"Batman/Superman" writer Greg Pak will write the "Justice League: Darkseid" one shot that's been announced as part of DC Comics' September Villains Month. Paulo Siqueira will draw.
HC: What aspects of Darkseid are you most interested in exploring for this issue?
GP: He’s one of the greatest comic book supervillains of all time. He’s got an epic, mythic, cosmic back story that’s right up my alley. And his exact motivations and mind-set in the New 52 remain mysterious enough to present a huge opportunity for fun, risky storytelling. I’m having a blast.
...
HC: After establishing yourself at Marvel over the last many years, you’re making your DC debut this month with “Batman/Superman” No. 1, and now you’re taking on one of the DCU’s biggest villains with Darkseid. Are these characters you’ve wanted to write, and how are you handling all this?
GP: I’m having a ridiculously fun time working at DC. It is indeed a huge blast tackling such iconic characters — particularly in the New 52, where I’ve been encouraged to think big and take risks while exploring the meaty emotional questions of what really makes these characters tick. It’s my favorite kind of writing and I couldn’t be happier. Superman and Batman were at the top of my list of DC characters I hoped to have a chance to write someday, so my head just about popped off when I was offered the “Batman/Superman” book. These are characters that I’ve been thinking about since I was 5 and it’s been incredibly fun diving into their worlds and minds and hearts and seeing Jae Lee bring them to life. And yes, I definitely have a list of other DC characters I’m itching to get my hands on. Without spoiling too much, I can say that in the last month, I’ve checked off three more names on that list.
"Magneto Testament" and "Red Skull Incarnate" writer Greg Pak will participate in a one-day graphic novel workshop at the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond, VA, on June 8.
Race, Gender & Sexualities in American Comic Books with Marjorie Liu, Greg Pak and Paolo Javier - Room MB-10 --OPEN TO THE PUBLIC--
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Time: 11:45am-1:00pm
Location: LaGuardia Community College, MB-10
Panelists and Moderators: Greg Pak, Marjorie M. Liu, and Ann Matsuuchi (Library), Paolo Javier (English) http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ahc/events.htm
Description: Join us for an exciting conversation/Q&A with Marvel/DC comic book writers Marjorie Liu (Astonishing X-Men), Greg Pak (Incredible Hulk and next year, Batman/Superman) and Professor Paolo Javier.
At this panel discussion, Marjorie Liu and Greg Pak will take part in a discussion led by Professor Javier. He has assigned Marjorie Liu's gay marriage issue of Astonishing X-Men (nominated for a 2013 GLAAD Media Award to honor its positive representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community) to students in his classes this semester.
Marjorie Liu is the author of two ongoing New York Times bestselling series: the Dirk & Steele paranormal romance novels and the Hunter Kiss urban fantasy series. Marjorie has co-written the bestselling Dark Wolverine series for Marvel, and wrote the beloved X-23 series for several years. She authored Black Widow: The Name of the Rose, NYX: No Way Home, and X-Men: Dark Mirror, and is the ongoing writer for Astonishing X-Men. http://marjoriemliu.com/
Greg Pak is a filmmaker and comic book writer who directed the award-winning feature film Robot Stories, wrote the epic Planet Hulk and World War Hulk comic book storylines, and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente)the fan favorite Incredible Hercules series for Marvel Comics. Current and recent projects include the Code Monkey Save World graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton, the acclaimed sci-fi graphic novel and iPad app Vision Machine, X-Treme X- Men, Doctor Strange Season One, and Dead Man's Run. This June, he debuts as the writer of the New 52 Batman/Superman title for DC Comics. Pak was described as "a talent with a future" by the New York Times. http://www.gregpak.com/
Paolo Javier teaches in the English department at LaGuardia Community College and the Queens Poet Laureate until 2013. Professor Javier also works with visual poetry - creatively connecting images and words.
For more info: Ann Matsuuchi (amatsuuchi@lagcc.cuny.edu / 646-450-2661)
2013.06.26 - Greg Pak signs "Batman/Superman" #1 at Midtown Comics Downtown in NYC!
Comic book writer Greg Pak will appear at Midtown Comics Downtown in NYC from 7 to 8 pm on June 26 to sign copies of his new book, "Batman/Superman" #1.
I've been horrified by the news coming out of Oklahoma. So here's a little something in hopes of encouraging folks to donate to relief efforts for the people suffering in the wake of the tornadoes.
If you give to the Red Cross or other relief organization of your choosing to help the folks in Oklahoma, I'll send some "Code Monkey Save World" stickers to your US mailing address. A very easy way to donate is to text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
We're working on the honor system here, friends. So just make your donation, then send your US mailing address to codemonkey at pakbuzz dot com and I'll hook you up. If you let me know how much you donated, I'll keep a running tally that might help inspire others to donate as well.
Many thanks and all the best!
2013.05.14 - Jonathan Coulton and Greg Pak live in NYC - final day for "Code Monkey Save World" Kickstarter
"Code Monkey Save World" masterminds Greg Pak and Jonathan Coulton will appear live TONIGHT in New York City on the final full day of their graphic novel Kickstarter campaign! The pair will answer questions and give out free stickers and buttons. And Coulton will sing!
Comic Book Club
Tuesday, May 14th – 7pm
Tickets: FREE! (21+)
Fontana’s
105 Eldridge St.
[Btwn. Grand and Broome St.]
Meet Li’l Blue, the Lonely Vampire, inspired by Jonathan Coulton’s song “Blue Sunny Day.” If we hit the current "JoCo Funnies" stretch goal for the "Code Monkey Save World" graphic novel Kickstarter, I’ll draw some comics starring this guy. I'm strongly considering having him step out into the sun and burst into flames as the punchline of every strip.
Hey, y'all. The rumors are true: I'm writing a graphic novel based on the songs of the great Jonathan Coulton. And we've just entered the final two days of our Kickstarter campaign. So now's the time to jump on board!
Please see above for an insane chart of all the bonuses we've been able to add to the project because of the support of folks like you. Stickers! A whole new Jonathan Coulton acoustic album! A whole 'nother children's book based on Jonathan's "Princess Who Saved Herself Song"!
And if we hit the current stretch goal, we'll add the "JoCo Funnies," newspaper-style comic strips based on more beloved Coulton songs! (I'll contribute "Li'l Blue, the Sad Vampire," based on "Blue Sunny Day.")
Jonathan Coulton and I had a fantastic time at the "Code Monkey Save World" event at Bergen Street Comics on Wednesday -- thanks so much to everyone who came out for it! Above are two fun videos -- the first shows Jonathan singing a SFW version of his NSFW anthem "First of May." The second is a medley of some of the songs he sang. Enjoy!
And please feel free to check out the Kickstarter, if you haven't already. "Code Monkey Save World" is a graphic novel written by yours truly with art by Takeshi Miyazawa, based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton. We've recently added some sweet new rewards to the Kickstarter -- including challenge coins and some awesome DIY Code Monkey figurine kits!
C'mon. Check it out. All the cool kids are doing it.
2013.05.01 - Pak and Coulton at Bergen Street Comics in Brooklyn for "Code Monkey Save World" event!
Big news -- Jonathan Coulton and Greg Pak, co-conspirators behind the "Code Monkey Save World" graphic novel Kickstarter, will attend a special event at 7 pm, Wednesday, May 1 at Bergen Street Comics, 470 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, New York!
Jonathan will sing a few songs! Greg will sign any comics you might bring or buy! And we'll give out FREE "CODE MONKEY SAVE WORLD" STICKERS!
We may also have another special item to give away at the event, but we're waiting for confirmation that the stuff'll be ready in time. So cross your fingers and stay tuned!
Meanwhile, our Kickstarter backers continue to blow our minds with their amazing support. THANK YOU SO MUCH! We're just over $11,000 from the $200,000 stretch goal that will enable Jonathan to record a BRAND NEW ACOUSTIC ALBUM that everyone at the $15 pledge level and above will get for free as a digital download, so please check out the Kickstarter!
All the best and thanks again -- and see you at Bergen Street Comics on the First of May!
Coulton to record new acoustic album if "Code Monkey Save World" graphic novel Kickstarter hits $200,000
If the Kickstarter hits $200,000, Jonathan Coulton will record a BRAND NEW ALBUM of gorgeous acoustic renditions of all of the songs that inspired the graphic novel! And everyone who has backed us at the $15 level and above will get the digital version of this brand new album FOR FREE, as a BONUS.
Songs on the album will include "Code Monkey," "Skullcrusher Mountain," "The Future Soon," "Creepy Doll," "I Crush Everything," "Re: Your Brains," and several more I'm probably forgetting right now because I'm so excited.
We're also thinking about adding a few special guest star singers and musicians -- more to be announced soon, knock on wood!
And here's a BONUS for you... everyone who backs the project at the $35 level and above will now get a FREE POSTER! The posters will be approximately 10.25" x 13" and will be folded once for shipping purposes. They'll probably feature the amazing "Code Monkey Save World" cover art by Takeshi Miyazawa, colored by Jessica Kholinne.
Finally, we're adding an incredibly special $750 pledge level. At this level, you and a guest can come to the studio to watch part of Jonathan Coulton's recording session for the acoustic album live in New York City, probably some time in June. We'll also take you to lunch. Travel/lodging/other expenses not included. But at this level, we'll also toss in all the swag we've announced thus far -- T-shirt, mug, poster, music, stickers. INSANE, am I right?
Thanks so much for the consideration and support! Tell your friends! Call your mom! Hugs all 'round!
This Monday morning, internet superstar musician Jonathan Coulton and I launched a Kickstarter for "Code Monkey Save World," a graphic novel based on Jonathan's songs, written by yours truly, and drawn by the great Takeshi Miyazawa with colors by Jessica Kholinne and letters by Simon Bowland.
The story follows the coding monkey known as Code Monkey (from Jonathan's song "Code Monkey," natch) as he teams up with the supervillain Skullcrusher (from "Skullcrusher Mountain") to save his unrequited love Matilde from Laura the Robo Queen's slave colonies on Chiron Beta Prime.
It's crazy sci fi with a big fuzzy heart and I hope you'll consider backing us. We're ridiculously excited about it and are going to do our darnedest to make it the awesomest thing you read all year.
Thanks so much for your consideration!
2013.04.10 - Greg Pak to guest with Howard Chen on ACV's "Joy Dunk Club" TONIGHT!
Basically it's a Google hangout wherein the hosts and guests talk about basketball with a special emphasis on the Houston Rockets and Jeremy Lin. Tonight's other guest is the fantastic Howard Chen from Comcast Sportsnet, whom you might recognize if you watch the Rockets games.
Many thanks to Keith Chow who hooked me up. See ya tonight!
2013.04.10 - "X-Treme X-Men" #13 and "Dead Man's Run" #4
Writer Greg Pak has two books hitting comic book stores on Wednesday, April 10 -- "X-Treme X-Men" #13, pencilled by Guillermo Mogorron and Raul Valdes and "Dead Man's Run" #4, pencilled by Tony Parker.
The kind folks at the Robot 6 blog then picked this up as their Quote of the Day:
“What makes it compelling as a story and a character is his tremendous backstory, which sets up the character as someone who is different than everybody, but striving to help. That sense of somebody that is an ‘other,’ someone who doesn’t belong but is doing his best to do the right thing all of the time. That’s incredibly compelling and universal. All of us, no matter how much we feel complete, sometimes feel like we’re on the outside, feel like we’re alone, feel like we’re strange and different. That’s why the Harry Potter books and movies are so popular. That’s why the X-Men are so popular. That’s why just about every pop culture phenomenon you can think of is so popular.
It’s amazing how many of the stories we love to cherish explore that sense of being different. That’s a universal human condition. And the reason Superman, in particular, is so compelling is because he’s on the outside, yet he’s doing his best to help everybody. That moral core of the character is something that we all, deep down, want to aspire towards. It’s that struggle to do the right thing that is really compelling. And it’s not easy for him. I think that’s another thing that great Superman writers have explored over the years. This is a guy that — everything should be easy for him because he’s Superman and he can do anything, but he is still in a constant struggle to figure out what the right thing to do is and how to do it.”
– Greg Pak, writer of DC’s upcoming Batman/Superman series, explaining to Comic Book Resources what makes the Man of Steel such a compelling character
The "Batman/Superman" book I'm writing and Jae Lee is drawing starts in June. Please ask your local store to pre-order a copy for you today!
Pak Talks Comics: The scoop on Steven Sanders' "Symbiosis"
The brilliant artist Steven Sanders recently launched a Kickstarter for a Creative Commons-licensed science fiction art book called SYMBIOSIS. I was blown away by the art and concept and thought it would be fun to pick Steven's brain a bit about the Creative Commons aspect of the project in particular. We finished this chat mere moments ago -- so here you go, hot off the presses!
Greg Pak: Can you give us the super-short, three sentence version of what SYMBIOSIS is?
Stephen Sanders: It's a book that is part loosely squential story/part world-building bible. It centers around a world/tech style that I'm calling "1940s bio-punk." It's Creative Commons so that anyone can take the material and make whatever they want from it.
GP: The Creative Commons aspect fascinates me. As you know, I've got a CC project mysef -- the "Vision Machine" graphic novel and iPad app. What inspired you to go that route?
SS: I'll be candid, it started out as a lark. But after I started thinking about how authors frequently told me that my work makes them want to tell stories, it made total sense. I also realize that CC makes sense, period. The IP cat is pretty much out of the bag with tech how it is today, and I figure that we might as well embrace that and encourage it in a positive manner instead of squelching it.
GP: Awesome. I see you're releasing under the non-commercial license, but you included a note on your Kickstarter assuring folks that you'll be amenable to considering commercial requests. Do you have plans of your own to use the world you're creating in additional stories/media?
SS: Yeah, basically anyone that isn't a large corporation with money to blow will get a free commercial license. I know how tough small press is, and I don't see any point in adding to the burden further. Just as long as people follow the share-alike. As far as my own stories, probably not. I enjoy world-building more than I enjoy describing how humans interact in these various worlds (I'm also just better at the former than the latter). I do have vague plans for for some supplementary books to further flesh out the world of Symbiosis, but it will still stay rooted in world-building.
GP: So how do you see people using the material? I'm guessing a lot of folks may want to write and draw stories that take place in the world and use the incredible designs you're creating. But can they use your actual art as well?
SS: Yeah, I mean, considering the license, they could take the art, and reprint the book and give it away for free if they wanted to. But, yeah, they can use the art itself for illustrations, or I have people who are wanting to do sculpts of figures and tech from Symbiosis. One lady wanted to cosplay one of the characters in the preview art, and I've heard from a number of people who have plans to use open-source RPG engines like Fate Core to make their own Symbiosis tabletop RPG. Alex de Campi has already written a short story based off of a sketch I released a few weeks ago. It's pretty exciting to see how interested people are in this thing.
GP: Tremendous. It's also kind of beautiful given how the whole idea of sharing and remixing and whatnot via Creative Commons fits in so well with the symboitic theme of the book itself.
SS: IT'S WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS AND BIO-ENGINES ALL THE WAY DOWN, GREG
GP: Ha! So I'm going to have to come up with some kind of mash-up with Vision Machine and Symbiosis art, now. ;-)
SS: That would be kind of amazing.
GP: So you're literally $640 from hitting your initial goal even as we chat. Want to tease any stretch goals?
SS: Good grief. Um, yeah. This will be a big one, we'd have to hit 75K for it, but that one includes a doubling of the page count (and it was my original plan for the book before I calmed down). I'll have to contact the printer to see about options for an additional 50 pages. I've got free symbiosis circle logo stickers as an early stretch, and between those I'm going to be scrambling today. I'm thinking some fold out pages and if I can make it happen fast enough, maybe a web/android/iOS game. But that would be a minor miracle to get together this quickly.
GP: Wow. Yes, a web/android/iOS game would be awesome. A puzzle game! Traveling through the environment, manipulating elements, getting to the next part of the world!
SS: Yes! One of the gentlemen I went to the Kansas City Art institute with is a rather talented programmer, and runs another crowdfunding site called Pledgie. He has an engine ready for this sort of thing, and I'll likely run this by him soon.
Please use the following form to subscribe or be unsubscribed from the PakBuzz mailing list. You'll receive an email right away with confirmation instructions. If you are unsubscribing, once you respond to the confirmation, your email will be removed from the list. If you are subscribing, please be assured that your email will be used only to send you the PakBuzz or Greg Pak newsletter and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Comic book writer Greg Pak will appear at Midtown Comics Downtown in NYC from 7 to 8 pm on June 26 to sign copies of his new book, "Batman/Superman" #1.
