Into the Storymaze = writing ideas or writing-in-progress; something creative I’m excited to share; a highlight from my comic book writing; and a quote that’s worth a think.
Clearly I have been having months of problems with the regularity of a "weekly newsletter." Will address this with results and words — and once I’ve made good on that, some explanation. Right now, let's go storymazing…
I first met artist Jody Fallon when he was fresh out of the Marines, exploring the idea of becoming a writer. He bought a photocopy of a Daredevil plot, and one of a Judge Dredd script. When my hard drive Chernobyl-ed in the early days of the 21st century, it would take all my prior comic book writing with it — and Jody's copies would remain the only examples of my writing of that type from that era.
Since then, the storymaze of life brought us back into contact via Facebook (who says Mark Zuckerberg never did nothin' good?). And Jody found his calling as a painter and illustrator, becoming a mainstay of imaginative realism: he and his often dark paintings are regular features at the showcase Illuxcon show.
He and I have started talking about bringing together his art and my words in a new something somethin': 36 pages or so of art from the strange worlds of Jody's canvas, coupled with vignettes, observations, dialogues — we'll see what's what. That’s a sample above. Whaddya think?
Arnold doesn’t need a Storymaze: he is one. No one loomed larger on the screen than the former and formidable bodybuilder turned actor (and later governor). The Conandonator's terminating presence influenced a generation, and I count myself among the fans of his one-liners and big action. I can't count the times I employed a bad Austrian accent to announce my "I'll be back" return — to the annoyance of many and the amusement of myself.
Schwarzennegger's ability to continuously reinvent himself — from bodybuilder to actor to politician — demonstrates a canny ability to not just navigate the public narrative, but to create one. His latest act, using internet videos as a channel to advocate for political and social responsibility, brings to life an unexpected sense of gravitas and common sense.
Particularly impressive is this message to Russian soldiers about the war in Ukraine. It's a savvy piece of media by a knowledgeable communicator. As he draws on his respect for the Russian people and his own father's experience as a German solider in WW 2, he relates both emotionally and intellectually to make clear Putin's lies and the social, economic and human case for resisting this aggression at the source.
"This is not the war to defend Russia that your grandfather or your great grandfathers fought. This is an illegal war! Your lives, your limbs, your futures are being sacrificed for a senseless war condemned by the entire world."
(And if someone feels, "Oh no, not politics!" — sorry. We've been taught that talking politics is not good for getting along — by the very people who don't want us talking. So ignore them and pay more attention to each other. Even if we don't initially agree, at least we're talking without middleman or pundits telling us what to think — about the topics of the day or each other.)
This was made early in the war, so it seems long past the time it will resonate with its audience. At 6 months in to this death, destruction and incredible resistance on the part of the Ukrainians, it's likely that those of us not in the thick of it to forget the conflict altogether, or "blame" it as an across-the-world inconvenience for rising costs or supply chain issues.
As to Arnold's message, certainly admire it for its craft. But I also hope you will use it as a reminder of the tragedy of authoritarian domination, and the personal tragedy and courage that continues.
For me, these panels represents unrealized potential. It’s the finish to my one “What If?” story. (Although, of course, all stories are in the “What If?” business.) If that particular Marvel storytelling exercise isn’t familiar to you, “What If?” was a long running title (and now Disney+ animated series) that allowed creators to run off the leash and explore oddball narratives that weren’t connected to continuity and could get outright loopy.
“What if…Magneto had founded the X-Men?” “What if…Spider-Man manifested actual spider-like physical traits?“ “What if…Dr. Doom ran a flower stand?” More often than not, these would end with the continuity status quo reasserting itself — or the universe ending in a massive falling dominoes fireball. 🤯
In the instance of the current cinema’s Dr. Strange & The Multiverse of Madness, “What if…Reed Richards hadn’t told the Scarlet Witch exactly what Black Bolt’s powers were?” But I digress…
Based on my long-running association with Daredevil, I had pitched the idea of “What if…the Kingpin adopted Daredevil?” Considering the arch-enemy status of these two, this seemed particularly rife with possibilities. How would being part of the Fisk Family change Matt Murdock? What would it do in terms of his progression as a character, his powers, his his moral code?
Somehow that catchy title got “meh-ed” into “What if…the Kingpin *owned* Daredevil?” on the cover— but the bones of the story remained true and turned out to be a fun, even emotional tale of new allegiances. Props to Tom Grindberg for the very nice visual storytelling across this one!
“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” — Dr. Edwin Land
Amazing Times
Thanks for taking a break from the dark web to check out this share-out of projects I’m working on, plus things that have me jazzed. I’m D.G. Chichester. If that’s too much, feel free to just call me “Dan.”
I earned my word-cred writing comic book titles like Daredevil, Terror Inc., Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD and Clive Barker’s Hellraiser, along with digital widgets in the world wide web of advertising. I keep my storytelling cred by trying new things — this is one, with more on the way. I like weird tales, so if things here bend that way — now you know why!
Folks seem to like the comic book adventures I’ve written, so if you haven’t checked one out — please do. Many are now available in fab collected editions.
For the lonely moments between these emails…
@dgchichester — 280 characters from the Twitterverse
@dgchichester — images + context via Instagramland