Tales from the Darkside: Scriptbook by Joe Hill
Review by Lauren
source: BEA16; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: The storied history of TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE winds ever darker and weirder with this collection of scripts by JOE HILL from the never-broadcast 2015 television reboot. TV s loss is your gain as these all-new tales break out of the shadows and spring to vivid life at Hill s command, accompanied by striking illustrations provided by Charles Paul Wilson III (Wraith).
Review: In 2015, the TV show Tales from The Darkside was meant to get a reboot and author Joe Hill had written the first scripts. Unfortunately, the show never happened, but IDW Publishing is publishing those scripts with artwork from Charles Paul Wilson III so that fans can still see what Hill had come up with. I came across an ARC of this collection at BEA in May and I was very excited to check it out, as I want to read more by Joe Hill. I don’t know the original TV show, but I do think a reboot would have been a lot of fun.
Now, if you have never read a TV or movie script before, it’s almost like reading a play. If you have not read a play, then this is something you’ll just have to go into with an open mind. While there is some detail of the world Hill is depicting (and the added illustrations for this collection are nice too), it is mostly dialogue. Regardless, I think you can easily understand the storyline and be able to follow along.
While I definitely enjoyed reading this script, I do have to say that I think it might have been better seeing it on screen. This makes sense, as it was written for TV and not to simply be read. I liked the overall storyline, about two kids who use something like a portable computer to create real life objects. At first you can only see it through the screen, and it shows up where you point the screen. For example, they can make it daylight in the window, if you look through the screen, but if you look at the window, it’s still dark. This is what happens at first, but eventually, the new rendering in the screen is what is actually occurring in real life. Knives with wings, flying around. Hands crawling out of the couch. All sorts of other weird and fascinating things.
It’s a quick read and I am interested in getting a final version, to add to my Joe Hill collection, but it’s not something that I absolutely loved. I do appreciate IDW Publishing for sharing these stories though!
Ooh this looks like a fun on to delve into for fall!
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Loving the cover but alas I'm afraid the format isn't one I'd enjoy.
So cool that they decided to publish this even thought the TV show didn't happen. Not sure how I would adjust to the format but for someone who is into the show or the genre I can see it being a great addition to their collection.
I am just getting into Joe Hill. I will have to look this up, it definitely sounds different.
I don't know how I'd get on reading scripts but I guess for real fans it is better than nothing since the show wasn't made.
I love Joe Hill so I have to read this one!
Joe Hill is an author I haven't tried myself… hopefully one day!
I haven't read a script story before… sounds interesting though.