A&A The Official John Ostrander Discussion Thread

No! Don't start any more Mandalorian story questions, it will only attract Darth Mane. Durge is a mercenary, he will fight for whoever gives him money. Dooku probably left him in the dark about the Mandalorians. End of story. Move along.

One question Mr. Ostrander, will we ever see Durge again? He seems to have become one of the "lost" characters of the EU . I was hoping we would see some resolution to his story, preferably with him getting vaped by the turbolasers on a (brand new ) Republic warship (seeing as that seems to be the only thing that may be able to kill him).

 

No current plans to use Durge. Haden Blackman really played with him and I want to respect that. Anything that does or does not happen to Durge should be at Haden's hands, IMO, and not mine.

RE: Mandalorians. The reference to them was put into the issue at the suggestion of LFL and Randy edited it in. So I shouldn't take credit (or blame, depending on how you see it) for the reference. I have no current plans to use them; Jan and i have our own storyline that we're working on and we're now zeroing in on the events in REPUBLIC coming into Episode 3.

-- John

 

Hayden Blackman is doing that 5-issue "countdown" series is he not? If so, then I'm sure the Durge character arc resovled in one of those issues. Thanks Mr. Ostrander.

 

how long have you been writing for John?

 

I've been writing comics professionaly for 22 years or so. I wrote some play before that back in my theater days in Chicago.

-- John

 

So how can Mandalore be on the side of the Seperatists at the same time as Durge and why would they join a Confederacy lead by the Jedi who killed so many of them?

Tx JO !!

These aren't the same Mandalorians. The Mandalorians Dooku helped destroyed were followers of the old nomad Mandalorian tradition.

At some point there was a split in Manalorian society.

The Mandalorians of Mandalore are actually Mandalorian System Protectors and are responsible for the ultimate protection of the Mandalore System. These warriors were pressed into service under Palpatine during the Clone Wars and were almost wiped out. Only three survived out of a group of 212.

There's a third group of Mandalorians though. The Mandalorian Death Watch. (its full name according to WEG source books. Yes the Death Watch came from old RPG material) The Mandalorian Death Watch as we all know was a group that seperated itself from the Mandalorian commandos that Dooku helped destroyed. So it's possible that there are still more of them out there and that they are helping the CIS.

 

Having just reread Stark Hyperspace, there was a line that Obi-Wan and Quinlin go way back. That should impact on the imminent issue when they confront each other.

 

How many more Clone Wars Republic and Jedi comics are coming? And how many are you doing?

 

tx JO

i guess i was hoping there was some hidden agenda you were pushing with the Mandalorians that could finally resolve some of this - and I for one would be happy if it were you they gave the task to.

alas - like i said - #65 ROCKED !!!

 

>>How many more Clone Wars Republic and Jedi comics are coming? And how many are you doing? <<

I THINK Republic 77 takes up through Episode 3 (don't quote me on that). I'm not sure what happens after that. Randy is writing SWR 67 and I should be writing all the rest.

There's JEDI YODA coming out soon but Jeremy Barlow (I think) wrote that. I think it should be fun; i know Jeremy well and am looking forward to it.

-- John

 

I too am looking forward to Jedi Yoda, as well as R67; I gotta see Randy Stradley in action again (in the figurative sense of the word)!

I am also greatly anticipating the R69-70-71 three-parter about the Dreadnaughts of Rendili. I get all giddy just by saying it .

 

---

Because i said i would keep you all posted on GRIMJACK, the book now has a publisher in IDW. There will be TPBs of existing material with 8 pages of NEW story in the first TPB. In addition, there is a six issue miniseries of NEW GrimJack material by myself and Tim Truman. We'll also be joined by the original letterer, John Workman, as well as the original editor, Mike Gold. More on this as it develops.[/b][hr][/blockquote]Wait...the reprints are also collecting the [i]Starslayer[/i] crossover arc? Nice. What about the graphic novel?

John, bit of a "spoiler" question for you: in the new series, I gather it's still going to be Twilley carrying on from where the series left off, or is he going to transmogrify into a new, third incarnation of Gaunt? You wiping the Formica countertop at Munden's clean, or are you keeping intact what went before?

Only curious, you understand.

Also, something I'd been meaning to ask -- what is/was your opinion of the Straczynski movie screenplay that nearly got produced?

 

Whoa -- there was once a Grimjack film adaptation in the works? Spill, John, spill!

 

>>Wait...the reprints are also collecting the Starslayer crossover arc? Nice. What about the graphic novel?<<

Eventually, it will be reprinted as well, assuming sales warrant continuing the TPBs.

>>John, bit of a "spoiler" question for you: in the new series, I gather it's still going to be Twilley carrying on from where the series left off, or is he going to transmogrify into a new, third incarnation of Gaunt? You wiping the Formica countertop at Munden's clean, or are you keeping intact what went before?

>>Only curious, you understand.<<


When you have Tim Truman (and we do) you're doing John Gaunt. There's plenty of stories we've got about him. Right now, there's ONE miniseries planned. More will come if sales warrant. Will Tim do all the others? Depends on his availability. If Tim WASN'T available, would we do something else? Possibly. Would that be Twilley or a next incarnation? Possibly. Right now we're focused on what's at hand.

And will the miniseries be gathered into a TPB itself? Again, possibly but not scheduled at this time. I cannot overemphasize as important sales of the new miniseries will be to the continuation of GrimJack.

>>Also, something I'd been meaning to ask -- what is/was your opinion of the Straczynski movie screenplay that nearly got produced? <,

Never saw it but had a good conversation with Joe about it before hand. I don't know if it got as far as his actually writing a draft of it or not. I DO know he was a big GrimJack fan and was prepared to use an actual story arc and take as much from it verbatim as he could. I have a lot of respect for him.


-- John

 

Mr. Ostrander in my sig there is a comment you might find amusing. . .

Do you want to check with Zahn and make it come true?

 

Hey John and everyone else.

"Show of Force" was a great story. I really enjoyed
both issues. It was fun to see lots of the Jedi
in the story, lots of really good characters. The part with Tholme and Aayla in the first part was cool.
Quin appearing at the end was cool too and I liked the
comments of the four Jedi after seeing the video of Quin. The end in the Jedi Temple was great too.

Pete

 

With Episode III coming up, I'm already counting the days. (Who isn't?) However, I keep coming back to an idea that is surprisingly persistent in my mind. Maybe it's just kept alive by my enjoying the Star Wars comics, but...
Let me clarify.
I think I've been getting the feeling that some (most?) fans feel as though the films by and large seemingly ignore the EU. I mean, they dovetail nicely, but I, at least, feel as though Mr. Lucas doesn't really care or personally involve himself in the EU. WHICH, of course, is his perogative; it's his playground, and I think we are very lucky he even pays any attention to continuity. (I'm a stickler for continuity. Can you tell? )
Now, here is Mr. Lucas's chance to solve all of the fans' grumbling on this matter! As casting Aayla Secura clearly shows (by the fans' estatic response), including another prominent EU character would just enhance LucasFilm's image and unite the whole franchise. A coup for Ms. Rostini at LucasBooks, for Mr. Land at Dark Horse - and for the fans, of course!
And which character would best fit the bill? Only one that fascinates and intrigues the most fans - the Jedi turned Dark, Quinlan. Fans' choice! Quite frankly, I believe he is (unsurprisingly, and rightfully so) the most popular and engrossing SW comic character. (Personally, I find him one of the most engrossing SW characters, period, but I'm not sure Mr. Lucas is looking to hear that at the moment.) I'm pretty positive most fans would agree with me.

Well, how about all us devoted padawans, knights (okay, okay, just plain old teachers and software salesmen and librarians and programmers and artist-wannabees etc. etc. who wish they could be Jedi in that Galaxy far, far away) anyhow, as I was saying - how about all of us Quinlan Vos supporters uniting and forming a - how to say it - QuinQuest? You know, getting fans to sign an online support form (maybe at theforce.net), which we could organize and print up into pages of comments encouraging our project. We'd create an awesome Quinlan letterhead/stationery - you know, sort of melding a photo of a Quin model (any volunteers?) and a Jan Duursema sketch via Photoshop (I'm a graphic artist, I can't help imagining it all in my mind!). We'd then write to all the principals involved - Mr. McCallum and Mr. Lucas seem like a good start to me.
"Impossible!" You might say reflexively. But it isn't! Think about it.
After showing so much willingness on their part to involve the fans (letting Hyperspace members choose ObiWan's droid colors), etc., I think LucasFilms would perhaps consider our impassioned plea. We, the fans, just need to show our interest and prove that there are many, many fans who would love to see Quin on the big screen.

Anyone agreeing with me yet?

If you're still doubting, remember that the effort expended (costume wise, etc.) would not even be so tremendous as you would think. Firstly, Quin is based on a TPM extra. Presto, makeup test done. Quin's now - famous costume has already been designed, and his elaborate dreadlocks are instantly recognizeable. For the unfortunate uninitiated, the fearsome looking Jedi is just another extra; no plot points lost there. Script? Fans don't even need dialogue (though what a thrill that would be! Imagine, seeing Quinlan with Dooku at some point of the film! Scripted by Mr. John Ost- er, Mr. Lucas?)all fans need is to glimpse that fierce face, the pained eyes, and - you'll get theaters full of enthusiastically cheering fans. In short, comparitively little effort for great payoff!

I've written to Jan Duursema about this, and she seemed really enthusiastic about the idea. She pointed out that Mr. Lucas DOES pay some attention to the EU - as his seeing (and liking) an Aayla Secura cover art was the reason we got to see Aayla in action in AoTC.


It's the last Star Wars film. The Jedi are doomed. Vader will arise. Let's grab the chance to see Quinlan (in full glory [visions of lightsaber battle...], for once unblocked by violent Dugs, clumsy Gungans, and junior Darth Vaders a la TPM).

 

I walked by a shop's window showing TPM, just when they showed the Quinlin shot. It was fortuitous time, all right, and seriously, you get only a split-second sighting. To have picked that up in a movie heavy on background movement was canny.

 

John O., you and the guys and gals behind Star Wars Republic comics (and Jedi) rock! My congrats and appreciation to you for making very interesting and action-packed stories with so many cool characters (yes, the jedi do rule).
It just dawned on me that, after reading Republic #66 (which was awesome), that the fate of Republic (and the Jedi issues) were coming to a close in the next year, with the release of Ep. III and all. I just wanted to say "thanks" for creating some of the best stories involving the jedi in the twilight years of the Republic. It's been an awesome trip. Keep up the good wotrk, and I look forward to seeing the conclusions of Quin/Tholme/T'ra Sa/Aayla/Dooku. We all know Aayla will survive until Ep.III, so I can't wait to see what happens. No mater what, I know you guys will make it memorable.
Take care, God bless, peace out.

P.S. I'm also down with the petition to have Vos in EIII. That would rock.

 

i'd be down with the petition, and would sign it either way, but i think it might be too late to squeeze it in.

on another note:
Mr. O,
what do you think of suggesting a "Books of Mandalore" to the powers that be?
Obviously i would be psyched if u and jan were the creative team, but alas we all know how busy u are!!!

it could perhaps start with a history of mandalore and tie up all the loose threads surrounding these fellas.

and u can be sure it would be suctioned up at comix shops everywhere !!!

would u be interested in bringing that up?
or can someone direct me to the proper forum at DH.com to address this idea?

as always, u rock and tx
-pete