READ THE NEW HARDY BOYS BOOK OR I WILL EAT THIS DOG!
May 27, 2009 by Scott Lobdell
Filed under Papercutz Blog
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!)
You’re making me hungry… for some Hardy Boys!
Scott–It\’s nice of you to share your thoughts about your work. The brothers are in good hands.
Scott, it’s good to see you bloging on the Hardys again…and even better that I read the latest Hardy Boys graphic! I wouldn’t want you to eat your dog!
Anyways, I’ve got a question for you, actually a few, but I’ll control myself and only ask one (for now). I’m wondering, will the end of Simon & Schuster’s Undercover Brothers prose series, next year, effect your series? I hope it doesn’t mean the end of your series! But I do hope it gives you a little more freedom.
Keep up the good work, Scott. I’m already looking forward to the next titles, especially that hangman one!
Well thank you, Spencer!
The truth is I have always been one of those writers that doesn’t plan very far ahead. Not because I am lazy, but because I like to be surprised by the actions of the characters — just like “real life” I like to live in the moment!
With HARDY BOYS GRAPHIC NOVELS a super hot item in comic, book stores and libraries across the country I am certain there is no doubt you’ll be seeing them for years and years to come! And by the grace of the Graphic Novel Gods (Jim and Terry! LOL!) I will be writing them!
I am curious what the fans think of whether A.T.A.C. should break up at the same time the prose books run that particular course? What do you say, people?
Scott!
Scott, although I think you do a good job handling ATAC, I’ve never really been a fan of it – in any series, yours or S&S’s series, so my answer to your question is YES! I much prefer stories where the boys are on their own, with no backup.
I think the end of ATAC would make a great story. How and why would ATAC need to end, are only some of the question you could explore…
I like ATAC and would like to see them stick around, but they definantly needto “losen their grip” on the Hardys. Sometimes I find my self missing the old stumble over a case situation. However I have to admit The End of ATAC does sound like a great story, mabey even multi-volume. Hey mabey you could do one of those future books, you know a story about a possible future then go back to the present on all the other volumes.
PS. Any word on a Hardy Boys Nancy Brew crossover comic. With UBs down you may be the only hope for more crossover books.
I like the Hardy Boys better on their own. Its just more exciting that way. Another reason I like them better on thier own is because with A.T.A.C. Chet, Biff, Tony and all the rest of their friends don’t get to help out as much. But even if A.T.A.C. didn’t end, I’d still read them.
Hardy Boys 4ever!!!!
Wow, what passionate responses!
That’s what I love about meeting Hardy Fans at comic cons or book seller fairs or comic stores: they know what they like and they’re not afraid to say it!
I agree, the “dismantling” or A.T.A.C. could be awesome! Not that I want to see the organization go (they clearly do a lot of good), but imagine what a story it would be! Does its budget get cut by Congress? Is their a hostile takeover within by the Sister Noir? Does Laura find out Fenton has been using her sons as secret agents and tell him either A.T.A.C. goes or she does?!
Then again I like the fact of A.T.A.C. existing in the background, too. Maybe there is an Godfather bit where Joe and Frank declare “Every time we try to get out, they pull us back in!”
What would happen if W.A.R.D. infiltrated A.T.A.C. and turned all their resources against the Hardy Boys?! Joe and Frank on the run against a corrupted spy ring that knows everything about them. They would need to stay away from Chet and Biff and Aunt Trudy and everyone the know and love in order to keep them safe. On the run, who could they trust?
Am I the only one excited by these story ideas?!
I especially your last story idea, Scott. You could build quite a few stories around that premise. Also, I like the idea of Laura finding out about ATAC (preferably in a nasty way :p). Both stories would fit together, nicely.
Like Haley, I’d like to see Biff, Chet, Tony or any one of the other “chums” appear in one of your stories. Tony and Biff, as well as Phil haven’t been heard from in over 5 years!
Scott,
I appreciate that you are asking fans of the Hardy Boys Graphic Novels, and the Hardy Boys book in general, for some suggestions on where the Graphic Novels should go now that it appears that the regular Undercover Brothers novels are being discontinued.
Here’s my first suggestion: Get rid of ATAC. Now then I don’t think you did all that much to “wear out the welcome mat” for ATAC, but considering just how often that agency was overused in the regular novels and just how Frank and Joe have essentially become 1-dimensional “string puppets” for the agency, I think that it is really time for ATAC to go.
My second suggestion would be to take the Graphic Novels in a direction that is similar to the way the early novels for the old Hardy Boys Casefiles were written. Have the boys be 17 and 18 year old teenagers who are mature enough to handle crimes such as corporate and international espionage, hi-tech theft rings, etc. I remember an old ad for the Casefiles that said that that series was trying to be a mix of James Bond and Indiana Jones, and I think the fans really enjoyed seeing Frank and Joe in those types of adventures. And you could maybe bring the Network and the Gray Man into the series.
Third suggestion: bring back the Hardy’s friends and girlfriends. I really enjoyed “Ocean Of Osyria”, and I still go back every so often to read it, just to read a story about the Hardy’s working with Callie Shaw and Iola Morton and even Chet Morton.
Fourth suggestion: how about having Frank and Joe fight crime against a couple of gangs that are not just one or two people robbing jewelery stores in just Bayport. Maybe get the Hardy’s fighting some gangs like they used to in the Original Hardy Boys series where part of the gang would be in Bayport, while another part would be in Maine, with still another in Ontario, Canada or even another foreign country.
Final suggestion: How about having some cross-over stories with Tom Swift and Nancy Drew. In the 80+ years that Tom Swift and the Hardy Boys have been around, Tom, Frank and Joe have only met twice.
Soctt,
Sorry for the double post, but there is one other thing that I think a lot of people would like to see in the Graphic Novels. Sub-Plots. Maybe have a murder of a person be the main plot, but then add in little twists to other crimes that the person did. Maybe the victim was a banker who was syphoning funds and was killed by his employer/client who found out what he was doing. You know, stuff like that.
Hi Scott,
I wanted to comment here about ending ATAC. I say, go ahead and do it, and for many of the reasons previously listed. I also want the series to return to the casefile days. I would say that it would appeal to an older crowd, but I remember reading casefiles when I was just 10 or 11 and enjoying them immensely. I think you could have the Hardy’s tackle harder cases and still be able to bring in younger readers. Today’s youth are so inundated with all things adult that they can understand a more grown up Frank and Joe. of course, they could still be role models as well. Oh, and please bring back the original chums, Chet, Biff, Tony, Phil… I love reading about characters that I’m already familiar with.
Thanks!
Trevor, don’t most stories have sub-plots? I think graphic novels already have some good sub-plots. Like Laura Hardy in ”Shhhhhh!”, and Fenton’s inner battle in ”Malled”. Of course, I think these are a little different than what your talking about, but I think a longer book would be needed to fit in any really complex sub-plots (which I think is what you are suggesting). I wouldn’t mind a longer book though, in fact many times I’ve felt that the books could have more pages, most recently after ”Word Up”.
Maybe, The Hardy Boys series could have some longer books. Many comic series have Annuals, and even Papercutz’s Classics Illustrated series has a “Deluxe” book. It’d be nice to see the Hardys have similar.
I have never been a fan of ATAC, it reminded me of the awful third season of the 1970′s TV series. I would go back to the basic “buddy detective” series that The Hardy Boys started out as.
Reading trough these I see many things I must second:
-If you keep ATAC have somebody (Laura or Chet or somebody) find out.
-Bring Back the Girl Friends!
-Have more stories with the chums.
PS. If you do shift to a Casefiles Universe can we get a “Return of Iola” story?
I think the longer style for the Graphic Novels would definitely pay off, since from what I can tell, a lot of people enjoy reading the Hardy Boys books were there are the complex subplots and the books have two or three different gangs committing crimes at the same time, and, especially early in the books, the Hardy’s and the readers are left wondering which gang the different clues and events belong with.
Oh, and one other suggestion Scott (and I think this will be the final one), lose the “Previous Case of the Hardy Boys” Chapter 1 that are a staple in the Undercover Brothers line. I think it irritates a lot of people that the books start out with this case that the Hardy’s are on (or in the case of “The Opposite Numbers” and “Board to Death” you wrote for us the beginning and ending of the one case, but then we were left wondering what had occurred in between) and it is wrapping up in Chapter 1, and then we are onto Chapter 2 where it is a whole new case.
I think the “previous case of the Hardy Boys” are kind of cool, but if you did cut them out it would leave more pages for the main story. So, I’d be in favor of it.
BTW Scott, I just read the plot summary for DANGER Spells the Hangman – the bad guy (the Hangman) in that one sounds awesome!
Well I don’t need an A.T.A.C. Helicarrier to fall on me!!!
It seems clear from the fans on these boards that the Hardy Boys need to spread their wings a little after the Undercover Brothers run their course! But rest assured I’m looking forward to telling some of those awesome stories we talked about earlier! Maybe not ALL of them, but a few! You watch!
Regarding the “Previously, on Hardy Boys!” (I say that in my best Hill Street Blues voice! And a shiny quarter to anyone who remembers the best cop show ever!)… I have to admit it one of my favorite elements of the story! It is always fun to try to come up with an exciting splash page and dropping the guys in the climax of an adventure! I can totally see your point that it can be a little frustrating not getting the specifics of a case (like watching the movie for a trailer you’ll never see), but I personally feel the trade off it worth it!
But you know, like Joe and Frank will tell you, writing like detecting requires you to keep and open mind and look at all the details… so I will take your suggestions into account next time I’m sitting down to write a book!
Someone asked about a Nancy Drew or Tom Swift crossovers… and while I agree it is an excellent suggestion, we here at Papercutz haven’t found the exact right story to make our crossover the most exciting and excellent crossover ever! Okay, that might be a BIT hyperbolic, but honestly, we really want to make it a special occasion when it happens! (Hmmm… there is that twenty-fifth book right around the corner…!)
And Robin and Lori, you have inspired me! With much fanfare I predict… that between now and book thirty, there will be an All Chum mystery that can only be solved by Joe, Frank, Chet and the gang! Remember, you heard it here first (only because you SAID it here first — and I’m smart enough to run with a good idea when I read it!)
Which is, of course, my way of saying “Thanks, Hardy Fans!”
Thanks for responding to our questions, Scott. I’m glad to hear that the chums will star in an upcoming story!
On the “Previously, on Hardy Boys” subject, I never said I didn’t like them, in fact I think they’re fun, I just thought it would add more pages to the main story if you didn’t have them. The only time I thought it was kind of strange was at the beginning of ”Board to Death”, since it seemed to continue where the last one (”The Opposite Numbers) left off, yet the Hardys were already on new mission. I guess that’s how it goes for the boys, though. LOL! As a paint ball fan, I’m liking the look of the next “Previously, on Hardy Boys” chapter.
Dear Scott:
I love the graphic novels you write. I really think you should continue writing the Hardy Boys graphic novels. I mean, when I read those, it’s Turn Page City for me. Thank you for your work.
XXX
I love the Graphic novels! Keep doing them!
Please keep the Graphic Novels! They\’re a really great example of the modern Hardys, and have interesting stories.
My advice:
Save ATAC for once in a while. The Hardy’s have been investigating cases for ATAC for too long, they need to solve cases on their own. When ATAC does appear, WARD should appear too.
Ideas:
-Have the Network have a surprize appearance in a GN (Maybe number 50?).
-Have WARD and ATAC have more huge fights.
-Make the GNs more like the Casefiles.
-Maybe have Frank fall in love with Nancy.
-When the Hardy’s do work for ATAC, make the cases for more likely for a secret agency (I don’t belive James Bond investigated death threats on reality shows, nether did the Network. On that topic, I think reality shows have been overdone in the Hardy Boys)
-Have some gangs appear.
-Have a GN set in Canada, maybe Alberta (home of several huge fossil sites, and Dinosaurs seem to be really popular these days)
Those are just some of my ideas. You don’t have to use them, but I think it would be cool if you did.
I just wanted to pop by and say you’re doing an amazing job with the Hardy Boys, Scott! It’s refreshing to see how much care and effort you put into upholding the integrity of the brothers and how you hold fan opinions in high esteem.
The GN stories are really fantastic! I’m very happy that the series is staying strong (in both quality and popularity/sales).
As for people’s ideas here – I generally agree. I’m fine with either keeping or taking away ATAC (at the moment) but as others were saying: if we keep it, maybe use the agency in a different way and/or downplay it a bit more.
Another thing that I strongly would like to see is a ND/HBs crossover as mentioned (when it works out, and I also am sort of interested in Frank/Nancy too). I would wouldn’t mind the appearance of Iola Morton!
Once again, it’s great that you are opening up a spot here where there is a dialogue going between everyone
Oh, and thanks to Spencer for directing a lot of us here!
Hey, Scott. Off-topic but I just wanted to mention I read your Gotham City Sirens issue, and really enjoyed it! I really like the Riddler, er, I mean Edward Nigma, as a PI. Hopefully you can get a chance to write more Edward Nigma stories.