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In
1993 I got the idea of drawing a master spy illustrated
novel. Space adventures, endless super hero stories and
"back to the future" dystopias all seemed pretty
boring to me. I felt strongly that before the next millenium
we desperately needed some defense - from something we
don't even know. At least didn't knew berore September
11.
Why
don't you invent you own hero, you might ask. From the
very beginning he was James Carter. Then I go like "What's
a hell! Let him be Bond! I didn’t want to create another
private eye thriller that would become familiar to many.
We all know 007 is the only one who’s been able to save
the world so many times. This could help bring him back
into focus. After all, nobody does it better!
I
was a 30 year old artist, in love with the Ian Fleming books and
the stylish Broccoli movies (the first one was made in the happy
year I was born). When I began establishing myself as an artist in
Israel, my first show included hilarious items like "Sentimental
Journey", "Cleopatra 66", and "James Bond at
the Dead Sea". Just have a look at my Press
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But
as a creator you can’t merely use some comic-book
images. You've got to know the subject of your
desires,
and make at least one real thing – a
set of paintings,
or a book. I did both. The first plot
was kinda spoof of the spy movies. In the end-90s,
such a point of view was used by Mike Maiers
in his fabulous "Austin
Powers". But I was more attracted to
the spirit of "Casino Royale", with
it's idiotic seriousness and charismatic power
of spy-paranoia.
Later, I searched through the world of spy literature,
and I arrived at an absolutely brand new novel.
I gave it a very intriguing name, "The
Dead Sea Secret" - an exciting, new master
spy adventure set in the Middle East!
My
involvement with comics started much earlier. I was the first
one who turned the cult movie "ASSA" into an
illustrated, melodramatic story and exhibited it at the
First Biennale of contemporary art in
S-Petersburg, Russia,
in 1990. It was the most attractive work at the whole show!
Since then, I've been working with a rock-n-roll band from
Moscow called "Bravo". I've made several designs
for record and CD covers for them. It was then that I got
the idea about a musical trilogy. |
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This starts from the 50s.
Tedd's first began to play pop music in Khrushchev's Moscow.
It continues to the 80s’ Perestroika and finishes in the
futuristic 2217. I am still working at it, but after serious
research I decided to finish with 007 first.
The
subject is as follows: the British Secret Service finds out that a
strange space accident that happened above the Middle Eastern area
of Earth, and sends its best agent, James Bond, for secret
research. 007 discovers a hi-tech hideout under the Dead Sea where
his new enemy, Fantomas, is trying to set up the biggest blackmail
operation in history. Bond’s mission begins with meeting a sexy
new immigrant from Lithuania, Iana Flemming (who later became a
writer and described all their adventures). Why in the Middle East?
There was no story yet about 007's adventures in the Middle East.
And it's not been written! A historical base could be established
– the Scottish troops in Tiberia, or intelligence work by
Lawrence of Arabia that could've been continued. Anyhow, James
Bond's visit to the holy land would have come sooner or later.
During
1995-97, I decided to echo the influence of comics and curate the
show "Merry Pictures" in the Piramida Center of
Contemporary Art in Haifa – a fantastic place in the so-called
down-town of Haifa (actually it's on the slopes of Mount Carmel)
with a spectacular and romantic view of the gulf. We developed a
new look at art and the art of comics. You can read our manifesto here.
Around
this time, I did 32 of 48 pages of "The Dead Sea
Secret" and decided to have a look at the darker
side of creation - promotion and publishing. I knew I
had already transgressed into the most sacred space of
writers - copyright. First answers from publishers only
confirmed my suspicions. Michael Bridges from Triangle
Comics wasn't optimistic. " Hi Eugene",
he wrote, " I just want to say though your idea
looks and sounds great, but do you have permission to
use the James Bond character? You could get in big trouble
with copyright infringement, just something to consider".
Similar warnings were echoed by Ben Ostrander, publisher
from Mojo Press: " I find the cover for your novel
most intriguing, but wonder if you have acquired the rights
for the "James Bond" character. The rights to
him are a carefully guarded property. To publish his image,
name, '007 title', etc. without permission would be an
invitation to legal action. MGM and United Artists are
not good enemies. These are hurdles, not barriers."
Doug Giffin, a free-lance writer, wrote " I must
say that your work looks wonderful!… I believe the American
comics license is held by Dark Horse Comics... I'd recommend
sending your proposal to them. With a little digging,
you should be able to find their website... I believe
it has submission guidelines."
Unfortunately
it's true. I've got a letter from Ian Fleming (Glidrose)
Publications Ltd and it's says that "We are afraid
that there are contracts in force at the present time
which do not permit us to authorise publication of your
graphic novel". Too bad. I wouldn't go underground
with my creation.
But nothing can stop me to rename the hero! I don't want
to turn it out to a regular spy story - in that case it
has to be more humorous and more 60-sh. Anyway we all
know 008 is the one who will replace 007 if something
happened. Who's that guy anyway? His name is Sinclair.
Robert Sinclair. His mission is THE DEAD SEA'S SECRET.
And I'm very appreciate freandly collaboration of great
writer-magitian Jim Keplinger from for his excellent dialogues!
So
that's the story. Shaken, but not stirred yet. My mission
at the moment is getting a "license to do" - to publish my novel.
Eugene Zhilinsky
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