Heroes :: Volume 3 :: #33 -- Writer's Comments ~ Runboard

What was difficult to understand about "we're not going to get into any trouble tonight"?
— James, Heroes #51

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Heroes
Volume 3
#33 -- Writer's Comments

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David Meadows
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#33 -- Writer's Comments

Well, I said right back at the start that part of my reason for writing this series was to experiment with the comic form. And this is my most "experimental" issue yet. I also promised no dialogue in this issue, and...

Basically, this one breaks all the rules. "Don't put in an info dump," they say. "Readers don't want to read a whole chapter of background history (except from Tolkien, who is allowed to do anything) ".

Well, tough, I want to write a whole chapter of background history. I don't think there's any reason why I shouldn't write a whole chapter of anything, as long as I can make it entertaining. And you'll have to judge whether it's entertaining or not...

The main fear I have with this issue is not that it's not entertaining but that it might be incomprehensible.

The history of Strikeforce is huge and complex. It took a collaboration of several people several years to write. I've personally devoted 20 years (and most of my hair) to it. Trying to extract enough from it to make a coherent narrative that fits into 22 pages was... difficult.

But I stand my by conviction that it's necessary. This issue ties together hints and clues scattered throughout the entire series. For readers who have been with me from the start, it should have explained away two or three major mysteries, thrown light on half-a-dozen sub-plots, and made numerous random references seem much less random. If I've done it right.

If I've done it wrong, it's all going to be incomprehensible...

Well... at least you now all understand what's happening in the current story (issues 31 & 32), and you're able to guess what's coming next, right? Right?

Well, sir, I heard a deal that I didn't rightly understand about an enemy, and rings, and Mr. Bilbo, sir. Don't turn me into anything unnatural!

Last edited by David Meadows, 8/5/2006, 7:49

---
"Now pay attention, because I've got 15 billion years to cover and not much time to do it in." -- Astra, Heroes #33

7/5/2006, 17:50

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Ray Oceanweaver
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Re: #33 -- Writer's Comments

quote:
David Meadows wrote:

I've personally devoted 20 years (and most of my hair) to it.

Well, it wasn't that incomprehensible!

---
Rachel

~The optimist fails as badly as the pessimist, just has a better time of it~

Reading: Harry Potter: a l'école des sorciers - translation by Jean-Francois Ménard
Writing: "A Stray Lock" - working title

7/5/2006, 18:44

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Blitzen
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Re: #33 -- Writer's Comments

I understood it, I see the necessity of it, but I don't know if I liked it.

It was, I don't know, back story. And for all the questions you answered, you just raised a lot more.

One point, it would be so cool if James was Major Democracies ancestor and descendent. Weird, but cool.

Another point, you've spent twenty years on this - thats a lot of time when you're just, what, doing this as a hobby? Fair play to you, like, but I don't know if I could put this amount of commitment into a hobby.

---
Quick! Competition! Vote for your favourite comic scripts
http://forums.millarworld.tv/index.php?showtopic=90564&st=20
It's not clicky, though, sorry

7/5/2006, 20:59

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lardboy
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Re: #33 -- Writer's Comments

Dave, Jim Starlin would be proud of you!

And I'm glad Ray could understand it, cos there's still some bits I'm chewing over. However I've never exactly been quick on the uptake.

Though this kinda thing should be a tad too "cosmic" for my generally more subdued (and admittedly not particularly refined tastes), I'm not going to overly expostulate about an occasional mammoth session of explanation about the nature of your universe. Especially when it reveals so many interesting hints and snippets. Though Blitzen is quite right in the fact that this just reveals more to puzzle over when you get right down to it. Mind, I do like grand collections of arcane sub plots. (Using 'arcane' with its non mystical meaning, by the way). This issue felt a bit like a miniature version of one of DC's "Crisis" series, which is no bad thing I reckon.

I'm also quite impressed with your average "compression ratio", working out almost at a year per page, ha ha! That musta took a canny bit of doing!

As for the "new" Major Democracy being the old fellow's descendant, I don't know but I rather suspect that would be far too simple for Dave.
(Cue obligatory arcane sub plot I'm sure).

Anyhow, I'm sure next issue normal service will resume, with the team redeeming themselves with action rather than exposition.
Though mayhaps not, as that didn't work out too well for 'em first time...

Lardboy.

8/5/2006, 11:06

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Blitzen
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Re: #33 -- Writer's Comments

Well, there is only three issues to go.

---
Quick! Competition! Vote for your favourite comic scripts
http://forums.millarworld.tv/index.php?showtopic=90564&st=20
It's not clicky, though, sorry

8/5/2006, 21:31

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lardboy
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Re: #33 -- Writer's Comments

Oooh, am I missing summat?
I thought #31 to #34 was a four part epic!
Or does everything stop at #36?
I'm so confused.

Especially when I try your revamped "Writer's Board" link Blitzen.
(Though admittedly I'm more of a reader than a writer).
Anyhow it takes me to
http://com5.runboard.com/bwritersboard
and says "No such page exists!"

9/5/2006, 10:22

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Blitzen
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Re: #33 -- Writer's Comments

It doesn't exist any more, it's just a memory.

I'm going off the basis of issues 1 - 12, 13 - 24, possibly 25 to 36?

---
Quick! Competition! Vote for your favourite comic scripts
http://forums.millarworld.tv/index.php?showtopic=90564&st=20
It's not clicky, though, sorry

9/5/2006, 22:14

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lardboy
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Re: #33 -- Writer's Comments

Ah, I see! (Sort of).

Didn't know the boy governed his plot lines by, "volumes". (Is that the correct terminology? I'll rely on all you author bods to correct me).

This true Dave?
Or are you just gonna leave us in suspense?

10/5/2006, 11:15

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Ray Oceanweaver
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Posts: 175