Post by Forever Xena on Dec 27, 2005 1:55:32 GMT -6
'Lost' author finds avocation
By ETHAN SACKS
DAILY NEWS FEATURE WRITER
Night Job: Damon Lindelof, head writer and co-creator of 'Lost' and new comic book writer
Lindelof's Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk #1
Marvel's Young Avengers, written by Allan Heinberg, co-creator of 'The O.C.'
For many, a full-time gig as a television writer, especially for a show as beloved as the hit ABC series "Lost," would be the ideal job. But Damon Lindelof, the series' head writer, has another, equally dreamy goal.
Writing a comic book.
With the release last week of his debut, Marvel Comics' Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk #1, Lindelof joins a growing fraternity of television and movie writers and directors — as well as best-selling authors — eagerly taking Spider-Man and his brethren for a spin. It's a welcome boost for the comic book industry, which is hoping these new authors' mainstream audiences will come along for the ride.
"It's been a life-long dream of mine to write a comic book and I'm sure it would've been much harder for me to do it the way I did it if not for 'Lost,'" says Lindelof.
Among the Hollywood heavyweights living out their cartoon fantasies: "Clerks" director Kevin Smith, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon, "House Party" director Reginald Hudlin, "Superman Returns" director Bryan Singer, and "Carnivale" creator Daniel Knauf for Marvel; best-selling novelist Brad Meltzer, "Pi" director Darren Aronofsky — who just released a "director's cut" graphic novel of his latest movie — and "Oz" creator Tom Fontana for DC Comics.
Flush with cash from the "Matrix" mega-hit film franchise, writer-directors Andy and Larry Wachowski started a comic book publishing company, Burlyman Entertainment. And next month, literary legend Stephen King takes a stab at comics with a series based on his "Dark Tower" books, also published by Marvel Comics.
"Because you have people who have other jobs in TV and film who are taking time out to do these comic book projects, these projects are obviously important and very personal to them," says Allan Heinberg, who co-created the Fox drama "The O.C." and now writes for both DC and Marvel.
Lindelof, like Heinberg, lets his love of comics influence his television writing, littering his show with comic-book references. (On one episode of "Lost," castaway Hurley can be seen reading a comic book in a flashback sequence; the comic is Incredible Hulk #181, featuring the first appearance of Wolverine — both title characters of Lindelof's comic miniseries.) Industry insiders are banking that some of that fanboy love rubbed off on their viewers.
"They've brought in some new visions and a different kind of sensibility, and also an audience that they've cultivated themselves," says Joe Quesada, Marvel Comics editor-in-chief.
AintItCool.com founder Harry Knowles, however, says only a select few names will both bring in new comic fans and woo the old ones.
"I'm not sure if there's a real sense of 'Oh my God, anonymous filmmaker No. 2 is writing Captain America,'" says Knowles.
A Hollywood résumé can hurt as much as help: Kevin Smith, who is credited with starting the trend seven years ago on Daredevil, took a 2 1/2-year break between issues of a monthly Spider-Man miniseries.
Lindelof, however, says he writes his comic book scripts from 1 to 5 a.m. on Sundays — the only free time he has from "Lost" — to make sure he meets his deadlines.
Can't let the day job get in the way of the dream job.
Originally published on December 26, 2005
By ETHAN SACKS
DAILY NEWS FEATURE WRITER
Night Job: Damon Lindelof, head writer and co-creator of 'Lost' and new comic book writer
Lindelof's Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk #1
Marvel's Young Avengers, written by Allan Heinberg, co-creator of 'The O.C.'
For many, a full-time gig as a television writer, especially for a show as beloved as the hit ABC series "Lost," would be the ideal job. But Damon Lindelof, the series' head writer, has another, equally dreamy goal.
Writing a comic book.
With the release last week of his debut, Marvel Comics' Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk #1, Lindelof joins a growing fraternity of television and movie writers and directors — as well as best-selling authors — eagerly taking Spider-Man and his brethren for a spin. It's a welcome boost for the comic book industry, which is hoping these new authors' mainstream audiences will come along for the ride.
"It's been a life-long dream of mine to write a comic book and I'm sure it would've been much harder for me to do it the way I did it if not for 'Lost,'" says Lindelof.
Among the Hollywood heavyweights living out their cartoon fantasies: "Clerks" director Kevin Smith, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon, "House Party" director Reginald Hudlin, "Superman Returns" director Bryan Singer, and "Carnivale" creator Daniel Knauf for Marvel; best-selling novelist Brad Meltzer, "Pi" director Darren Aronofsky — who just released a "director's cut" graphic novel of his latest movie — and "Oz" creator Tom Fontana for DC Comics.
Flush with cash from the "Matrix" mega-hit film franchise, writer-directors Andy and Larry Wachowski started a comic book publishing company, Burlyman Entertainment. And next month, literary legend Stephen King takes a stab at comics with a series based on his "Dark Tower" books, also published by Marvel Comics.
"Because you have people who have other jobs in TV and film who are taking time out to do these comic book projects, these projects are obviously important and very personal to them," says Allan Heinberg, who co-created the Fox drama "The O.C." and now writes for both DC and Marvel.
Lindelof, like Heinberg, lets his love of comics influence his television writing, littering his show with comic-book references. (On one episode of "Lost," castaway Hurley can be seen reading a comic book in a flashback sequence; the comic is Incredible Hulk #181, featuring the first appearance of Wolverine — both title characters of Lindelof's comic miniseries.) Industry insiders are banking that some of that fanboy love rubbed off on their viewers.
"They've brought in some new visions and a different kind of sensibility, and also an audience that they've cultivated themselves," says Joe Quesada, Marvel Comics editor-in-chief.
AintItCool.com founder Harry Knowles, however, says only a select few names will both bring in new comic fans and woo the old ones.
"I'm not sure if there's a real sense of 'Oh my God, anonymous filmmaker No. 2 is writing Captain America,'" says Knowles.
A Hollywood résumé can hurt as much as help: Kevin Smith, who is credited with starting the trend seven years ago on Daredevil, took a 2 1/2-year break between issues of a monthly Spider-Man miniseries.
Lindelof, however, says he writes his comic book scripts from 1 to 5 a.m. on Sundays — the only free time he has from "Lost" — to make sure he meets his deadlines.
Can't let the day job get in the way of the dream job.
Originally published on December 26, 2005