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Post by HoM on Apr 4, 2006 15:29:32 GMT -5
Thought I'd post up my letter's page early, mainly to stop Chase posting first, and on the other hand, making sure it's here before the morning...
I prepared many introductions to this story over the three months between Issue One and Issue Two, but I scrapped them all, opting against the witty tales I had to tell, and being more straight forward with what I have to say.
Hey.
You alright?
I've spent the past three months writing this bad boy, one month on the first draft solid... Then every now and then editing it. In fact, from 31 pages I had to cut it down to 16, then amped it up to 22, so it's not as long as you originally thought!
I hope you enjoy, seriously I do.
So, no annecdotes, no stories of the past, just talk. And so we begin...
Yikes. Time flies, seriously it does. I measure weeks and months by the numbers of Wednesdays now, because every Wednesday I expect to see something on the virtual shelf of the DC2, be it one of my own funny books, or one of my ‘virtual friends’. So this causes all sorts of problems for me because weeks go very fast, and when you have lots and lots of coursework due in quite soon, it makes you get worried… And boy did it. I've been so obsessed with getting all my books in, I spent 24 hours straight on a project the day before it was due, and I barely got it in on time! Snap!
Now, I’ve been wanting to get this book a Mature Readers label for so long, because I wanted to add a level of realism and grittiness that allows me to give my characters the ability to use the S-word and the F-word, instead of my evil mob boss saying “Cripes!” whenever The Question riles up trouble. So there is a distinct absense of rudeness I believe, and if a profanity slips through, oops, my bad!
I killed off my two best friends in this issue, and I never got a straight answer out of one of them regarding the story because when asked: “What bit do you think needs tweaking?”
He was all like “Y’know that bit when Clevenger slams my head into the wall till I die?”
*long awkward silence*
“Sure, yeah.”
“It sucks. I want to live!” Oh the hilarity of that one, I’m telling you.
Ok, here's what else I have to say. Read New Outsiders and Suicide Squad whenever you can. Them be some good books, and deserve all the attention you give them.
Read Powers Inc, a book I thought would bomb but has since exploded into terrific heights of sucess, becoming one of the best team books on this site, but also, an amazing vehicle to provide y'all with Ramon's amazing wit and creativity, and I'm glad to be a part of that.
(Oh, and if you're interested... A certain special event is in the works between a certain Inc and a certain Squad that will leave you gasping for air. Yeah, Suicide Squad/Powers Inc, post IXE, it's coming for you.)
After you read this issue, if you have any questions about two of the characters who pop up mid way through, namely a Mr T. Clevenger and a Mr B. Nodell, read Action Comics#4, as that begins to clear some stuff about them up, and I'm telling you, there is a major plan for both of them...
Back to The Question, the next issue is the final chapter of this series, and then we go on a brief but necessary hiatus (I’m backlogged till post IXE, so I need some breathing room to get some work done, online and otherwise) and then we come back with a vengeance, MONTHLY, and introduce The NEW Question.
Yeah, I’ve said it.
Also on the eventual way is The Question Annual #1, which reveals the truth about Vic’s retirement four years ago and sets up the SECOND season of the book. Oh yes, there shall be blood, and if I can wrangle it, a mature readers label, so expect something extreme, and more to the point, real.
This issue couldn’t have been completed without the first wave of feedback I received from the cool cats that took the time. It got me off my arse, sure as hell, and made me write thirty plus pages in a month, doing nothing but this damn’d project, thanking myself for getting a good ol’ two month cushion on Adventures of Superman and Action Comics before hand. I’m sorry that story didn’t meet the standards you were expecting, so ‘oops’. Seriously, you’ve made me near suicidal with depression! Heh.
Now then, I will try my damn’dest to get The Question Quarterly #3 released prior to the ISSUE TEN EVENT, but knowing my luck… I’ll fail, but let me leave you with this… I’m eight pages in on that one…
Argh, read the book when it comes out, I’ll just be rocking backwards and forwards, waiting for the morning.
Peace out!
Chaz.
P.S: Thanks to Ramon, Dave, John, Brian and everyone else who helped with this issue, and especially Mrs Hilwig, who took the time to read an early draft and gave it a "Holy Shit" at the end of a chapter. I think you'll see why tomorrow...
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2006 16:35:54 GMT -5
Charlie is never so inspired as when he is writing for the Question. This title really showcases Our Kid's talents like no other--- that flair for the obscure and obscene (BTW, Mature Audience tag: talk to me when you're 18), his ability to get into his lead character's (deranged) head--- and drag us along with him!--- and not least of all, his ouroborean plotting and storytelling savvy!
I'm actually quite jealous the way Charlie opens up his character for us (Ellen does the same thing with Dick Grayson), and yet the exposition is enthralling, if maddeningly vague at times.
In a week of great issues, it's hard to give one top honors, but I will say this: The Question Quarterly #2 lived up to the hype and was worth the wait!
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Post by starlord on Apr 5, 2006 21:38:38 GMT -5
I don't know what to say that I haven't already said about this to Charlie. I've was lucky enough to read snipits and a couple of drafts before the final project, and all of it was brilliant. But the final draft was the very best of all of it. This is truley one of the most real characters this site has. My hats off to you, Charlie. It's been a real honor to be able to watch you do this from the ground floor. Phenominal, my friend. A standing ovation.
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Post by Lantern Lad on Apr 5, 2006 22:05:30 GMT -5
That was a fun rollercoaster ride of weird!
I've gotta say when I first printed it this morning (yes, I still print them, reading things directly off the site still gives me headaches!) the 20 pages made me groan for fear that old Charlie here was getting long in the tooth! So then I read Adventures of Superman... Then Batman... Then Suicide Squad... Then WWQ... Finally, I gazed upon the Question Quarterly #2 (and it's brilliant 'alternate cover' ;D ). I took a deep breath, and then plunged into it.
Immediately I was sucked back into the wacky, unfamiliar & eternally weird world of Vic Sage. Immediately I was reminded why I loved the first issue so much! I blinked and it was over. I was saddened knowing that it would be 3 long months before my favorite schizophrenic anti-hero re-appeared. And quite frankly after that ending I wasn't sure if he would appear again...
But then I come here & see that not only will there be a QQ#3... but then a monthly ongoing!
Bring it Chuck! BRING IT!!!
And, on a final note, I don't think your story needed profanity or over the top violence (was the violence really edited down? Jeez, I can't imagine what it was like before!)! This had gritty realism & not once did I even notice where a naughty word should or would have been. Keep it PG-13, it was GREAT!
Two thumps up-chuck! snicker...
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Post by chris on Apr 6, 2006 0:39:26 GMT -5
Awesome! I have to say I agree the Question is your best stuff. I look forward to this going monthly but I wonder if part of what makes it so great is that you have longer to obsess over it between issues. (I only say obsess cause I have read the final drafts of my upcoming stories about four thousand times each, and I hope it's not just me.)Anyways,Great work Charlie!
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Post by HoM on Apr 6, 2006 2:46:07 GMT -5
Who said anything about Vic Sage being the man underneath the mask in the ongoing? I'm serious, think about it please.
The ongoing... I've started writing it already. It'll be cool... Albiet shorter than the Quarterly in length...
TQQ3 will tie up SOME loose ends from the previous issues BUUUUT... Expect events from this 'mini series' to roll into the ongoing...
Three months for issue three? Nuh uh, Scott. I'm gonna' try and get it out early... So everything occurs before IXE, and not concluding smack dab in IXE.
Oy, Dave, I'll talk to you in two years
Anyways, I think it was a mistake to post this along with Weird Western, because, come on... Have you seen how great that is?
But at least I didn't go up against an Ellen book, because that would have broken me!
Heh, Chris... I've reWRITTEN by stories about four thousand times... It's not called being obsessive, it's called being weeeeird...
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Post by brigante133 on Apr 6, 2006 11:48:41 GMT -5
i thought it was about being told to do a rewrite?
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Post by Lantern Lad on Apr 6, 2006 14:32:56 GMT -5
Ramon... you've been Mr. Negativity lately, what's up dude?
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Post by HoM on Apr 6, 2006 14:39:28 GMT -5
i thought it was about being told to do a rewrite? I had rewritten it quite a few times even before the rewrite. Talk to me on IM man!
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Susan Hillwig
Staff
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Posts: 1,612
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Post by Susan Hillwig on Apr 9, 2006 18:09:05 GMT -5
As Charlie said, I read an early draft of TQQ#2, and because of that, I almost skipped this installment -- he knew what I thought of it already, "Holy shit" and all, so it seemed unnecessary. I'm glad I changed my mind, because this is NOT the same story...this is ten times better. About half of the original is here, albeit with some minor changes (the KGBeast's bullets no longer go ACROSS Vic's head, than God! ), but the biggest change is the scads of guest-shots this story initially had -- dang-near every DC2 character popped up, it seemed like. I won't go into the changes unless Charlie says OK, but believe me, what we've got here is a lean, mean, fightin' machine of a story compared to the first draft. I didn't tell him to trim on this one (in fact, aside from a couple of confusing scenes, I thought it was great in its original form) but he did, and he did it well...and the ending is a spot-on improvement, I think. The fact that he was only a few feet from his destination when Nodell stopped him was sweet irony, and Vic's mental collapse comes off much clearer now. So, all in all, great book, better than before...but I'm sorry to say you lost out on "Best Issue of the Week" to Bat-Mite. Better luck next time! ;D
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Post by HoM on Apr 10, 2006 7:28:47 GMT -5
Dammit! Damn you Brandon! Damn yoooou! Say what you want Mrs Hilwig, I don't mind...
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Post by brigante133 on Apr 11, 2006 16:42:11 GMT -5
yaaaaaaaaawwwnnnnn did i just watch doctor who or read the question? they both put me to sleep... just kidding charlie. it was quite good. right up there with the last issue which i loved. I have to agree that i like it better without the cameopalooza '06 it just worked better. Anyone wanna take a crack at guessing which portion i "wrote" i will give ya an exalt.
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Post by chris on Apr 11, 2006 19:44:59 GMT -5
the hospital scene?
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Post by hope on Apr 12, 2006 0:32:10 GMT -5
Yeesh. Some twisted stuff going on. I like how we've got two battles for Question. One on the outside, and one in his mind. Weird ending though, looking forward to Issue 3!
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Post by HoM on Apr 13, 2006 5:47:23 GMT -5
Hmm.
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Susan Hillwig
Staff
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Posts: 1,612
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Post by Susan Hillwig on Apr 13, 2006 21:18:27 GMT -5
Say what you want Mrs Hilwig, I don't mind... Aw, Charlie! I didn't mean I would say anything negative, just that I didn't want to dissect the 'before' and 'after' versions without your say-so. As Ramon said, no Cameopalooza, which is what we originally opened with -- the JSA, Titans, and New Outsiders all running pell-mell across Gotham looking for the big Q. Interesting looks into the characters' heads, but not necessary. It also led to some confuson on my part as to what the heck happened at the end: Vic just kinda...stopped, like a switch got flipped off, not to mention that the original draft seemed to say that Vic DID kill Rodor, not someone impersonating the Question. Again, this new ending is better, it suits the character and situation better. And now, the 'holy shit'...was seeing Rorschach as an emerging personality in Vic's head! The Watchman comes full circle! See, Chaz, not so bad.
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Post by HoM on Apr 14, 2006 11:08:43 GMT -5
*weeps inside*
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Zoom
Staff
Bleargh!!!
Posts: 397
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Post by Zoom on Apr 15, 2006 0:45:56 GMT -5
I just finished reading both question issues. They're awesome, great, the best thing in the site. I liked even more the ... Question psyche... The mind. Perfect.
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Susan Hillwig
Staff
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Posts: 1,612
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Post by Susan Hillwig on Apr 16, 2006 14:27:34 GMT -5
Here's a tissue, buddy-boy. Now get back to the keyboard and knock another one outta the park next issue! ;D
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Post by HoM on Apr 17, 2006 8:40:30 GMT -5
I'm trying, I'm trying!
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Post by markymark261 on Apr 18, 2006 12:16:40 GMT -5
Great cover. Great story (although, personally, I'd have preferred it without the Rorschach bit).
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Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2006 12:35:58 GMT -5
Great cover. Great story (although, personally, I'd have preferred it without the Rorschach bit). Yeah, what is that all about? My only exposure to the Question is through Charlie's series; is Rorschach a character in the Question mythos, or is this some reference to the character from Watchmen (which I also haven't read yet)?
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Zoom
Staff
Bleargh!!!
Posts: 397
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Post by Zoom on Apr 18, 2006 14:01:40 GMT -5
I think the Question once read Watchmen, and used Rorscharch's way, but he then decided that it sucked.
The Question #17 (1988) had Vic Sage read Watchmen; He initially sees Rorschach as being quite cool, but gets beaten up after trying to emulate his brutal style of justice. He concludes that 'Rorschach sucks.' (taken from wikipedia)
That information may be useless, but it's interesting.
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Post by HoM on Apr 18, 2006 14:24:02 GMT -5
Ah, but Watchmen isn't in DC2 continuity. It's not a book that's been written, or that ever will... Rorascharch's is infact a facet of Vic's subconscious, a darker part created due to all the abuse he suffered from in his Catholic orphanage home... Just for that, I'm gonna... I'm gonna...
*runs off screaming*
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Post by Lantern Lad on Apr 18, 2006 14:37:50 GMT -5
I think I'm officially more confused... Psychology scares me.
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Post by HoM on Apr 18, 2006 14:45:58 GMT -5
Didn't any of you get what I was writing? Or am I just having a nervous breakdown?!
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Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2006 15:22:13 GMT -5
Didn't any of you get what I was writing? Or am I just having a nervous breakdown?! I think the confusion comes from the fact that Rorshach is not in common parlance as a proper name (in the same sense that Xerox isn't), and in this community mainly identified with a seminal character in a classic work. If you had named the dark part of his subconcious something with less specific recognition, you might have gotten your point across more directly. But then you wouldn't be Charlie.
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Post by HoM on Apr 18, 2006 15:35:19 GMT -5
But if you think about it, Mister Bossman Sir, Rorascharch was a character used instead of The Question, meaning that they are related in a way that is quite interesting... Both using mask's both looking for answers, but both characters having vastly different methods of obtaining those said answers. So to incorporate that personality into The Question would be an interesting way to see what happens when a vicious personality comes to the surface of a fractured psyche, and how the main personality reacts to that. That being said, Mr A was also in this, another early Ditko creation. I am so on the ball in ways you can only imagine...
Anyway, next issue ties up at least one loose end, and it all then goes into the ongoing series debuting late December/early January!
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Zoom
Staff
Bleargh!!!
Posts: 397
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Post by Zoom on Apr 18, 2006 16:13:58 GMT -5
I unsderstood it the first time. It's just a part of Question's mind. I answered The Boss question "is Rorschach a character in the Question mythos, or is this some reference to the character from Watchmen (which I also haven't read yet)?"
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Post by HoM on Apr 18, 2006 16:17:12 GMT -5
I got ya man, I was just stressing at DC over there...
Oh wow...
Peace!
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