Scout on the big screen. File this in your “Oh hell yes!” category.
It’s impossible to overstate my appreciation for Tim Truman. The writer, illustrator and musician is Frontier Partisans kinda people. He wrote and illustrated a brilliant graphic novel biography of frontier renegade Simon Girty. He wrote and illustrated Straight Up To See The Sky, a collection of biographies of Appalachian frontiersmen that is a direct antecedent of Frontier Partisans. Truman and his son produced the Weird Western Hawken, which I mentioned in my John Glanton post. Truman did some magnificent Grateful Dead art. And he did justice to Robert E. Howard’s Conan of Cimmeria — because he is a true Howardian..
Deuce Richardson put him on the phone with me a few years back, when Truman was the guest of honor at Howard Days in Cross Plains, Texas. I was most gratified to get the opportunity to directly express my appreciation for his work.
Now Deuce brings me this word (good scouting compadre!).
Studio 8 has just acquired the film option for the 1980s comic book action/adventure “Scout,” which was written, illustrated, and created by legendary comic book artist Timothy Truman. Chris MacBride (The Conspiracy) is set to adapt and direct for the big screen. Braden Aftergood at Eighty Two Films, who most recently executive produced the critical favorite “Hell Or High Water” for CBS Films — the pic that played so well at the Cannes Film Festival — is attached to produce.
Truman will serve as a consultant through the development of the big-screen version of “Scout,” which follows an Apache ex-Army Ranger who, while on a personal/spiritual mission, investigates the disappearance of young women and in the process uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy involving local gangs, human slavers, oil companies and corrupt government officials.
Read Scout back in the long-ago. Classic Frontier Partisans, in theme, aesthetics… everything. Making the past present. The living frontier. Apache moccasins and ARs. Yes, indeedy! And it’s perfect for a movie. In fact, its time has come, with the clamor for diversity in action movie heroes. Here it is, in a completely unforced, natural, organic form. The Hell Or High Water connection is really good news — that was a great movie. This could be truly badass.
deuce says
I actually remember exactly where I was (a bookstore in Manhattan, KS) when I picked up Scout #1. I’d been a Grimjack fan, but this was Timbo on his own and off the chain. The Road Warrior meets Billy Jack through a Trumanic lens. It was a wild and bloody ride from there.
Don’t forget that Tim is a mean guitarist and songwriter. Maybe he’ll have something to do with the soundtrack. Hopefully he can get some SRV and Rory on there, at least.
JimC says
Right on.
Keith West says
I was at that Howard Days. Tim was a great guest, and I hope he’ll be back in the future.
Matthew says
I haven’t read Scout, but I’m a big fan of Grimjack and I really enjoyed his work with Joe Lansdale on Jonah Hex.
I actually tried to find some of his songs on Youtube, but only found a video of an elderly hippie doing a karaoke of one. I’m interested in his music.
JimC says
Think he’s got some music on his website.
Matthew says
I was just at his site and listen to some. This guy is way too talented in way too many different fields
JimC says
Right?
Timothy Truman says
Thanks so much, Jim, Deuce and Keith. Very excited about the movie option. Great site, Jim!
JimC says
Thank you — honored to have you stop by.
Dan says
Wish casting Zahn McClarnon now, while hoping they don’t discard Truman’s integration of Apache culture & history into the story line.
john roberts says
Is there any likelihood of a Hawken sequel? I really enjoyed the original, and I’m not much into graphic novels.
Incidentally, I have a TV deal working in Germany for my SPQR series of Roman mysteries. I’ve dealt with showbiz people before, and nothing is certain until the cameras actually start rolling, but I’m more optimistic for this than for my previous options.
JimC says
That’s fantastic news. Fingers crossed.
don’t Know about “Hawken.” Will inquire of Truman.