Semi-Annual Clowes Update

When it comes to Daniel Clowes you can expect a new Eightball comic to come out about once ever year, if your lucky. Now that he is focusing on getting nearly every story he ever wrote adapted into a major motion picture this average is
likely to drop even lower. However, as long as these films turn out as great as the "Ghost World" adaptaion, and as little like the sub-par "Art School Confidential," I'm OK with his continued foray into film. So last weekend when we
had his main collaborator in film, director Terry Zwigoff, in the store, I made sure to take this splendid opportunity to personally get the inside scope on their next collaboration.

First, I have to give it up to Mr. Zwigoff, he was incredibly cordial and wasn't shy to discuss his work, though sometimes he did give some pretty sterotypical director answers (working with Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson and Steve Buscemi was just like working with a wonderful family, ughh!). Besides not revealing any juicy celebrity gossip, he did reveal that his next possible project with Clowes is to adapt the awesome stand-alone Eightball #23, and I couldn't be any more excited if it actually comes together. Eightball #23 is the "Death Ray" issue (I have an affinity for rayguns) and tells the story of a teenage superhero. Yes, even Daniel Clowes wrote a super hero comic, and you should definetly pick this issue up while it last.

More interesting, however, is Zwigoff was also interested in directing Eightball #22, which became the collection "Ice Haven," but Clowes wants to direct this film himself. Apprently, of all his graphic novels Clowes is particuarly found of this one and wants to be in charge of this adaptation. Who knows if this will actually happen but it would be interesting if it did.

What is definitly confrimed is that Clowes is writing the screenplay for "Master of Space and Time" a novel by Rudy Rucker, and it's to be directed by Michel Gondry no less. Now if we can just petion David Lynch to make "Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron" all Clowes' best works will be covered.

Anyways, it could be a long while before another Issue of Eightball arrives in the store but I will make sure to keep you informed in my next semi-annual Clowes update. For now remember you heard it hear first!

-Jon