Bill Walko
You might recognize Bill Walko's art from comic-related sites such as Project: Rooftop, ComicsAlliance.com, or CBR's Comics Should Be Good. His lively renditions of classic comic book characters - including the Teen Titans, X-Men and the Wonder Twins - have tickled the fancy of comic fandom.
Bill says: I think DC missed an opportunity to create some books in their "new 52" that evoke the feeling of a Cartoon Network series, utilizing some of their many untapped characters. It would have been a nice opportunity to capture the attention of Young Adult readers who may enjoy watching "Avatar: The Last Airbender," "Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated" or "Ben 10."
I'd love to re-invent the Dial H for Hero concept as a spooky mystery-adventure series, rather than a super-hero series. With that in mind, Chris and Vicki would transform into various creatures of myth for their hourly H-dialing. It would be a ground-up approach, where the teen protagonists fight creepy-crawly menaces in the New England town of Fairfax. I'd also introduce some recurring allies, adversaries and mysterious persons whose true allegiances are in question. Little by little, we'd reveal the secret mythology of the H Dials, dating back through Fairfax' strange history.
Here's a fun sample solicit:
Written by Bill Walko • Art by Bill Walko
On sale SEPTEMBER • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
In the sleepy town of Fairfax, Maine, mystery and adventure await two unsuspecting teenagers.On a dare, Chris King and Vicki Grant brave a haunted house to discover a pair of mystical "H Dials." The duo quickly learn the awesome powers these talismans wield, and set out to unravel the secrets behind their origins. But Chris, Vicki and their friends soon discover that these secrets are being protected by a powerful force - and the gang may have dialed up more danger than they ever imagined!
Dial H For Hero was created by Dave Wood and Jim Mooney. Chris King and Vicki Grant were created by Marv Wolfman and Carmine Infantino. Read more...
Love the solicit. I'm a huge fan of the Dial H franchise, and though Robby was fun in a Silver Age way, Chris and Vicki are really MY dial holders (in particular the back-up in New Adventures of Superboy). I do miss the idea of sending in costumes, but in these more copyright-conscious times, I understand that's not viable. So Bill's reinvention of the franchise as an all-ages mystery/fantasy series is a sound one. And Maine is kind of perfect for that kind of thing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWould read? I would.
This is a terrific pitch.
ReplyDeleteThe DIAL "H" for HERO is a viable concept for a younger demographic. Moving the setting into a spooky town is great.
This site, while breeding so much joy, also breeds a LOT of disappointment when you realise there's nothing UNDER those covers.
ReplyDelete*sob* ...It's just... it's not fair... *sob*
I'd be up for an all-ages return for Dial H for Hero. I've thought about the concept a lot before actually. However, I'd have used Robby Reed and updated the H-dial to an H-phone. I never read the Chris and Vicki series because it's never been collected.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing! :)
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