When you’re at ground zero in the seething maelstrom of hype and nerdgasms that make up the Comic-con’s main floor, it can be tough for a small publisher to stand out, but this year Archaia came out strong as a major force in the comics world with a booth that drew readers in droves. Their tentpole title for 2010: Fraggle Rock! The first volume, collected in hardcover, debuted over a month early at the show to brisk sales and rave reviews. In the event that you’re a Fraggle fan and you missed your chance to pick it up in San Diego, amazon.com has quite a consolation prize — the book is on pre-order at 49% off the cover price. That makes it cheaper than Return to Labyrinth vol. 4, plus this one is in color and hardcover. (How exactly does that work?)
At the Henson panel on Sunday, Archaia announced the full partial lineup of creators involved with the next Fraggle Rock series. That Return to Labyrinth artist Chris Lie and I are contributors is not news, but knowing who our respective partners are is. (“are is” — is that even a proper sentence?) Chris will be drawing the lead story, written by Grace Randolph, fresh off her successful run on Muppet Peter Pan. Also coming up in volume 2, a story by Joe LeFavi. Chances are, you don’t know Joe yet because this is his debut published work as a writer, but if you read Return to Labyrinth, you absolutely know his work. He’s been my story editor for the last two volumes, providing invaluable notes on my scripts in his former capacity as the head of publishing development at the Henson company. Joe’s since launched his own entertainment company, but he’s still working with Henson to ensure that the licensed stories like Labyrinth, Fraggles and Dark Crystal stay true to the Henson legacy. A greater Henson fan and expert you’ll never find. His story is illustrated by Heidi Arnhold, illustrator of the Legends of the Dark Crystal books. Small world!
The story that I wrote, titled “The Ghastly Stain,” is one of the two backup stories in the issue. It will be illustrated by Mark Simmons, someone I’ve known for close to a decade as “Mark the Gundam Guy,” as he’s worked with Bandai as script editor and keeper of the Gundam Official website ever since the venerable giant robot series debuted in the US. I didn’t realize until last year that Mark is also an incredible artist in his own right. Check out his webcomic series “Blood Bite of the Death Dragon” for a taste of his work.
The second Fraggle Rock series debuts this fall.
One other bit of news that came out of the Henson panel, Archaia will be releasing a graphic novel adaptation of an unfilmed Jim Henson screenplay entitled A Tale of Sand. This screenplay, co-written with writing partner Jerry Juhl, was created early in Henson’s career as a filmmaker and is an experimental story reminiscent of the best Twilight Zone episodes. The screenplay will be adapted word-for-word, making this the first Henson-written story to be released since his passing. Lisa Henson will be overseeing the graphic novel’s creation. I confess, I got chills when this project was announced and I can’t wait to find out who Archaia tapped to illustrate it.
Archaia did talk about The Dark Crystal comic. Concept artist Brian Froud will be providing the story and art direction, but he won’t be writing or drawing it himself. It’s going to be a prequel that explores the origins of the Dark Crystal. Augra’s heretofore unseen son will feature prominently. To hear Froud talk about the Crystal, it all sounds very cosmic and mind-bending. I can’t wait to check it out! As for Labyrinth, no details from Archaia yet about how they’ll be approaching that property.
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Jake, thanks for your support of Fraggle Rock and the other projects that Archaia is publishing in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company. I’m on pins and needles waiting for more news regarding A Tale of Sand and Dark Crystal as well!
I did want to correct a couple of your Fraggle Rock v. 2 details, however. First, Archaia hasn’t yet announced the full creator lineup. The list they showed during their panel actually only covered about half of the talented people that will be working on our second series. Also, the lead story that Chris Lie will be illustrating is actually written by Grace Randolph, the very talented up-and-comer who wrote Muppet Peter Pan and Marvel’s current Her-Oes miniseries. Joe LeFavi’s lead story (which will run in issue #2 of the new series) will be drawn by Heidi Arnhold, the wonderful artist behind Tokyopop’s Legends of The Dark Crystal manga. Finally, Joe LeFavi’s debut Fraggle Rock story will actually NOT be his lead, but an extremely funny Wembley backup that will run alongside your Boober story in issue #1. Cory Godbey, a very talented illustrator and comic artist who has worked on Flight among many other projects, will be handling the art duties.
With people like these involved with the book, I have very high hopes for our second series. Vol. 1 set the bar pretty darn high, but I think Joe, Chris, Heidi, Cory, you and everyone else who will be contributing may exceed it!
Thanks, Tim. Thanks a lot. Thanks for making me look like a liar and/or idiot with your so-called “facts.”
You’re very welcome.
I’m all for more Dark Crystal stuff, but I hope they don’t contradict The Song of Aughra too much. It says Aughra was the only member of her race, born from the need of the rocks and trees to perceive the world.
B,
What is the Song of Aughra from? I love that description you quoted. The mention of her son came from the lips of Brian Froud himself, so it isn’t as if an outside force is coming in to retcon things, but I agree that contradictory descriptions can be frustrating.
Somehow I replied to myself when I meant to reply to you.
The Song of Aughra, a.k.a. The World of the Dark Crystal, is the official background information book about The Dark Crystal. There’s a copy online: http://habidabad.com/prequel.htm
It would be worse if she had parents.