Given my interest in discussing the process of writing (see my Writers Tips posts on this site), I thought it would be interesting to share the complete script for my recent manga book, UNDERTOWN. So I'm serializing it on Tokyopop.com -- a new page every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, along with "creator commentary" that either explains some of my crazy ways or offers some kind of behind-the-scenes insight.

Today is the end of week one, so there are already three pages up. Because I have over 1400 members of my online fan club, The Undertown Explorers, and because many of them are aspiring manga writers, I'm hoping that we can start a discussion not just about Undertown the story, but about the nuts and bolts of writing comics.

Also of interest is the fact that this is the "shooting script," which is to say that it's the version that Jake Myler used to draw the book. After the whole thing was written and the book was drawn in pencil, I went back and polished all of the dialog. So adventurous writers-in-training can compare this version with what was published and try to figure out why I made the changes I did.

The script serialization located here. I hope you get something out of this peek behind the curtain.

Labels: comics, manga, script, Tokyopop, Undertown, writers' tips

In the midst of all this talk and excitement about UNDERTOWN, I am happy to report that those wanting to get a little Jim Pascoe fix, can snatch up a copy of CTHULHU TALES: TAINTED. This new anthology from BOOM! Studios, features my short, "Black Sun."

I wrote this story with a different approach in mind. I may have written here before that I think short comics stories are nothing like prose short stories, because in 6-12 pages, you don't have the space for a lot of stuff. So short comics end up being better structured as jokes -- which is not to say they need to be FUNNY, but it should be set-up/punchline, not a mini three act structure!

Well, with "Black Sun," I've opted for a different structural model -- the rock song. Even folksy narrative-based songs, from Bob Dylan to Nick Cave, don't belabor the story with much set-up, backstory, or any fat whatsoever. And that doesn't take into account the NON-narrative based songs, like let's say Alice in Chains or Tool. What you get is a number of oblique verses talking about a subject, a character, a scene ... and a repeating chorus to drive home a central image or theme. Ideal, a song like this should suggest something to you -- a feeling, an image, a moment.

Apparently someone thought it worked out all right. Check out this review by Andrea Speed:

"My favorite story in here is probably 'Black Sun', but it's also the most puzzling story, as it's an extremely hallucinatory, trippy vignette that seems to make the unholy madness of Cthulu synonymous with drug addiction. Or does it? Is it madness in drug form? Is it a picture of someone's damaged psyche? You’ll have to read it a couple of times, and you may not be certain, but damn, it's full of wonderfully creepy imagery."

Fly from me fall, fall, fall.

Labels: Boom Studios, chtulhu, comics

The definite highlight of my fantastic time at Comic-Con International - signing UNDERTOWN at the home of Bone, The Golden Compass, and Harry Potter.



I've only slept about 3 hours since the show ended. I'll try to post more shots, if I ever get a bit of rest. Yeah, I know. Unlikely.

Labels: Comic-Con, comics, Scholastic, Tokyopop, Undertown

I'm working on a whole mess of new posts ... but I am totally buried under as usual. First up is the first round of reviews of my latest book, Hellboy Animated: The Black Wedding.

Super nice words from Randy Lander's Graphic Novel a Day:
Wow. I haven't watched the animated Hellboy stored on my Tivo yet, but I'm going to get to it soon, if the strength of this new digest from Dark Horse is an indication of what to expect ... The main feature, "Black Wedding," is a beautifully illustrated story that features all the BPRD and Hellboy and is clever, funny and true to the spirit of the BPRD/Hellboy series but with a style that marks it as different.

from popsyndicate:
Writer Jim Pascoe structures his story like a Mignola Hellboy story. With an intriguing plot, Pascoe builds it up...

from Fist Full of Comics and Games:
My 10-year godson eagerly tore through the book and wanted another after finishing it. As an adult reader, I can say I felt the same.

from Broken Frontier:
Writer Jim Pascoe slips easily into Mike Mignola's formula of mixing horror with humor.

Neil Gaiman may have once called me Phil, but really, can that compare to Rack Raids calling me Ted? (Seriously? Ted?):
Writers Ted Pascoe and Tad Stones ... keep the action brisk and the monsters coming.

and an interview with the amazing artist Rick Lacy:
"Jim's a character! He's great," Lacy stated. "I hadn't known Jim before the books so I didn't know what to expect, but I'm glad I know him now. He's very innovative and has a real love for the industry and crafting comics."

Thanks, Rick ... and thanks to everyone who bought a copy. If you haven't ... get out and grab one before it's too late!

Labels: Black Wedding, comics, Dark Horse, Hellboy Animated, reviews