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:



Everybody sing along!

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

[Gary_B]

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