READ HARDY BOYS OR I'LL EAT THIS DOG!

Relax, relax — I won’t really eat this dog!

I just wanted to get your attention and let you know that I’m Back To Blogging here on all matters Hardy Boys!

Sometimes as a freelance writer it is important to “treat all your children the same”… that is, you have to pay special and close attention to every project you’re working on, to treat them all equal.   I try, but…

The truth is that of all the myriad properties I’ve worked on over the years, THE HARDY BOYS has really found a special place in my heart.   Maybe its because at the center of all their adventures, I think, it comes down to the story about two brothers who are always there for each other (something James Bond certainly never had, and say what you want about how close Batman and Robin are — they aren’t brothers).   I come from a huge family myself (six brothers and sister and twenty-two nieces and nephews), so I know what it is like to turn to a family member and know you’re there for each other in times of stress.

Also, I like the sheer resourcefulness of Joe and Frank.   I love that they are smart enough and brave enough that A.T.A.C. knows they can drop them into any situation and the Brothers Hardy are sure to find some way to get out of it — whether with tools that have been provided them through A.T.A.C., or just because they’re the Hardy Boys!

Last weekend I gave a friend of mine a copy of Hardy Boys (The Lindsay Rider book) and signed it for her.   She was in town helping her brother move into his new place.   Three days later he was over the apartment and was really excited and said “I was unpacking and I saw this Hardy Boys book my sister had and was like ‘What is this –?!’   I only meant to look at the first few pages but I couldn’t put it down!   It was so awesome!”

As the writer I forget sometimes that there are people reading these books, honest.  I write them and send them off into the world and hope I’ve prepared them for life on their own.   So when I meet someone, or talk to them here on the blog or at a comic book store, it always helps to remind me who much fun it is to be a writer of comics and movies and television… and, most of all, the Hardy Boys!

Now I have to go find some ketchup for this dog!
(Kidding!)

In nominating Judge Sonia Sotamayor for the Supreme Court, President Obama today said “It’s my understanding that Judge Sotomayor’s interest in the law was sparked as a young girl by reading the Nancy Drew series. And that when she was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 8, she was informed that people with diabetes can’t grow up to be police officers or private investigators like Nancy Drew. In essence she was told she’d have to scale back her dreams.”

Wow! Like Judge Sonia Sotamayer, I’m from the Bronx and I lived in the Projects. I’m also part Puerto Rican.  I’m also the graphic novel editor of NANCY DREW.  So this is really, really exciting news in many ways.

President Obama also has a cameo apearance in THE HARDY BOYS Graphic Novel #16 “Shhhhhh!” also from Papercutz. Unlike his other more recent and highly-publicised comicbook appearances, as either a Conan-like Barbarian or Spider-Man’s partner-in-crimefighting, his appearance in the Hardy Boys graphic novel was far more Prsesidential – he’s depicted giving a speech about libraries, something he did in real-life as a Senator.

NANCY DREW #17 “Night of the Living Chatchke” is the latest graphic novel from Papercutz, and like the Hardy Boys graphic novels, is available at booksellers everywhere.

A fan recently wrote and asked if we ever wanted to be detectives — (uh, I guess because of all those girl sleuth stories we write). I remembered  watching the classic noir detectives and the thrill of figuring out whodunit before Spade or Marlowe and while Nancy Drew isn’t quite so hard boiled, she always gets her perp. I love that! I couldn’t really think of any detective stories where the mystery is NOT solved (Citizen Kane doesn’t count). So, maybe I DO want to be a detective and while I admit to having trouble keeping up with House (the diagnostician), I love the challenge of solving a good mystery.

This fan letter also reminded me of the fun coming up at the Book Expo at the end of May in NYC. I love librarians!! Looking forward to meeting fans and  signing books!

Working on an exciting project I thought I would share with you — BIONICLE Graphic Novel #8 is going to feature ALL-NEW stories set on Bara Magna! The 75 page book will feature three new tales written by me — the first deals with the Skrall and why they moved south to the Bara Magna desert, and features the amazing menace of the baterra; the second is the story of Malum’s exile from Vulcanus; and the third looks back at the history of the planet Spherus Magna, the disastrous Shattering that destroyed it, and how Bara Magna came to be what is today. I am having great fun writing these stories, and I think you will really enjoy the book!

NOW BEING SOLICITED IN COMICBOOK STORES FOR JULY 2009; IN GENERAL BOOK STORES AUGUST 2009…

BIONICLE
Graphic Novel #6 “The Underwater City”
By Greg Farshtey, writer

Mike here with BIONICLE news! Coming in August…Undersea adventures and the battle for the Mask of Light!  After the events of “The Battle of Voya Nui,” the powerful Mask of Light has sunk beneath the sea where it turns up in the underwater city of Mahri Nui. The Matoran of this city must constantly plan their defense against a barrage of Pirraka predators that continue to circle the city, striking again and again. After its discovery by the Toa Defilak, the Mask of Light begins to reveal a deadly secret that becomes apparent to those who witness its effects on the user. For while its power gives the wearer great strength that could be used for good, the Mask of Light or “Ignika” as it comes to be called, brings paranoia, jealousy, and madness to anyone who wears it. Not only that, but this graphic novel presents the all-new, never before seen prequel “Hydraxon’s Tale” written by Greg Farshtey that takes place right before the events of this epic battle! Plus, an exclusive LEGO®.com cheat code inside for the upcoming August 2009 online BIONICLE video game. A must-have for any BIONICLE fan!

5 x 7 1/2, 96pp. full color trade pb., $7.95,
ISBN 978-1-59707-156-7
Also in collector’s hardcover: $12.95,
ISBN 978-1-59707-157-7

IT’S FREE COMICS WEEKEND!

And You can get your hands on some free
HARDY BOYS and NANCY DREW Comics!

Hi there everyone!

The weekend of May 2nd is Free Comics Weekend across the US, and UCLICK, distibutor of NANCY DREW and HARDY BOYS comicbooks for iPhones and iPod touch, is offering free Papercutz comics! This afternoon, Friday May 1st, until tomorrow night at midnight, you can download the first part of NANCY DREW #1 “The Demon of River Heights” and the first part of THE HARDY BOYS #1 “The Ocean of Osyria” for your iPhone or iPod touch absolutely free!

If you haven’t checked out the HARDY BOYS or NANCY DREW comics for your iPhone or iPod touch, it’s a great time to do so. Each issue of a HARDY BOY or NANCY DREW comic is regularly $.99 cents and features the touch-and-swipe technology that allows you to scroll from panel to panel with ease. If you are a commuter or carpooler on your way to school, a great way to kill some time is with a HARDY BOYS or NANCY DREW comic. Just be sure not to read while you’re driving! Click here to be taken directly to the iTunes app store and pick up your free comic (you must have iTunes already installed on your computer). You can also search “Uclick” on the App Store on the iPhone or on iTunes to find these comics. Enjoy Free Comics Weekend!

-Mike the Editorial Assistant