martok2112
November 12th, 2006, 05:12 PM
Imagine my surprise when I saw an excerpt from a letter that I had written to Dynamite Comics actually made it to print in Issue 3 of Battlestar Galactica (TNS) from Dynamite Comics. (Interesting it should appear here instead of in the Classic Comic from the same company..but I ain't complainin') :)
This letter in its entirety was posted in an earlier thread at Paul's site: Battlestar Pacifica "Galactica Comic: I have a very bad feeling"..but I am reposting here for this thread.
Only part of my post was printed in the letters section though (obviously to save space) but here is what I wrote...that which is highlighted in red is what made it to print: (This is as it appears in the back of TNS Galactica Issue 3.)
==========================================================================
STEVE WRITES:
Hello,
First, allow me to say that I am writing as a fan of both versions of Battlestar Galactica (the classic and current shows.)
Now that that caveat is over with, I would like to discuss the upcoming comic books based on the Classic (1978) Battlestar Galactica.
There are many fans of the original show who have longed for a genuine continuation of the original series, ever since it got pulled off the air after one season. Now, while I am sure that there are fans who will be interested in seeing these stories that weave in and out of that first season, there are many who have had a cold sensation left with them since there have been few (if any) stories that they find satisfactory as a continuation of the show since Hand of God (the final episode of the orignal series.)
Richard Hatch co-wrote a few novels that continued the story (without meaning to slam the man, but to some fans, he continued the tale rather sloppily. Having never read the books, I cannot judge their quality personally.) He also made the "Second Coming" trailer, which can only be shown at sci-fi conventions...and for quite some time, this trailer was a beacon of hope for those fans who did not get their closure after Hand of God.
Other comic book companies had their go at Galactica comic books, and ultimately somehow the comics failed.
Then there was the Brian Singer/Tom DeSanto continuation project which was only two weeks away from filming when 9/11 occurred. After that, the project was scrapped. Once again, Galactica fans felt short changed.
So, what I am saying here is that your company has a Dynamite opportunity (pardon the promotional pun LOL) to make fans of the classic show's dreams come just a little closer to reality. A continuation film seems increasingly less likely as time goes on. But a comic book, a well-written comic that continues the story after Hand of God would be like a godsend to them.
Now, without meaning to sound derisive, but in the current classic tale that is being told, there seem to be some issues for some fans as regards characterizations, and the lingo of the show.
I've only seen the preview art of one or two pages of the story, and I would like to humbly offer some pointers in the tale.
As regards the character Starbuck, yes, he's a lovable rogue, but he would never speak to Commander Adama so sharply. (He would also refer to Adama as Commander or Sir, most assuredly never with such familiarity as just Adama.) However, I can understand this if the writers based their familiarty with Starbuck on the novelization of Saga of a Star World. (There is a scene where Starbuck is blasting Adama to Col. Tigh because Adama ordered the Galactica to retreat to Caprica...and he is quickly rebuked.) I can sense some influence from this. Like I said, not complaining, just pointing out a character issue.
As regards Colonial Time Units, well...I don't think they were ever really etched in stone, (and in fact, for the first episode or two, there was some inconsistency in its usage) but there are some Classic Galactica fansites that have a pretty good grasp on what each Colonial Time Unit represented.
Here's a good source for your writers:
http://www.chrispappas.com/archives/timeunit.html
In any case, what most fans of the classic show would like to see is a continuation story. I hope that if your company continues to publish Classic Galactica stories, you might consider working on a continuation tale.
As for your current endeavors, please, keep up the good work.
Most respectfully,
Steve Dunlap (fan of both Battlestars Galactica)
=============================================================================
This then was the reply written after the excerpt:
"Steve went on to talk more about Classic, but I wanted to stop here and mention that we have been talking with our Classic BSG writers about this very subject. We'll try to work up some "What Could Have Been?" type stories into the continuity as the Dynamite comics keep rolling, so keep reading!"
Nice to see that maybe, just maybe, TOS fans are finally being heard. :)
(When you need results...call a Klingon :D ) (j/k)
Humbly,
Martok2112
This letter in its entirety was posted in an earlier thread at Paul's site: Battlestar Pacifica "Galactica Comic: I have a very bad feeling"..but I am reposting here for this thread.
Only part of my post was printed in the letters section though (obviously to save space) but here is what I wrote...that which is highlighted in red is what made it to print: (This is as it appears in the back of TNS Galactica Issue 3.)
==========================================================================
STEVE WRITES:
Hello,
First, allow me to say that I am writing as a fan of both versions of Battlestar Galactica (the classic and current shows.)
Now that that caveat is over with, I would like to discuss the upcoming comic books based on the Classic (1978) Battlestar Galactica.
There are many fans of the original show who have longed for a genuine continuation of the original series, ever since it got pulled off the air after one season. Now, while I am sure that there are fans who will be interested in seeing these stories that weave in and out of that first season, there are many who have had a cold sensation left with them since there have been few (if any) stories that they find satisfactory as a continuation of the show since Hand of God (the final episode of the orignal series.)
Richard Hatch co-wrote a few novels that continued the story (without meaning to slam the man, but to some fans, he continued the tale rather sloppily. Having never read the books, I cannot judge their quality personally.) He also made the "Second Coming" trailer, which can only be shown at sci-fi conventions...and for quite some time, this trailer was a beacon of hope for those fans who did not get their closure after Hand of God.
Other comic book companies had their go at Galactica comic books, and ultimately somehow the comics failed.
Then there was the Brian Singer/Tom DeSanto continuation project which was only two weeks away from filming when 9/11 occurred. After that, the project was scrapped. Once again, Galactica fans felt short changed.
So, what I am saying here is that your company has a Dynamite opportunity (pardon the promotional pun LOL) to make fans of the classic show's dreams come just a little closer to reality. A continuation film seems increasingly less likely as time goes on. But a comic book, a well-written comic that continues the story after Hand of God would be like a godsend to them.
Now, without meaning to sound derisive, but in the current classic tale that is being told, there seem to be some issues for some fans as regards characterizations, and the lingo of the show.
I've only seen the preview art of one or two pages of the story, and I would like to humbly offer some pointers in the tale.
As regards the character Starbuck, yes, he's a lovable rogue, but he would never speak to Commander Adama so sharply. (He would also refer to Adama as Commander or Sir, most assuredly never with such familiarity as just Adama.) However, I can understand this if the writers based their familiarty with Starbuck on the novelization of Saga of a Star World. (There is a scene where Starbuck is blasting Adama to Col. Tigh because Adama ordered the Galactica to retreat to Caprica...and he is quickly rebuked.) I can sense some influence from this. Like I said, not complaining, just pointing out a character issue.
As regards Colonial Time Units, well...I don't think they were ever really etched in stone, (and in fact, for the first episode or two, there was some inconsistency in its usage) but there are some Classic Galactica fansites that have a pretty good grasp on what each Colonial Time Unit represented.
Here's a good source for your writers:
http://www.chrispappas.com/archives/timeunit.html
In any case, what most fans of the classic show would like to see is a continuation story. I hope that if your company continues to publish Classic Galactica stories, you might consider working on a continuation tale.
As for your current endeavors, please, keep up the good work.
Most respectfully,
Steve Dunlap (fan of both Battlestars Galactica)
=============================================================================
This then was the reply written after the excerpt:
"Steve went on to talk more about Classic, but I wanted to stop here and mention that we have been talking with our Classic BSG writers about this very subject. We'll try to work up some "What Could Have Been?" type stories into the continuity as the Dynamite comics keep rolling, so keep reading!"
Nice to see that maybe, just maybe, TOS fans are finally being heard. :)
(When you need results...call a Klingon :D ) (j/k)
Humbly,
Martok2112