The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log

Another best of 2008 feature, this time from friend to the blog; Paul Cornell. Paul, if you don’t already know is a multi-talented writer of prose, comics and has a string of television writing credits to his name including some great work on Doctor Who. He’s responsible for the excellent two parter Human Nature / Family Of Blood, adapted from his original Doctor Who: New Adventures novel. He’s currently writing Captain Britain & MI;13 for Marvel, the first issue of which I reviewed back here and thought was rather great. For more of Paul’s thoughts have a read of the interview Joe did with Paul for the FPI blog back in February.

That’s Paul above (pic borrowed from his blog), and this is what he thought of 2008……

FPI: Could you tell us what your favourite three comics/graphic novels and/or books have been this year and why they stood out for you?

Paul Cornell: Fables remains my favourite ongoing comic.  An amazing dexterity with plot, characters who are skilled and professional, upset by circumstances, and that wonderful  Buckingham art.  I also loved Ed Brubaker’s Captain America, which has convinced me that we should now say goodbye to Steve Rogers.  And Gail Simone continues to impress on Secret Six, where she can be more warped than she is on Wonder Woman.

(Fables volume 11, the latest volume of this highly regarded series published November 2008)

FPI: In other art forms was there anything in the world of radio, TV, film or other artistic endeavours that really drew your attention this year?

Paul: I’d like to mention The Passion, at Easter on BBC1, a deep and informed retelling of the Christ story which made me cry almost continually.  And Harry Hill’s TV Burp, of course.  He’s as cynical about TV as most of us that work on it.

(Paul’s revitalisation of Captain Britain has been a highlight of the superhero year for me, and many like me I’m sure who thought they’d all but finished with Captain Britain after the Alan Moore / Alan Davis years. Above; cover to issue 1 by Bryan Hitch.)

FPI: On the professional front how did you see the comics world in 2008, from your own point of view as a creator putting your work out there (did you feel it was a good year for you?) and what did you think of the way the comics biz was in general this year? The business becoming more diversified, more accessible to new readers and creators or less welcoming?

Paul: I had a great year, working with that talented, demented team of Nick Lowe and Leonard Kirk.  I’m really loving what we make together.  We keep urging each other on to do our best, and I think the comic shows that.  I’m awaiting a large scale move to web comics.  It could save the industry, electronic readers with the right shapes (one panel per frame on the IPhone) are ready, so let’s do it now.

FPI: What’s the next project you are working on that we can look forward to?

Paul: Can’t tell you!  But there are at least four very exciting things! I’m very pleased to have had two SF short stories in anthologies this year, and there’ll be at least one more next year.

FPI: Lastly, are there any new names you’ve come across recently you’d like to pass on as one to watch for?

Paul: Rob Williams’ Indiana Jones comic is another sign of his abilities with dialogue and plot, possibly the best Indy comic ever produced.

(Cover to issue 1 of Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods, written by one of Paul’s picks; Rob Williams.)

Thanks very much to Paul for those. Paul’s Captain Britian and MI:13 comic continues monthly and the first collection is due out in January (Panini version) or February (Marvel version). For more from Paul Cornell head over to his blog: House Of Awkwardness.