Yes, I do realize that it’s been months since I’ve updated my blog. I can’t imagine there’s anyone out there who cares all that much, but if I’m wrong, then allow me to offer my apologies. I’ve been extremely busy lately. To tell the truth, I still don’t have much in the way of free time, but it occurred to me that if I don’t start posting updates again every now and then, my blog would start qualifying for Forgotten Friday.

And of course, I wouldn’t be around here to write Forgotten Friday anymore. Quite frankly, I can’t think of something sadder than that.

So what’s been keeping me so busy? Well, there’s a lot I’m not able to talk about right now, but one thing that I can discuss is Dark Crystal: Creation Myths vol. 2. We’re just a little less than halfway through it right now, and I have to say, I think we may outdo the first volume with this one. Vol. 2 deals with the second conjunction, the darkening of the crystal and the emergence of Mystics and Skeksis. We’re telling the story that gives the entire franchise its name and that sets in motion all of the events that lead up to the film. It’s some powerful, dramatic stuff, and fortunately, we have an amazing writer onboard to help us realize it.

Yeah, we have a new writer on this volume, and while it’s been announced, I think it got a little overshadowed by some of the other Archaia news that’s hit this past month. Starting with Vol. 2, Joshua Dysart, the Eisner-nominated writer of Unknown Soldier, BPRD, Conan and Swamp Thing is taking over writing duties, and considering the balance of social themes and action that’s prevalent in our next two volumes, I think Josh is the perfect man for the job. Trust me, you’re going to love what he’s been doing.

Also, on a complete fluke, I came across this review of Vol. 1 earlier today.

First, I certainly can’t take issue with the reviewer’s opinion of the book. If he didn’t care for it, he didn’t care for it. I can’t change that. I believe we’re producing a headier book than many people expect from licensed comics, playing with the idea of mythology and its role in shaping and defining society, and if you’re expecting something more action-oriented, this first volume might come off as a bit slow moving. I get that, and it was something we realized going in. Vol. 1 covers over a thousand years of events, so we knew the reader was going to be somewhat removed from it since there are only a couple of characters who appear in all the segments.

I think we did a good job compensating for that, but you’re all free to disagree. However, what I really don’t agree with in this review, at all, is the idea that comics can’t capture puppetry. It’s a different medium to be sure, but puppets take to comics every bit as well as anything else. Certainly, seeing the work of Jim Henson and his team come to life onscreen is something amazing, and we’re never going to be able to reproduce that, but we’re not trying to. We’re trying to tell a good story through the medium of comic books that just happens to take place in the world of the film. That’s the essence of all licensed comics, and if the creative team’s hearts are all in the right place, it’s successful. It’s not the same experience as watching puppets on film, it’s a different, equally enjoyable experience. If the reviewer didn’t find it as enjoyable as the movie, that’s his opinion and he has every right to it. But it’s not because the medium’s incompatible with puppetry. Trust me, I’ve spent the last eight years bringing the creations of Jim Henson to comics, and the popularity and critical acclaim those books have received is more than enough to prove otherwise.

I should hopefully have some cool new announcements to make here soon, along with some art from Dark Crystal Vol. 2. I also have some recent prose stories that I may be posting. We’ll see. Has anyone actually read the prose stories that are on here?

Have a happy Passover and/or Easter, folks!