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.
------
THE MOON PATROL!
Diamond-Darr
Rick Lundeen: "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. "
Rontarr
Rick Lundeen: "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!"
K'oll
Rick Lundeen: "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."
Planet Master aka David Masters
Rick Lundeen: "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 many of the patrol, appreciate the relative calm of the lunar experience but when trouble erupts, Masters is usually at the controls."
"I'm thinking maybe Eclipsa calls him "Beef" and it really annoys the hell out of him. ..."Beef" just torments him the way she says it."
Eclipsa
Rick Lundeen: "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."
Jigsaw
Rick Lundeen: "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."
Monkey or "M"
Rick Lundeen: "He leads. They follow."
"The Monkey doesn't speak. That's why he's the "Living Enigma"
Rick Lundeen: "...The Patrol has been hand-picked precisely because of each individuals abilities/powers in relationship to working and surviving on the moon's surface as well as the moonbase. Such as Diamond-Darr and K'oll who, because of their silicon based structure don't need to breathe and can easily withstand the rigors of space. Eclipsa can hold her breath for hours and has skin like steel. Haven't quite figured our Rontarr's bit yet but I can see him "swimming " in space and as for the monkey, he likes the quiet. He likes the solitude."
------
Now, let us all gather around the circle and sing the Moon Patrol theme song:
"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!
With the full official intro, it's almost as if this is becoming an ongoing adventure series right here! As for the bowling shirts, Frank, I certainly haven't heard anything but I'm in a quandry over what shirts I'll get. I'm partial to the two Batman logos I did but I also like the Monkey logo and it'll be part of the official book. The one place I e-mailed never got back to me so the bowling shirts are dead in the water right now. -Rick
Rick, with K'OLL's ability to manipulate rocks, do you imagine that he can create a temporary "body" for himself, to use in certain situations? I see this being done by placing his actual body in place of where a head would go, atop a humanoid-shaped rock body.
Matt, I think he could but would he need to? You'll see a bit of him in action in the issue and it mostly involves clockin' guys with rocks. I think it would look cool visually and that may be a nice "surprise" to throw in at some point, though. It's kind of like the GL ring creations. Kyle always had cooler looking creations but Hal had the giant fist which was probably a LOT less distracting to make and just as effective. But now that you've put the thought in my head...........I imagine it would look a lot like the rock creature in Galaxy Quest! -Rick
<<. . . all this effort and energy could have found a cure for AIDS by now. . . !!>>
If you think about all the possible ways I COULD direct my energy, such as endless griping or bugging you about going back to the F.F. or Danger Unlimited! In all seriousness though, I think the real thing is, as recently as last year, I was still publiching comics through Epoch and that was a great energy release for me, giving me a different direction for my art aside from the commercial stuff. I basically closed up shop because of the market and I've had no outlet for months. Along comes the Moon Patrol and talk about having fun!
With you, It's obvious you have fun doing comics but it's also your job, so there are some restrictions and regulations,etc., just as there are in any job. For me, my only restriction is to try and make the book as enjoyable as possible for everybody, kids included (!), the rest is pure fun.
Also, this project has the benefit of being worked on by a pretty GOOD community as opposed to 4 art directions arguing or 3 editors going nuts in endless meetings. The danger of "too many cooks in the kitchen" has, so far, not raised it's ugly head so everything's very refreshing. I'll also say this about the story, there will be certain civilian guest appearances in a certain fashion. weeee! -Rick
<<Words cannot convey how f*cking amazing this book is going to be.>>
This isn't Superman vs. Muhammed Ali, now. Let's not turn the expectation dial TOO high. It won't hit the stands for months yet. I promise it'll be FUN though and a nice intro to the team. -Rick
Ah, Rick, it may not be "Superman vs. Muhammad Ali," but it is still exciting to witness the creation of this book, starting from its' origins as am in-joke about JB's secret project to it becoming a full-fledged comic book.
I think that's why so many posters seem to genuinely be eager to see this book; They witnessed and/or contributed to its' birth.
And I'm glad to see JB post on the thread again, even if it is to chide us. It wouldn't feel right without at least one JB post in a thread.
Rick, I'm glad that you are having fun with putting the book together. It's contagious! I also think it shows that you are having fun in what you've posted. Keep up the great work!
The initial BMP&M! fake covers were some of the funniest things I've ever seen. And then, Rick (a guy whose work I do really like, particularly We Three Kings and When Realities Collide) makes it into an actual comic. Plus this literally is a "team effort" when you consider how many people on the board have played a key part in shaping the project. And perhaps coolest of all- it still all comes back to JB!
Finally, it has a monkey in it. In a nehru jacket. Leading crimefighters on the moon. I ask you, does it get any better than that?
it is fun. I don't know the last time I've had this much fun with characters. I think that even though I've weeded out the DC elements, the team still stands alone pretty well! I didn't know where Matt got that original monkey or if he made it up but I changed his look over to the nehru jacket and different facial features just to be on the safe side in case he grabbed it off a website or something. I figured that when doing the comic, I didn't want to get any nasty surprises down the line I've also got to tweak Diamond-Darr's head a bit on the cover as I gave him the old look as opposed to the new one. It's not a huge change but I like to be thorough.
i must not forget----because it's not listed in the broad strokes of the origin paragraph and when I dish out props, i want to get it right---, when the time comes, credit where credit is due:
Matt added the "and monkey" because of John's monkey clue in "TW", Bob, christened "Diamond-Darr" which I love,
but who came up with the name "Eclipsa"? And who switched it from "police" to "patrol"? It may have been me but i just don't know and I'd like to give credit where credit is due. Matt said it was a mistake but I don't think so as I and many others I think was liking the Doom Patrol "sound" and applied it here. In any event, i've got a helluva dedication page to write when it's time and I don't want to leave anyone out. -Rick
edited to fix the spelling of nehru. Thanks Gregg! (some writer I am...)
This message has been edited by RickLundeen on Mar 9, 2004 3:36 PM
Rick Lundeen: "...I didn't know where Matt got that original monkey or if he made it up but I changed his look over to the nehru jacket and different facial features just to be on the safe side in case he grabbed it off a website or something."
Which I did, on that first cover I made up. The second cover, I drew Monkey, myself, as I only had one picture of him from the site I pulled the first image from.
Rick: "...Who came up with the name "Eclipsa"?"
I looked it up, and it was John Gardner.
Rick: "...And who switched it from "police" to "patrol"? "
I thought the original looked like a grab. Thanks Matt! John Gardner is one of our infrequent guests or possibly a lurker I guess because I don't remember seeing him around much. Okay, well thanks again, I'll have to write him down! -Rick
Way to go, Matt! It was me and I didn't even remember it. I can't believe I forgot about the Screaming Zebra-men. That seems so....long....ago.....well, that was above and beyond, my friend. I was just settling in for a good spelunking tour of old posts and you saved me the trouble. Thanks. Side note, when I could fit it in, I was redesigning the interior of the base for page 9. Wasn't happy with the original layout so re-drew it. At some point, maybe I'll put another random page on the forum but I want to find more time and get more done first. And isn't it great that it IS the Doom Patrol! Anyway, our Patrol won't hit the stands until Sept. -Rick
R. Stevens (Jan 29, 2004 10:58 PM): "I knew my sneaking suspicion that TW is 'Bat-Man's Moon Police' was correct. the something blue is the police uniforms~!"
This is the first mention I could locate (R. Stevens -- Is your first name really 'Ray'? -- Did you make an earlier comment I missed?
Note: Though this thread's title is "Batman's Moon Police" (Started by Linda), it is not counted in the numbering of the threads. It seems that numbering started here:
My 2nd mock cover; 2nd "Batman's Moon Patrol, and Monkey" thread (The link at the bottom of page says thread will continue in 3rd part thread). Rick Lundeen's 1st mock cover posted, and the fun really begins!
-----
So, here again is the history of the Moon Patrol, with revisions:
HISTORY of the MOON PATROL, and MONKEY!
by Matt Hawes
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." Then, Rick Lundeeen suggested "Moon Patrol" in place of "Moon Police."
Then it was that Linda Burns, the moderator of the "John Byrne Forum" posted a mock 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.
Rick Lundeen designed two logos soon afterward, one for "Batman's Moon Police," and another for "Batman's Moon Patrol."
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." Matt soon added Rick's logo to his covers.
Clint Thompson then got into the game by designing some cover logos of his own. 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 Matt, this one featured different elements from Golden-Age and Silver-Age "Batman" comics covers, except for the second picture of Monkey, which Matt 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! Matt followed with a cover that was his own original creation, featuring the villainous "Daytripper."
Other posters, like Linda Burns, Trevor Giberson, Bob Simko, Lukash, John Gardner 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.
-----
OK, I think that gets it all in line.
Edited for another correction.
--- And again 'cuz Network 54 is difficult!
This message has been edited by MattHawes on Mar 10, 2004 12:12 AM This message has been edited by MattHawes on Mar 10, 2004 12:09 AM
Your dogged pursuits shame me, my friend. Linda better watch out because that was some SERIOUS historianatin'! Hey, I made up a woid! i am now tired and must go to bed. Much work to do again in the morning. thank you Matt. -Rick
Rick: "...Linda better watch out because that was some SERIOUS historianatin'! Hey, I made up a woid! i am now tired and must go to bed. Much work to do again in the morning. thank you Matt."
Thank you, Rick, for all your efforts! And, Linda has nothing to worry about. I'm sure that if she wanted, she could've put me to shame.
Say, Rick, September is such a long time... And I am so impatient... Any chance that I may get a special preview copy before that? I promise to order bunches of copies!
I plan to help promote this baby at the shop and on the 'Net, and everywhere I can.
Edited: 'Cuz I quoted Rick as "Linda." Whoops!
This message has been edited by MattHawes on Mar 10, 2004 12:27 AM
Matt, the book wouldn't actually be printed until August as I won't be printing until I get my numbers from Diamond but maybe when I put together my xerox copies that I send to the CBD and CSN, maybe I'll send you a copy too. Or, I can send you the final scans when I send them to Linda. That would probably be in May, unless business gets REALLY slow and then everything moves up a month. We'd have to wait and see. -Rick
as I take the workout break, inked pages 11,12,13 and 14 this morning. 'Course that means there's no paying work yet today! If there's nothing this weekend, i might finish inking. We'll see. -Rick
first 13 pages scanned and toned, going on to ink page 17 and beyond tomorrow......
On other news, when reading JLA #94, imagine my delight seeing the Leagues' Watchtower "Moon base", especially since this story launches the DP. Then, reading the DP #96 and 97 in the second archives book and learning that the Brotherhood had a secret base.....on the Moon! I never realized how popular it was to have a base on the moon! -Rick
Actually, my wife was just nice enough to to pose with my new "Monkey and the Moon Patrol" t-shirt. Here's what happens when I'm left alone with a color printer and an iron:
Lisa got a little confused about MMP, then started asking about what all we do on this board, then kinda shrugged her shoulders and said, "tell John Byrne I said hey."
...and that's a nicely done t-shirt as well, David! It's good to see the Patrol stirring some interest (either Patrol, really!). I see things like that and it adds even more legitimacy and credence to the Patrol. I'm still awaiting a quote on my bowling shirt. I may get two different ones but these guys move verrrrrrrrrry slowly when it comes to letting me know how much the shirts are. --Rick
"I stood alone and I didn't care. I sat two years in the same old chair. I saw three roads and I didn't know which way to go go go go. I need some help with a little love. I need some help from a little above and you were there when I was feelin' low. I won't forget you, my cococo."
-stellastarr*- My Coco
This message has been edited by GreggAllinson on Mar 14, 2004 11:15 AM
The comics made it into the apartment a year before the wife did, so they're grandfathered in; what happens after we move is anybody's guess . Seriously, as long as all the comics stuff stays in the "play room", there's no problem. She keeps her girly stuff in here too, and while it took a while to get used to seeing the JLA next to Care Bears, next to Star Wars, next to Cabbage Patch Kids, it's kind of grown on me.
Lisa said to thank everybody for the compliments (Frank creeped her out for a split second, but I explained he was kidding).
Oh you are GOOD, Bob ...
Linda
