It is the expected cliche of our time to say, “I’ve been busy” but truly, I have. While there hasn’t been much going on on the site, there has been quite a bit going on behind the scenes. So here’s a peek.
The nature of this whole thing.
I’ve learned that this is very much a work in progress. I think I might have treated ‘Evil in it’s podcast form as a finished things – and it’s really just elaborate notes, for a later draft. I don’t know if that’s big news to any of you, but it’s a pretty big thing for me to realize. That being said, we’re going to see some changes pretty soon.
The Comic
So I’ve an outline for a 4 issue run. And I’ve had some interesting conversations, but the road to comic publishing got shifted back a burner because a guy at a company the arm of an independent comic company that produces movies (some with staggering budgets) was interested in HtSiE as a TV show.
Naturally I became exited. So I labored feverishly to write a pilot of an hour-long live-action TV show. It does not suck. But it needs one more rewrite before I think it will truly shine.
The awful truth
And as I wrestled with the TV pilot and the outline I realized I had no idea what Edwin was like. In the podcast, he’s not really a character. He’s more of a force of nature. He has no foibles, no weaknesses and worst of all, I can’t hear his voice in my head. The awful truth is, I had no idea who my main character was.
Actually, it’s worse than that – I had no voice for Edwin. Topper? I wind him up and he goes for days. I could start Topper telling a story and I don’t think he’d ever shut up. But Edwin has been strangely mute.
This is a problem. (to say the least) But I think I have solved it. And it solving it is key to having a comic that doesn’t suck, a TV pilot that doesn’t suck and making the podcast better. And I really appreciate everybody who’s coming along for the ride.
The question
So I’ve been going back in time and writing stories that occured before the first 10 podcasts. Prequels (if you care to look at them that way) but I’ve gotten a few emails from of people who want the main (if you care to look at it that way) storyline to continue. So how about a little feedback?
Which hoop should the podcasting monkey jump through next?
Let El Justiador decide.
My wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Evil’cast in its original form, but are also excited about the possibility of the backstory and how things got started. I think that if you are going to do a TV treatment then you need to spend some time getting to know the main character. I think the only way to do that is to find out where Edwin came from and how he got involved in everything.
Good luck with this project. I hope we all get to see it as a TV treatment some day in the near future.
I definitely like the prequels about when he was a consultant. However, you left the main story on a bit of a cliff hanger and it’s been driving me nuts. If you could just get back to the later episodes long enough to let us know what happened to Edwin after Topper’s betrayal it would do a lot for my sanity.
I think that the Prequels are better.
let Edwin do what he does best, telling stupid villains how to succeed in Evil
Tempted by the jewel of TV development… do not do it this way; you will back yourself into a corner and monkey race with yourself just to keep a perpetual universe going. I think that HtSiE has wings, but TV would demand the wings of an insect, or humming bird… no no no, HSE requires breadth to stroke massive hawk, albatross or buzzard wings for a glorious -yet contained- jaunt in the skies.
What you have now would certainly fill up a 90min film without putting the pincers on yourself to leave things hanging just to address next week. There is an inherent look and post-noir-jaded taste to your world and this would be much more complete and satisfying to focus its delivery in a set unit (film) rather than just allude to in the Sally-come-often world of Sci-Fi TV (which this would fall into).
Go for the solid. Not the serial. Then you can alway broach a sequel, when you are satisfied with the material.
Just my view, but I’ve been caught staring at walls before.
Best,
Ryan
Now, I think the prequels are hilarious, but I also liked where you were going with the original plot. You could start back putting humor into the storyline, but you absolutely cannot do that if it would interfere with what you had in mind.
I think the ideal solution is what you are doing now. Release a couple of episodes, then a prequel mini-series, then a couple more episode, and so on. Best of both worlds.
I just found this podcast a few days ago, and I’ve already listened to the whole thing through a few times, pure gold. Good luck with what your doing, it’s amazing.
in the most recent HTSIE, you mention that topper drives a lotus, then you describe it as an italian sportscar.
Well, Lotus is a british car company, not italian.
Cheers, P.
Dude~ I’m just glad you’re back~
I’ve been listening for a while, and I love your story. I also loved the brainatar and zombie stories, which seemed more like prequels than the actual storyline. It sounds like you have your ending. Now you just have to write towards it. In the same vain as LOST possibly. I also agree with Greg, you could mix up the ongoing and the flasbacks. Either way, just keep them coming. I think you’ve set up the perfect foible to Edwin in Topper. They’ve got history (prequels). Edwins weakness right now is his lack of resources now that Topper’s running the show. Topper is now in a postion to become the Evil Leader type that Edwin was always working for. It could be a whole cat and mouse game as Topper steps out of Edwins shadow, and Edwin uses his evil genuis to outwit his efforts to catch him. Edwin becomes the anti hero. Sorry, not trying write your book, just really enjoy your characters. Keep it coming
I found Mr. Hagleblatt’s, (I hope I’m spelling the little fiend’s name correctly) most recent adventure with El Justiador, (Part II) quite stimulating and enjoyable to listen to. “Short and sweet” as one might say.
As for future development, I would appreciate any and all development, past, present or future. You must obey the muse as she speaks to you. And as to developing product for print, podcast, and possibly of the telly… well as Mr. Edwin Windsor might say, it is best to keep all of your options open for all those various medias to maximize the profitability, and distribution of the message of said art. This may sound trite, but lives are touched by your works, and it would renew my faith in human nature to see a wide distribution of your materials good sir. However, it would be trite and unnecessary of me to say that quality is the high goal. This you already know, and I doubt not, is your sacred trust.
I’m gratified to hear that the print media is in the works. They shall find a place of honor in my home study.
On final point my good man. Mr. Windsor, from my humble observation, does have foibles.
It is true that he is the ruthless master of his world. He’s preternaturally savvy and plans for every contingency. However, there are two major emotions that he wrestles with from what I’ve seen, and correct me if I’m wrong about this.
Despair and loneliness are the direct emotional results of being as ruthless and cunning as he is. Vice versa, it is because of his ruthless and cunning, that he is become more despaired and lonely. It is a lonely job up there at the top, and his power creates isolation for him from his fellow man.
This is a foible, for his unhappiness and his quest for vengence in regards to Mrs. Frapdraggle, has created in him a drive to succeed in evil. He is dedicated to vengeance, and to an extent, justice. He wants to eradicate inefficiency, and replace it with the order and stability that creates value. Truly, he is an economist’s superhero, even if he might be an archvillain.
So, in short, Bravo! I salute you sir! And I give my full apologies if I have carried on here like an errant schoolboy.
Cheerio.
-Sir Garrick
Ah! It is obvious I need a proofreader in my office! For example “One final point” and “ruthlessness” should replace what you will see in the last few paragraphs. I am sure there are more. I am shamed.
I understand Edwin had character issues, but this new origin seems inconsistent with his actions. Why become an evil efficiency expert when his true animosity is directed towards the superhero community who bandy about smashing buildings on top of people with no recourse?
I like this direction, but I think a few more backstory elements need to be retconned.
Interesting themes, though, about holding superheroes responsible for their actions. Very much in the comic zeitgeist at the moment with Powers and Civil War touching on these very issues.
–
Francis
DUDE!!
Forget the T.V. Show … this would be SUCH a good movie!
fantastic work.
Regarding the direction of future episodes, I’d like to know where Edwin goes after he kills the Cromoglodon and disappears. I like the prequels, but they’re about side stories… X-Files used to call them “monster episodes”… I want to know Edwin’s story.
–
Francis
HtSiE makes me think of the Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which had various incarnations in radio, theatre, novels,Tv, computer games, and eventually film.
Regarding future episodes, I’d love to hear Edwin’s advice to presidential candidates on both the right and left.
-JW
Hello,
I just listed to Edwin 2.0, I must say I loved the first series and was a little skeptical of the new stuff. But I’ll be damned if you didn’t hook me with “Bring heroes to justice” idea. I still want to know what happens to Edwin 1.0 after Topper takes over. Perhaps we can find out in the Edwin 1.0/2.0 crossover event, just polybag that sucker with a gold foil cover and I’m there.
As for the prequel stuff, I didn’t much care for it. I like the idea that the first story was an “ending” and wanted it to go from there. But really I am enjoying the podcasts, keep it up.
Juan Manuel
Ps. I got my comic thank you very much
I know this entry is a month old, but I only recently discovered the site (love it by the way) and wanted to leave a comment to something you said here.
“In the podcast, he’s not really a character. He’s more of a force of nature. He has no foibles, no weaknesses and worst of all, I can’t hear his voice in my head.”
Kevin Spacey (If you haven’t seen the movie The Usual Suspects, I highly recommend it). But that’s who I immediately pictured in my head when I started to listen.
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