Fwd: The 66th Post --- UFO (the comic)

--- In [hidden email], "phydeaux44
<phydeaux44@h...>" <phydeaux44@h...> wrote:
Good Evening, Fellow Inmates!

Completing our mini-series on Misc!MAYHEM projects with a look into
the proposed UFO comic book.

As with the Supercar comic, bringing UFO into this format presents an
opportunity for change, or at least upgrading the series. And, as
with Supercar, the question of course is how much change to apply
here.

Off the bat I need to pour some oil upon the water. I want to stem
any rising tide of worry or concern which fans of the series might
have in regards to our plans. We're all experiencing, as an example,
the growing sense of unease surrounding the Thunderbirds movie
project which is currently in the works. Perhaps all of this is
premature, but I can't help but feel that this film is in the hands
of people who not only have little or no knowledge about the source
material, but could care less about it.

Allow me to point out that, with our effort, such is Definitely Not
the case! Each and every person involved with the comic is not only
reasonably familiar with the show, but is a fan as well. In some
cases a Severe Fan! We're trying to go the extra effort to make sure
that the comic book series identifies as closely as possible with the
television episodes.

So. What exactly can the reader of the comic expect?

Well, in discussions with the creative team (as well as some of the
fans that I've had a chance to meet in person . . . hello Denise),
it's obvious that UFO was a character driven show, and that the
central character was Commander Straker. While not wanting to rag on
people such as Michael Billington, Vladek Sheybal, Gabrielle Drake
and George Sewell, even a casual glance through the episodes will
reveal that Ed Bishop quite often carried that show on his
shoulders. In the annals of genre television his characterization of
Straker stands out as a dramatic classic.

It'd therefore be stupid to relegate Straker to the background.
Which won't happen. But the main body of the comic series will take
place with a SHADO of the near future. A SHADO which will be very
familiar, but which will also reflect the changing times. A SHADO
which will definitely involve Commander Straker . . . but an older
Straker. A Straker that's seen some changes enter his life. Some
ghosts buried, but some ghosts which refuse to go away. The comic
book will continue to explore the complexity of Straker's character,
and eventually we'll go down roads which the television episodes
didn't have a chance to travel.

Which brings us next to the other characters in the series. Ideas
and proposals have been bounced back and forth, and it's been felt
that, in many cases, there's plenty of room to work with. Meaning
(off the top of my head) that Virginia Lake is going to do more than
just pout at the instruments (or at Straker, whichever is closest).
And our favorite Moonbase operatives will be doing more than simply
touching up their makeup while waiting for UFOs to approach.

(Sexist pigs? Not at Misc!MAYHEM. We keep our pork where it
belongs . . . well done between two slices of bread!)

So much for the characters. What about everything else?

Visually the "look" of the comic will reflect the changing world of
the near-future Earth, as well as an older SHADO. With the help of
Anthony Taylor we've had the benefit of being able to work with Mike
Trim, who handled design work for the original series, and who is
graciously adding his pedigree to our efforts. This, combined with
the artwork of Christopher Jones, will translate the style of the
television series onto the illustrated page.

In terms of plotting, some interesting possibilities have been
discussed. Since the comic isn't burdened by the restrictions of a
special effects budget, things could be visualized that could only be
hinted at in the episodes. Imagine, for instance, an alien outpost
on one of the moons in our solar system.

Imagine exploring the history of the alien invasion of Earth.

Imagine new and recurring characters . . . human and otherwise.

The war between SHADO and the alien invaders is going to continue
within the pages of the comic. The invaders will face a SHADO which
will feature new faces and machines . . . but still quite capable of
defending the Earth. And the humans will find the aliens ready to up
the ante and attack not only with their standard weapons, but with
new plans and threats.

Speaking personally? I'd advise finding a foxhole. It's going to
get hairy.


Michael Wolff
The Mojocave
--- End forwarded message ---

Don't get me wrong Michael, I'm a big fan of Straker but it might be
nice if you gave the other characters a chance to shine also! In other words
that green eyed lady from Moonbase need a few stories where she is the main
character!

Otherwise you might need a especially deep foxhole.

James K.(cleaning his Beretta collection)


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>[hidden email]
wrote:
> Don't get me wrong Michael, I'm a big fan of Straker but it might
>be
>nice if you gave the other characters a chance to shine also! In other
>words
>that green eyed lady from Moonbase need a few stories where she is the main
>character!
>
>Otherwise you might need a especially deep foxhole.

Don't worry too much, Mike. James' criticisms of every UFO story remain the
same: more Gay Ellis! *grin* (Now, James. You know I'm right!) He wanted
me to change the entire plot of one of my stories once to put Gay in the
forefront. However, since I'd already given her a story of her own, I
didn't feel it necessary to follow his advice. But since I know where
you're headed with that particular character in your comic, I think he'll be
happy with it. Happy new year!
Denise

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Gee, Denise are you always right?<g>
I thought that was Straker's job<g>
You didn't mention the other story.
And I don't want every story to have La Ellis the center of attention. Say
something like 40% Straker, 10% Ellis, 10% Lake, 10% Barry, 10% Harrington,
10% Foster, 5% Freeman, 01% Ford, 01% Ayshea, 01% Miss Ealand, and 01%
Jackson, which leaves 01% for everyone else.
Happy New Year to everyone too.

James K.

P.S.:Denise, you might want to contact Helen Weber.


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