282 replies to this topic

[ZackDavisson]

I am gearing up to do an interview with Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan about their upcomming Conan run. I have some questions I am planning on asking them, but I wanted to see if there was anything in particular you all would like to know. As with Roy Thomas, I can't guarentee that I will ask--or they will answer--all the questions, but if there is something good I will try and fit it in.

So what do you want to know?

[Taranaich]

Great thread, Zach!

I could inundate you with little things (where's Conan's helmet, why is there no blood on his sword, how come he's naked in jail etc) but the one question I really think needs answering is why Mr Wood decided to write his own dialogue and prose instead of adapting Howard's (if it was indeed his decision, could've been Dark Horse or CPI for all I know). Not only is it a choice which would obviously be quite controversial among Howard fans, but it marks the most profound departure of Dark Horse and even Marvel adaptations thus far. Thomas, Russell, Busiek, Truman and Hiltunen's adaptations all stick fairly close to Howard's dialogue, with at most the structure being rearranged or a few words being replaced. What I've seen so far is much more pronounced than that.

[Officer Aggro]

I'd like to know how familiar they are with Conan and how many of the original REH stories they've read.

[mario]

What other projects do they have planned, and if all goes well with this series , if they would come back do another conan ( original or adaptation). And What other REH characters would they like to take a shot at.

[ZackDavisson]

Thanks! I am definitely planning to ask them about their Howard intersters/background.

Any other questions?

[Aquilonia]

Ask if Cloonan intends to extend her staying on the project, she is supposed to stay for 6 issues, I believe, and what it feels like doing Conan for the first time (has it been asked already)? And what she thinks about the cimmerian fans and if her take on Conan may please them in her opinion.

Edited by Aquilonia, 29 December 2011 - 01:24 AM.

[amster]

Did either Paradox or Dark Horse give them guidelines to follow, or were they basically told that they could do whatever they like with the material?

[emerald]

Can Brian give us any clues as to what kind of original material will be used to fill the story out? Which direction will the pastiche elements go?
This will be one of the most interesting aspects of the adaptation, I think-- we'll get some original tales of Conan & Belit. Only a sparse handful of authors have trod this hallowed ground...

[monk]

I am gearing up to do an interview with Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan about their upcomming Conan run. I have some questions I am planning on asking them, but I wanted to see if there was anything in particular you all would like to know. As with Roy Thomas, I can't guarentee that I will ask--or they will answer--all the questions, but if there is something good I will try and fit it in.

So what do you want to know?

I recently purchased Northlanders. It seems very well researched. Question then for Mr. Wood, was there anything you learned by adapting historical events into your Northlanders stories which you applied to adapting Conan? Would you consider the writings of Howard to be similar- of the same weight- to the histories you adapted to your stories, in the sense that Howard wrote how it went with Conan?

[THE KID]

I appreciate you sharing the interviews and fielding questions.

I dropped Conan from my comic book pull. It was a tough decision but I don't like the prior art nor the upcoming art. If things change I'll add it again if Cary Nord comes back. First art new Conan - 2nd & 3rd art Cary Nord; Nuff said.

Edited by Richard, 01 January 2012 - 11:26 PM.

[Aquilonia]

I didn`t buy the comics from the latest run of Conan, Road of Kings. Actually I got the 1st 3 #, but dropped it because the art was terrible, really under my expectations. If this series fails to deliver good art and story, I will not be buying it. That is for sure. I`m not being fair to myself If I buy a book only to have it on my shelf. If it is not good, I won`t get it no way.
I also think Cary was the best artist to work on the new run, it is a shame Dark Horse is investing in this cartoon/manga style. Really bad, though I still feel somehow optimistc about Queen.

Edited by Aquilonia, 02 January 2012 - 02:19 AM.

[monk]

Ms. Cloonan said:
"I had a feeling that when Dark Horse tapped me on the shoulder for this job they weren't looking for a beefy Conan; I'm not exactly known for drawing muscle-bound dudes. My Conan is actually rather pretty. I figure, here's a guy who likes to kick ass, but he also knows how to have a good time. Women love him. All his homeboys probably have man-crushes on him. Howard describes him as being panther-like, which always makes me giggle a bit. I love Schwarznegger's Conan as much as the next (I quote it on an almost daily basis), but it wasn't hard to put out of my mind. We're doing something completely different. Besides, how could I even touch that film? It's a classic."

This statement proved problematic from the perspective of a lot of Howard and Conan fans and I'm wondering if she is aware of the controversy surrounding the first CtB, and also if there is any textual basis she can point to from which she is drawing the conclusion that Conan is or should be 'pretty' looking and whose 'homeboys probably have man-crushes on...' him...

[monk]

I didn`t buy the comics from the latest run of Conan, Road of Kings. Actually I got the 1st 3 #, but dropped it because the art was terrible, really under my expectations. If this series fails to deliver good art and story, I will not be buying it. That is for sure. I`m not being fair to myself If I buy a book only to have it on my shelf. If it is not good, I won`t get it no way.
I also think Cary was the best artist to work on the new run, it is a shame Dark Horse is investing in this cartoon/manga style. Really bad, though I still feel somehow optimistc about Queen.

Mr. Hawthorne expressed on his blog that some fan's ire as to his style shorted his run on Conan and depressed sales.

http://mikehawthorne.blogspot.com/

[Aquilonia]

You know, it is really not Mr. Hawthorne fault that the final product did not please many readers.
I think nobody questions two things: 1) Mr. Hawthorne is without a doubt a good artist. 2) His style does not fit Conan, though, and that is what many fans did not like. I understand that he put a lot of effort on the project and he really should be proud of it.
The "blame" (should I say it?) should be put on Dark Horse`s shoulders for choosing an artist that does not fit what many fans expect (Dark Horse check out the "really good art" thread and see for yourself what fits in).
I see the same wave coming in and rushing through Clonnan`s door... Guys are already disatisfied with the preview of Queen and what can I say? I understand it. It is their right to like it or not, but Dark Horse should be more cautious when choosing a new team and should consider the style people have come to get accostumed to. This is very important.
But all in all I really hope that the new arch kicks ass. I wanna be pleased this time and I enjoyed the preview, though I still need to check the final issue to have a real opinion.
Listen up, Dark Horse!

[monk]

well it's no secret i was definitely not a fan of having hawthorne on the book, with cloonan my jury at least is on the fence- I do like what she was saying about Belit, she wants to keep her half naked but not turn her into conan's leg piece.

i'd also say you're right to make the distinct point that mr. hawthorne's artistic skill is not really what is at question and some leeway needs to be taken into consideration when people say art sucks- anyway when you point out it's his style that is not a fit that's it in a nutshell, and it isn't even like people expect conan to look one way over another per se, because there is a HUGE difference in the way Giorello treats the book and Nord did, but people can appreciate both takes.

there are just a lot of artists who are going untapped who would be way better fits for conan, and this new team of wood/cloonan has what two years to strike their stride, the opener so far has some problems but hopefully they can correct.

[Ironhand]

I didn`t buy the comics from the latest run of Conan, Road of Kings. Actually I got the 1st 3 #, but dropped it because the art was terrible, really under my expectations. If this series fails to deliver good art and story, I will not be buying it. That is for sure. I`m not being fair to myself If I buy a book only to have it on my shelf. If it is not good, I won`t get it no way.
I also think Cary was the best artist to work on the new run, it is a shame Dark Horse is investing in this cartoon/manga style. Really bad, though I still feel somehow optimistc about Queen.

Mr. Hawthorne expressed on his blog that some fan's ire as to his style shorted his run on Conan and depressed sales.

http://mikehawthorne.blogspot.com/

Hawthorne's sketches look OK to me, bearing in mind that they are sketches. Conan is suitably muscular, and I like the story they tell.

[Slashing Sword]

The "blame" (should I say it?) should be put on Dark Horse`s shoulders for choosing an artist that does not fit what many fans expect (Dark Horse check out the "really good art" thread and see for yourself what fits in).

Bingo... the ultimate blame is on editor. I believe most here implied that the Hawthorne's art does not "fit" Conan. Same is for Cloonan. I have seen enough previews that I know I will not like it just like I knew looking at Hawthorne's previews before RotK. If the style does not match, it does not matter if they have three issues or thirty. It wont match.

[ZackDavisson]

Thanks for all the questions! Hopefully this will be a good intereview.

Honestly, with Cloonan's art, I think it is obvious that Dark Horse is aiming for new audiences here. She is definitely an A-List artist right now, and I know several people who have never touched Conan before who are going to be picking up the Wood/Cloonan series just because those two names are attached to it. I have an open mind about the series, and am hoping for awesome.

Mr. Hawthorne expressed on his blog that some fan's ire as to his style shorted his run on Conan and depressed sales.

Where? I kind of scanned his blog but didn't see that.

[Aquilonia]

Read the comments, Zack. It is there:


Mikeyboy - I appreciate that, pal. As you know, lots of these "fans" were damned unhappy with my run, and voiced their opinion loudly. I believe it affected sales.

But you were always supportive of me over on CROM! So, thanks :-)

I never worked so hard on a book, only to have people kick dirt on it. But, such is life.

Dan - Unfortunately, I mean comics in general. I do have something still in the works, but not solid yet due to feet dragging.

So, as of now, no comics with my name on it for a while.

best,
Mike

Edited by Aquilonia, 04 January 2012 - 03:08 AM.

[monk]

Well it may serve the better interest of valour if a few of us post constructively on his blog to express some respect for his effort even if many of us don't feel his style fit...it's ironic in a way that fans vocalizing about what they like or dislike is so feather ruffling but goodwill never hurt anybody and we've won some people over towards seeing things a little closer to Howard....