Off to Cleveland later this week for the final unveiling of the newly restored house where Superman was created. Let me be clear: it is only restored because of you. All the people who passed the news around...who talked it up...who forwarded the video. All the writers and artists who donated stuff. All the Siegel & Shuster Society people who did the true heavy lifting. And all the members of the Invisible Army, who are sneaky and amazing. Love you like family. If I were Oprah, I'd buy you all hovercars.
The ribbon cutting (which I have to miss because of a previous promise to Thrillerfest) is Saturday at 10am at the house, so please do come if you're near Cleveland. Address is 10622 Kimberly Avenue. For me, the real thrill will be Friday night, when we sit down for dinner with the Siegel and Shuster families. Will of course bring back a full report.
Also, the Buffy writing is underway. That is all.
Also also, the fourth geocache has been hidden (for the promotion we're doing with the Freemasons). The clue is here.
Alright partypeople, the new secret treasures are now hidden (parts 2 and 3) in the team-up we're doing with the Freemasons. If you're saying, "What the hell is he talking about?" go read this to hear more about how you can GPS to find the geocaches that are hidden in the DC/MD/VA area.
As before, each clue overlaps thematically with The Book of Lies. And they're really getting cooler and cooler. Solve the puzzle...get the coordinates...find the goodies. One of them can only be seen at night. Pretty sneaky, sis.
So here you go -- and thanks to Johnny_Cache and Sue Hislop, our masterminds.
Here's the newest foreign cover -- this one for the paperback in the UK and Australia and published by the always classy Hodder & Stoughton (my first editor there was named George Lucas, so he called me on the phone the first day and left the message, "I'm George Lucas and I want to buy your book." Hurm). Clearly, they like the scary little running man over there too.
One of the things we're doing to promote the paperback of Book of Lies (see, plug right there!) is a collaboration with the Freemasons. Yes. The Freemasons. I love those guys. And after The Book of Fate, we connected in that Mork/Orson way and they started pointing out all these Freemason things that had been running through my books without me knowing it. Was wild.
And so, we're launching a geocaching puzzle.
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt played throughout the world by people armed with GPS devices. The basic idea is to solve puzzles and locate hidden containers, called geocaches, that're hidden all over. You don't need to read the book to do the puzzle. But you do need one of those cool GPS devices (though an iPhone does the trick).
I'm not saying any more, but if you're in (or plan to be in) Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia, go to www.bradmeltzer.com (on the homepage) and get ready to find. We hid the stuff, but good.
In honor of the paperback publication and the new dog cover, here's a new version of my favorite video we ever made (with a new ending). Jason Sherry is a genius.
I hate telling you this. But if I didn't tell you, then you'd email me and say, "Why didn't you tell me?"
And I'd write, "I didn't wanna bother you."
And you'd write, "Will you please stop with the humble nonsense? We all know you're a narcissist. Besides, you should tell us this stuff."
And then I'd feel all this guilt (even more than the usual guilt I feel).
And then I'd tell you anyway.
So.
Today's the day that The Book of Lies comes out in paperback. Same keen mystery. Same keen ending. Much lower price! And as Facebook friends know, way ultra-keen new cover with foreboding dog image.
So if you'd like to buy it (or just see the cover, or you need a small paper block to balance your couch), click here.
Most important, let me send some true love and appreciation to you and yours. Summer's here and that makes me feel young and spry and ready for a game of red rover (because let's be honest, that's as close to sports as I ever got). So so happy to have you in our lives.
Here's the sneak peek of the new cover for the paperback (coming out at the end of the month on May 26th). Trust me, I was surprised as you were at the image. I do like it. Skeevy. And I guess they wanted to ride the power of the dog, and so we ride...
Also, as some true love from me to you (and in honor of Buy Indie day), here's a nice little video that walks the line of schmaltz but still makes me do the smile:
For all those (hi, Cliff!) who wrote and asked when The Book of Lies would be published in the UK, well here you go.
Today's the day -- England, Ireland, Australia and loads of other countries that carry English language books. And we didn't even change all the elevator references to lifts (I used that joke in 1997).
Here's the cover, which I'm fascinated by. Love seeing how other countries interpret it.
Also, after talking to a select few who have seen the movie early, let me pass on the one comment in common: we'll love what they do right. We'll kill people for what they get wrong. That is all.
PS - Also saw a sneak peek of the Zatanna costume for Smallville. Best. Best.
Just got the below sent to me by the publisher: The Book of Lies is now available for your iPhone. Must admit, haven't tried it yet, since I'm waiting for a new Blackberry (still can't believe with all the stuff we get sent, no one has a connection for me at RIM), so have no idea how the reading experience is. But a free book of your choice to the first person who tries it out and actually reads. As usual, email me through the site and I'll send goodies. If you get no goodies, you weren't first. Or I think you cheated.
Book of Lies For Your iPhone
Have a great weekend all. And to all those with no Valentine (curse it for being on a Saturday night), be mine. My wife says it's cool as long as it's impersonal and internety.
Love to KCRW for doing it — it mixes my top 5 songs with 5 points in my life. And you’ll hear how I got a gun pulled on me, and had Blues Traveler play in our kitchen.
I've been getting lots of requests for signed books for the holidays, so if you missed any of the events for The Book of Lies, here're some spiffy new copies, superly book-plated inside. And all the money goes to charity for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
After twenty-two cities, a full month of touring, a silly amount of plane flights, and even a hurricane (yep, right at the heart of our Houston signing), I’m finally home, and just wanted to say thank you for what you unleashed. First, of course, I appreciate what you did with The Book of Lies, talking it up to whoever would listen and pushing copies on unsuspecting family and friends. It was one of the most outrageous launches we’ve ever had and I know -- as I’ve always known -- that it only happens because of your neverending help.
But most important, thank you for what you also did to save the house where Superman was created. As you know, the goal was to raise $50,000 just to work on the outside of the house. Instead, we raised $101,000. 101. Thousand. Which now means we’ll be working on the inside of the house as well.
So let me be clear: whatever we accomplished with this book and with the house, you did this. When I was worried about getting the word out there, you stepped forward without hesitation. You are a clear troublemaker and I love you for it. Make no mistake: what you did -- from passing the videos along, to facebooking, to myspacing, to all the rest -- made a huge difference. So thanks for the trust and the faith and of course for putting the word out there from day one.
After seven books now, I have to say, there’s only one thing that’s clear to me: and that is how many people are pulling for us from all sides, from so many different places. Family, friends, readers, booksellers, all the people who you say “You gotta read my friend’s book” to -- it’s the only reason this happens. And maybe it’s because of what we went through this year, maybe it’s because I’m getting mushy these days, but it matters. When you help someone -- it always matters.
I’m signing off and taking a break. But I’m sending so much love and thanks your way.
I'm typing in the airport, waiting for the return flight from the very last event -- the National Book Festival in Washington, DC. Key highlight (besides the author breakfast at the White House, where all the famous authors try to play it cool as they fill their pockets with White House napkins (The fools! The best stuff is the White House toilet paper!) was all the incredible folks who waited in the sun for an hour to say hi. Love to them.
And then, while I'm standing there in the White House and eyeing the napkin thievery, I finally get to meet Neil Gaiman, who then introduces me to...just, please, wait...Salman Rushdie.
Me, Neil Gaiman, Salman Rushdie. In the White House.
Did the world end and no one told me?
Pics shortly -- and don't forget, Monday is the last day of the auction: and the prices are cheap for that Ivan Reis Superman and Lois drawing (think wedding or anniversary present for someone). Also, the Heroes walk-on and the Siegel shirt are still out there until tomorrow.
LA is sunny and beautiful and filled with handsome people that make me feel extra bald and pasty. But very excited to be on Attack of the Show (AOTS) on G4 today (one of my favorite shows), and extra excited because we're about to grab some In-and-Out Burger. Also, had Scott Brick (our voice on the audio books) there last night, so he made me sound super-baritone (that is a super power).
On a plane right now headed to Pasadena and LA, home of Kaysu Ya, my favorite sushi place (which I have the publisher pay for, which is good since I eat it twice a day).
The third week of the Superman auction was amazing, and baseball caps off to Frank Cho, whose Supergirl pin up proved just how much the world loves, in his words, those big corn fed Kansas girls. We raised over $7,000 alone just from that, with a week 3 total of $17,766 .
I know we've put the word out in week 1, but in this final week, I would love if you could help us push the auction and site and video one last time on facebook, myspace or even just via antiquated email.
Just found out that the two events in Houston for tomorrow (Tuesday) have been cancelled due to Hurricane Ike. I hear it's getting better there in some parts, but my publisher is terrified that it's something out of a zombie flick, and so, I'm headed straight to Philly instead. Special apologies to the incredible stores -- Murder By The Book and also Midnight Comics -- who are just some of the nicest around. Both know we'll figure out something really cool to make it up to them.
Also, today is the last day to bid on getting your name in the next novel -- and to bid on the other items in Round 2 of the auction to save the house where Superman was created. And next week...? We get Letterman involved. Plus lots more new items.
First, just a reminder that you can be a character in my next novel -- and i'll make you someone good too. Plus lots of other items that'll help raise money to save the house where Superman was created. Bid here.
Had our event in Cleveland last night, co-sponsored by the the Ohio Center for the Book and the Ohioana Library Association. Was wild to see so many of Jerry Siegel's relatives there, plus Joe Shuster's, plus the current amazing owners of the Siegel House, plus so many members of the Siegel & Shuster Society. Lovefest? For sure -- and was easily one of the best stops -- especially because I hadn't been there in so long, so got to meet so many people who have been reading the novels for years.
Headed to Cleveland tomorrow. Can't wait to see reactions at the signing based on the e-mails I've been getting from Clevelanders.
Best part of last night's signing in Chicago? My first unrequited crush from elementary school came to visit. I wrote about her in my Terra story. She reminded me why I love old friends -- and why I should have given her a "Great" instead of a "Yuk" in the slam book.
Also, week one of the auction to save the house where Superman was created is officially over.
Insane. In the membrane. I said to my wife that I figured week one would get $10K (being over-optimistic). Shows what I f'ing know.
The closing auctions for week one were as follows:
Winning Bids: Brian Michael Bendis $5,850.00 Neil Gaiman $1,125.00 Dave Gibbons $810.00 Jim Lee $14,101.00 Allen Bellman $150.00 Dan Brereton $587.88 Travis Charest $7,877.77 Greg Rucka $545.00 Ian Churchill $560.00 Ernie Chan $227.50 George Perez $2,625.00
That's $34,459.15 for week one auctions. And that's not including how many amazing people have made direct donations that came through OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.Com. With so many people donating just $10, $25...that's all we need. We just need more people to do it.
Also, don't forget the coolest T-Shirt that Chip Kidd has ever designed. The official Siegel & Shuster T-Shirt, with all profits going to save the house where Superman was created.
And so we begin the second week of the auction, the one where you can get your name as a character in my next novel.
Let me say, right now, that I'll give you a good spot. You won't be some waiter who disappears after one line (unless you have a really bad name, in which case I'm going to kill you early).
Also, the best part of this has been the outpouring of new items we've gotten for the auction. So many more coming. But this week, let's throw some love at J.H. Williams III, Jimmy Palmiotti and Mark Waid, who has given us CURT SWAN! (check out the art below)
Plus, just heard from Mark Millar, Jill Thompson, Mark Waid, and so many others. To all creators: we tried to reach out to everyone when we started, but it's clear we didn't reach everyone. We want you! If you have a truly awesome item, please email me through the site or facebook or myspace or anywhere because this is for all of us.
First, for those who asked specific questions about Brian Bendis and Jim Lee's auctions, answers below... And c'mon, that's gotta make the bidding go higher.
Q:When you say drawn on the cover to an issue of Powers, would it be possible to have "me" wearing a shirt that says my name on it so it's "obviously" me and there's no mistaking it? Also, will we get a chance to own the original art?
A:Yes to both.
Q:How large will Jim Lee's drawing be? Will it be pencil or ink? Can Jim draw Superman and Batman, instead of the winner?
A:11 x 17. Pencil and ink. It can be Batman or any other existing character from Marvel or DC or Wildstorm.
So, the first week of the tour is done. Beyond the highlight of meeting everyone, especially the Invisible Army members, was doing the local TV noon news in Miami with the firefighter band that was playing "Superman" while the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders came over to say hi. I swear, I tried to take a picture. Only in Miami.
We've added two additional cities to the tour. Stop by and say hello if you're in New Jersey (Hoboken, represent!) or Connecticut.
For those of you who have not seen the information on The Siegel & Shuster Society, here is the video and the FAQ. Remember, ordinary people can change the world.
As you can tell from the video, the goal of The Siegel & Shuster Society is to save the house where Superman was created.
The most important thing to do is to mention and link to the auction, encourage people to buy a shirt, and post the video on all the places you frequent (blogs, MySpace, Facebook, message boards, e-mail, etc.). The video shows the state of the house and tells people about the auction that started this week. As you'll see from the list of people involved, this isn't about DC or Marvel. This isn't about competition. It's about the comic community as a whole, pulling together for a place that launched so many of our best dreams.
I just hope you know how much I and everyone working on this project appreciate you being involved with it. And while we know it's just a house, it matters.
FAQ
What's this all about again? Today is the official launch of The Siegel & Shuster Society, with a celebrity charity auction that'll raise money to preserve the home of Jerry Siegel, creator of Superman. When you go to Brad Meltzer's charitable website www.OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.com, you can:
bid online for original Superman and comic book art and items by top writers and artists
buy a Siegel & Shuster Society t-shirt (designed by the legendary graphic designer Chip Kidd)
All proceeds of the auction go to the restoration of the Siegel house.
Who's involved in the auction? This is a coming together of an entire community. The full list includes: Stephen Colbert, Jim Lee, Brian Michael Bendis, Brad Meltzer, Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, Joe Quesada, Neil Gaiman, Alex Ross, Dave Gibbons, Jeph Loeb, Murphy Anderson, Ed Brubaker, John Cassaday, Gene Ha, Greg Rucka, George Perez, Michael Turner, Adam Kubert, Andy Kubert, Judd Winick, Frank Cho, Eric Powell, Tim Sale, Walt Simonson, Joe Staton, Eric Wight, Dave Mandel, Mike Mignola, Rags Morales, Bill Morrison, Ivan Reis, John Romita Jr., Jason Palmer, Amanda Conner, Geoff Darrow, Ron Garney, Renato Guedes, Heroes, Dave Johnson, Chris Bachalo, Mike Bair, Allen Bellman, Dan Brereton, Ernie Chan, Travis Charest, and Ian Churchill, YOU, and even Jerry Siegel (see below).
How did this come about? While researching his new novel, The Book of Lies, Brad Meltzer visited the boyhood home of Jerry Siegel in Cleveland, Ohio, where Superman was created. As Meltzer says, "The house where Google was founded is preserved. The garage where Hewlett Packard was founded is protected. But the house where Superman was born? I was in shock." After contacting dozens of comic book creators -- and thanks to the hard work of many in the city of Cleveland -- The Siegel & Shuster Society was created and is dedicated to commemorating and celebrating the creation of Superman in Cleveland by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. "I think sometimes people take things like this for granted because it started in cartoon form, but this is a house were modern mythology was created," Brain Michael Bendis adds. "Mythology that will never die away or disappear. There is no difference, to me, between this house and Mark Twain's house. We have to honor and exalt such creation."
What are the items in the auction? You can win a walk-on part on Heroes, VIP seats to the Colbert Report, original Superman art (go see the art!), have your name in Bendis or Brubaker or Rucka's comic, or Meltzer's next novel. There's a rare original pre-Superman movie script from Geoff Johns, signed by Richard Donner. And Joanne Siegel told Meltzer that before Jerry Siegel died, he signed six Superman t-shirts that no one ever knew existed -- and then told her that if their family ever needed money, she should sell the shirts. Instead, she donated one of them to be auctioned off here. The signature is on a Superman: Quest For Peace(!) t-shirt. C'mon, baby, it's Jerry Siegel on a Quest for Peace shirt!
What can you do? Forward and digg the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25R2kcJxQuc). Go buy a Siegel & Shuster Society t-shirt. They're cool. They're designed by Chip Kidd. They can't be bought anywhere else. Bid on some of the auctions and spread the word by sharing the video, sigs, and www.OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.com auction with your facebook, myspace, and live-breathing friends.
How much is the Siegel And Shuster Foundation trying to raise? Depends on how successful we are. Phase 1 involves working on the exterior of the house: securing the roof, making sure the paint isn't rotting, doing the concrete work. That will hopefully protect the place from the outside. Joe Shuster's house (a few blocks away) was in such disrepair, it was torn down. The first goal is to collect $50,000 to deal with the outside. If we do that, then we'll go and tackle the much-needed-repairs on the inside.
Who lives there now? The house is located in one of the tougher neighborhoods of Cleveland and is currently occupied by an African-American couple who have lived there for approximately 20 years, who have put up with all of us who have come visiting, but who don't have the money to do these repairs. Rather than kick anyone out on the street, the goal is to repair this place for them. Why? It's the right thing to do. In return, The Siegel & Shuster Society has the right to buy the house when it eventually goes up for sale.
Is there a long-term goal to make a museum? The long-term goal is still being decided, and that's why you're invited to join The Siegel & Shuster Society and help us with those plans. Meetings are held monthly in Cleveland -- when you buy a shirt, they'll have your name. But one of the dreams is that one day, buses full of students will drive from all over Ohio, from Michigan, from any nearby state, and come to the fully-restored house -- covered and decorated with children's artwork inside -- and see where one of the world's greatest dreams was born. Go to www.OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.com to make it happen.
Yes, the Book of Lies has a soundtrack. Victor Records has put together a great soundtrack featuring REM, "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler and of course "Greatest American Hero" by Joey Scarbury.
There's even a song called "The Book of Lies" by Robert Ellis Orrall and an original score so you can listen while you read.
You can get the soundtrack on on both iTunes and Amazon.
Along with the soundtrack, I was asked to put together an iTunes Playlist. It's taken me a decade, but finally my mixmaster skills can be revealed!
When you play it, it doesn’t just haunt you. It actually physically stops time. She’s the best person I ever saw play live.
Annie Lennox -- Waiting in Vain
This is the song that makes my wife go “Awww, I love this song.” I shake my head and act cooler. But I secretly love it. I. Will. Never. Tell. Her.
Everything – Barbra Streisand
That’s right. Streisand. (wow, I just realized looking at my list...I’m a woman). It reminds my of my Mom, who recently passed away. (See, now you feel like a schmuck for being judgmental, right?). Jewish gives the best guilt.
Mixed Bizness – Beck
If I could add one artist over and over, it’s Beck. But only a loser puts two songs by the same guy on a mix. That’s Mixtape 101, sugah. (Still, Debra is the best song ever about anyone in J.C. Penney). I used to heart Prince. Now I heart Beck (who clearly crushes Prince as much as I did). Also, none of this takes away from the fact that we’d rewind Purple Rain 10,000 times to see Apollonia naked.
Secret Garden – Bruce Springsteen
Let me be honest here: every single person who does one of these lists is trying to look cooler than they are. I’m trying as I type this (failed again). But I’m also being honest. There are some songs that get to me. And I kinda hate that this was in Jerry Maguire, therefore ruining my ability to say I loved it first (curse you, brilliant Crowe!). But I did.
Where do we go from here – Buffy the Vampire Soundtrack
Best. Bester. Bestest. It was the arms crossing hand motions that really swooned me.
Run-Around — Blues Traveler
My junior year of college, before Blues Traveler was big, their gig in Detroit got cancelled and the word went out that they’d pay for the first group of people to come up with $5,000. We used everything we had. A hundred of us. And they played in our kitchen. Swear this is true.
Drift Away – Dobie Gray
Every other old song has been stolen and ruined by a movie. Not this one. So all you film school emo types, don’t buy this. Don’t listen to it. Don’t use it. This is ours!
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters – Elton John
When we did Jack & Bobby, this was the song that Bobby was supposed to get his first kiss to and the network wouldn’t let us buy because it was too expensive. Now who’s laughing? Me or the cash-flushed network who cancelled us!?
You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Rolling Stones
Not just a song. A life lesson. Play it for your kids and tell them it was written for them. They won’t know.
Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
I saw him in concert (c’mon, I was young. And we were really there to see Hammer. And we were...I’m gonna stop talking now). Still love it. Not ashamed to say it.
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robot – The Flaming Lips
The only thing that beats songs about robots are songs about robots fighting zombies (and I don’t know those yet).
Follow You Follow Me – Genesis
I slept out for Genesis tickets (I was in high school, I’d have slept out for Thomas Dolby. Wait. I did.) This is the song that holds up.
Who is He and What Is He to You — Me’Shell Ndegeocello
She intimidates me. She curses. I’m putty.
A Little Respect – Wheatus
My favorite remake of a song I didn’t even know I liked.
America Has Spoken – Patton Oswalt
He knows he’s my favorite. Just listen. America needs comedy that is real truth. “A failure pile in a sadness bowl.” Genius is always funny.
Faces — Ohh La La
It’s just good. It’s right. It’s best.
It’s Tricky – Run – DMC
Back in my Miami days, I was a fiend with the double cassette tapes — my days and nights filled with mixes, especially dance mixes. Here's the list of them, and promise, all of these are real (sadly): Meltz E. Fresh, Meltz E. Soul, Bell Biv DeMeltz, Please Meltz Don't Hurt 'Em. I will say, Meltz E. Soul was designed to be the ultimate make-out mix. Never worked. Too much Prince, not enough Keath Sweat. Here’s the sauce.
Theme from Greatest American Hero – Joey Scarbury
When we decided to do a soundtrack for The Book of Lies, this was the first selection. Don’t roll your eyes. Listen to the words. This is me and young and dreaming and everything in the damn world is possible...set to music and on TV. Plus, it’s on The Book of Lies soundtrack, baby!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by last night in New York city. For everyone else, here's the tour schedule. Hope you can stop by and say hello. As always, I will sign anything and everything (books and comics).
Here it is -- Brad's new thriller, The Book of Lies, is published today, and as you'll see below, he's been waiting his whole life to write this one (which is why it's my true favorite). It's filled with his usual obsessive research, but this is the one that will make your Mom (and Dad) cry. So what's it about?
In Chapter 4 of the Bible, Cain kills Abel. But the Bible is silent about the weapon Cain used to kill his brother. That weapon is still lost to history.
In 1932, Mitchell Siegel was killed by three gunshots to his chest. While mourning, his son created the world's greatest hero: Superman. And like Cain's murder weapon, the gun used in this unsolved murder has never been found. Until now.
What do these two murders, committed thousands of years apart, have in common? The answer is in The Book of Lies.
And finally, to see the most important thing we've done with any of the books -- and what we're doing to save the house where Superman was created, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25R2kcJxQuc
And of course he's on facebook, myspace, and all that other stuff I refuse to acknowledge exists.
Let me just say one last thing: I hope you know how much your love and support of Brad and the rest of us has meant over the past few months. In many ways, I was afraid that him seeing everyone on tour would turn into something sad, but it's clear it's truly a celebration. So please do go find Brad on one of the tour stops and give him a hug for me.
Just landed in New York city. First thing that happened is my dad called to complain that the Barnes & Noble in Union Square doesn't have big enough posters of me.
According to my sister, he wants to "ones like they have in Times Square."
One day, and counting.
Check back here tomorrow for the big news.
And thanks to all who have been helping all the way.
PS to every person who asked, yes. Of course, bring your comics to the signings. I will sign anything and everything.
It’s getting just woowoo here. Interviews are starting, invitations to book signings are going out, and this is seeming far closer than I realized. DC Universe: Last Will & Testament is published next week. And below is the trailer for the new novel. I wrote it about six months ago, then called in a few friends. :)
Special thanks to Brandon Graham and Expanded Books, who filmed it and put up with my insanity.
Just got the very first hardcover of the novel. Still looks fake -- like something a buddy made on PhotoShop (and believe me, I'm still waiting for Candid Camera to jump out and tell me the past decade has been a joke on me). But I love the Acknowledgments in there. Best part of the book.
Also, if you want to win a free copy, see below -- and thanks to Robert for doing it.
So who gets to read the first chapter of The Book of Lies first?
Surprise to all the Buffy readers.
That's right, with Buffy being my next comic project after Last Will, the Buffy issue out today (issue #17) has the full Prologue and Chapter 1. And wait till you see what we're doing with Buffy in the paperback.
Thanks to Joss and Scott Allie and Sierra and all the amazing Dark Horse folks for the fun.
And trust me, this is just the first surprise. So many good ones coming.
Here it is. We took 4,000 pictures, and this was number 12 or 13. After that, they realized they could only do so much with “bald and pale.” Best part? The make-up guy actually did my eyebrows for this. Never had that lovely bit of fun done. Thanks to Herman Estevez, photo superman, who at least made it fun (it was like George Michael’s Freedom video, but with me in the Cindy Crawford bathtub. And if you get that reference, marry me).
Just now back from the trip to LA. Went to Book Expo, saw lots of old, dear friends in the book business, signed tons of galleys for The Book of Lies (when will the first hit ebay?), pitched a TV show, snagged tickets to the party for Ted Turner at Larry King's house (so name dropping, but I'm still too much of a loser to get into the party at Prince's house. Yep. Prince's house. Would've killed innocents for that one), got some Kubert art for DC Universe: Last Will, and then ended it all with a great dinner with some comics pals.
Lots of meetings, waiting for lots of answers, and quickly realizing how much of the new tour will be about my Mom, with so many people talking about her. A good thing by me.
As for my event with Freaks & Geeks creator Paul Feig, someone once told me to never meet your heroes because they disappoint. They were wrong. Rarely have I met someone so gracious, so generous, so amazing. I love the show even more now. Plus his wife is so nice. Video coming soon, with geekiness aplenty by all around. And please preoder his new book, Ignatius MacFarland: Frequenaut!
PS Best part? Flight attendant on my flight home played Superman for twenty years at parties and children's hospitals. Still has the build.
Just back from a week’s vacation in Tennessee, which was far more vital than I realized. And so, this week I head out to LA for Book Expo, where the clear highlight will be a panel on Saturday with myself and Paul Feig, creator of Freaks & Geeks. Yes. My favorite show. Ever. Ever ever. Better than M*A*S*H*, better than anything. And we’re taping it, so hope to have a link here soon.
Also, just got the very first galleys of The Book of Lies and am so truly excited for it to be living and breathing out there. I feel like I’ve been living with Jerry Siegel for so long now, and finally you’ll get to see the true fun/reality of my obsession. And here’s the first look at the cover...
More to come asap, including the pathetic author photo outtakes. Also, Adam Kubert’s art on DC Universe: Last Will? Insert insane hype here.
Fans of Brad Meltzer’s work have gotten used to the cycle - he’ll work on a novel for a year or two, and then come back to comics for a project, then another novel, and then some more comics. With his new novel, The Book of Lies, coming out in September, Meltzer is getting the chance to merge his two worlds.
Lies will focus on two murders - that of Abel in Chapter 4 of the Book of Genesis, and also on the murder of Mitchell Siegel, father of the young Jerry Siegel - one of the two boys who created Superman.
"The pitch goes like this," Meltzer says. "In chapter 4 of Genesis, Cain kills Abel. It is arguably the world’s most famous murder, but the Bible is silent about one key detail - the weapon which Cain used to kill his brother. And that weapon is lost to this day.
"In 1932, a man named Mitchell Siegel is shot in the chest and killed. While mourning the death of his father, his young son comes up with the idea for a bulletproof man that he nicknames Superman. The murder weapon from that murder is also lost to this day. So the question is, what do these two murders, thousands of years apart possibly have to do with each other? The answer you will see is in The Book of Lies, which comes out in September."
The roots of the new novel’s story obviously reach into Meltzer’s lifetime love of comics, but they took on new life relatively recently, thanks to a Sarasota, FL book signing.
"I was at a signing in the middle of Florida, and, as I do at every signing, I was waxing on about my love of comics, and this sweet old woman raises her hand and says, "I know Jerry Siegel," and I think to myself when you’re sitting in hot, Sarasota, Florida, there is no way that any woman who is at a bookstore and raises her hand and says that is going to tell me more about Jerry Siegel than I know about him myself."
Meltzer was surprised to find out he was wrong. Very wrong.
"The lovely woman tells me that Jerry was her first cousin, she knows the whole family, she grew up in the house with the family, and my mouth dropped open. I cornered her after that, got her phone number, and everything started. I always wear my love for them on my sleeve, and will talk about them to anyone who will listen, and just happened to be in front of the right person. So for the past two years, I’ve been researching the murder of Mitchell Siegel and I won’t say much more about it, but needless to say, it has become an obsession for me."
As a result of his work, Metlzer’s come to a conclusion about the murder of Jerry Siegel’s father: "People don’t know the story," the writer says. "They really don’t. That’s the most amazing part - here’s arguably one of the greatest heroes ever created, and we don’t know why we got him."
Of course, the research included several trips to Cleveland, where Mitchell and his family lived. Actually, some of Meltzer’s trips made news as Newsarama’s Mike San Giacomo dropped his name here and there as one of the many comic folk he’d taken on the tour of "Jerry Siegel’s Cleveland," which includes the house in which Jerry grew up.
As regular Newsarama readers know, Cleveland will be holding a "Summer of Superman" this year, in honor of the 70th Anniversary of Superman’s creation. Again, San Giacomo named-dropped Meltzer, this time as someone who would be helping in the restoration and preservation efforts of the house.
"I knew what I was doing when I went into the house, and I knew what role the attic was going to play when we went there," Meltzer recalls of a research trip to the house, "But when I saw the shape that it was in - new wheels started spinning in my head. So one of the things that we’re going to do is try and save this house. This is an American landmark. It deserves better than what its received. This is something that I take very seriously - they went in and saved the house where the founders of Google came up with it. That pales in comparison to this."
I must admit, I'm surprised by the vote. I thought it'd be so much closer. It wasn't at all. Which means something incredibly profound about our culture, but if I stated it, I'd be the kind of intellectual blowhard I so stand again. And for all the people who wrote in and asked: Why're you asking me? Well, let me say it like this: I know I'm not the smartest guy in the room, or the most handsome. I don't care where you work or what your job is, or how much money you make, or what style of shirt/jeans/anything you're wearing. That's just not important, and I'm tired of all the things in this world that make us believe that it is. We are all pathetically ordinary and spectacularly special. All of us. And I ask you because you're far more real that some marketing consultant that studies this crap so much they rob it of all its fun.
And so, The Book of Lies.
A huge thank you for helping me pick another title.
As for what it's about, that's coming soon. And so is comic news. Don't mean to tease, but I promise, real soon. And I'm excited about this one.
Thanks for playing -- and for all the kind notes so many of you wrote.
