Pulp Heroes and Poetry
So, The Dark Knight turned out to be an excellent, if somewhat overlong, film. I saw it this past weekend, and for those who have yet to: believe all the hype about Heath Ledger; I am instantly suspicious when postmortem accolades start pouring in, but in this case it’s true. Ledger serves up a haunting, edgy, sadistic villain whose spirit is as decayed as his makeup. Every nuance, every facial tic, each creepy movement is genuine. He’s like a man who has swallowed a live wire, and enjoys the sensation of being electrocuted so much he wants to share it. It wouldn’t be a sympathy nod if Ledger was indeed nominated for an Oscar. He has given the cinematic world a rare creation.
There’s no question that Chris Nolan will do a third film. I found myself thinking about what might characterize that future installment. I think it’s time for a female villain to mix things up. Catwoman has been done and done, so my choice is Harley Quin. She could offer a nifty tribute to The Joker; since his character is locked away in an asylum (and since we’re not going to recast that role) his presence can be utilized in the next film, and continue the themes of chaos versus order. Harley, after all, was inspired to become villainous by her twisted admiration for him. It would work.
And there is also considerable material out there on Raz Algoul’s daughter. I’d build Film Three around both of them. They have the virtue of never having appeared in a Batman film yet. Batman screenwriter David Goyer has even stated that he would like to make use of villains that have yet to be portrayed.
Oh, as if there was any doubt about the actress for the role of Harley:
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I’m currently writing a new screenplay. While everyone is focused on superheroes, I’m crafting a pulp adventure story… one that draws its inspiration from the two-fisted, square-jawed heroes and dastardly villains. 1920s milieu.
I’m the author of six screenplays presently; two historical epics (one which snagged the Honorable Mention Award in the Writer’s Digest National Competition), one dark comedy, one dark fantasy, an extremely unique horror film based on the work of one of my all-time favorite writers, and my Dream Project science-fiction piece (think Bourne Ultimatum meets Blade Runner.)
So I’m working on Number Seven. Everyone’s talking about superheroes. But they came from the original pulp heroes, swashbuckling pseudo-myths like The Shadow, Doc Savage, Solomon Kane, and of course… Flash Gordon.
I miss those days. I easily would have been part of the Weird Tales writing circle, sharing stories and writing for available space in such publications as Thrilling Adventure Tales! That’s probably one of the many reasons why Raiders of the Lost Ark has always topped my favorite films (and don’t forget, Raiders was nominated for Best Picture when it was released.) Art is at least part escapism. And escapism doesn’t have to be empty; Robinson Crusoe isn’t “just an adventure story,” any more than The Count of Monte Cristo is “just a jailbreak.”
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Two other notes from this week:
My new article, “Sun Tzu Goes to Washington” came out last week. Written after rereading the famous Chinese tactician’s book, I was struck by how 2,400-year-old strategic advice is as relevant today as it was in his era. I decided to imagine what would happen if he ever dropped in on D.C.
This past weekend, my friends and I got together for our biyearly poetry event in some quiet Connecticut woods. Libations and verse, creative minds connecting, and reminding ourselves of the joy of being artists. It’s not like we choose to be. It chooses us. Unfortunately, there isn’t a viable career any more in poetry. Nonetheless, I have decided to send out a fleet of my poems to various magazines to see if anyone wants to publish them. This weekend, I launch about forty poems to different places. Armies, go forth! 
And finally, this week celebrates Alexander the Great’s birthday. Depending on which historical source you consult, it was either July 20 or July 26. So I raise a Hellenic toast to you, Alex.
Random Fact:
There are 75,000 miles of blood vessel networks in your body.
Quote of the Day:
“By never putting anything off until tomorrow.” -Alexander the Great, on how he managed to achieve victory.
