Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 16

This is why I love comics. No words can do justice to the image Jake drew on this page. Here you can read why I had asked Jake to draw, but really what I wanted was exactly what he did draw.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 15

I had originally though the countdown would be best in numbers (10, 9, 8...) but when I saw it lettered, it had a really strange feel, so we switched it to spelling out the numbers (ten, nine, eight...). Part of it was that last balloon. A single "1" felt like it was not a word -- it was too lonely. "One" fit so much better.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 14

This page has the important Pasconian line "It's all my fault." A lot of the stories that I write have this line, because I'm obsessed with characters who struggle with the culpability surrounding their lot in life. In other words, characters who blame themselves for things that are bigger than them. What's really interesting to me is that by saying, "It's all my fault," Sama seems to be taking all the blame, but in reality it's a defensive dodge. By saying this, Sama avoids taking responsibi...

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 13

Yes, in panel two I give Jake about three different options of what to draw! Not usually a good thing in a comics script. But even early in this book, I really trusted Jake. I think he pulled it off.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 12

In the description of panel one, I suggested to Jake that he wait until the end to draw details of Sama's room. Jake outdid himself with nicely subtle touches like the growth chart that's shaped like the Butterfly Tree, the robo penguin toy (Broom!), and the tiny snail (one of MANY that Jake drew in the fringes of the book). But my fave is the inexplicable propaganda poster, featuring a character who looks surprisingly like Mr. Chain, with the word WIN in big bold letters.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 11

I knew that I didn't want the insects to salute each other in the same way that an America soldier would. I wanted it to be more ... involved. I practiced a lot of gestures during the day (which means a lot of people looked at me like I was insane). Eventually I came up with this two-handed insect salute. The right hand placed palm-out on the forehead, and the left hand stuck out from the chin, palm up.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 10

CAUTION: Spoiler! In the script I refer to the Cloud as "her," but if you pay attention in the printed manga, the Cloud is never called her, him, he or she.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 9

While I originally called out for Sama's mom to be off-panel, Jake made a great call by adding a new panel for her in the second tier. This is the kind of thing that excites me about comics -- what because panels two and three are actually a single moment in time (the balloon that overlaps the panels helps bring them closer together) but different camera views. By adding this new panel, Jake is literally separating Sam's mom from Sama and the old man, putting them in their own space. And by d...

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 8

This page is a great example of me going on and on to inspire Jake. Yes, instead of just saying "draw a picture of undertown landscape" I babble on for several paragraphs! Additionally, you can see that this is not the first time Jake and I have discussed these images. And yes, there are hints about the Sugar Factory's history in this script page!

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 7

A little dialog polish in the first panel, but otherwise, this is a pretty straight-forward page.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 6

I originally told Jake that I envisioned the Old Man with facial hair ... but when I saw the early sketches, he looked too much like a kind old (but weird) grandfather. It was Jake's idea to add the liver spots to his head, which totally works for me.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 5

I changed a line in panel three to echo the same line that is said at the end of the book. I feel lucky to have been able to make changes like that!

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 4

One of the nice things about writing comics in the Internet Age is that it's easy to share reference photos with your collaborating artist by simply including a link in the script. It's interesting to look at the book cover I sent Jake and see how he took inspiration from it while making it his own.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 3

All of the dialog is numbered per page, that way the person lettering the manga can make sure he or she didn't miss a balloon! Also, I've included here some pics that I sent to Jake as reference. Even though Sama's dad isn't supposed to BE my dad, I though this visual reference would be a nice touch, especially considering my dad's very real heart condition was such an important inspiration for this story. (Yes, that's a little Jim Pascoe in those photos.)

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 2

Jake did draw a number of different versions of this page. We liked them all, but decided this one had the most tension.

Articles: UNDERTOWN: THE SCRIPT -- BK 1 PAGE 1

Welcome to the serialization of the full script for Undertown Book One! I will be posting the entire script unedited (well MOSTLY unedited ... I'll take out my occasional foul language and any spoilers). This is what Jake used to draw the book. A couple notes: 1. This script includes not-final dialog. After the book was done, I polished up a lot of the words, making sure the characters were sounding right. So you may find that what you read here doesn't match up. But that's part of the fun! 2...

Illustrations: UNDERTOWN

This was drawn for me by the artist for the Undertown manga. I was up in Seattle, WA for Sakura Con at the end of March. I did not know who he was at first when I walked into the panel but I left amazed at who he was and his art work. He is a nice guy and if you want to see more of his art then stop by his Deviant art account lazesummerstone.deviantart.com

Articles: MANGA MASTER

Thanks to all of my Undertown Explorers! Undertown has the greatest clan! BELIEVE IT.

Blogs: NEW UNDERTOWN INTERVIEW

Check it out http://comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=13314   Thanks to Comic Book Resources for such a great piece! 

Blogs: UNDERTOWN BOOK 1: THE SCRIPT

Big news, my brave Explorers: As a special treat to the hard-core fans and aspiring manga-ka in this clan, I have decided to post the ENTIRE script for Undertown Book 1, here on Tokyopop.com! I'll post a single page at a time, along with a brief note/commentary/writing tip.   BUT FIRST A QUESTION FOR YOU ALL: how often should I post each page?   Once a week? Twice a week? Three times a week? I'm also looking for your advice on WHEN I should post. Monday Wednesday Friday? Friday...

Blogs: UNDERTOWN REVIEW FROM THE SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

  This original English-language manga starts off at a fast clip, introducing Sama, his teddy bear Eddie, and the fantasy world of Undertown. Worried that he has caused his father to have a heart attack, the 10-year-old takes the advice of a mysterious man he meets in the hospital and begins a quest to find the Sugar Stone. But Undertown is nothing like the mysterious man promised: instead of finding a peaceful city, Sama finds himself in the middle of a war between the insects and furm...

Illustrations: SAMA AND EDDIE FROM UNDERTOWN

Of course this is just fanart. The real creators are Jake Myler and Jim Pascoe. Aaaaaaaand dA isn't importing so I'm just going to submit it regularly...just hoping it's not too big. >.>; EDIT: It's better here ---> http://mystic-wolf.deviantart.com/art/Undertown-fanart-76615264

Blogs: UNDERTOWN SPECULATION THREAD V.2

Today (Feb. 2nd, 2008) Jim Pascoe released the chapters of  Undertown 2. This raised a couple of questions for me. So, in order of the chapters, I will say what I think is going to be in store for Sama and his buds! To get these chapters, check out The Undertown Explorers Clan. Chapter 1: From the name, I am guessing someone needs help. I mean, it is kinda obvious. But the question is who? 1. Raindrop: She might be ambushed by the Insurgent, so she may be calling out for help. 2. Eddi...

Blogs: TOMORROW IS UNDERTOWN BOOK 2 PREVIEW DAY!

The countdown is almost over! Check in with the Undertown Explorers Clan tomorrow to be the FIRST to see the full chapter names of Undertown Book 2! (And yes, they are more exciting than "Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three..."!)

Toptens: THE BEST MANGA OF JANUARY 2008

yeah, so i thought about giving a monthly top ten list of the best manga for that time period. If you have any ideas or disagree with what i have, please message me and i will update.