Literally, UPS just delivered it at 8:13 PM CST.
My initial reaction is one of eagerness. I can't wait to get into this! This is the first Moonstone/Kolchak work that I'm on the front line for, usually I'm catching up on what ya'll enjoyed long ago.
But I gotta ask.....
why the intrique with the photos on the back cover? Just wonderin'.
Gotta go do some reading - will add to my thoughts (I know you guys can't wait) as I go.
Janos
The nature of the photos on the back cover is a long story. But the short end of it is... we're just kinda goofy that way!
Circumstances beyond my control prevented me from posting my thoughts about BARE BONES before now. It's taken me a while but I've finished it.
I must admit, the format took some getting used to. It was fascinating to see the beams and girders of a story, especially of those I have already enjoyed in finished form, but, for the stories I haven't read yet it detracted from them a bit. Maybe it's my inability to concentrate, but trying to mentally picture, "smaller panel at the end of the page [thick border?]" while trying to get into the story itself was a chore.
But then, maybe - I said maybe - BB is not really intended for first time viewers, although I'm sure the Moonstone staff wants all of them to buy it too. Perhaps it's meant to be a sort of How-To book for Kolchak and Moonstone fans like myself. In that case, I can voice no complaint.
What made BB particularly interesting to me, and alone worth the price, was "Joe's Liner Notes" (loved the deleted scenes) and "Welcome to my World". I just love the insights to their thoughts, fears, gripes and groans.
I'm guessing "One Foot In the Grave" is the original story? I haven't been able to get my hands on every Moonstone Kolchak work - yet, so there were a trio of stories new to me. Anyway, it's very good and I hope gets its' own full treatment someday. "Shady Places" and "Kyrie" were both new to me and I got a kick out of both.
So, by all means, buy BARE BONES. Just know upfront what you can expect. Not a lot of purty purty pictures and you gotta invest some effort in following the tales, but a darn good book.
Sorry this was so long. I get jazzed about Kolchak and Moonstone.
Janos
Thanks, Janos!
You indeed have the right idea with the intentions behind "Bare Bones." It's probably not for first-time casual readers, but for people who appreciate in-depth, behind-the-scenes, and a little something extra. But I'm glad you did enjoy it!
The story, "One Foot in the Grave" is the new bonus story Joe and I wrote for BB. And, for what it's worth... nothing on the schedule yet, be we have talked of putting this story out in comic form. Stay tuned! Keep ya posted...
I'm most of the way through "Bare Bones", and I've been enjoying seeing the stories in this format. But I just reached "Proximity", Part 1, only to find that...there is no "Proximity", Part 1! My copy has no Part One, just TWO identical Part Twos in a row! :sad02: Is this the result of someone putting a hex on Kolchak?
You are absolutely right, there is no "Proximity, Part 1 in "Bare Bones". Yikes! Remedy, please from Moonstone.
This has just come to our own attention right about the same time you all noticed. I noticed a bit before some rather... interesting... typesetting-related mistakes (pages left 3/4 blank between paragraphs, anyone?)... and now this. I was hoping this was isolated to a few random copies, but I had a sunken feeling in my heart knowing that that wouldn't really be possible. One of the stories is indeed repeated, in place of the correct one.
We're in the process of backtracking now to try to see where and how this occurred. Though this may indeed be part of the "Kolchak curse..." doesn't mean I'm happy about it! (Curses are only fun when I'm not so closely involved...)
So, we're looking into it to see what's up...
Hmm, sounds like you need a new proofreader! Wanna see my resume?
Here's a thought for an inexpensive way to make things right: Instead of the daunting prospect of a corrected reprint, would it be possible to post the missing pages on this website? That way everyone who wants them could download or print them for themselves.
Here's a thought for an inexpensive way to make things right: Instead of the daunting prospect of a corrected reprint, would it be possible to post the missing pages on this website? That way everyone who wants them could download or print them for themselves.
That's one of the possibilities we're discussing now. It does indeed to seem to be the entire print run that's affected (as I thought), so not a lot of hope for some "good" copies floating around.
Stay tuned!