TODD FARMER ON ALIEN PIG FARM 3000

[MattBrady]

by Zack Smith

Aliens vs. Rednecks.

That’s all you need to know about Alien Pig Farm 3000, a new miniseries premiering from Image Comics in April. Written by comics newcomer Todd Farmer in collaboration with Steve Niles and actor Tom Jane (Bad Planet) and illustrated by Don Marquez, the book also features covers by legendary artists William Stout and Mark Schultz.

Newsarama recently caught up with Farmer, an in-demand Hollywood screenwriter whose credits include Jason X and The Messengers, which opens on Feb.2. Farmer, who’s developing several upcoming comic books, including Lycan with Jane and Psychopath with legendary director John Carpenter. We also got some no-holds-barred insights about the state of Hollywood horror, and why aliens should leave certain breakfast meats alone.

Newsarama: Tell us a little about the book – the plot, tone of the story, etc.

Todd Farmer: Steve came up with the title and I love him for it. It's got that grab yer duct tape, yer shotgun and kiss yer sister on the mouth feel to it. We know what happens when aliens attack the White House. And we've got a pretty good idea what happens when they attack Sigourney Weaver. But what happens when they attack a Kentucky pig farming town and your only hope lies within the hands of a couple of moonshining rednecks? The answer is Alien Pig Farm 3000. Action, gore, humor and I'm certain we're gonna get hate mail from Kentucky. I've been writing professionally for going on 12 years and this is simply the most fun I've ever had.

NRAMA: Why is there a 3000 in the title? Is there a particular reason, or is it just because it sounds cool?

TF: Because Niles has a threes and zeros fetish. 30 Days of Night, anyone?

NRAMA: What kind of pigs are at the farm? Are they sweet, Babe and Charlotte’s Web pigs, or nasty pigs, like the one Mr. Wu feeds snitches to on Deadwood?

TF: We've always been equal opportunity swine employers. We wanted a full spectrum of pork products. And we had the opportunity to meet Babe at the casting call. We were all big fans and despite his downward spiral into heroin and prostitution we wanted to give the piglet a second chance. In the end, we had to replace him with that Arnold from Green Acres. Babe's a good kid but he still has some personal issues to work out. We at Alien Pig Farm 3000 wish him the best.

NRAMA: Something that's been eating at me: What makes bacon so delicious? Also, do aliens like bacon, and if not, do you feel that's a reason they deserve to die?

TF: There are a couple of things you simply do not mess with. It's a part of who we are as a species. It's in our wiring. You don't mess with a man's woman and you don't touch his bacon. This particular race of alien has a lot to learn about these finer points of human nature.

NRAMA: How'd you originally hook up with Tom and Steve for the project? What's your collaboration like -- how do three different writers put together one comic?

TF: Tom and I met for breakfast a couple years ago and started spitballing concepts. When the idea of rednecks vs. aliens came up we never looked back. And the collaboration has been a blast. Tom's battled sharks, slugged baseballs and fought Travolta, but his talents go way beyond acting. Not only does he have great ideas, he understands structure and plot and pacing. He just gets it. Then you got Steve who no doubt brought back the Horror comic. He's become a brand name in the comic book world. The guy didn't have to take the time to teach me how to write a comic script, but he did. Fact is, there's been no ego. No "creative differences". Just three guys tossing out ideas, finishing one another's sentences and cracking up. Alot. And there may have been some drinking.

NRAMA: How does writing the comic work? Do you all come up with the plot and you write the script, or is it a different process?

TF: The story came together quickly. Tom knows story. Steve knows story. I know story. The tough part would be teaching my dumb redneck butt how to write a comic. Because a comic isn't a screenplay. After the first few meetings we had the general idea so I threw down a rough treatment. I'd structured the treatment in four acts. Not on purpose really, just habit. But it worked out. Four acts, four issues. We bantered back and forth over email, phone calls and finally met at Tom's where Steve broke the first couple of pages into panels. I consider myself a good writer, in fact, a great writer. You really have to have a strong ego to work in Hollywood because everyone and their gramma critiques your every word.

But that doesn't mean I knew how to write a comic. You don't know what you don't know. Steve had to turn the light on for me. But once I saw it, I grinned. I got excited. So I ran back to my dungeon and started writing issue one. I would periodically shoot pages to Steve and Tom. They kept me on the twisted and narrow. And you bet I made some newbie mistakes. Steve politely informed me not to describe the art in the caption.

Duh. Same for screenplays. I should have known better. But hey, you don't know what you don't know. Tom had to remind me that I had so much dialog in a couple of panels that we'd never see the art. Again, newbie mistake but I laugh about it. I learned, I improved and by issue two I was in the groove. It's a great story with great artists and I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity. I hope others enjoy the ride.

NRAMA: How did Don Marquez come on board, and what's working with him like? How's it feel to be working with him, Stout and Schultz on your first published comic work?

TF: From the beginning Tom and Steve wanted the 50s monster movie look and when Niles sent over some Marquez artwork, there was no debate. He was the guy. Not only did I love the pages Marquez was turning out, I loved how he would often take the words and interpret them far beyond what I ever imagined. At the end of the day I'm just a fanboy so when you toss Stout and Shultz into the mix it's hard not to be a little overwhelmed.

NRAMA: Did you read any horror comics growing up, such as the Warren magazines? What are your favorite horror comics and stories, and why?

TF: There's a thin thread of events that led me to horror comics. Stephen King gets the credit. I read Salem's Lot well before any young developing mind should. I was maybe twelve. And hopelessly hooked. When I ran out of King books I tried Straub. Didn't like it much. Jumped over to Strieber and hung there for awhile. At the time I was reading what I like to refer to as the "normal" comics. X-Men, Spider-Man, Batman and the like. Then this special issue of X-Men: Heroes for Hope came out. I recall it being for charity. Proceeds sent food to Africa maybe? Don't recall the details. Anyway, there was a section written by King and illustrated by Bernie Wrightson.

Whoa.

Wrightson's art blew me away. It was both mesmerizing and disturbing. Now this was back in the stone ages. Pre-Internet, cell phones and I lived in a small town. So hunting down Wrightson's first ten issues of Swamp Thing was a task. But so worth it. And if you've seen the Frankenstein art...well, words can't really do justice. Creepshow, Cycle of the Werewolf… I was hooked. So it was Wrightson who then lead me to Creepy Magazine, House of Mystery, Eerie Magazine and so on.

NRAMA: Dark Horse just published a graphic novel tie-in to The Messengers. Have you seen the comic or the finished film, and if so, what do you think of them?

TF: I haven't seen the GN or the finished film and I actually like it that way. When I write a screenplay, I see the movie in my head. I know it will change, which can be a good or a bad thing, but that's the nature of the business. I was the first writer on the project back when she was at Revolution and more of a psychological thriller. Stuart Beattie wrote a draft after me, then it ended up at Sam Raimi's Ghost House at which time my buddy Mark Wheaton gave it a more supernatural spin. A smart move considering the Pang brothers had been hired to direct.

And that's the typical life of a screenwriter. Either you're a writer on the front end or the back end of the process. So for me, part of the fun is avoiding the reviews and trailers and just heading into a dark theatre to enjoy the ride.

NRAMA: On your web site, you talk about the "true joy" involved with writing comics. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of writing a comic, as opposed to a screenplay? Why do you feel so many screenwriters are currently working on comics?

TF: It's hard to describe what it's like to write a story and then see that story come alive within the most brilliant artwork. Amazing. Humbling. I can't speak for other screenwriters but I can make a guess. I doubt they're doing it for the money because Hollywood, with all her faults, tends to pay very, very well. I'm doing it because I love the process. The creative freedom.

NRAMA: Also because it's tough to sell an original screenplay these days. It's considered more of a risk since there's no brand name recognition. Remakes, novels, video games, comic books, those are in. For a screenwriter, comics kill two birds with one keyboard. Not only are comics a great medium for telling an original story, there's always the chance of optioning that story to a studio. Those great reasons, but you certainly can't overlook the lack of over-development. I'm a firm believer that rewriting a screenplay can make it better, but there comes a point when you simply rewrite the magic right out of it.

And that happens more often than not. Then there are the notes. "Needs to be edgier. The protagonist needs to be more likable, he should have a dog, or a son. We don't buy that he would punch the windshield out with his fist, maybe he finds a crowbar in the street or a dumpster. And stealing the car makes us not like him. Could he borrow one instead?"

You think I'm kidding. Welcome to Hollywood. Love it or hate it, Alien Pig Farm is ours. We came up with the idea, we wrote it and we were fortunate enough to gets some brilliant artists to do their magic. Creatively, it's a very satisfying process.

NRAMA: Can you tell us anything about Sleepers and Lycan, your next comic projects?

TF: Sleepers is a three manga series I developed with FJ Desonto and Michael Uslan of Comic Book Movies. The story takes place in a near future. Nearer than many might like. No artist yet so it's still too early for the juicy details. Then while I was writing the film version of Clock Tower, Tom sent his and David James Kelly's outline for Lycan. A six-issue 1800's werewolf adventure with James Daly doing illustrations. The outline blew me away. I actually recall feeling jealous. I had another month or two on Clock Tower and just figured someone else would end up writing Lycan. But the guys didn't mind waiting and I just finished issue four.

NRAMA: And as a fanboy, I must ask you about what it's like to work with John Carpenter. I get a sort of Carpenter vibe from the description of Pig Farm, it reminds me of his 1980s work. Was he an influence on the book?

TF: I got no time for anybody who ain't a Carpenter fanboy. I was geeking out the first time I met him. He had me at hello. Halloween, Escape From New York, Big Trouble in Little China. The wife and I play World of Warcraft and spent days getting a Six Demon Bag, which I suddenly realize takes fanboy into a creepy arena.

Carpenter's a huge influence and here's why: His characters are utterly unafraid to be who they are. They don't follow the rules of standard character and that's what makes them so amazing. I really do have the best job in the world.

NRAMA: The horror genre is huge in film right now, and has really made a comeback in comics since 30 Days of Night. Why do you feel horror is a genre that translates so well into comics?

TF: When I got started horror was a four letter word in Hollywood, but man did that change. Executives used to look down their noses at horror. Now every studio and production company has a genre wing.

And the reasons are simple: Cha-Ching. Horror makes money. I give the credit to (Kevin) Williamson and Scream. Love it or hate it, as there's rarely an in between, Scream brought back horror in a big way. As was seen by all the Scream knockoffs. Some good, some not so good.

When it seemed horror had run its course we saw The Ring reintroduce it by way of Asian horror. And so came the knockoffs. Some good, some not so good. Then Saw showed up and has taken us into the present. Next will probably be the monster movie. Werewolves look to be the big thing in '07. And I think comics got caught up in the new wave of horror. And where Williamson should get credit in the movie biz, Niles should certainly get credit in the comic biz. But one of the things that makes horror comics so appealing is that you don't have a suit telling you to water it down in order to get a PG-13 because some number cruncher made a chart proving PG-13 brings in more cash. Great thing about comics is that you can tell the story you want, whether it be the greatest of heroes or the darkest of human nature.

NRAMA: What do you feel are the qualities of a good horror film and a bad horror film? What would you like to see more of in the horror genre, and what would you like to see less of?

TF: I have never looked down my nose at horror. I expect the same quality from my horror movie as I do from the latest Oscar contenders. There are as many branches of horror as there are dramas. You have slasher, supernatural, Asian style, monster, etc. Horror scares us, disturbs us, makes us laugh, makes us think, shows us the dark side of human nature.

And you don't need all of those to make a good horror. When "It puts the lotion on its skin" shoves his pecker between his legs and dances...brother that's disturbing and that's horror.

And above all, be original. Even if you're writing or making a sequel. Don't give me the same old thing. Freddy blew the lid off the slasher by adding a visual world into the mix. There was this rule that you never make fun of your audience in a horror movie. Scream blew the lid off of that. I don't like rules. Men in suits make rules. What I love are the bold ones out there. They guys who aren't just doing what's already been done because some moron in a suit thinks it's safe. The Ring, Devil's Rejects, Saw, Slither, Hostel, The Descent. I would love to see more of that. Not more ripoffs, more originals.

But there's this giant majority of buyers out there who can't see it. Won't see it. All they can do is greenlight something that reminds them of The Ring or Hostel or whatever made 100 million. Heck, even I'm part of the problem. I won't stop writing original horror but what do you do when the only jobs you can get come with notes like,
"Make it more like The Ring" or "We need something like Hostel"? Argue and you just get replaced. A man's gotta feed his family. Everyone gets pushed around in this town but there are a few out there with the clout to stay original. Eli(Roth), (Rob) Zombie, etc., I cheer them on.

NRAMA: Finally, any additional thoughts on your book, films, etc.?

TF: My next film hits the theatres in February, but it's Alien Pig Farm I'm excited about. Is that odd? Nervous, excited, overwhelmed, anxious. It's been a pulse-thumping experience, and I hope she's well received.

[Redmond]

This sounds like a total piece of trash and that's why I can't wait to read it!!! Steve Niles is under rated, I love Cal MacDonald.

[Mendoza]

TF did a good job on Jason X, I've never understood the hate that it recieved even from friday fans.

Id get this, but im already too full for that month. Might have to wait for trade.

[OcCaM]

Ah yes Bad Planet, did issue 2 ever come out after the 1st issue 2 years ago?

IF this manages to get completed and IF it makes it to trade I might be bothered to pick this up. IF I'm not too obligated with other responsibilies at the time.

[murricator]

What ever happened to Bad Planet? Delayed or Canceled? I'm still looking forward to this.

[Gonzogoose]

It upsets me to no end how every time Kentucky is mentioned in any modern fiction it's a degrading and highly stereotypical (and mostly completely false) representation. I've lived in Kentucky for 25 years and it's not anything like it's generally depicted as in fiction. Sigh.

Besides that, I absolutely hated Jason X with a passion. I thought the plot was terrible and the delivery even worse. So that's two strikes against this book for me.

Niles is cool, I like Jane as an actor and Bad Planet was decent, but chances are I'll just pass this one right up.

[tim seeley]

Dear lord..you wrote Jason X?! You're my lord and master. I'll be waiting in line for this.
TIM SEELEY
www.timseeley.com

[RDHALL2]

If you like Alien Pig Farm, you will love "American Wasteland: Blood and Diesel," (on the stands 02/28/07, Diamond Order code: DEC063298) No aliens, just blood thirsty monsters--American Wasteland also features Kentuckians, except a Kentuckian (that's me) wrote it, also.




Truck Driver Cletus McCoy only wants one thing: to get back home and save his Mama from a fate worse than death. But, in a world crumbling
into a vampire apocalypse, that's easier said than done. Cletus will have to truck his way through an emerging nation of bloodthirsty monsters hell-bent on making him supper. Guns, guts, and a boy named Sumbitch are our hero's only hope!

[Gonzogoose]

Well see, though, that's okay. You can pick on yourself. Sorry, I was having a bad day and am just tired of every time a Kentuckian is depicted on TV or in books they appear as illiterate, ignorant, barefooted, moonshine drinking, crass idiots. I'm all for picking fun, but I would just once love to see a Kentuckian depicted in a flattering light, you know?

[lfhobbies]

With all these "vs" series - why can't someone make cheerleaders vs schoolgirls

[RDHALL2]

Originally Posted by lfhobbies

With all these "vs" series - why can't someone make cheerleaders vs schoolgirls

I'm on it! :P

[lfhobbies]

Originally Posted by RDHALL2

I'm on it! :P

Now thats service with a smile

In all seriousness, American Wasteland looks great - I'll be ordering a few tomorrow. I loved Frankenstein too .... any more dead dog stuff coming out ?

[RDHALL2]

Originally Posted by lfhobbies

Now thats service with a smile

In all seriousness, American Wasteland looks great - I'll be ordering a few tomorrow. I loved Frankenstein too .... any more dead dog stuff coming out ?

I really appreciate the kind words on Frankenstein, I hope you dig American Wasteland just as much. It's got me writing, Mark Kidwell on Pencils, and Jay Fotos on color.

Actually, Dead Dog has ceased publishing comics, they now only publish Cryptic Magazine. Any new stuff, from either Mark Kidwell or Me, you'll either see from Image or from Fangoria comics.

[I.M.C.]

Although Todd Farmer did write Jason X's original screenplay, the lion's share of its problems came from producer Sean Cunningham. Who on a daily basis had the script rewritten to make the dialogue more "hip", and the original screenplay I remember had some pretty positive reviews.

Anywho this sounds like a rather cool ,and fun project, and I might just have to check it out myself.

[Farmer]

Farmer's also from a small town in Kentucky. I know, because he is me.

Gonzo, you're right, Kentucky is in no way as backwoods as the stereotypes make out. Nor is LA full of face lifts and boob jobs. Yet, if and when the alien attacks do finally come, I'd rather make a stand with the good ol' boys from the blue grass state.

Great cover, RD, and since you're a fellow southerner, I'll pick it up next month.

[Terram]

So does the pig farmer feed the alien dead as swill to his pigs or what?

[RDHALL2]

Originally Posted by Farmer

Farmer's also from a small town in Kentucky. I know, because he is me.

Gonzo, you're right, Kentucky is in no way as backwoods as the stereotypes make out. Nor is LA full of face lifts and boob jobs. Yet, if and when the alien attacks do finally come, I'd rather make a stand with the good ol' boys from the blue grass state.

Great cover, RD, and since you're a fellow southerner, I'll pick it up next month.

Thanks Todd! Hope Alien Pig Farm 3000 does well for ya! I think it's good to get Kentucky in the zeitgeist anytime we can! We should get together and talk sometime!

[Gonzogoose]

Originally Posted by Farmer

Farmer's also from a small town in Kentucky. I know, because he is me.

Gonzo, you're right, Kentucky is in no way as backwoods as the stereotypes make out. Nor is LA full of face lifts and boob jobs. Yet, if and when the alien attacks do finally come, I'd rather make a stand with the good ol' boys from the blue grass state.

Great cover, RD, and since you're a fellow southerner, I'll pick it up next month.

See that? That's egg on my face and my foot in my mouth. Like I said, I was having a bad day. Me, I was raised in Lexington, so to be fair it's not exactly representative of the smaller counties surrounding, so maybe I spoke out of turn.

Anyway, I do wish you luck with the book, sincerely. If nothing else I'm sure it'll gain cult status. It's still not my thing personally, but since it's from a fellow Kentuckian I might review the first issue or something and see where we stand. Maybe you'll prove me wrong!

As for Jason X, if it's true that the directorial input changed a lot then I apologize. I've only seen a few of the Jason movies and this one just didn't appeal to me. Again, it's a personal preference.

Anyway, good luck on the book.

RD, did I ever reply to your last email?

[RDHALL2]

Originally Posted by Gonzogoose

See that? That's egg on my face and my foot in my mouth. Like I said, I was having a bad day. Me, I was raised in Lexington, so to be fair it's not exactly representative of the smaller counties surrounding, so maybe I spoke out of turn.

Anyway, I do wish you luck with the book, sincerely. If nothing else I'm sure it'll gain cult status. It's still not my thing personally, but since it's from a fellow Kentuckian I might review the first issue or something and see where we stand. Maybe you'll prove me wrong!

As for Jason X, if it's true that the directorial input changed a lot then I apologize. I've only seen a few of the Jason movies and this one just didn't appeal to me. Again, it's a personal preference.

Anyway, good luck on the book.

RD, did I ever reply to your last email?

Not yet. I tell you, at this point we need a Kentucky creator's thread

[Blackbeard]

Originally Posted by RDHALL2

Not yet. I tell you, at this point we need a Kentucky creator's thread

How about a thread just for southerner creators?

Tennessean creators need love, too.

Good luck with this project, Todd!

[KidFurious]

Originally Posted by RDHALL2

If you like Alien Pig Farm, you will love "American Wasteland: Blood and Diesel," (on the stands 02/28/07, Diamond Order code: DEC063298) !

It's kind of wrong to pimp your book in someone elses article it almost amounts to comic book ____ blocking.

[Farmer]

Originally Posted by Blackbeard

How about a thread just for southerner creators?

Tennessean creators need love, too.

Good luck with this project, Todd!

I'm game, but would it just be the three of us? Sitting in a dark room together? Cuz that feels a little dirty. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Blackbeard]

Originally Posted by Farmer

I'm game, but would it just be the three of us? Sitting in a dark room together? Cuz that feels a little dirty. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

If there's beer, it won't matter.

[RDHALL2]

Originally Posted by Blackbeard

If there's beer, it won't matter.

Depends on the beer, now don't it.

[Electrohead]

Originally Posted by OcCaM

Ah yes Bad Planet, did issue 2 ever come out after the 1st issue 2 years ago?

The answer is no it never came out. I had it preordered and it was cancelled, just like the series.