STAN"S BATTLESTAR GALACTICA INTERVIEW
BGR: How did you get you're initial start in the writing profession?
ST: I wrote pieces first for the college paper, where I was also an editor, then the city paper, and from there I got into advertising. I actually wanted to draw comic books, and worked as an apprentice to Rich Buckler for one summer, helping out on The Incredible Hulk newspaper strip and the World's Finest comic.
Unfortunately, or perhaps luckily, as things worked out, DC had more artists than they knew what to do with at that time, but they were in need of writers, so I wrote a couple of sample scripts for then-editor Dave Manak, who called the following week and told me he would buy anything else I wanted to work up. I've always wanted to give Dave a special tip of the hat for getting me started, so, thanks, Dave.
BGR: What was you're first published piece?
ST: That was -- and I cringe to recall -- a second grade mimeographed class newsletter, for which I contributed a giant-monster-in-the-city story. I was a hit with the other second graders, although I can't say the older demographics thought much of my work.
BGR: You've built up a body of work since, notably Black Gold Conspiracy and Heavy Metal F.A.K.K. 2, Can you tell us about you're other works?
ST: Black Gold is actually a kids' book, although I can't tell you the number of times people who haven't read it ask me if it's a book exposing the evil machinations of the oil companies. There are probably some conspiracists out there who've ordered that book and been badly disappointed. FAKK 2 is the novelization of the new Heavy Metal movie, with quite a bit of new material thrown in (the movie script I worked from was, I think, about 62 pages).
My other work is pretty eclectic -- I've done some short stories, magazine pieces, and drawn some comic books, just as I'd always hoped (Alien Nation, Robin Hood, Plan 9).
BGR: What are you working on now, besides the new Battlestar Novel?...Future plans?
ST: I'm revising a book I wrote with Stan Lee (that's Mr. Amazing Spider-Man to you) called, at least this week, Alien Agenda, which is scheduled for fall release, and then I have a Wolverine/Nick Fury novel for spring of 2002, and maybe a Witchblade novel for summer of next year.
BGR: This I believe is an interesting question, how did you happen to get involved with Battlestar Galactica and the new Novel?
ST: That was lucky timing more than anything else. I asked Byron Preiss, the packager of the BG novel series, if he had any assignments he thought I might be good on, and he offered me the third BG book. I think, although I'm not certain so I won't claim this as gospel, the writer who was going to follow Christopher Golden on the book dropped off the project and my schedule was open. It probably didn't hurt that I was one of the bigger Battlestar fans in Byron's stable.
BGR: Comparing this to what you've done before, what do you consider to be different?
ST: I'm working very closely with Richard on the book. No matter what I thought I knew about the characters and their histories, Richard's involvement has been incredibly helpful and insightful. These characters are deeply woven into a lot of our childhood memories, I'm sure, and I approach this with awe and gratitude. My collaborations on the other books haven't been nearly so synergistic.
BGR: Along those same lines, how do you think this Novel with differ from the ones that Richard did with Christopher Golden?
ST: I think the main difference is stylistically. Christopher has his voice, I have mine. This book tends to get more into the characters' heads, and we explore a lot of character dynamics. As of this moment, I haven't seen the galleys yet, so this may not be true by the time the book sees print, but I turned in a manuscript of over 100,000 words. It's a pretty hefty book.
BGR: Can you give us an plot points, any sneak previews?
ST: Ohhh boy, you might want to clear this with Richard first, but I think I can tell you Kobol has one or two more secrets to give up, as do the Cylons and Count Iblis. We're going to see just why Iblis has it out for Adama's family. Oh, and a couple of major characters die.
BGR: What are you're personal hopes for the book?
ST: I'd like to see it come within at least spitting distance of the NY Times Bestseller list, but I'd be very happy if this paved the way for a second trilogy of books. We've laid the groundwork for a pretty interesting new story arc.
BGR: With all the press and frenzy surrounding Galactica's revival, what would you like to see for the Battlestar's future?
ST: I'd love to see the original cast back in the new series but, failing that, I'd be content with a series of theatrical films featuring the original crew. That's my Battlestar, that's the one I grew up with.
