THE TRUE HISTORY OF BATMAN and the MOON PATROL and MONKEY!:
March 2 2004, 9:24 PM
(Represented for the benefit of those coming in late):
This all started with JB's "Title Withheld."
As nearly everyone knows here, JB started giving us clues as to what his new comic series for DC would be about. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something ble, and a monkey."
One of the posters making a guess, R. Stevens, said "Batman and the Moon Police." "... And monkey, " someone else, I believe, added. Somebody else mistakenly called it "Moon Patrol" at some point.
Linda posted her own cover of one of those monkey covers DC was so fond of back in the day, with a gorilla in court. She added a "Batman's Moon Police" logo to the picture.
I liked the notion of making up a "real" "Moon Patrol" cover (I forgot it was "Moon Police," myself), so I started up a thread claiming that I had the cover for "Title Withheld." When posters opened the thread, they were greeted by the cover (posted above) of Batman and a space monkey being shocked by an alien, as a "Moon Cop" looked on. I titled the faux cover "Batman, Moon Patrol and Monkey."
Rick Lundeen and Clint Thompson then got into the game by designing cover logos. The idea soon spawned to play this as if it was a "lost" comic book series.
Since my first cover mock-up was well-received, I decided to make another one (cover #2, also pictured above), with actual members of the Patrol. I started up a new thread, to seperate it from "Title Withheld" and the guessing around that book. My first covers were all created by using images from older "Batman" and "Detective Comics."
After my second cover, Rick illustrated his own version (#100), and followed with another (the new #1).
In turn, I then illustrated my own cover ("Daytripper"). Other posters, like Linda, Trevor, Bob, Lukash, and more contributed some fun covers and extra goodies along the way.
So, basically, the whole thing began with JB (how appropriate! ), then R. Steven's guess, then somebody else's mistake ("Moon Patrol," instead of "Moon Police"), then Linda's picture, then my initial two mock covers and thread, then Rick and Clint's initial contributions, and now... Now it's all this!
If anything, these threads are an example of what JB has said before about how many people actually contribute to a creation.
That from now on, with each new additional thread here, you'll have to throw the above explanation much like they do at the top of the splash page in each comic. Perhaps Linda with just start it off each time with a quick cut and paste...?-R
Re: Batman's Moon Patrol...And Monkey! (in Super 8!)
March 3 2004, 10:34 AM
"Good" is a rather subjective...uh...subject, isn't it? Nothing eases the pain of a slow horrible death than a copy of BMMP&M. Really.
"The only artists I have ever known, who are personally delightful, are bad artists. Good artists exist simply in what they make, and consequently are perfectly uninteresting in what they are."--Lord Henry Wotton
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
JB: <<Children starve, people die of hideous diseases, war and pestilence threaten all nations -- and EIGHT SEPARATE THREADS have been devoted to THIS!!!
I'll say it again: If only this power could be harnessed for GOOD!>>
And now, ladies and gentlemen, a sneak preview of the artwork for the first issue of "Monkey & the Moon Patrol", sans dialogue.
Any, and I do mean any possible proceeds that may occur from sales of the book when it comes out shall go to an appropriate charity such as world hunger. Done and done. We are.....a force for good. -Rick
Thanks guys! Let's see if we can build some word of mouth in addition to soliciting it to Diamond, so we've got a month or so as I won't solicit it until it's completely done. -R
Bob--however much stuff you want to give me, I'll see how I can fit it in, 'cause I know you're in!
Stevie--<<You'll never get work at M*RV*L with THAT attitude!>> too true! I don't think I could ever fit in with the way they work things.
Gregg--<<first ever Epoch/DC crossover: Batman and Monkey and The Moon Patrol?>> If it ever came full circle to that--that would really blow my mind! Maybe they could actually get John to participate then?
Matt--You're right, I feel the happiness! ...or I guess that could be the caffiene...
I'll check in later, I've got to finish up a job. Cya later!-Rick
Double D is really growing on me. I've got him as the intolerant one. He has no patience and it's tough for him to sit still. He complains quite often that "he could be walking now". He walks. Constantly. His crystalline body absorbs and contains solar radiation as his source of nourishment. He's always marching across the lunar landscape, enjoying the solitude and the calm. He hails originally from Jupiter moon Io but our Luna is that much closer to our sun and thus far more nourishing to Diamond-Darr. Also, his finger tips are very sharp, being virtually diamond-tipped, making him a very dangerous opponent, especially if you interrupt his walk. His appreciation and attachment to the moon is just one of the things that make him a valuable member of the Patrol. -Rick
Re: Batman's Moon Patrol...And Monkey! (in Super 8!)
March 4 2004, 10:55 AM
Rick, I absolutely love the time and thought you are giving to each character. This will clearly be a well-done comic! --- I also appreciate the efforts you've put into the whole project.
It's funny, when I assembled the first cover to actually show the members of Moon Patrol ("#2"), I was almost arbitrarily choosing the weird alien compatriots (and former villains!! ) of Batman. The main criteria I used was to make a interesting mix. You should've seen some of the weird ones that didn't make the cut!
When Rick added K'OLL, I thought it was a very neat and funny addition. A lump of alien coal! I love it! (Please tell me he is still a part of the book!)
And, later, when Eclipsa was added, the team was truly complete! Too bad DC owns Eclipso. I'd like to see a real comic book battle between him and our Lunar lass!
This really is exciting, fun stuff! Wheeee!!
Edited: Because I meant "coal," not "cole." What was I thinking of...??
This message has been edited by MattHawes on Mar 4, 2004 9:20 PM
I am enjoying these guys. K'oll is definitely in the book as is Rontarr, Eclipsa, Masters (still ruminating on a first name for the former Planet Master since he's now in civilian-dress/security status), Diamond-Darr and of course, "M". In the book, I wanted to establish the membership, the moonbase, show an example of their teamwork and obviously throw in some conflict. It's only a 22 page story and i was originally going to make the book 24 pages total but it may go to 32 depending on how many extra treats Bob throws in. -Rick
I'm thinking maybe Eclipsa calls him "Beef" and it really annoys the hell out of him. I'm thinking his given name is something very normal like David or Michael but the "Beef" just torments him the way she says it. Nice.....remind me of that when I get to dialogue, okay? I'll do that after inking's done. I'm afraid this wet and crappy day in Chicago was only used for hooking up with my reps and putting together my new chair in my office. Ah well. -Rick
Re: Batman's Moon Patrol...And Monkey! (in Super 8!)
March 5 2004, 11:11 AM
Ah, but that is no longer the case, Mark. Rick's art exists, and soon the comic book will be completed, published, and distributed... in other words, it will "exist"!
Rick, I predict that you will have some good sales when this book is solicited. I assume that a good many posters and lurkers here will pick it up, and I know I will order a number of copies for the shop, as well as promote it to my customers. Heck, most of my regulars have been updated on the whole affair since we began making threads and fake covers out of this whole thing.
It will indeed "exist" as Epoch, my comic company does indeed exist and I've published 8 books in the past, through Diamond. In fact, the big difference between me and the big guys is that they have big names and bigger wallets. They also make bigger mistakes. Epoch's even had articles and reviews written about the product several times in the CBG as well as Comic Shop News, which I'll also gladly take as an affirmation of Epoch being "legit". So have no fear, the Patrol is in good hands.
The other difference this time is that we'll really have to spread this through word of mouth. I'll have the regular solicitation complete with a shot of the cover and description/synopsis in the catalog but I won't be getting an ad this time. A full page bxw ad in Previews is $1200.00, which only a year ago was $800.00 so it's yet another case of the independent getting crushed in the process but it does give me hope that guys like you Matt will be ordering some. It'll probably have a $2.95 cover price on it and it'll be either a 24 page book or a 32 page book. I usually have my retailer buy an ad in the book (bxw obviously) and that helps a little bit with the cost as well. Plus he's the only guy I could really ask to advertise in the past.
But make no mistake, this is happening and since I've had time today, I'm actually working on inks for page 6! -Rick
This message has been edited by RickLundeen on Mar 5, 2004 1:32 PM
So what's it going to take to get John to do the cover for the 1st issue? Who out there has any extra limbs they don't need? By the way, write me down for a copy as well, I've been following this thread and all the covers posted can't wait to get my hands on an actual comic.
First, thanks Ernest, gald you enjoyed them!. Secondly, what I'll do is, when I solicit the book, I'll make sure I let everyone here know what month/issue of Previews it'll be in. That way, you'll have advance notice and you can ask your personal retailer to order it. So everyone should be able to get copies. More later, just had a ton of work dumped on me while I've been typing this--gotta go! -Rick
Re: Batman's Moon Patrol...And Monkey! (in Super 8!)
March 5 2004, 5:27 PM
Hey, Rick, if you feel like it, you can add the lyrics to the "Batman and the Moon Patrol" theme song to the comic (You just have to substitute "Monkey" for "Batman."):
"There they go, There they go, There they go, There they go,
It's Batmaaan, and the Moon-Patrol!
Over land, over sea, Wherever the bad guys be
Goes Batmaaan, and the Moon-Patrol!
Here they come, Here they come, Here they come, Here they come,
It's Batmaaan, and the Moon-Patrol!
Watch them run, Watch them run, Watch all the bad guys run,
From Batmaaan, and the Moon-Patrol!
With the power and the might, they do what they know is right,
Gee, but aren't those super guys swell?
They'll bop 'em as they sock 'em, and with a toss they'll drop 'em,
as they send the bad guys straight to jail!
There they go, There they go, There they go, There they go,
It's Batmaaan, and the Moon-Patrol!
Over land, over sea, Wherever the bad guys be
Goes Batmaaan, and the Moon-Patrol!
Batmaaan, and the Moon-Patrol!"
Edited for typo.
This message has been edited by MattHawes on Mar 5, 2004 11:58 PM
so the guy who came up with "Batman's Moon Police" is not only the famous songwriter ("everything is Beautiful") but also wrestles? Crap, I'll end up using half the dedication page just about YOU!
Matt, I've copied the words and I'll probably put the song in the memorabilia section along with the jr. Patrol membership stuff that Bob's putting together.
Speaking of which Bob? When putting this stuff together, please remember to do so at 300 DPI for printing, otherwise it may not reproduce well enough. -rick
Y'know what would also be cool? If you spoke--not sang---the updated words to Matt's theme song over the music. He had said all you need do is replace Batman with Monkey. That would really sound nice. Hey, I can't help it if you have .....THE VOICE. Who's with me? -Rick
I consider him to be the most graceful of characters, as he comes from a rather nomadic race of space "swimmers" that have wandered the cosmos for many an eon. For most of his rather long life, he had roamed the galaxy with his brethren until the day he, like many of his race at his age, wanted to settle down and spend his last centuries in one spot until the fateful day when destiny calls his eye to the final swim. His time with the Patrol is but a blink of an eye to someone as long lived as him but while he's there, he's proud to be a member. He's a rather pleasant fellow. Even Diamond-Darr can't agitate him! -Rick
Hmmm, seems like I left him out for some reason...waitasec, was the characters name really Jigsaw? Does he still float around in the DCU anywhere? I think I may have subconsciously eliminated him along with Batman at the time. I changed Planet Master and we went with a slightly different look and new name on Diamond-Darr--courtesy Bob--but I think Jigsaw got the boot somehow. If you made up the name, we can use it and I can alter his look slightly, let me know, otherwise we need a new name for him. I do like him as having an ethereal member for espionage is nice as is having seven members. -Rick
Re: Batman's Moon Patrol...And Monkey! (in Super 8!)
March 7 2004, 7:51 PM
Rick,
About Jigsaw: Originally, he was part of a trio of alien creatures that were called "The Jigsaw Aliens," if I recall correctly. He wasn't named "Jigsaw," personally, though. So, I think we might be safe there. Also, I doubt DC ever used the character(s) again, or even remember that they had those characters.
I think we might be able to tweak the image and use him.
BTW, I sent you an e-mail with this pin-up:
The copy I sent you was 300 DPI. If you have the space to use it in your comic, and you wish to do so, please go ahead and put it in. Also, you'll notice Jigsaw is part of the picture. If you are worried that DC will see him and think that version is to close, feel free to remove his image, via Photoshop, or whatever. He's in the back, so it wouldn't be too much of a problem to take him out, if that's required.
I think we should be able to put a nice little gallery together! I'm going to mention Jigsaw in the story but we're not going to see him, at least in this issue, with the exception of your pic. Although the last thing I want to do is get ahead of myself, I would say that I think it'd be cool to add members with almost every story, considering on some of the old covers I did, I sometimes threw in "this issue, more new members!" or some such thing. As far as the mechanics of the story, I don't have a physical role for him to play but I swear by all that is lunar, if I do another issue, he will be in it! -Rick
P.S. first 7 pages inked. Won't letter until I'm done with inking.
Re: Batman's Moon Patrol...And Monkey! (in Super 8!)
March 8 2004, 4:25 PM
You know what we have to do now, don't ya?
If not for the first issue, we still should find a way to include a CD with a "Monkey and the Moon Patrol" comic that features mixes and remixes by Linda!
Groove to the funky Monkey, courtesy of Lovely Linda B, the DJ Diva!
Re: Batman's Moon Patrol...And Monkey! (in Super 8!)
March 8 2004, 4:54 PM
I have made up a revised version of the history of the Moon Patrol to be used on any new threads continuing from this one, or wherever it is appropriate.:
HISTORY of the MOON PATROL, and MONKEY!
And there came day on the "John Byrne Forum" when the legendary comic book talent, John Byrne would entertain his faithful following by supplying them with clues that would possibly reveal a special project for DC Comics. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, ... and a monkey," was the tantalizing tidbits that Byrne gave out to the fans.
R. Stevens, one of these fans, guessed "Batman and the Moon Police." Someone else added, "... And monkey." And another fan mistakenly called it "Moon Patrol" at some point, thereafter.
Then it was that Linda Burns, the moderator of the "John Byrne Forum" posted a cover of one of those monkey covers DC was so fond of back in the days of the Silver-Age of comics. These cover featured a gorilla in court. She added a "Batman's Moon Police" logo to the picture, and sparked the imagination of poster, Matt Hawes.
Matt Hawes was amused and inspired by the cover that Linda had posted. He set forth to the task of making up a "real" "Moon Patrol," and posted it as if it were the true cover to Byrne's secret project, now commonly referred to as "Title Withheld." Posters opened the thread wherein the faux cover was posted and they were greeted by a cover of Batman and a space monkey being shocked by an alien, as a "Moon Cop" looked on. The title for this faux comic cover?: "Batman, Moon Patrol and Monkey."
Posters and artists in their own right, Rick Lundeen and Clint Thompson then got into the game by designing cover logos. The idea soon spawned to play this as if it was a "lost" comic book series. Matt Hawes decided to mock-up another "lost" cover, since his first cover mock-up was well-received. This cover would be the first to feature actual members of the Patrol, in addition to Monkey and Batman. The cover was posted in a new thread, to seperate it from "Title Withheld" and the guessing around that book. Like the first cover by Hawes, this one featured different elements from Golden-Age and Silver-Age "Batman" comics covers, except for the second picture of Monkey, which Hawes illustrated himself.
After that cover, Rick Lundeen illustrated his own version (#100), and followed with another (the new #1). The Moon Patrol had taken on a life of its' own! Hawes followed with a cover that was his own original creation, featuring the villainous "Daytripper." Other posters, like Linda Burns, Trevor Giberson, Bob Simko, Lukash, and more contributed some additional fun covers, both using prior, existing DC Comics cover elements and original fully pieces, as well as extra goodies along the way. Linda Burns would even supply an assortment of delightfully appropriate music mixes for musical enjoyment to accompany the message board threads.
After all of this, Rick Lundeen took the next big step and set about to create an honest-to-goodness real comic book of "Monkey and The Moon Patrol." Bob Simko, Matt Hawes, and others offered contributions to the making of this soon to be classic comic book. Things would never be the same again.
Truly, the Moon Patrol, and Monkey, serves as an example of what John Byrne has said before about how many people actually contribute to a creation of a character, or characters.
Now, let us all gather around the circle and sing the Moon Patrol theme song:
MONKEY & THE MOON PATROL!
"There they go, There they go, There they go, There they go,
It's Monkey, and the Moon-Patrol!
Over land, over sea, Wherever the bad guys be
Goes Monkey, and the Moon-Patrol!
Here they come, Here they come, Here they come, Here they come,
It's Monkey, and the Moon-Patrol!
Watch them run, Watch them run, Watch all the bad guys run,
From Monkey, and the Moon-Patrol!
With the power and the might, they do what they know is right,
Gee, but aren't those super guys swell?
They'll bop 'em as they sock 'em, and with a toss they'll drop 'em,
as they send the bad guys straight to jail!
There they go, There they go, There they go, There they go,
It's Monkey, and the Moon-Patrol!
Over land, over sea, Wherever the bad guys be
Goes Monkey, and the Moon-Patrol!
I think we'd better focus on the comic first, my friend. I have no idea on how to throw a CD in the comic but I do know it would cost QUITE a bit more than just the comic. Perhaps if the book's a hit, one of our music-producing posters can take the next step. I'd also like to hear the actual tune that you're envisioning to go along with the words, Matt. -Rick
Re: Batman's Moon Patrol...And Monkey! (in Super 8!)
March 8 2004, 6:17 PM
Well they've already been "available for download" right from these threads ~ just pick 'em out of your browser cache. The ones I've done so far really shouldn't be offered directly cos then there would be sampling issues. (Nikkie from Lords Of Acid is one of our ten female members, by the way, but let's not take undue advantage.) As "promos", embedded in discussion threads, no problem. The next version, I'm gonna build the whole track myself from scratch, so it could be offered freely if you really want to.
I'm sure you have a neat tune goin' thru your head Matt, I just wish you could put it on the thread like Linda's able to because I love a good theme song!
Anyway, got work coming in tomorrow but I am working on pages 8 and 9 inks now. -R
Originally part of "the Ring", an asteroid belt composed of sentient rock-like beings. The simple life he and his extended family led was shattered when the world they were orbiting exploded, hurtling he and his brethren to the far corners of the galaxy. K'oll has resignedly stayed put on the moon to be with his new friends as a member of the Patrol, utilizing his silikinetic ability to manipulate all forms of rock. He hopes to someday be reunited with one of his lost tribe.
I figured I may as well try to get the rest of the profiles down all in one thread but already part 8 seems to be quickly coming to an end and I have yet to bring Eclipsa, Masters and Jigsaw in but I will. Perhaps in part 9! -Rick
In our book, Mr. Masters has already hung up his purple mask and his gadgets and is now heading up security/second in command for the moonbase. Masters has a rather colorful past, being on both sides of the law at one time or another but always a spaceman at heart. He, like may of the patrol, appreciate the relative calm of the lunar experience but when trouble erupts, Masters is usually at the controls. -R
Torn from a different dimension, this irrepressible Goddess is the former wife of Hades or "Pluto" as he was known in their dimension. When she learned of her husbands many evil schemes regarding her and their worshippers, Eclipsa dethroned Hades and destroyed his empire as well as his hold over their people. Hades last act of treachery was to use his magiks to cast Eclipsa out of their native dimension. She ended up in the Patrol when she could not assimilate into Earth's culture, learning that Goddesses---- even one as beautiful as she--- aren't revered here as they were back in her reality. Eclipsa has not only unbelievable strength but also a pheromone inducing power that she sometimes employs to melt men's hearts. She'd much rather take on a heavily fortified army bare handed though. She's a HELLUVA time. She and Masters dated briefly, years ago, thus her nick-name for him, "Beef", whichs annoys him no end. -Rick
He can best be described as a "hyper cloud" and is the perfect candidate for covert missions, recon, espionage. In an oxygen atmosphere, he can act as knockout gas but in the vacuum of space, can alter his form, solidify into objects. Born into the super-heated gaseous atmosphere of Mercury with no memories of what came before, Jigsaw eventually heeded the call when the original leader of the Moon Patrol asked him to become part of defensive force based on Earth's moon and he has never regretted it since. -R
This message has been edited by lindaburns on Mar 8, 2004 10:56 PM This message has been edited by Denmaster on Mar 8, 2004 10:26 PM This message has been edited by Denmaster on Mar 8, 2004 10:26 PM
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