I hope you’ve all had a chance to see ROAD TO PERDITION, the incredible film Sam Mendes has fashioned from my graphic novel. A few fans have complained about changes Mendes and screenwriter David Self have made, but I am entirely comfortable with what I think are intelligent and in some cases necessary modifications.

The graphic novel was originally structured to appear in three manga-style issues; it never did appear in that form, but it bears that structure. For that reason, the graphic novel has many more action set pieces than the film; and the numerous hit men pursuing O’Sullivan and son were rolled up into one character, Maguire, the evil Weegee-like photographer…a great creation of David Self’s. This provides the screenplay with a secondary villain and suits the structural spine of the film. I approve and applaud it.

The emphasis on the father and son relationship between Rooney and Sullivan (Looney and O’Sullivan in my book) is an apt one — very effective, deepening the piece. That Looney and O’Sullivan had a father-and-son relationship is implied in the book; but Self and Mendes rightly hit it on the nose, using the wake sequence to cinematically express some rather straightforward exposition from the graphic novel.

The toning down of the violence also was a good idea, particularly in light of the somber approach that Mendes and his brilliant cinematographer, Conrad Hall, took. Nonetheless, the violence is stark and disturbing — not unlike what I’ve done in my Nate Heller and Quarry novels — and appropriate to the tone. I ask my fans this — would you rather have had a movie with all my action set pieces, but starring, say, Jean Claude Van Damme or maybe Jeff Speakman? I don’t think so.

In fact, the film seems to me to encapsulate everything I’ve done in mystery fiction for going on thirty years — Dick Tracy and Junior are reflected in the two Michaels; then there’s the father-and-son relationship between Nolan and Jon, as well as the bank robbery aspect; the historical approach of Nate Heller (Stanley Tucci IS my Frank Nitti!); the honorable hitman of Quarry; the revenge motif of Ms. Tree; the child and murderous parent theme of MOMMY. It’s all there.

As for the changed ending…I will tell you this: at the after-premiere party in New York, the first thing Steven Spielberg said to me was: “The only thing I don’t like about Sam’s movie is that he didn’t use your ending.” Obviously, I would tend to agree…and my ending was part of Self’s screenplay. But the ending of the film does work, and — since my ending is not played out — Michael and his father MUST exchange roles in that climatic scene, just as Mendes shot it.

There’s been an incredible (and surprising) amount of attention paid to me and the graphic novel, and you may have seen the ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY profile or perhaps the USA Today or Associated Press pieces. Many mentions in reviews, too — some preferring the graphic novel to the movie, and talking about the book in depth. Most reviews have been great, and speak of Oscars at year’s end.

So go see the movie while it’s still in theaters — the visuals (and the wonderful music) deserve the big screen, big sound system treatment.

In the meantime, the news is this: I’ve signed to do two ROAD TO PERDITION sequels for William Morrow (publisher of WINDTALKERS). They will be novels, not graphic novels, though the latter may eventually follow as well. I’m discussing a separate graphic novel — an episodic look at the father and son’s time on the road together — with Marvel; the hope is that Richard Piers Rayner can be involved.

Other news: I’ve just signed to do two more CSI novels (the second will be out in October: SIN CITY) (not my title — mine was the wonderful but politically incorrect DEAD NUDE GIRLS). I’ve delivered the I SPY novel, and am working on the second DARK ANGEL (SKIN GAME) with the first due around October, also (BEFORE THE DAWN). Matthew V. Clemens continues to work with me on the CSI and DARK ANGEL books as researcher and co-plotter.

Watch also for THE LUSITANIA MURDERS around the same time.

Some comics work in the pipeline: I’m halfway through a massive BATMAN graphic novel, CHILD OF DREAMS, drawn and co-plotted by SILENT MOBIEUS creator, Kia Asamiya — the first BATMANGA. I may also be doing a CSI comic book mini-series, and the serialized JOHNNY DYNAMITE mini-series, UNDERWORLD, is probably going to be pubbed as a graphic novel.

Speaking of which, the Pocket Books reprint of the original ROAD TO PERDITION graphic novel has hit the New York Times bestseller list!

Thanks for your interest and support. Nate and I will try to update this site more frequently. In the meantime, enjoy the PERDITION wallpaper!

M.A.C.

My son Nate and I need to apologize for the long delay between updates…more my fault than his, though he’s now busy at the University of Iowa, studying computer science.  He’s in Iowa City, just forty miles from Barb and me, so Nate…and his laundry…remain close to home.

As you can see, the big news is that the DreamWorks movie version of my graphic novel, ROAD TO PERDITION, opens on July 12; it stars Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Stanley Tucci.  Sam Mendes (AMERICAN BEAUTY) directed.  I’ve done a novelization (of the script) which will be published by NAL as a paperback original.  And the graphic novel itself…with a new intro by me…will be published by Pocket Books (using the movie poster) and with Richard Piers Rayner’s wonderful original cover on a simultaneous edition from DC Comics (sold in comic book shops).

As Nate (Collins) says: COLLECT THEM ALL!

The novelization will fill in character gaps and provide historical background.  Unfortunately, I was not allowed to expand the book much beyond the script — where plot and dialogue are concerned, anyway — but it nonetheless came off very well, and you should enjoy it.

Other big news: my coffee-table book, THE HISTORY OF MYSTERY, has been nominated for an Edgar award from the Mystery Writers of America and for an Agatha by the fans at Malice Domestic.  Lots of nice comments about this book (except from a guy named Ty Burr at Entertainment Weekly — I guess Miss Isipi, Ema Zonn, Jor Dann and Dee Nile weren’t available); great pics and super production from the folks at Collector’s Press…who are also publishing another batch of my pin-up trade paperbacks, in their Artist’s Archives series.

As I write this, THE SCORPION KING is the #1 movie at the box office, and my Berkley movie tie-in novel will answer all those many questions I’m sure you have about the interior motivations of the characters.  (Hey, it’s a good read; trust me.)

REAL TIME: SIEGE AT LUCAS STREET MARKET, my $20,000 crime movie shot mostly on real security cameras, is the first multi-angle DVD.  You can order it through a link on this site, or go to Troma’s website, among others.  It’s pretty easy to find for the non-web shopper, too: Tower, Border’s and Virgin have it; Best Buy sometimes has it (and it’s on their web site).

The second FLESH & BLOOD collection is out in trade paper from Mysterious Press; Jeff Gelb (of HOT BLOOD fame) and I have rounded up another batch of sexy, violent tales that would make James M. Cain blush.  And Cain is just one of the writers in the NAL anthology, A CENTURY OF NOIR, co-edited by Mickey Spillane (I can’t get this guy off my coattails).  It’s a terrific collection, largely due to great help from Marty Greenberg and John Helfers at Tekno Books.

Coming very soon (June) is CHICAGO CONFIDENTIAL (NAL hardcover), in which Nate Heller returns to his home turf in a wild, sexy yarn (do I put him in any other kind?) set in 1950 shytown.  Sinatra’s in it as are assorted famous gangsters and a notoriously top-heavy starlet; the story focuses on the Kefauver Committee hearings, in which the term “Mafia” first became widely known to the public.

ANGEL IN BLACK is also out there right now, in a handsome paperback.

The first CSI novel, DOUBLE DEALER, continues to sell very well.  My frequent short story collaborator, Matt Clemens (also a researcher on HISTORY OF MYSTERY, along with George Hagenauer), helped me with the forensics and plotting, and did a great job…and now we’ve delivered the second CSI to Pocket Books…my title is DEAD NUDE GIRLS.  We’ll see if it stands.

Matt — who watches entirely too much TV — is also assisting me on a trio of DARK ANGEL novels, the first of which…BEFORE THE DAWN…I just shipped off to DAW Books a couple days ago.  Ironically, my original title for ANGEL IN BLACK was DARK ANGEL…and I had to change it when Jim Cameron announced his TV series of the same name. Cameron has taken an active interest in these novels, and the first one is a real barn-burner.

The WINDTALKERS movie should be out fairly soon, and that movie tie-in novel is still around — very proud of it.  Now, let’s get John Woo to direct something of mine!

Before the end of the year, you’ll see THE LUSITANIA MURDERS, the latest in the Berkley Prime Crime “disaster series,” this time starring snooty detective S.S. Van Dine, creator of Philo Vance.  You will also meet an early 20th century variation on Ms. Tree in this novel…a character I like so much, who knows?  Maybe I’ll spin her off some day….

Barb has sold a couple of great new short stories, and she and I have finished, and delivered to St. Martin’s Press, BOMBSHELL — our Marilyn Monroe Meets Khruschev thriller.  Barb did an incredible job on this, and I’m proud to be part of it — we’ll post pub date when we have it.

Other upcoming projects include the movie tie-in of I, SPY; two more DARK ANGELs; and…a trilogy based on the great PRISONER TV show!  Also, at least two more “disaster” mysteries…the wonderful ideas for which I’m not posting!

And, believe it or not, I’m back in comics: I’ve done a CAPTAIN AMERICA story (my first Marvel gig and a return to comics after a long lay-off) and I’m writing BATMAN: CHILD OF DREAMS for DC, providing the script for a terrific manga (Japanese comic) by the creator of SILENT MOEBIUS, Kia Asamiya.

Indie movie projects have been on hold during this busy year — lots of writing assignments, as you can see, but also various ROAD TO PERDITION matters; but three projects are in the works…Phil Dingeldein, Mike Cornelison and I just shot a four-minute promo piece for one of them…on 24 fps HD!  Alas, the REAL TIME follow-up — scripted already — is on the shelf, for now at least…we’ve had great response to the DVD but not enough sales to justify that effort…yet, anyway.

But my script for JOHNNY DYNAMITE (based on the Collins/Terry Beatty Dark Horse graphic novel of a few years back) has just been optioned!

And watch for a Mother’s Day re-release of MOMMY and MOMMY’S DAY on DVD.

I am also planning two sequels to ROAD TO PERDITION, to be done as novels, not in comics format. And you have not heard the last of Nate Heller, either.

Now do you see why Nate and I haven’t updated, lately?

Thank you for your interest and support — and stay on the road!

M.A.C.

Shooting has started in Chicago on ROAD TO PERDITION!  As of March 5, 2001, the Sam Mendes directed DreamWorks production — based on my graphic novel (drawn by the gifted Richard Piers Rayner) — is in production in the Chicago area.  Shooting will last into June, with a December 2001 release anticipated.  I will visit the set (probably in April) and we will post photos.  The Zanucks are producing this project, hand-picked by Steven Spielberg.

Troma Entertainment is distributing REAL TIME: SIEGE AT LUCAS STREET MARKET.   A few theaters will play the feature, but this is primarily a DVD release.   Many long hours were put into the authoring of the DVD (which I supervised at Conwood studio in Iowa City, where Todd Schoemaker…a veteran of several M.A.C. productions…made the magic).  The REAL TIME DVD is the first 100% multi-angle DVD, with tons of features including commentaries by myself, stars Brinke Stevens and Larry Coven, and our core filmmaking group: Phil Dingeldein, Steven Henke, Greg Ballard and Jeff High.  Even Matt Clemens got into the act, though no one quite knows what he does on any of the movies.  The audio book of the source short story, “Inconvenience Store,” was generously provided by Brilliance, and a Ms. Tree comic book story is also included.  Also audition excerpts, deleted scenes, alternate takes, and on and on.  I don’t think any low-budget indie has done anything this elaborate on DVD.

The new Nate Heller, ANGEL IN BLACK, is in stores now!  The hardcover has received raves from Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist, the latter preferring my take on the Black Dahlia to a certain other author’s.

Jeff Gelb and I are doing a sort of follow-up to Jeff’s HOT BLOOD anthology series (which were erotic horror stories) with FLESH & BLOOD (erotic noir stories).  The first one is out in April from Warner/Mysterious Press — a trade paperback.  Lots of big names — Larry Block, Loren Estleman, Stu Kaminsky, Don Westlake, and many others.

THE PEARL HARBOR MURDERS (starring amateur sleuth Edgar Rice Burroughs), from Berkley Prime Crime, will be out in time for the Memorial Day release of the big Pearl Harbor movie whose coattails I’m riding; and THE MUMMY RETURNS is coming in June.

New projects: I’m working on another Heller, in which he returns to Chicago (at the request of many fans) for some mob crime doings; right now I’m calling it CHICAGO LOWDOWN, but we’ll see.  No famous crime this time — it’s about the Kefauver hearings and the death of Heller’s cop friend, Bill Drury (a real albeit not famous unsolved crime). I hope to do a novelization of ROAD TO PERDITION; I have a John Woo movie novel to write; and the next “disaster” mystery, which takes place on the Lusitania (the Coconut Grove fire entry, which features Eliot Ness, will be done eventually).

Several scripts of mine are getting Hollywood interest  — including JOHNNY DYNAMITE, the rights to which have reverted to me after Disney failed to make it happen, and BLUE CHRISTMAS — and Ms. Tree may…that’s MAY…be heading to TV as a series for a major cable network.

I am also trying to mount another indie this summer, a REAL TIME follow-up with a top-secret subject matter.

Barb has a great collection of short stories out from Five Star — TOO MANY TOMCATS — and several other Five Star anthologies are coming, including MURDER — HIS AND HERS (with stories by both of us, some collaborative) and BLUE CHRISTMAS (gathering the Richard Stone short stories and a few other holiday tales).

Also, watch for A CENTURY OF NOIR edited by Mickey Spillane and myself, and a Mike Hammer anthology with an intro by yours truly.  Plus a Five Star anthology that gathers the previous uncollected Spillane novellas that didn’t make it into TOMORROW I DIE.

It’s been a long time since my son Nate and I have updated the site…and if you peruse the above you’ll know why!

Let me know what you think of ANGEL IN BLACK — I think it’s one of the best, and certainly the darkest, Hellers.  And if you don’t have a DVD player, buy one now — so you can watch REAL TIME!

M.A.C.

    This is a way overdue update — and will be somewhat brief, because I am in the midst of deadlines (the new Heller was due March 1st and as I write this is it’s March 6!).

    A lot has been happening.   First, I must share with you sad news.  I lost my dad on February 23, his 78th birthday.  A very vital man, Dad was — among many other things — a world-class musician.  As an only child, still living in my home town, I have remained close to my parents, and this was hard.  Dad was a wonderful grandpa to Nate, and we’ll feel his absence every day.  Any fan of mine who would like to contribute to my father’s memorial scholarship fund — given yearly to a high school senior planning to be a college music major — can send a check made out to the Max A. Collins Sr. Music Scholarship, care of M.A.C. Productions, 301 Fairview Avenue, Muscatine, Iowa 52761.

In January, we shot a new movie — a radically different feature, and I’m proud to say a real innovation.  I will share the details with you later, but you can get an advance view on the page Nate has devoted to REAL TIME: SIEGE AT LUCAS STREET MARKET.  I am in postproduction right now, working with the usual suspects, including Phil Dingeldein editing on the Avid, Greg Ballard on sound design, plus our new producer, Jeff High.  Brinke Stevens, Mike Cornelison and Rachel Lemieux star with Larry Coven in support, and some incredible new talent.  (It’s based on a Ms. Tree short story but the character does not appear in the screenplay, though Brinke plays a very Ms. Tree-like character.) THE HINDENBURG MURDERS will be out soon, as will U-571, a movie tie-in novel (an exciting WW2 submarine melodrama). Already in print is MOURN THE LIVING.  This was the first Nolan novel, written around ’69, when I was in college.  It was published in serialized form in the fanzine HARDBOILED, but this marks its first book publication.  Some of the critics thought it should have stayed in my trunk, but at least one rated as a solid entry.  I figured Nolan fans would like to have it in book form.  This is from Five Star, who also published (last year) the first hardcover edition of BUTCHER’S DOZEN. There are currently four copies still available of the MYSTERY SCENE MOVIE GUIDE. Also, if you have a DVD player, don’t forget to pick up MOMMY and MOMMY’S DAY (available on line from numerous sources).  These are low-priced definitive editions of the two features. I’ve been writing some columns for Hollywood.com, so you may wish to check out that first-rate site.  And I’m still doing a column for ASIAN CULT CINEMA magazine. The new Heller, in progress, is called DARK ANGEL, wherein Nate solves the Black Dahlia murder…no kidding! And wait till you see REAL TIME! M.A.C.