three-part book series "Death: The High Cost of Living" at Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow.
Camon worked with Dimension on "The Crow: Salvation" and "The Crow: City of Angels," the latter of which Goyer wrote.
Dimension senior vp business and legal affairs Brian Burkin negotiated the deals on behalf of the studio. Attorney Craig Emmanuel negotiated Murphy and Camon's deals. |
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Brazilian Dates Added
Posted by puck at 12:04 AM PDT
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I've added the Brazilian tour dates to the Schedule (at right) that the Fabulous Lorraine emailed me. |
| | | Saturday, May 12, 2001 |
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UK and Canadian Tour Dates
Posted by puck at 9:46 PM PDT
| Comments (2)
I've added the UK and Canadian Tour Dates to the Schedule (right).
I'll see you all on July 24th in Vancouver! |
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Neil on Douglas Adams
Posted by puck at 9:28 PM PDT
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Neil has updated his American Gods journal with his reaction to the news about Douglas Adam's passing (story below).
There is also some news about a new run of "Warning: Contains Language" from Dreamhaven Books as well as a note that David Goyer adapting Murder Mysteries as a movie (no word if it's a short, full length or "Major Motion Picture" yet). |
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Douglas Adams Dead at 49
Posted by puck at 2:02 PM PDT
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According to this news article on BBC News author Douglas Adams died of a heart attack yesterday morning. (Thanks to Hans Friedrich for passing this story along).
My heartfelt condolences to Mr. Adams' family. I've been a fan of his since I first saw the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy on the local PBS station back in the mid eighties, which lead to my buying the entire "trilogy" (now up to five parts) of books, the radio series on vinyl and the Dirk Gently novels. In fact, my first online persona/nickname was "Ford Prefect".
So, friends, raise a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster tonight and join me in commemorating the life and works of one of the funniest (if not the greatest) science fiction comedy authors. He was a hoopy frood who always knew where his towel was and he will be missed. |
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Cleveland Plain Dealer article
Posted by lucy_anne at 3:00 AM PDT
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Sangiacomo, Michael, "Miracleman in good hands with new owner-writer Gaiman", Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12 May 2001, p. 6E
ON COMICS
Miracleman fans who have been holding their collective breath since 1996, when "Spawn" creator Todd McFarlane bought all rights to the character and announced a revival, can exhale.
The news is better than we thought.
McFarlane gave all rights and ownership of the character to Neil Gaiman, a quality writer who gets things done.
Gaiman said he owns Miracleman lock, stock and flowing cape. And he doesn't have a clue what to do with it.
"Todd transferred ownership of Miracleman, and all the films to each of the comics, in compensation for my work on 'Angela,' " said Gaiman from his home in Minneapolis, which he finds frighteningly cold compared to his former home in Great Britain. Angela was a character Gaiman created as an adversary/ally for McFarlane's "Spawn."
Neither McFarlane nor any of the minions at his company offered a comment on the deal.
"He sent me all the films [for the entire 24-issue series] and they are sitting in my basement," Gaiman said. "I'm not quite sure what to do with them."
What to do?
Now let's see, Gaiman has the complete rights to one of the most sought-after series of the last 20 years. Fans are paying up to $100 each for the long-out-of-print trade paperbacks that collected Gaiman's run on the series (issues 17 to 24) and Alan Moore's earlier run (issues 1 through 16.)
Presumably, Gaiman also has the legendary 25th issue that he wrote and Mark Buckingham illustrated, but that never came out because the publisher, Eclipse Comics, went belly up.
So, what should Gaiman do?
Here's a crazy idea so off the wall it might work: Release the whole series in trade paperbacks!
Gaiman could release the last eight issues and throw in the Holy Grail 25th issue as a hardcover book and fans would pay $50 for it without batting an eye. I might pay that much to read it. Gaiman ended his run on the series with the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers.
With Miracleman, Moore took the concept of a superman to its logical extreme. Actually it was more the extreme version of Fawcett's "Captain Marvel," as Miracleman (originally called "Marvelman") was based on British versions of "Captain Marvel." The "Captain Marvel" in question is the really silly one from the 1940s and '50s who changed from a young boy into a musclebound superhero every time he said "Shazam." There have been a half-dozen other comic characters by the same name over the years.
By the end of his stint on the comic, Moore had Miracleman defeat his nemesis in a horrific battle that almost destroyed London and killed thousands of people. What was next?
Miracleman created paradise on Earth. He set himself and fellow superheroes up as gods and eliminated war, crime, disease, poverty and death.
Then Moore handed the writing over to Gaiman.
Gaiman concentrated on little stories. Instead of immediately tackling the lead character, he wrote about life in Eden through the eyes of ordinary citizens. Only toward the end of the series did Gaiman plant the seeds of what was to come: Miracleman resurrected his dead junior partner and the young man was horrified to see that his mentor now ruled the Earth. But what could he do?
That's where the series ended.
Gaiman said he would consider releasing the works as trade paperbacks, but first wanted his lawyer to make sure that the transfer was proper. To say there's a bit of bad blood between Gaiman and McFarlane would be like saying Captain Marvel and Dr. Sivana had a bit of a falling out.
Gaiman coming
You can ask Gaiman about it yourself. He's on a national tour to promote his novel, "American Gods" and may be coming to a city near you.
In Cleveland, he'll be signing books at the Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Shaker Square at 1 p.m., June 23, four days after the release of the novel. The event will be easy to find - just look for the line of people winding around the block.
He will also be signing in Huntington, N.Y.; Evanston and Skokie, Ill.; Lexington, Ky.; Seattle; San Diego; San Francisco; and other cities. Visit Gaiman's Web site, www.americangods.com, for a complete list of appearances and some interesting musings.
Now that the novel is soon to come out, Gaiman said he has been fondly remembering how much fun it was to write comics. He said he wanted to stop writing them because he enjoyed it so much.
"When you work on something you love for too long it becomes a job and you lose that love," he said. "I got out before it got to that point.
"I have not written 'Sandman' for five years and now, I find there are huge areas that I miss," he said. "When I was writing 'Sandman,' everyone knew what I was doing. But writing 'American Gods' took me 24 months and people were getting worried, thinking I had stopped writing. So it is a relief to be done."
Gaiman's next project will be a hardcover collection of new stories featuring the godlike brothers and sisters of the deceased Sandman: "The Endless."
"DC will bring it out as a hardcover book first and then later as a paperback," he said. "It will be equal to about six or seven monthly comics and will be mostly comic-type illustration and story, though there will be some parts of it that are text only."
Gaiman said comics were heading in an "interesting direction" for a time when Bill Sienkiewicz and others were creating stylized paintings.
"Comics should have continued on in that direction, but have not," he said.
"Everyone became more concerned about making comics fun again. People are so busy putting the fun back into comics that the serious stuff is lost.
"Comics have become like an endless supply of bubble gum. Sure there are different flavors and it tastes good, but after a while it is too much of the same."
E-mail: mikesang@aol.com Phone: 216-999-4890
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| | | Friday, May 4, 2001 |
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American Gods Journal Updates
Posted by puck at 4:02 AM PDT
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Neil's Journal on AmericanGods.com has quite a few updates, including the first Kirkus review of American Gods and Neil's speech for the Nebula Awards. |
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