Now is a good chance to get your money back from Pix'n Love Publishing

Ah... Pix'n Love Publishing. They've produced some great video game-related books, but unfortunately they've also taken money from people and then never delivered the goods. And then they ignored everyone who asked questions and requested their money back.

Someone has written a more detailed history here, but chances are if you're reading a blog post suggesting there may be a way to get your money back, you know all about that anyway.

Basically if you're looking to get a response from them, try this...


That comment comes at the end of this update on a Kickstarter for a English translation of the book 'Eric Chahi: Welcome to Another World' (to be published by Pix'n Love).

I sent off an e-mail and actually got a response, followed shortly by a refund for the Gunpei Yokoi book that never materialised (although apparently it is now scheduled for the first half of 2016). So if you're looking for your money back on a book that never happened (or you never received your copy of one of the ones that did), the above e-mail address is the one to try.

I hope that this is the start of a new Pix'n Love, one that will release the books it says it will and not just take the money and then go into hiding (they only owed me for one book, but others had handed over much more). The worry is that this is just temporary and once there is no longer a Kickstarter for people to comment on (should they get no response), they'll just go back to ignoring everyone. Hopefully I'm wrong about that, but just in case, be advised that the Kickstarter ends in the morning on 20th November, 2015.

GOOD LUCK

The Making of The Empire Strikes Back [book review]

Author: J.W. Rinzler Hardcover: 372 pages Dimensions: 29.6 x 27.4 x 3.4 cm ISBN: 978-1-84513-555-3 Release date: 12th October, 2010 RRP: £40.00

2007 was the thirtieth anniversary of Star Wars and not a lot happened. Contrary to expectations a feature-packed six-film DVD (and/or HD format) boxset was not released and rumours of a 3D theatrical re-release proved false. There were however a couple of good books released. One of those was J.W. Rinzler's The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film which provided a thorough account of... well, the making of the film. Three years later it's the thirtieth anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back and Rinzler is back with another book.

It's presented in the same format as its predecessor, written with the use of notes, memo's and mostly contemporary interviews. Alongside this, there are a variety of visual treats such as concept art, storyboards (including Luke's training that didn't make it in to the final film), photos of models, on-set action (including another deleted scene), equipment, diagrams and more. The complete story of the film's production is covered from the earliest story ideas to the theatrical release - and then the bit just after the film was in theatres and it was decided to add three more shots. How much of this is new to you will depend on what you've read before, but there is still a lot of previously unseen pictures and new bits of information to be found – for example the identity of "Monkey Lady" (the original Emperor) which is finally revealed.

There's plenty of interest throughout. The story conference summary mentions that Han was raised by Wookies – an idea that years later wouldn't be used in Revenge of the Sith either. There's also mention of a lost sister: the "other" referred to in the film. "Someone suggested it might be the Princess," says Mark Hamill later on "but I think that would be a letdown."

Where things really get good is when filming begins. It was a troubled shoot which ran far over schedule, making for an interesting read. The freezing cold of Finse, the stage burning down at Elsetree Studios and other problems such as Dave Prowse revealing details of the film: "I talk at science-fiction conventions and I try to give them a little bit of information they don't have. And I'll always say, 'Whatever happens, don't mention this to anybody.'"

Leaks may have been annoying but it becomes apparent that the biggest problem was the ever increasing cost. George Lucas was financing it himself, leading to conflict with producer Gary Kurtz. "I'm faced with a situation where everything I own, everything I ever earned, is wrapped up in Empire" says Lucas at one point, whilst Kurtz seems to have had a lot more faith in the film: "I would say, 'Look at the rushes: The performances are really good, it's working really well and it's going to surprise everybody'". Ultimately the film was a success, but the relationship deteriorated and it's no surprise that Kurtz didn't return for the next film.

The filming had previously been chronicled in Alan Arnold's excellent Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal of the Making of The Empire Strikes Back. Indeed it is the interviews that Arnold conducted for his book that provide a large chunk of the quotes in this one. However the two have a very different feel. As you would expect from the title, Arnold's book is more personal with a lot of his own thoughts and observations included – although some of these can still be found peppered throughout this one. Additionally "some of the best material [...] didn't make it into the publication" notes Rinzler in his introduction.

One highlight from Once Upon a Galaxy was the day Arnold had director Irvin Kershner wear a cordless microphone. The transcribed recording has also made it in to this book - though each version has a few moments not included in the other. It provides a fascinating glimpse of life on set as Kershner and Harrison Ford try to figure out the scene in the carbon freezing chamber that just isn't working. It's also funny. Carrie Fisher turns up, seems desperate to slap Lando, gets quite annoyed that things are being changed without her and eventually falls out with Ford. Oh and Dave Prowse pops up to talk about his book.

It's not just the stars that provide the interest. Over at ILM they find that despite figuring out things on Star Wars, a new film brings new problems - and the fact that their new facility is under construction doesn't help. It's easy to feel sorry for Dennis Muren et al, when having followed their quest to get the Tauntaun movement just right, it's one of the first things to get criticised following a preview. Also of interest is seeing LucasFilm grow, something the people there were not always happy about.

The book also provides a look at the changing shape of the saga. There's been confusion over the years as to just how many films there is supposed to be and here an early outline reveals that the first Star Wars film was to be Episode VI. Obviously this changed when it was decided to make Empire the fifth episode (the first film would not be numbered until the 1981 re-release). The deals for Hamill and Carrie Fisher included a fourth film and the book notes that there was at one point a 12-film plan but by the time Empire was released this had been reduced to 9. "People were always asking, 'Are you going to do more sequels?'" says Lucas towards the end of the book "Sometimes I got carried away."

Overall this is an excellent book. Things such as Splinter of the Mind's Eye (the first Star Wars novel) and The Star Wars Holiday Special, both released during the period covered here, are only briefly mentioned when perhaps more could have been written on them. But that's just a minor criticism, the book is after all titled The Making of The Empire Strikes Back and it delivers a full and engrossing account of the making of the first Star Wars sequel whilst also providing a lot of interesting photos and pictures to look at.

The Making of Star Wars was released in paperback and hardback formats, with the latter having more content, but this time it appears there is only a hardback version. This may be unfortunate if you were hoping to save a few pounds but the book is likely to be found below RRP most places (at the time of writing Amazon have it available to pre-order for £25.99). It is worth noting that TMOSW received a second paperback release in 2008 (RRP: £14.99), that shrunk down the book to a smaller size (22.9 x 15.2 x 3.8 cm), though it lost a lot of the images. If such an edition appeals, it may be worth hanging on to see if the Empire book receives a similar release.

Max Allan Collins on the Dark Angel novels

  CONTAINS SPOILERS

I quickly got hooked on Dark Angel when five had a complete run through of all 42 episodes in 2002/2003. At this point the show had already been cancelled, but whilst five were showing the episodes, the three novels written by Max Allan Collins were also released.
The first novel (Before the Dawn) was a prequel, but the two that followed (Skin Game and After the Dark) provided a continuation and conclusion to the TV series.


I read After the Dark in super quick time and thought it was an excellent conclusion, featuring great action, humour and wrapping up various unresolved points. I'd also enjoyed the previous two novels so decided to send M.A.C. an e-mail saying how much I'd liked them.To my surprise I got a reply, responding to the points I'd made whilst also writing a bit about Before the Dawn and Skin Game.

Hi David -- Yours is the first reaction I've received to AFTER THE DARK, and I'm relieved it's such a wonderful one. The difficulty with doing a prequel (BEFORE THE DAWN) is trying to do something significant (like Seth) without it seeming terribly unnatural that Max would never mention Seth to Logan, later. (Imagine having to come up with a story that had both Max and Logan in it heavily, but never meeting!) I had to get Jim Cameron's personal permission -- which he granted in record time -- to stage Seth's death and the final fight at the Space Needle, so that I could explain the Needle's significance to Max as a brooding post. Continuity implants, as we call them in the comics, have their dangers and you have to watch out for a negative domino effect. But I would offer this justification: May have said something to Logan about Seth, with Logan pleading ignorance, in some moment that went unrecorded on the show. We didn't spend every hour of every day with them, and things happened off-camera. This would only add to Max's rage with Logan over this "betrayal." The prequel came about, as I have said, because when I was approached to write the DARK ANGEL novels, I had not seen the show (though I'd heard good things about it) and needed to get up to speed, fast. By limiting myself to a prequel, I could study the pilot closely and begin writing, while I was watching tapes, catching up. When the show was cancelled, I saw the opportunity to write a significant trilogy about DARK ANGEL -- the beginning and the end, so to speak. As you noted, I set up the possibility of another novel (or series of novels), but I do have my doubts that I or anyone will be asked to continue them. A shame. I really like these three books and in particular AFTER THE DARK, which is one of my best "tie-in" novels (and Matt Clemens contributed greatly). SKIN GAME came off well, but was very tough, as it was conceived as a second-season type "monster" story and became, with the cancellation of the series, the first couple of episodes of a non-existent "third season," with all of the baggage of the season-end cliffhangers that would have gone otherwise unresolved. The structure of the novel required Max to play the role of "mayor" of Terminal City and, while she is in every chapter, she does not carry the ball, re: action/adventure. It worked well as the story that needed to be written, but I swore to Matt Clemens that we would have Max kicking ass throughout the final book. And I think it's a ride. I particularly like that you enjoyed the humor, which I think is strong and in the tradition of the show, without watering down the "heavy" aspects of the story. You can share these thoughts with any other DARK ANGEL fans you might know. Thanks again. Best, M.A.C.

Originally posted 25th July, 2003

Introduction adjusted 14th January, 2010

An old friend

Pictured to the left is my battered copy of Helen
McCarthy's The Anime Movie Guide. Actually it was quite battered when I first purchased it "new" from a bookstore whilst on holiday in Llandudno. This was the first time I'd found a shop that had the book and as this was 1996 I couldn't just hop online and order a copy as I didn't (nor did anyone I know) have internet access. So I took it to the till and paid the full price of £9.99 despite the scratches and bent corners - I can actually still recognise some of the cover damage as "pre-Dave".

Anyway the cover didn't matter as what was inside seemed (to '96 Dave) to be a comprehensive guide to every anime ever released. Which it wasn't - not that it claimed to be I should note. The big clue is that "since 1983" bit on the cover. Also it only covered movies and OAV's, so no TV series. But it didn't matter because movies and OAV's from 1983-1995 was pretty much all you could buy at the time.

At first I just looked up the titles I owned or had seen (then those in the same series I perhaps hadn't) but it then became an invaluable guide to aid in my anime purchasing. I remember going in to town one day and seeing the first volume of Gunbuster in a shop. I nipped home, checked what Helen could tell me about it, liked what I read (and no, not just the mention of "bouncing boobs" if anyone has just looked it up) then headed back to town and made my purchase.

There is a glossary at the start and there are small boxes scattered throughout with further information on things such as certain creators or influences. It feels very much like a prototype of The Anime Encyclopedia which McCarthy would later co-write with Jonathan Clements. And whilst the excellent Anime Encyclopedia does include TV series, covers 1917 up until the year of publication (current version: 2006) and is easier to navigate: A-Z rather than year by year (further divided in to movies and OAV's), I still have a soft spot for the older book and will dig it out whenever I want more information on a movie or OAV that was released at some point between 1983 and 1995.

Originally posted 17th February, 2009
Image replaced 5th October, 2011