In 2009 I published “The Year of Loving Dangerously,” my graphic novel about my anni horribili, 1984-1985. I was expelled from college, fired from my job and evicted from my dorm — and dumped on the streets of Manhattan during a long hot summer in Reagan America. I discovered that sex wasn’t just my favorite thing, it was also good for finding a place to crash. Manslut – that was me.
Year was my first book collaboration. I wrote the text. Spanish artist Pablo G. Callejo, best known for “Bluesman,” did the artwork. The results were spectacular: Callejo is a genius and evoked 1980s New York like no one else could.
There was interest in turning Year into a movie. Also a TV show. You know how that goes. I think the time wasn’t right.
Now, however, everything is coming up 1980s. I keep thinking someone should make a movie or TV show out of it. Not because I want a movie or TV show, which of course I do, but because it was so fucking cool and would make an awesome adaptation.’
So, smart Hollywood peeps, if you’re out there, here’s a few pages. If you want to see the whole thing, ping me by hitting the Contact tab on Rall.com.
11 Comments.
To those who are mulling over buying the book – I can attest you should. It is extremely engaging and quite insane – even by Ted’s standards 😉
Therefore I’m a bit torn about a movie/miniseries adaptation. It’s true that it does bend and break some quite important taboos, so would fit right into the current trend to trash the last remaining conventions (plus would have a lot of nudity, even of the rare, non-gratuitous variety)…
Then again the graphic novel is probably the best format for a story like this… as it is leaving more to the reader’s imagination while doing justice to the inner voice – can you imagine the lines in the final panel above as a voice-over? But perhaps Mr Robot rehabilitated long voice-overs and it would be an excuse to prolong the preceding sex scene 😉
I can also attest to the awesomeness of this book. Describing a book as “searingly honest” (or whatever adjective you prefer) is a cliche’, but it’s absolutely true in this case. It’s hilarious, it’s shocking, it’s raw, it’s dirty, it’s even touching… it’s Ted, after all. 🙂 But movie or TV show? I’m also doubtful. In the right hands, it could be wonderful, but what are the chances of that happening? (All the right hands in Hollywood are probably busy….) And it would be a travesty to see it mangled or compromised.
… aaannd we shall not inquire too closely into what it is that the right hands in Hollywood are busy doing 😉
andreas5: Yeah, I figured that was fairly self-evident….. 🙂
You’re both making assumptions based on outdated stereotypes. Many Hollywoodies are actually left handed.
More than the 10% of the general population who are left-handed?
Then again, some of us are ambidextrous (purely out of necessity, of course.)
😀 🙂 😀 😉
Hahaha! I am NOT going to inquire about the necessity to which you refer…. 🙂
The young lady in question – I hope you recall her surname as well, so you can shame her for the events of 33 years ago – was obviously using her position of (relative) power to coerce you into sexual activities which could hardly in those circumstances be considered as voluntary….
«Me too», as we say here in Sweden….
Henri
> Manslut – that was me.
You BASTARD! I wanted that job! But noooo – I wasn’t pretty enough, or big enough, or skilled enough or … oh, never mind.
😀
I’ve been seeing lots of parallels with the 1980s as well these days….