Chat Log 16 December Christopher Golden Author of Buffy & Angel Books & Comics
Christopher Golden, author of numerous books and comics, including the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" series, met with Cybertown folks at the NPO Club on 16 December. Here is the chat log from that event. There were a few technical difficulties, but we were able to learn about Mr. Golden's current books in publication, his latest book, "Strangewood", and the new comic books that he's got in the works.
December 16, 1999 5:55 PM NPOModerator [5] : Good evening Christoper Golden. Thank you for taking time to join us online tonight. How are you doing tonight?
Harelin has joined the group C.Golden [10] : Doing just fine, thanks.
theCulture [122] : Great. Will you be going 3D? C.Golden [10] : No, actually. I've been so swamped with other stuff that I never managed to get the good folks at Cybertown a photo, etc. Sorry. fcastald [767] : how long have you been writing comic books? C.Golden [10] : my first published comics work, if I remember correctly was in the Wolverine '95 annual . . . interestingly enough, in 1995. : ) Though I'd written things previously that hadn't worked out. TheCulture [122] : How long have you worked on Buffy? C.Golden [10] : I did my first Buffy novel, Halloween Rain, not long after the show premiered, and I've done seven more since. Not to mention the buffy and Angel comics I've written. fcastald [767] : did you read comic books when you were a kid? C.Golden [10] : ooooh yeah. I was a big Marvel kid (though I'm more
appreciative of DCs now). I know my Marvel comics. X-Men and Daredevil were
my favorites back then. [Neighborhood Leader] matthewcraig [1490] : I'd like to ask what Mr. Golden thinks of Sarah Michelle Gellah as Buffy...
C.Golden [10] : matthew, your name sounds familiar? Anyway, I love Sarah.
She IS Buffy, to me, the same way Dennis Franz is Andy Sipowicz. iwostest has joined the group [Neighborhood Leader] matthewcraig [1490] : also what he thinks of her popularity on the Internet. C.Golden [10] : Hmm. I'm not sure what to make of that question. I'm not surprised Sarah's popular on the net. She's a beautiful, strong woman. fcastald [767] : Do you receive any input from the people who work on the Buffy television show? C.Golden [10] : Yes! Everything I do that's Buffy-related has to be approved by Fox productions and by Joss Whedon's office. theCulture [122] : Have you written for other tv program comics? C.Golden [10] : No, actually, I never have. Though I did do a comic based on Waterworld with my friend Tom Sniegoski
fcastald [767] : what are you working on now? C.Golden [10] : Also, please don't Instant Message me during the chat. It's very distracting.
C.Golden [10] : : Right now I'm working on a lot of different projects. In
comics, I'm writing the Angel monthly series with Tom Sniegoski. On my own,
I'm writing a five issue story arc of Buffy. Tom and I are also doing a Giles one shot, and I'll be doing the third Spike & Dru comics next year. Let's see, we just did a Batman:Elseworlds, and a story for BatmanChroncicles #22.
[Block Deputy] poocow1 [365] : what gave u the idea of writing buffy?
C.Golden [10] : In books, I just finished a new novel called Straight On
'Til Morning, and I have a series out now called body of evidence, a teen
thriller book series, that Viacom Television just optioned. Darkfall has joined the group C.Golden [10] : poocow--I like the show!! : ) NPOModerator [5] : Buffy and Angel writer Christopher Golden is now chatting with us. Feel free to ask him questions. Thanks for being here. [Block Deputy] Heavy_D [262] : you're obviously a very creative person, what type of atmosphere gives you inspiration? C.Golden [10] : HEavy D . . . all types, I think. I love Europe, though I haven't been there in nearly ten years. New Orleans. New, interesting places. I like fall and winter for inspiration, but I tend to work better in the spring an dsummer, if that makes sense. fcastald [767] : do you like science fiction books? if so, who is your favorite author?
C.Golden [10] : Hmm. More of a fantasy, horror and mystery reader than
Science-Fiction. I like FrankHerbert. There's a guy I know named Jeffrey
Carver who writes some fun, interesting SF. C.Golden [10] : ?? ** chat no longer moderated ** NPOModerator has left the group NPOModerator has joined the group [Club Owner] red5 [5385] : Anything new for the Punisher series? [Club Owner] red5 [5385] : Is the chat over? theCulture [122] : How old are you and where are you from? DacTheMac has joined the group
** chat moderated by NPOModerator ** C.Golden [10] : Culture--I'm 32 and from Massachusetts. Lived in NYC for a few years, though, and miss it. Red 5, Garth Ennis is doing a maxiseries on the Punisher next, and I can't wait to read it. ** chat no longer moderated ** ** chat moderated by NPOModerator ** C.Golden [10] : okay, obviously some technical difficulties here. Anyone read me? ** chat no longer moderated ** theCulture [122] : I read you but very slow action... fcastald [767] : what's your favorite comic book? not including your own. Darkfall [0] : read you in little green text:) [Club Owner] red5 [5385] : do you have any input on the writing of the Buffy television scripts? DacTheMac [457] : who we talking to?
** chat moderated by NPOModerator ** C.Golden [10] : : My favorite comic ever is Tomb of Dracula. Currently being published. . . . hmm. Preacher or Strangers in Paradise, can't decide. C.Golden [10] : Red 5, no input into the TV show . . . but now and again i see a little something and go, wow, that's familiar. : ) ** chat no longer moderated ** nicky23 has joined the group ** chat moderated by NPOModerator ** Raven32 has joined the group ** chat no longer moderated ** DacTheMac [457] : Are you going to Heaven? [Neighborhood Deputy] Raven32 [2098] : hello [Block Deputy] Zelta_5 [265] : hello? [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : huh? NPOModerator has left the group [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : What does that mean Doc? C.Golden [10] : Dac the Mac--are you? Darkfall [0] : More technical difficulties? DacTheMac [457] : C.Golden...yes...are you? [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : :) C.Golden [10] : apparently so, but ask away. [!] Clean [4380] : Yes, more technical difficulties C.Golden [10] : Dac the Mac--one would hope. [!] Clean [4380] : NPOModerator is reloading to see if that clears it up Darkfall [0] : Chris... Storm, or Rogue? DacTheMac [457] : C.golden...Hope? LOL...you need Jesus Christ [Block Deputy] Zelta_5 [265] : huh? Darkfall [0] : Oh yeesh.. [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : kinda a strange question.
[Block Deputy] Zelta_5 [265] : is dis da place to talk to dat guy who writes
Buffy & Angel comic? Cerpher has joined the group C.Golden [10] : Darkfall--when she's done right, Rogue. Though I like Storm too. Darkfall [0] : Zelta... something like that, yes. philosopher has joined the group
Darkfall [0] : Chris.. wrong answer.. you'll pay for that later;) DacTheMac [457] : Zelta...ask C.Golden [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : Its people like that who push religion that gives Christianity a bad name. NPOModerator has joined the group Cerpher [50] : Whoa... big place. ** chat moderated by NPOModerator ** C.Golden [10] : Well, whoever it is, this is a mess.
C.Golden [10] : darkfall--i hope so. : ) NPOModerator [5] : Sorry about the technical difficulties, we are up and running again. [Club Owner] red5 [5385] : Letz talk about the Buffy and Vampire books...you have a new one out I think. I saw it in the stores C.Golden [10] : Red5, actually, there are two new Buffy novels. The hardcover is Immortal (the one with the snappy red cover), and the new paperback, my solo Buffy novel, is Sins of the Father, which I'm pretty psychedabout. Plus, of course, there are projects in the pipeline. jimbobbins has joined the group [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : C golden, R U the wrighter? [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : WHat's it like to wright all the time for a job. How can you possibly keep coming up with new things? theCulture has left the group
C.Golden [10] : sugacattey: Of a whole lot of novels and comics, yep. As for finding new ideas . . . I really don't know. Dac the Mac would say it was a gift from God. *LOL* Just lucky (or twisetd) I guess. NPOModerator [5] : Buffy and Angel writer Christopher Golden is now with us online. Feel free to ask him your questions. [Club Owner] red5 [5385] : Why are u psyched about the new Buffy - Sins of the Father? Quite I title. We've never heard about her father!
C.Golden [10] : Red5--actually, we saw her father a couple of times, early
on. But it isn't about HER father. Ssshh. It's a secret. Also, it has Pike,
from the movie. The only time Joss has let anyone mix the two. mcxena has left the group [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : Do you think that the show reflects what you wright, or do you think that they give an entire differant image? squeeky_51 has left the group C.Golden [10] : sugacattey--well, I have to write books and comics that reflect what THEY write, so no.
Darkfall [0] : Which is your fav out of all the boks you've done? I know
you're proud of Strangewood, but is there another that you were estatic about when it hit the shelves? Zelta_5 has left the group C.Golden [10] : Darkfall--Proud of each of them as they come out. Of course, Of Saints and Shadows, my first novel, was the biggest thrill of all. [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : Oh!, that must be hard on you, taking orders like that, would you enjoy it more if you got to wright freely? C.Golden [10] : sugacattey--Well, I'm pretty free to write what I like, but they have to approve it first. Once it's approved, it's up to me to make it all work. fcastald [767] : do you help out with the television show? C.Golden [10] : : they haven't asked. : ) (yet) KrazyKid has joined the group [Club Owner] red5 [5385] : Is there a set history invovled with Spike or are you making it up as you need it? I like Spike! :-) korn_dude_7 has joined the group C.Golden [10] : Red5--I'm glad you asked. There are certain elements of Spike's history that are set. The rest I'v emade up where necessary. Of course, I have to run it all by the show people first. But I'm happy to say I'm doing a new novel for next fall that is an historical horror novel featuring Spike and Dru. NPOModerator [5] : Buffy and Angel writer Christopher Golden is chatting.
Feel free to ask him any questions you may have. FYI--Chris was also the
writer of the Wolverine/Punisher comic. [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : Have they ever NOT approved it? C.Golden [10] : sugacattey--wellll, yeah. But I've been VERY persistent. Most of the things they've turned down, I've convinced them to do eventually. fcastald [767] : what is the wolverine/punisher all about? i've never read it. C.Golden [10] : : Well, it's a four issue miniseries teaming up Wolverine with the angelic version of hte Punisher Tom Sniegoski and I did last year. Of course, they're changing it all back to normal now, but at least we got people reading the character again.
Darkfall [0] : what is your fav comic series to work on? C.Golden [10] : Darkfall--I'd love to do Batman. Some of my favorite work thus far was on two issues of Spider-Man Unlimited. And, of course the Buffy and Angel stuff is a blast. [Neighborhood Deputy] Raven32 [2098] : in the wolverine/punsher comics, do wolverine and the punisher have any differences that prevent them from getting along? C.Golden [10] : Raven32: They both have very specific, very personal and shaded views of killing, and when it's appropriate. Of course, now that the Punisher is going back to his original format, his only perspective on killing will be: THUMBS UP!! [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : Oh, by the way... do you like writing about Buffy or Angel(hottie) more? C.Golden [10] : Sugacattey, I like them both in different ways. Buffy has a better supporting cast, but Angel seems more pro-active to me, more willing to branch out in his "job." [Club Owner] red5 [5385] : I heard about some Hellboy anthology coming up. Can you tell us something about that? Who is in it? oreo_40 has joined the group C.Golden [10] : Red5--It's an anthology of short stories (prose, not comics, though with illustrations by Mike Mignola), with contributions from a large group of writers, including Poppy Z. Brite, Brian Hodge, Nancy A. Collins, and a whole lotmore.
[Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : Thanks for your time, it was nice talking
to you. NPOModerator [5] : Thank you Christioher Golden, best of luck with
everything in the future. Before you leave, do you have any closing
comments for the online audience? C.Golden [10] : Sugacattey--you too.
C.Golden [10] : Look for Buffy #21 early next year . . . and check out my
new novel STRANGEWOOD! Thanks for the time. ** chat no longer moderated **
[Neighborhood Deputy] Raven32 [2098] : take care C.Golden 8) [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : oops. HEHEHE! :) [Club Owner] red5 [5385] : Hey Chris - Will you be doing any traveling and author signing parties?
[Neighborhood Deputy] Raven32 [2098] : lol suga fcastald [767] : thanks chris!
[Club Owner] red5 [5385] : Bye and thank you for coming! C.Golden [10] : Red5, I've just finished a LOT of signings I was doing to support Strangewood. I have one tomorrow night at the Toadstool book shop in MilfordNH, and after that . . . nada. fcastald [767] : thanks nextplanetover.com C.Golden [10] : Take care everyone. [Block Deputy] sugacattey [120] : bye. [Club Owner] red5 [5385] : Bye and thanx again for coming! [Neighborhood Deputy] Raven32 [2098] : bye END