Petersen interview in CBG #1623.

[Otto66]

In the latest issue of Comic Buyers Guild, #1623, DEC 2006, pages 74&75,
is a "Mouse Guard" interview with David Petersen that was done at SDCC
this year (2006) by Karen O'Brien. She says nice things about the book and
David gives BIG UPS to Mignola and George Lucas. A black-and-white limited
edition is mentioned. Hardcover fans will be pleased.

[Neil Hill]

Mike Mignola I can understand, but George Lucas? Hmm, maybe he should have credited Joseph Campbell and his book A Hero with a Thousand Faces and even the film Seven Samurai, from which Lucas reportedly drew the majority of his inspiration for Star Wars and other similar stories. Just trying to give credit where credit is due. :)

[Petersen]

I have credited Joseph Campbell before. I try and give Mouse Guard the same building blocks that all other heroic stories have. Campbell did us a favor by writing what the ingredients are!

Lucas took those elements and changed the way stories in movies are told. Campbell's point was that these themes are rewritten over and over for new generations, new audiences. I am of the age that when it comes to mythology, Star Wars happens to be my most relateable example of those themes in use.

Thanks for the mention Otto. I haven't picked it up yet. Ackward interview, she didn't have a recording device and she was madlt typing notes on a laptop while I answered her Q's. I found myself talking slowly to try and help, but it probably only made it harder for her.

[Maija]

Mike Mignola I can understand, but George Lucas? Hmm, maybe he should have credited Joseph Campbell and his book A Hero with a Thousand Faces and even the film Seven Samurai, from which Lucas reportedly drew the majority of his inspiration for Star Wars and other similar stories. Just trying to give credit where credit is due. :)Wow, that's some bizarre logic. So Stygian, by your reasoning should David have also credited all of the folklorists that Mignola has adapted stories from? Or HP Lovecraft? Or Kirby?

Good thing David didn't cite Quentin Tarantino as an influence or he'd have to give you a three page list of "credit where credit is due".

Though I think the new Star Wars trilogy is ego-bloated crap, the first trilogy was an adventure that had an impact on a generation of kids that a Kurosawa film or a Joseph Cambell book could not have had.

Was it awkward when you were a kid and you'd show up in a samurai costume to play Star Wars games? :D

[Petersen]

Lucas gets some crap about the new trillogy. I say that there are things that are deserved, but much of it is overblown. I still enjoy the new movies. They lack the scope and heroics of the classics.

Retelling stories is the way good stories are made. Oral tradition shaped many myths. It's like telling a joke to your friends. You may weed out some of the words that were unnessesary, change the timing..it gets honed. There was a time when that was the only way stories, tales, songs, hell, history itself was passed on.

and no...it was ackward to spill sake down the front of my rodian mask when I was playing samurai

[Neil Hill]

Wow, that's some bizarre logic. So Stygian, by your reasoning should David have also credited all of the folklorists that Mignola has adapted stories from? Or HP Lovecraft? Or Kirby?

I sometimes wonder if you realize how confrontational you can sometimes sound in your responses Maija. Anyway, I see your point. I guess my comments regarding George Lucas sprang more from my lack of faith in his ability as a storyteller these days. His latest features (the SW Prequels mostly) make the first three (from the 70's and 80's) seem like utter flukes by comparison. I can definitely see crediting the pre-Prequel George Lucas as an influence though, as his genius was on full display in those early years.

Of course you can choose whoever you want as an influence David, so I apologize if my comments made it sound like I was trying to challenge you on that point. :D

[Maija]

I sometimes wonder if you realize how confrontational you can sometimes sound in your responses Maija.
I'm completely aware of it, Neil. I wonder if you realize what a condescending know-it-all you sound like in yours and how much those smileys you tack on the end of your posts read as knowing smirks.

[Petersen]

Of course you can choose whoever you want as an influence David, so I apologize if my comments made it sound like I was trying to challenge you on that point. :D

You should be able to defend your reasons for chosing to like someone's work, so I don't mind. I certainly recognize that Lucas was not the first to tell that type of tale and that he didn't act alone.

[Neil Hill]

I'm completely aware of it, Neil. I wonder if you realize what a condescending know-it-all you sound like in yours and how much those smileys you tack on the end of your posts read as knowing smirks.

Not going there with you. You are entitled to your opinion though. I sincerely appreciate the feedback Maija. I'll try and turn your comments into a positive and look inwardly. I didn't realize I came across that way. My smileys are never intended as "knowing smirks", but I can see how some might think of them that way. Also, I guess one person's know-it-all is another person's interesting factoid. I'll try and watch that also. Again, thanks.

[Sparky]

I think what this thread needs right now is some EWOK:

http://www.gamerevolution.com/oldsite/articles/rants/archive/ewoks.jpg

Everybody sing along!

Yub nub
eee chop yub nub
ah toe meet toe pee-chee keene
g'noop dock fling oh ah!

[Gary_B]

http://www.gamerevolution.com/oldsite/articles/rants/archive/ewoks.jpg


Liam, is that you?!

[Mike Cross]

i recognize that song as the non-special edition celebration song..

[Neil Hill]

Yub-yub! La-la-la-la! Yub-yub! :D

[Otto66]

To quote The Spears, "Opps, I did it, again."

Guess I should have used the entire quote rather than going for
the quick take. I just figured that if folks were interested they'd
pick up a copy of CBG #1623.
The quote reads,"I also tried to use the same building blocks that
George Lucas used for "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones"-the 1930s
serial thriller stuff."
Hope that helps.

And David? Ya did fine with the interview. Ya got the handsome, humble,
Michgan-raised, Small Press, writer/artist wunderkin stuff down pat.:)
(please note: smilie used at the end of this sentence was not a "knowing smirk",
although, Otto66 has been know to use them from time to time
just for that purpose):D

[Neil Hill]

(please note: smilie used at the end of this sentence was not a "knowing smirk",
although, Otto66 has been know to use them from time to time
just for that purpose):D

I think they should have a "knowing smirk" smiley icon (perhaps they do and I'm just not aware of it). That way I could use that instead of the other smiley's I normally use in my attempt to convey a harmless sense of sarcasm. :p

[Otto66]

I think they should have a "knowing smirk" smiley icon (perhaps they do and I'm just not aware of it). That way I could use that instead of the other smiley's I normally use in my attempt to convey a harmless sense of sarcasm. :p
Wouldn't :rolleyes: :p :D convey "a hamless cents of sourcasm"?

[Gary_B]

In a better world there would be no smileys.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/lena212/evilsmi1eys.gif

[Neil Hill]

In a better world there would be no smileys.

They certainly can be. It can be extremely difficult to communicate an off center sense of humor, unless you're on the same wavelength as the person WITH that sense of humor. Smiley's are one way to communicate that you may be saying something raw or "mean", but that you mean absolutely no harm. Smiley's are inadequate on just about all levels, but they do serve some sort of purpose or people wouldn't be using them. If nothing else they lighten the tone slightly. Even if the person reading the post will take whatever meaning they desire- smiley's or no smiley's.

[Petersen]

I still haven't picked this up.

http://www.cbgxtra.com/portals/1/NtForums_Attach/1915257536.jpg

[Petersen]

It can be extremely difficult to communicate an off center sense of humor, unless you're on the same wavelength as the person WITH that sense of humor. Smiley's are one way to communicate that you may be saying something raw or "mean", but that you mean absolutely no harm. Smiley's are inadequate on just about all levels, but they do serve some sort of purpose or people wouldn't be using them. If nothing else they lighten the tone slightly. Even if the person reading the post will take whatever meaning they desire- smiley's or no smiley's.

misinterpreting posts is not just about someone’s sense of humor. It's what is the perceived intent. For instance, I read your post about Lucas/Campbell/Kurosawa as an intended critique. (Critique is not a bad word. I am willing to defend my opinion to a fault, as people who know me in RL will attest, so it didn't bother me.). It called into question not just of who I credited, but assumed that I may have been unaware of the other influences.

I took that meaning because I would have phrased it differently. Does it change your real intent, no. I just didn't pick up on it. Whose fault is that? yours? mine? who knows.

My Father always said: "whether it's with people or computers communication is the hardest thing we have to do."

Not in this case, but I think smileys are overused and have become a crutch for writing. Not that anyone wants to read the great American novel as a post, but for centuries people were able to express themselves clearly through words without the intent of their message being overly compromised. Nowadays people use acronyms and smileys (ROTFL ;P) as a generic way to laugh or tease. So many people use the same 10 internet-shorthand bits (including smileys) that it's no wonder there is confusion! How can we rely on something as un-unique as LOL to discribe the way everyone finds something funny.

[parrish]

So the B&W limited edition...is this something in the works?

[Petersen]

So the B&W limited edition...is this something in the works?

Still in the talking stage, but yes. The idea would be a 12" square book (same size as the original artwork)

[Neil Hill]

My Father always said: "whether it's with people or computers communication is the hardest thing we have to do."

First off David, I apologize for having kind of hijacked your thread here to make a few points. Maija took me to task (not without merit mind you) and I feel like this whole thing kind of got derailed and became a p**ing contest. So, I'm sorry for that.

Your father sounds like a smart man. Yes, communication can be difficult at the best of times. In my comments regarding your influences, I simply took issue with you mentioning Lucas and only at that moment. When Maija brought up the fact that I was being unfair (paraphrasing here) I re-examined what I'd said and basically recinded that comment. Not apologizing mind you, but hopefully fleshing out what I'd meant to say and didn't.

I think trying to communicate on Messageboards ultimately should be fun and comments should be made without rancor. Certainly none of my comments are meant to be taken that way (even though I'm sure at times they are). I may come across as an insuferable know-it-all and that's a behavior I can attempt to correct, but if I intend no harm and use a smiley to in some small way lessen the blow of a comment, I'm using a crutch device at best. I guess I should just rethink what I'm about to say entirely in the future, before I type it. That way I can self-censor and hopefully avoid having to rely on smiley's and other such devices.

[Petersen]

I think trying to communicate on Messageboards ultimately should be fun and comments should be made without rancor.

I think most posts would be better with MORE Rancor:
http://www.wizards.com/starwars/images/rancor.jpg

[Neil Hill]

I think most posts would be better with MORE Rancor:
http://www.wizards.com/starwars/images/rancor.jpg


[tone=joking and easy going]
Not that kind of Rancor, David. Although, that does make me want to watch Return of the Jedi again soon!

[Otto66]

Just a thought, but, why not contact CBG (an email?) and
ask for a copy? Ya know, being a Small Press, writer/artist
wunderkin does have its perks and if ya offer them a more
extensive interview after issue #6 comes out...
(Otto66 is being sincere and try'n to be helpful)

[Sparky]

Dear Mr. Petersen:

I recently purchased this Mouse Guard Lieam Playset (comes with sword, cape, and rutabaga) but I must not have looked too closely at the box when I got it…because it turns out this is the ZOMBIE Mouse Guard Lieam Playset!

http://www.phobe.com/crap/zombie_mouse_big.jpg

I’m all for merchandising your intellectual property, Mr. Petersen, but, I think this goes a bit too far. (http://www.phobe.com/crap/zombie_mouse_sm.jpg)

Okay, actually I found this freaky stuffed rat-thing in the Halloween aisle at the craft store and said to my husband OMG MOUSE GUARD LOL! and so naturally this resulted.

[Gary_B]

I don't usually "get" figures but I want that so bad! You should make one for the gift exchange.

[Otto66]

Nice. Ya know yer a hit when they start produce'n fancraft.

[Petersen]

HAHAHAH! I forgot that I hadn't commented on this. Lieam has gone feral!! lookout!

[Neil Hill]

David, for those of us who aren't familiar with how you got your start in comics, would you mind elaborating on that a bit? Did you immediately start right out of the gate with MouseGuard, or had you been successfully shopping around other properties first and then just decided to start this series? I'm just curious how it all came together for you.

[Petersen]

Mouse Guard is my first book.

I have toyed with comic ideas with friends since I was in High School. The farthest I ever got on one of those was 10 pages in before the writer gave up.

I took an assortment of work with me (illustrations, paintings, sculptures, etc.) to a Motor City show and people kept asking when the mouse stuff was coming out. I told them I'd have the book done by the next show (I hadn't planned on doing a mouse book at that point, but when enough people were curious, I told them I was). So I did the black and white printing for the Spring MCCC of '05. Jeremy and I also put together an anthology book called Ye Old Lore of Yore at the same time. I had 12 pages of story & art in that book.

I was very lucky that while in San Diego in '05, I was advised (by Bill Baker) to approach Archaia about publishing Mouse Guard. I knew Mark Smylie, but didn't know he was publishing other people's work through his studio Archaia. Having had a good experience showing him work in the past, I showed him Mouse Guard and I think the contract was signed within a week of me getting back home to Michigan.

in short: I lucked out

[Neil Hill]

in short: I lucked out

Thanks for the breakdown there David.

Nah, in this case it was a great concept and pure talent that ruled the day my friend. If not the studio you're currently with, someone else would have seen the potential and been smart enough to publish you. I'm just glad you're working and seemingly enjoying what you're creating!

[Stephane Garrelie]

Thanx David :)