Tastes Like Rock! The Geekonomicon

Tastes Like Rock! Music Magazine

The Geekonomicon

The Geekonomicon, a compendium of Geek Culture contained within Tastes Like Rock! Music Magazine. Here find reviews and news of the lastest comics, sci-fi/fantasy, and video games.

Joseph Mallozzi - Through the Stargate into Dark Matter
Interviewed by Michael Meade on 12/28/11
Posted 1/2/12 9:55PM EST

TLR!: Thanks for chatting with me today Joe, it’s a pleasure to have you here at Tastes Like Rock’s Geekonomicon!

Joe: The pleasure's all mine. Thanks for taking the time to check out Dark Matter!

TLR!: Joe, you’re best known for your producing and writing on Stargate SG-1 and it’s spin-offs Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe. Why the transition from screen to page with Dark Matter? Also, it's a great story, I enjoyed reading it!

Joe: I've been a big comic book fan most of my life and, in recent years, a huge fan of creator-driven titles like The Walking Dead and Scalped. In terms of quality and scope, they're the comic book equivalent of cable shows like Breaking Bad and The Sopranos. Jason Aaron and Robert Kirkman were permitted a certain creative freedom to tell the stories they wanted to tell and the results have been spectacular, so when a similar opportunity to do my own creator-driven title with Dark Horse presented itself, I didn't hesitate to take it.

TLR!: Joe even though both are forms of visual storytelling, how does writing a comic differ from writing a screenplay for you? Besides the obvious format differences of course.

Joe: Pacing was the biggest challenge. I was very particular about how I wanted the action to play out on the page in terms of building the scenes, paying them off and using them to segue into proceeding pages. I'm sure it comes automatically to seasoned comic book writers but in my case it was a learning process. Dark Matter initially existed as a detailed concept (in my head) and a one hour television pilot, so I made the early decision that every one hour script would break down into two issues. The script I had was the first part of a two-hour series premiere. That meant we would launch the comic book series with a four-issue opening arc. I looked over the script and broke it down into two issues, trimming scenes and dialogue to accommodate the 22 page format. I tried to keep it as clean as possible, the dialogue fairly tight, which I think fairly approximates the tone and sensibility of those first two issues. In issues #3 and #4, I was working without benefit of a detailed blueprint (aka television script) but nevertheless had a fairly good take on how I wanted to conclude the story. Again, the dialogue was fairly tight but, as the series progresses and these characters begin to open up to one another, I imagine that will change.

TLR!: This is perhaps a bit of a rough question, but which media do you prefer working in, film or comics?

Joe: I've built a career in television and have to admit I'm very comfortable both writing and show running. That being said, I really enjoyed my experience on these first four issues of Dark Matter and would definitely like to pursue further work in the field.

TLR!: Along the lines of the last two questions, what drew you to comic writing? Especially now with the industry redefining itself with the jump to include digital devices as a new window to fans, line wide continuity smashing shake ups and “soft” reboots, and a higher ratio of people being aware of characters that fell under the radar of mainstream knowledge thanks to more, and successful, movie adaptations.

Joe: Opportunity really - the opportunity to tell a story relatively free of the types of creative constraints one would normally encounter in film and television.

TLR!: How was it sharing writing duties with Paul Mullie again?

Joe: Paul and I have been working together for some 15 years and, in that time, our partnership has evolved. Gone are the days when we actually sit in a room together and physically co-write a script. Over time, we've gravitated toward our strengths and interests when it comes to production. Although we are still officially a writing team, we now tend to write our scripts solo and do passes on each other's drafts. In the case of Dark Matter, I took the lead on the scripts for the comic book.

TLR!: And working with artist Garry Brown?

Joe: Loved working with Garry. He's very talented and collaborative. Stylistically, a perfect fit for Dark Matter.

TLR!: Speaking of Garry, how did character, environment, and set designs go? Did you have detailed ideas you wanted from the start or concepts that you let Garry flesh out?

Joe: Although I felt it was mostly there in the scripts, I did offer Garry some detailed descriptions of the characters as I'd envisioned them. Other than that, I allowed him free reign to conceive the look of the series when it came to ship designs, costumes, etc., occasionally weighing in with my thoughts at the various stages of development.

TLR!: Same questions concerning colorist Ryan Hill. His work combined with Brown’s bring a sweeping outer space feeling an interstellar story should have with it’s visuals, but also make it very cramped and creepy when the story calls for it; much like the original Alien film.

Joe: Couldn't agree more. I loved Garry's artwork but was absolutely blown away when I saw it married to Ryan's colors.

TLR!: Joe, the solicits don’t have this in the info nor the advance copy Dark Horse sent over before our interview, but is Dark Matter going to be an ongoing series past part four of “Rebirth”?

Joe: I suppose that depends on a number of things, the chiefest being how well the comic sells. I have a fairly detailed sense of where the series will go - the twists and turns and eventual ending I'd like to work towards. The plan is to use the comic book as a springboard to a television series (or mini-series). Ideally, I'd like to be doing both concurrently, producing the t.v. series and the comic book series.

TLR!: How has it been working with Dark Horse Comics leading up to the publishing of Dark Matter?

Joe: It's been a phenomenal experience. My editor at Dark Horse, Patrick Thorpe, has been terrific - informative, supportive, and delightfully easy to work with.

TLR!: What led you to seek publication with Dark Horse?

Joe: My agent mentioned he'd been in conversation with Dark Horse and I immediately saw a huge opportunity from both a business and creative perspective. As I expected, Dark Horse has turned out to be a great home for the series. I consider myself fortunate to have them in our corner as we work toward making the Dark Matter t.v. series a reality as well.

TLR!: A bit off topic, but I read that you’re a fan of Japanese anime, out of personal curiosity and as a fellow anime fan; what are some of your favorite titles?

Joe: Hmmmm. Off the top of my head: Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Berserk, Last Exile, Black Lagoon, Trigun, GTO, Beck, Kino's Journey, Now and Then Here and There, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex, Gintama. Eventually, I'd love to pursue the live action rights to some anime titles. Suggestions?

TLR!: A live action Samurai Champloo would be very cool if stylized the same way. Black Lagoon and Last Exile too. But getting back to Dark Matter, we’ve already got a mystery in the barrens of intergalactic space; sci-fi, mystery, suspense in fathomless isolation, and the security system of the ship trying to kill it’s amnesiac crew… your comic had my full attention at the preview description! What else can expect down the line?

Joe: Oh, plenty of action, explosions, humor, loyalty, duplicity, surprises, surprises, and surprises.

TLR!: As 2012 kicks off Joe, anything coming down the pike that you can share with us yet?

Joe: Dark Matter is my main focus for now. I do have a few super-secret projects in the works but, well, they're super-secret. Oh, okay. One of them involves sitting down to a marathon viewing of the entire 1967 animated Spider-Man series. You in?

TLR!: Super-secret you say? It's the suspense that gets me. And as for the Spidey marathon, count me in!

For more on Dark Matter check out it on Dark Horse Comics' webpage www.darkhorse.com, and check out Joseph Mallozzi's blog at http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com.

Star Wars: Knight Errant - Deluge #4

Posted 11/26/11 3:45PM EST

Writer: John Jackson Miller

Penciller: Iban Coello

Colorist: Michael Atiyeh

Cover Artist: Joe Quinones

Release Date: 11/16/11

Official Dark Horse Comics Description: "Kerra Holt has her Jedi work cut out for her! As crime lord Zodah the Hutt's massive Stormbringer vessels flood Kerra's homeworld with rain, she does her utmost to herd the listless inhabitants to the safety of higher ground. Meanwhile, Sith Lord Daiman doesn't appreciate Zodah destroying a world that belongs to him! Soon, Kerra will have two armies to fight!"

Story, art, action, and humor blend in beautiful Star Wars fashion in this latest chapter of the Knight Errant saga (for those unfamiliar with the expanded universe settings, this story takes place about a thousand years before the storyline in the movies), fan favorite Kerra Holt shines in characterization; and Coello's pencils with Abad's and Atiyeh's respective ink and color don't hurt either.

For anyone that hasn't explored much of the Old Republic stories in the Star Wars universe, the Knight Errant series with Jedi Kerra Holt are a fun place to start! And Deluge in particular, if for no other reason than seeing one of Jabba the Hutt's ancestors. And his plausible yet somewhat funny in it's old school villain dastardliness in one aspect, while scary and reflective of events happening in the real world right now in the other is woven into the story brilliantly!

Another Star Wars hallmark of making "side" characters interesting and fully capable of holding their own spotlight, in Deluge we are treated to Captain Jenn Devaad; a pirate/mercenary who cares little for anyone not flying under her banner. Devaad doesn't take the spotlight off the character of Kerra but could with little effort, very much Devaad is to Holt as Solo is to Skywalker barring the deep comradery (at this point at least).

Star Wars: Knight Errant - Deluge #4 gets a Force-filled 4 out of 5.

For more on title check out www.darkhorse.com.

Mass Effect: Invasion #2 of 4

Posted 11/16/11 11:05PM EST

Writers: Mac Walters & John Jackson Wilson

Artist: Omar Francia

Colorist: Michael Atiyeh

Cover Artist: Massimo Carnevale

Variant Cover Artist: Paul Renaud

Release Date: 11/16/11

Dark Horse Comics' Official Description: "Space station Omega is under attack by bizarre creatures from the center of the galaxy! Aria T'Loak, pirate queen of Omega, leads the charge against the grotesque invaders, but when the true threat behind them is revealed, Aria is forced to regroup and form a new strategy--or risk losing everything!

* An essential lead-in to Mass Effect 3!

* Preview Mass Effect 3 at http://MassEffect.com!"

The story in Mass Effect: Invasion is fast paced and action oriented in it's sci-fi goodness, though a familiarity with the video game series is recommended by this reviewer. The story is both readable and enjoyable without that knowledge, as this writer is not beyond name recognition of the game franchise and a stray review of Mass Effect 2 I happened to catch on G4's X-Play. Artwork is captivating and as engrossing as the storyline.

The mini-series, which is acting as story-bridge to Mass Effect 3, has the space epic genre nailed down; including all the hot points of space stories adapted from the likes of Star Wars, Halo, and even some areas popularized in the last decade by Joss Whedon's Firefly series. Corrupt governments, government watchdogs, alien races, genetic experimentation, human xenophobes, sweeping starship battles, space pirates, mercenaries, double crosses... all the good stuff can be found in the Mass Effect universe.

Again, at points as a reader if you haven't played the Mass Effect games you may feel a little lost on some the background points and political affiliations mentioned, but by no means will this ruin the storyline of the mini-series for you. Definitely a title to check out for hardcore Mass Effect fans and for space sci-fi readers looking for a new universe to play in.

For more on this title check out www.darkhorse.com.

Usagi Yojombo #141 (200th issue)

Posted 11/3/11 2:30AM EST

Writer & Artist: Stan Sakai

Release Date: 10/27/11

Dark Horse Comics' Official Description: "Dark Horse's Usagi Yojimbo #141 marks the two hundredth overall issue of master storyteller Stan Sakai's beloved series, and the rabbit ronin celebrates with a special story, "200 Buddhas"!

With a ruthless gang terrorizing his small town, a humble stonecutter receives a vision and sets out to carve two hundred stone figures. Just as he has finished the 199th, a long-eared stranger comes to his door seeking shelter from the rain!"

A perennial favorite, this issue marks the 200 issue landmark for Usagi Yojimbo. Self-contained and a good jumping on point for new readers of the wandering anthropomorphic rabbit samurai, the story contained within is perfectly told by creator Sakai. It showcases Sakai's story telling and artistic abilities wonderfully, hooking new readers and giving long time fans another standout issue; as a sort of combination of the two, being a fan of the character for many years but never truly following the series devoutly, this reviewer can speak from both points of view.

Sakai's art is bright but also emotes the darker side a samurai tale should have when there is honorable battle to be waged in defense of the downtrodden and defenseless against dishonorable and dispicable villains. Also in Sakai's storytelling is the ability to make readers care about characters that in all likelihood will never cross the protagonist's path again after he has moved on with his journey. Another merit is how Sakai, as artist and writer, drives both equally without losing any quality in either.

Action sequences lose nothing in excitement for the lack of blood expected of samurai and ninja centered stories since the splatterfest of the Kill Bill films. Fight scenes are visceral, don't let the fact that Miyamoto Usagi is an anthropomorphic rabbit kid you if you're unfamiliar with the title, Usagi stands on level ground with any samurai hero you can think of when it comes to amazing fight scenes and sword duals.

For more on this title check out www.darkhorse.com.

- Michael Meade

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia # 2 of 5

Horror/Action/Adventure

Posted 10/22/11 5:45PM EST

Writers: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi

Colorist: Dave Stewart

Cover Artist: Dave Johnson

Dark Horse Comics' Official Description: "In the vault of the Russian Occult Bureau's headquarters is a man chained down and heavily monitored. When Kate and Johann are brought in for assistance, the zombie director of the Russian bureau pits them against the possessed prisoner!"

The description from Dark Horse is the issue's Cliff's Notes in a nutshell, but in this issue it is the storytelling that is the real focus. Mignola and Arcudi shine even with the action at a minimal, character driven as always, the book moves through it's 25 pages of story quickly. Mignola is always at home in his Hellboy universe and Arcudi has only adopted it as his own as well in the years he's been writing and collaboratin on various B.P.R.D. titles.

Artwork fits the story perfectly, minimalist with dark colors and heavy shadows, Crook and Stewart mesh as well as Mignola and Arcudi combining everything to present a story that is just as good as this reviewer remembers from 2006 when I drifted away from comics for a few years.

Doctor Kate Corrigan and Johann Krauss are characterized perfectly showing the personal evolution and pain the two characters have endured over the last few B.P.R.D. series. The familiarity and utter fish out of water moments Johann experiences as he is shown the Russian agency's compound, and Kate dealing with agents under the Russian Director Iosif that, in the director's own words, think they are still fighting the cold war play out well and show Johann and Kate as very human. There is hope and trepidation in both characters, which is understandable considering after recent events (in this spoiler light review we'll keep the it to this), the world is in bad shape. Even with conversation between characters being primary focus in this issue, it still moves through it's 25 pages of story quickly and as always with Mignola and Arcudi leaves you wishing the next issue were here already.

As stated, the storytelling is masterfully done and art fits it in pitch perfect tone and effect, however this is not a jumping on point for new fans. As a hardcore fan of Mignola's Hellboy 'verse, even with the helpful recap at the front of the issue, I was a bit lost on the bigger picture of what's going on with not having read Hellboy or B.P.R.D. since the Hellboy: Darkness Calls and B.P.R.D.: The Black Flame mini-series from a few years ago. Definitely recommended reading for fans that have following the last few series, but noobs need to grab some Hellboy and B.P.R.D. trades before tackling this series; the Hellboy universe is too deep and in places nuanced for casual readers.

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia # 2 of 5 gets a solid 4 out of 5.

For more on this title check out www.darkhorse.com.

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