Brian K. Vaughan, executive story editor at “Lost,” is also the writer behind the popular comic book series, “Y: The Last Man.”
In an article about him in the Wall Street Journal, Jamin Brophy-Warren points out, “Mr. Vaughan is part of a shift in the entertainment industry that is seeing stars from the comics world jump to other media. Frank Miller's 'Sin City' and '300' became successful films, while a comic-book sensibility is fueling popular TV shows, such as 'Heroes' and 'Smallville.' Writers are moving the other way, too: Last year, novelist Jodi Picoult, whose 2007 book 'Nineteen Minutes' focused on a school shooting, wrote for DC Comics' 'Wonder Woman.'"
The article also offered some insight into Vaughan's starting points: "Mr. Vaughan's stories often stem from a single 'what if' scenario. 'What if your parents were super-villains?' asks the teen comic 'Runaways.' 'Ex Machina' imagines what would happen if a superhero ran for public office."
Furthermore: "Dialogue in Mr. Vaughan's comics is typically crisp and witty. His page turns are pregnant pauses -- cliffhangers like the devastating 'after these messages' of Sunday morning cartoons. 'He understands how to use the medium to exploit its abilities in ways that other writers don't get,' says Diana Schutz, an executive editor at Dark Horse Comics."
If you're interested in writing for TV and film, it makes sense to have a look at some of the best comics and graphic novels to see what you can learn from them.
(If you would like to get my free monthly creativity and productivity Brainstorm e-bulletin just send a request now to [email protected])
