Closing the Book on 'The Black Tower'
It was a hard decision but after 2 ½ years online, during which I'd established a worldwide fan base of over 50,000 readers, I've decided to shut down the website for The Black Tower webcomic series. It's not a permanent thing. I've kept the domain name ( www.theblacktowercomics.com ) and fully intend to relaunch someday, probably with a few altered illustrations and a line or two of dialogue. But I just felt that the time had come to abandon one creative venture that wasn't really working out for me, financially speaking, and get cracking on developing some other ideas that have been kicking around in my head for quite a while.
I'm very proud of the hard work that I, my co-writer, Jeff Mariotte, and illustrator/colorist, Donald Jackson, put into this project, which has been a labour of love for me since I started working on the project back in 1996. First conceived as a series of adult novels, it later evolved into a TV series concept before I finally settled on the format that my writing skills seem best suited for: a webcomic/graphic novel series.
Throughout every phase of The Black Tower's metamorphosis I had dozens of supporters who eagerly anticipated the project's debut, whether it was in bookstores, on TV or the Internet. Most surprising to me was receiving emails from some pretty big names in the entertainment industry. Folks who write for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Smallville, Supernatural, Lost, Heroes, Star Trek, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, The Collector, Blood Ties...all of them asking to write scripts for The Black Tower, should I ever manage to sell the TV rights.
Also surprising to me was getting emails from some equally impressive names in the comics industry asking to contribute to the webcomic/graphic novel series. That's how Jeff Mariotte came on board the project – and I am profoundly grateful for his guidance and friendship as I stumbled my way into an unexpected career as a graphic novelist.
A few months after The Black Tower's successful debut as a webcomic back in August 2008, David Wohl, Editor in Chief at Radical Publishing, contacted me to say that he enjoyed the premier issue and although they could not, at that time, publish TBT in book form, he liked my writing style so much he wanted me to submit five or six comic book pitches for future development by Radical Comics (and, subsequently, their feature film division).
Well, you could've knocked me over with a feather.
An opportunity like this is literally once in a million...and I'm squandering it. So consumed have I been over the past two years with trying to secure financing for a second issue of The Black Tower, via corporate sponsorship/advertising, that I've neglected every other opportunity that's come my way, both in the comics and TV industry.
Well, not anymore.
David Wohl has been incredibly patient with me over the past year or so. But now the time has come to temporarily set aside my aspirations for The Black Tower and deliver those pitches I promised Radical before they finally get fed up with me and move on. I also have a few TV series ideas (supernatural dramas and reality/lifestyle series) I'd like to develop for network television.
Once I've reestablished myself in the comics industry, and amassed an even larger fan base through the publication of new books under the Radical banner, I'll hopefully have the money I need to continue self-publication of The Black Tower webcomic series. In the meantime, I intend to turn the premier issue of TBT into a .PDF file for fans who wish to receive a copy via email.
Hugs and blessings to the thousands of you, from Japan to Chile and everywhere in between, who have supported my efforts to turn The Black Tower into an outrageously successful transmedia project dedicated to social, environmental and animal welfare causes. Although I fell far short of that mark – mostly because I launched the project at the beginning of the economic crash of 2008 and couldn’t secure the advertising dollars I needed to stay afloat – the fan mail, and support from my industry peers, keeps coming. That means a lot to me and I thank you all very much!
KJC
I'm very proud of the hard work that I, my co-writer, Jeff Mariotte, and illustrator/colorist, Donald Jackson, put into this project, which has been a labour of love for me since I started working on the project back in 1996. First conceived as a series of adult novels, it later evolved into a TV series concept before I finally settled on the format that my writing skills seem best suited for: a webcomic/graphic novel series.
Throughout every phase of The Black Tower's metamorphosis I had dozens of supporters who eagerly anticipated the project's debut, whether it was in bookstores, on TV or the Internet. Most surprising to me was receiving emails from some pretty big names in the entertainment industry. Folks who write for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Smallville, Supernatural, Lost, Heroes, Star Trek, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, The Collector, Blood Ties...all of them asking to write scripts for The Black Tower, should I ever manage to sell the TV rights.
Also surprising to me was getting emails from some equally impressive names in the comics industry asking to contribute to the webcomic/graphic novel series. That's how Jeff Mariotte came on board the project – and I am profoundly grateful for his guidance and friendship as I stumbled my way into an unexpected career as a graphic novelist.
A few months after The Black Tower's successful debut as a webcomic back in August 2008, David Wohl, Editor in Chief at Radical Publishing, contacted me to say that he enjoyed the premier issue and although they could not, at that time, publish TBT in book form, he liked my writing style so much he wanted me to submit five or six comic book pitches for future development by Radical Comics (and, subsequently, their feature film division).
Well, you could've knocked me over with a feather.
An opportunity like this is literally once in a million...and I'm squandering it. So consumed have I been over the past two years with trying to secure financing for a second issue of The Black Tower, via corporate sponsorship/advertising, that I've neglected every other opportunity that's come my way, both in the comics and TV industry.
Well, not anymore.
David Wohl has been incredibly patient with me over the past year or so. But now the time has come to temporarily set aside my aspirations for The Black Tower and deliver those pitches I promised Radical before they finally get fed up with me and move on. I also have a few TV series ideas (supernatural dramas and reality/lifestyle series) I'd like to develop for network television.
Once I've reestablished myself in the comics industry, and amassed an even larger fan base through the publication of new books under the Radical banner, I'll hopefully have the money I need to continue self-publication of The Black Tower webcomic series. In the meantime, I intend to turn the premier issue of TBT into a .PDF file for fans who wish to receive a copy via email.
Hugs and blessings to the thousands of you, from Japan to Chile and everywhere in between, who have supported my efforts to turn The Black Tower into an outrageously successful transmedia project dedicated to social, environmental and animal welfare causes. Although I fell far short of that mark – mostly because I launched the project at the beginning of the economic crash of 2008 and couldn’t secure the advertising dollars I needed to stay afloat – the fan mail, and support from my industry peers, keeps coming. That means a lot to me and I thank you all very much!
KJC
posted by Kelly J. Compeau at 3:32 AM
3 Comments:
So sorry you are ending this venture. But you are a very resourceful person. I know you will be successful at what ever you work next.
Patricia
Sorry to hear about Black Tower, but I understand where you are coming from. You will be on top before you know it. Go girl!
Patricia
You've been one of my biggest supporters for so long, Patricia. Always been there when I needed you. Thank you so much for being such a dear friend.
KJC
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