bertozzi ([info]bertozzi) wrote in [info]act_i_vate,
2007-08-21 20:06:00
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THE BLACK DIAMOND DETECTIVE AGENCY PITCH


In 2003 James Sturm and I were asked to adapt an unproduced screenplay and turn it into a graphic novel. We ended up working on Houdini: The Handcuff King instead. After the jump you can read the ten-page pitch we put together for The Black Diamond Detective Agency which went on to be adapted by Eddie Campbell for First Second Books .






















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  • 33 comments

[info]dracko

August 22 2007, 00:15:40 UTC 4 years ago

This is exceedingly interesting stuff. Campbell's adaptation was very enjoyable, and I don't regret purchasing it. Thank you.

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:51:40 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks, Dracko!

[info]plattcave

August 22 2007, 00:20:38 UTC 4 years ago

Wow. Now I want both books to exist so I could finish reading your version.

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:51:55 UTC 4 years ago

You are too kind!

[info]phrawzty

August 22 2007, 00:28:36 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you for the brief, but highly interesting, window.

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:52:19 UTC 4 years ago

I'm always glad to provide windows!

[info]jerem_morrow

August 22 2007, 02:11:45 UTC 4 years ago

Wow. just, wow.

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:53:06 UTC 4 years ago

Two words: James Sturm!

[info]westival

August 22 2007, 02:19:23 UTC 4 years ago

That was a really good read. It was smooth and the art was great. I love the bird on page 4.

It definitely works as a pitch. It makes me want to invest in the rest of the tale.


[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:53:40 UTC 4 years ago

I do regret not getting to draw from more of James's layouts!

[info]mr_lambi

August 22 2007, 03:10:23 UTC 4 years ago

That was a most excellent read.
The images of death were quite surprising, especially in contrast to the simpler and peaceful backdrops on the first few pages.

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:54:39 UTC 4 years ago

That was definitely James: "Nick, I like what you've done in these pages, but SHOW me the carnage!"

[info]iconotrast

August 22 2007, 03:15:54 UTC 4 years ago

I had no idea you did this!
I hate not knowing. I like Eddie's stuff, but really want to see this version too.

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:55:55 UTC 4 years ago

I meant to post this earlier, but I never got around to asking permission until Eddie kicked me in the pants!

[info]simonfraser

August 22 2007, 05:10:11 UTC 4 years ago

I hope my next pitch is as good as this one

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:56:33 UTC 4 years ago

This was a paid pitch, which made it much easier to justify the extra detail.

Thanks!

[info]dlasky

August 22 2007, 07:00:55 UTC 4 years ago

Most impressive! Still, I'm glad you did the Handcuff King.

Thanks for showing us what a top notch pitch looks like!

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:57:18 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks, Dave!

the best part about the Handcuff King is that I own a little piece of it!

[info]_w_o_o_d_

August 22 2007, 11:06:00 UTC 4 years ago

Reading this after having read Eddie Campbell's version is really weird... You're telling the same story, but just didn't focus on the same points...

Makes you wonder how many different ways there are to tell the same story.

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:59:12 UTC 4 years ago

Now just imagine an Haspiel version! Or a Goldman! Or a Cook!

[info]_w_o_o_d_

4 years ago

  • Loading...

[info]lostcosmonaut

August 22 2007, 14:15:01 UTC 4 years ago

th smoke is alive

this looks even better than Handcuff King to me

!--mza.

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 15:59:55 UTC 4 years ago

Re: th smoke is alive

I got to get my smoke on.

Thanks!

NUB

[info]gdwessel

August 22 2007, 16:30:12 UTC 4 years ago

This is some fantastic stuff, Nick! Shame it wasn't produced entirely.

And now I kinda wanna finde Eddie's version just to see how it ends...

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 21:28:04 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks, G!

It's always worth checking out Eddie's comics.

[info]snagvictim

August 22 2007, 16:32:04 UTC 4 years ago

Great stuff!

Wow- how often do you get to see two such different approaches to the same material? Comics are a medium where the time it takes to create work guarantees that (outside of repetitive commercial properties,) we never get to see "cover versions" or alternate takes. This is a rare, and really cool, too.

Steve Lieber

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 21:39:41 UTC 4 years ago

Re: Great stuff!

Hey Steve! I agree with you that we rarely see "cover" versions, though I might make the argument that many superhero origins are "covers"! And I do always love re-reading origins.

Hope you're well and I'll be friending you up!

[info]man_size

August 22 2007, 16:33:40 UTC 4 years ago

Incredible. I'm curious what put the kibosh on it?

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 21:42:40 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks D!

I wouldn't have owned any of it so I asked for too much money!

[info]abeguez

August 22 2007, 16:40:03 UTC 4 years ago

That last panel is my favorite. I would have loved to have seen it completed, but this morsel satisfies me a-plenty! By the way. when are you going to show new Drop Ceiling?

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 21:43:45 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks A--I'm glad to present a morsel or two!

New Drop Ceiling? Hmm....

[info]lordrexfear

August 22 2007, 20:21:19 UTC 4 years ago

I've yet to read my copy of the Campbell one (so many books, too little time, I've yet to read The Salon even), but if this had been the book solicited, I'd totally would've ordered it,

[info]bertozzi

August 22 2007, 21:44:28 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks, R!

Catch up when ya can!
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