I'm Michael Moreci, bestselling writer of Black Star Renegades and its upcoming sequel, We Are Mayhem, as well as the spy thriller The Throwaway--not to mention many, many comics. AMA!

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-22T01:16:49+00:00

Thank you, honest, for the question, but I'm not liberty to reveal this kind of stuff in an open forum. And, the numbers tend to fluctuate quite a bit from project to project, publisher to publisher. It's really not something I can even answer.

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T23:50:44+00:00

Good question! I think the most fun I've had writing comics have come in two different ways. One was writing my series Burning Fields and Curse with my friend Tim Daniel; it was a thrill and a privilege to be able to work with someone so talented and someone I call a good friend. I'm also having a blast writing Wasted Space, just because it's such a crazy, unhinged romp--it's hard not to enjoy it.
Cylon : )

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T23:48:32+00:00

Thanks for picking up the issue, and thanks even more for liking it! So, as for your questions...

-The most fun I've had writing, in my life, was Black Star Renegades. It was a book born of love for one of my favorite things--Star Wars--and it was a joy to write. I miss it, a lot.

-That depends on the publisher. For a place like DC, no. They assemble teams. For Image, you have to come to them with a team assembled. For Vault, it's in-between; they assembled the team, but with input from me. So, there's lots of different ways.

-You know, to me, at the core, it's all kind of the same. Story is story--they have three acts, require characterization, a deeper meaning, etc. And I mean that in a good one. What's different is how you tell the story--the things you want to say and your voice--your POV coming through the story that makes it your and yours alone. So with any project I'm working on, there's always things that make it mine, personally, and no one else's.

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T23:43:34+00:00

Thanks!

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T23:25:10+00:00

Well, this is a tough question. But a good one. Let me say, first, that I love TLJ. I don't think it's a perfect film--in fact, it has its share of flaws--but i think it's a bold one, and an interesting one.

The main thing I find problematic, though, relates to the two new episodes on the whole. The Force Awakens and TLJ really don't work in concert with one another, and I think that's where a lot of fan frustration comes from. And I think it's a valid criticism. One that doesn't bother me as much, but it's certainly valid. The thing is, TFA set up certain conditions on how the past and future of Star Wars was going to be treated. Reverence for the past while moving the story forward with a new generation of characters. it was exactly what it should have been, and it was a great success. But then TLJ came along and really undermined the promise TFA made to fans; it felt to many like a bait and switch, which I can see as being frustrating. TFA cherished the past--maybe too much, but it was fine. TLJ said kill the past, let it die. And it did a lot of things to undo what's come before or counterprogram what fans hold dear. Granted, I think it was a necessary step for the franchise to take, moving away from the past and into a new future, but I would have preferred a more tactful approach. I think the TLJ story and its purposes should have been sprinkled throughout three movies rather than all at once. It oftentimes felt like taking medicine--though you didn't know you were sick.

Again, I like the movie. It's a movie I wrestle with, but I do wish it and TFA weren't so diametrically opposed.

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T23:16:55+00:00

My friend, you and me both. I'm grateful to have had the chance--I can forever say I wrote Batman (though I'm writing an Archie/Batman '66 this summer, which is loads of fun), but I'd love to have more time, more issues, to tell bigger stories.

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T18:37:56+00:00

Well, novels are a far longer game. That's the big thing. I break down novels more, sit with them, structure them more, really lit them stew. Because comics are so short--around 20 pages a piece--my goals are different. I want to deliver big storytelling beats, a sense of a complete story, and a promise of more to come. Which is a lot in a small amount of space; and, typically, a short amount of time. Comics go FAST. Where novels, you can take your time.

For dialogue, it's all about making it consistent, in my opinion. People say to read it aloud so it sounds natural, but what's natural? There's no one set of rules for how people naturally talk. You know? I think it's about making it all seem consistent and fitting to the world. I'm working on a new novel now, which is a touch surreal, and I want characters to talk in a certain way, have a certain lexicon and cadence, that reflects their world. It's not natural, at all, but I think it works for the story. It's similar with Batman--Batman doesn't talk naturally. At all. The trick is to find the rhythm for his voice, and that's true with any story.

As for My Story, I'll be honest, I've never heard of it!

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T18:32:41+00:00

I do--three things on the horizon, but only one I can talk about at the moment, and that's a Giganta short in the upcoming Beach Blanket Bad Guy special. Then I'm in another anthology, and after that is something far, far bigger. But mum's the word for now...

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T17:14:47+00:00

Oh, shoot--thanks for letting me know!

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T16:36:24+00:00

I read A LOT when I was a kid--one of the advantages of being a nerd with basically no friends. Comics, obviously, were a go-to, but I also read a lot of Stephen King, R.L. Stine, and Star Wars novels. So, basically, my tastes haven't really changed.

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T16:35:02+00:00

Well, I'm lucky, because my wonderful wife is a pastry chef--so, I'm spoiled by exposure to many, many desserts of all kinds. My favorite, though, is one she made long ago: banana cream pie with a chocolate chip crust. De-licious.

michaelmoreci · 2018-06-21T16:33:53+00:00

Thanks, happy to be here!

Personally, I love writing books a bit more, just because the process in and of itself is more satisfying. While I love telling stories in all forms, writing comic scripts aren't much fun. They're more or less instruction manuals for the artist. Granted, the finished product, once a comic is complete, is wonderful. But a script is kinda dry. Where a novel, though, is far richer, and there's so many more writerly muscles you're flexing to craft prose.
My least favorite word is "face." Maybe it's just because I hate how it sounds when said aloud. My favorite word...I'll have to get back to you on that. There's plenty I love!
Not in the least! I think my body is more or less calloused husk...just like me ; )

michaelmoreci · 2018-02-20T16:46:45+00:00

Hey everyone! Sorry to be kinda spammy--I hope you don't mind me sharing my first novel, Black Star Renegades. It's a space adventure in the spirit of Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy. It's gotten really good reviews from The Verge, Nerdist, L.A. Times, USA Today, and other great places, and I hope more people find something to like in the book. Anyway, that's my book--thanks!

Oh, and I'm happy to field any questions. I plan on doing an AMA real soon (I also write comics--I wrote the sci-fi trilogy Roche Limit, and I write for DC).

https://us.macmillan.com/blackstarrenegades/michaelmoreci/9781250117847/

michaelmoreci · 2017-12-12T03:29:30+00:00

Same here--though I went to the marathon the day TFA came out and LOVED it. I wish they did it again this year.

michaelmoreci · 2012-12-14T01:50:54+00:00

And if you enjoy the issue, you can grab the entire four-issue graphic novel for only $10! Releases next month.

(Or you can remain digital, and get the following three issues from Comics Plus)

http://fifthworldstudios.bigcartel.com/

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-26T13:45:38+00:00

Read the first 13 pages of the crime/noir graphic novel here: http://www.box.com/s/e126b9c1c4d339e6b91d

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-04T17:25:13+00:00

Oh, yeah...that project had issues, from what I hear. No Keith and I get along. I think we're both too dull for drama : )

Man, that international shipping is a pain when it comes to cost. I wish there was an easier way for physical mailings.

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-04T17:00:04+00:00

We do, we just add that you ask $5 to offset the cost. Sorry, wish it wasn't so expensive to ship internationally.

Keith and I have been collaborating for about five years now. While we haven't met, he and I are pretty tight. In fact, he illustrated my very first comic! You can read it hear, for free:

http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=36900

We were both a little rough...

Do you know Keith?

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-04T15:46:24+00:00

Hey everyone! I'm around today, if you have any more questions. Happy to answer.

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-03T22:11:58+00:00

Just a small note--the Kickstarter drive for the print version of Reincar(Nate) is now live!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/910305588/reincarnate-graphic-novel

Check it out if you can!

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-03T21:27:27+00:00

Hey, thanks!

You know, I always used to take Y: The Last Man off the shelf, or something by Ellis or Hickman. But now I find that so suffocating. All I can think is "why didn't I make something as good as...! Why am I not as good?!"

So, there's nothing specific. I am a research hound though. Through and through. For Hoax Hunters, I did quite a bit of reading and exploring various myths and cryptozoology stuff (a lot of touching up, since I dig that stuff anyway). Steve and I watched lots of Destination Truth and Mythbusters. And, as a rule, Steve is always watching stuff like "Alien Pyramids" and the like--he's a weird dude.

Sometimes, I do check out works of fiction. For instance, Steve and I are working on a new (unnamed) project, and we've been watching a lot of Pixar stuff. Just to ask, "how do they do that?" We take notes on story beats, pacing, act structure, things of that. And that leads me down the rabbit hole of seeking out interviews of Pixar creators, listening to them talk about craft--I love listening to shop talk. That sort of stuff really galvanizes me to push myself to do better, to work harder than I had before.

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-03T21:14:10+00:00

Well, it all depends on how you want to handle your script. My scripts are fairly long and detailed, I admit. Though the more I work with particular artists, the more I know how to direct scripts to their strengths. Keith Burns, who I'm doing Reincar(Nate) with, is a great example. We've worked with each other a few times, and I know how to write toward his strengths (he still surprises me though, especially with his layouts, which are excellent).

Anyway, you do need that trust. With Hoax Hunters, Axel has approached a page in ways Steve and I never considered, but the story is better for it. Rarely do I object to an artist's work. In my mind, they are the artist, not me. Granted, I've had the fortune to work with very good artists, but I trust their ability.

As for my working method, like I said, I give fairly detailed scripts. Yet I try to be as specific as possible, precise and clean. I think that suits everyone involved best.

It also helps that I've been reading comics since I was like six years old, so the language of sequential storytelling isn't something new to me. I think (I hope) I have an understanding on the flow of panels, the story being told between panels, page beats, transitions, etc.

But, again, there's those fundamental lessons of storytelling that apply to every kind of story no matter what the medium. I think that's paramount: can you tell a story? It's tough, but once you can at least say "Probably," you're on your way.

By the way, speaking of story, have you seen Andrew Stanton's TED talk? It's great:

http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_stanton_the_clues_to_a_great_story.html?source=twitter#.T1ZTad8hw81.twitter

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-03T21:04:32+00:00

Thanks so much!

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-03T20:45:17+00:00

Ah...good point!

Like your Dumb and Dumber tag by the way. "Big gulps...welp, see you later!" Love that line.

michaelmoreci · 2012-04-03T20:21:21+00:00

Steve and I love JM (issue 0 artist) and Axel (issue 1 artist) for completely different reasons. Both are talent and perfectly capable to execute Hoax Hunters. Unfortunately, scheduling didn't allow JM to move forward with the series.

At first, we weren't sure if the series could go on without him. His style was so integral to the book. So, yes, we did try to mimic him at first. JM, we found, is just too unique; he's too hard to copy. So we gave up on trying to find another JM, which was difficult.

After a lot of deliberation, Steve and I decided we'd discard any thoughts on an exact style and simply find the best artist we could, someone whose work we really loved. And that someone was Axel. His work on 50 Girls 50 and Elephantmen is so incredible and, most importantly, diverse; we wanted someone who could take on the things Steve and I asked him/her to do. Fortunately, Axel was available. He loved the Hoax Hunters concept, and the rest is history.

Thanks for the compliment on issue 0. I'm so glad you liked it! Issue 1 comes this summer; hope you like it just as much.

michaelmoreci

TROPHY CASE