In the late 1990s, shapeshifter go through KA Applegate Become a cult phenomenon. Written by Kathleen Applegate and husband Michael Grantand later a ghostwriting team, the prose series totaled more than 60 volumes. shapeshifter It was later adapted for television and has occupied much of the discussion time on campuses across the country. Now, Scholastic Graphix is adapting the story into a series of graphic novels by: Chris Green.
with next entry shapeshifter graphic novel series, Predator: Shapeshifters #5Just around the corner, Comics Beat seized the opportunity to interview Applegate and Grant about adapting the beloved prose series into a continuous graphic narrative. Be sure to come back next week when we will share our follow-up interview predator With Green!
AVERY KAPLAN: Can you tell us your global vision for Animorphs? When you look back at the road that got you here, what do you see?
Katherine Applegate + Michael Grant: We’re a little surprised it lasted as long as it did, at least in some people’s eyes. We wrote all of this before social media, so we had very little contact with our readers. Jump forward ten years. Suddenly we realized that people had actually read the series (to our shock, they weren’t kids anymore) and we started hearing about the impact it had on people.
I’m sorry to say something cliché to you, but it’s humbling. You’d think we’d be happy. But no, our reaction was more like, “Oh my gosh, people are actually paying attention. us?
Kaplan: What are your specific thoughts on the Animorphs comic book adaptation? How involved are you in the creative process?
Apply + Grant: These comics are all thanks to Grine’s talent and the work of his amazing editors. We don’t have to do anything. And the results have exceeded our most optimistic expectations.
Kaplan: Although the Animorphs series was originally written by “KA Applegate,” over the ensuing years you have been very open about your collaborative process (including with other writers). What made you choose to be so open about your authorship of this series? What kind of reaction have you received?
Apply + Grant: Well, “KA” was Scholastic’s idea, presumably because boys wouldn’t want to read a book with a woman’s name on the cover. (As it turns out, that wasn’t true, but that’s the thinking at the time.) At that time, Michael really had no intention of staying in the children’s book world, but all of that changed of course when he wrote his YA series, gone.
As for the ghostwriter, we really wish we could do better. As you know, books usually drop about a year after completion. and shapeshifter, that’s halved, we need 14 books a year, which is crazy. we are still writing big mac and chronicle Books, among other projects, simply don’t have time to help ghosts.
We started out as ghostwriters ourselves, so we make sure to pay well and give credit, but we take on so much responsibility that some of the best writers may not feel as valued as we’d like. What is the plural of MEA negligence?
Kaplan: I realize this is probably unanswerable. But do you have a favorite Animorphs book? What about your favorite character? Are there any characters that you would have loved to have included in the series, but for some reason couldn’t be included in the series?
Apply + Grant: Favorite character is a simpler question. We don’t project ourselves into the books, but it’s no secret that Cassie is more like Catherine and Marco is more like Michael. Not necessarily in terms of writing, but in terms of character definition. we like chronicle Although honestly, the answer changes every time we think about it. Unfinished character arc? With a total of 63 books read, we had enough opportunities. Besides, that’s what fanfiction is for.
KAPLAN: I know Grine updated some of the ’90s pop culture references in adapting the show. However, I’m curious if you were aware of how prescient Animorphs was when you wrote it. Do you doubt that it will still be a relevant story nearly thirty years later?
Apply + Grant: Somewhat shockingly shapeshifter Which makes perfect sense considering we’re basically just a couple of idiots. We are really still kids. You know: 40-year-old kids. There wasn’t a lot of deep thinking involved; we just wanted to write a story that people would enjoy. Of course we added elements of history, politics, philosophy, social justice, but it was always in service of the story. The research we do is on animals, and before the internet, that could be very time-consuming. So, just to be clear, we didn’t delve into philosophy, politics, or anthropology, we just went with our gut and sheer luck, and we basically got it right.
Kaplan: In January 2020, the animation company announced that it would be adapted into a film. Do you have any updates on this that you can share with us? Can we still expect it to come?
Apply + Grant: As far as we know, shapeshifter The film project has fallen through. We’re frustrated that Scholastic can’t do something with what we think is one of the more interesting and potentially profitable intellectual property rights. No one in academia has ever participated in shapeshifter——especially our editors, Tonya MartinThe Fifth Beatle shapeshifter—Still in academia. Few people today seem to truly understand these books or their impact. The best results are that Scholastic sells their shapeshifter The rights of someone who can do something with them. Hollywood is full of anime fans eager to do something.
Kaplan: Animorphs has a loyal following across demographics, but as a trans woman, I’ve noticed that many other members of the trans community have a special place in their hearts for the series. What are your thoughts on this phenomenon? Have you had any particularly memorable experiences with members of the transgender community over the years? Is it important for you to be an ally to the trans community?
Apply + Grant: Our oldest daughter is trans, but we supported trans rights long before they became a part of our lives. Our default position has always been that people should be in control of their own lives, unless there is some very compelling reason for government intervention. There are legitimate concerns, of course—adequate counseling, availability of care—but no legitimate reason for the state to get involved. Just like abortion, the decision should be left to those whose lives are directly affected. They may not always make wise decisions, but they are more likely to do so than some red state legislators or governors. On this and other issues, the country as a whole could use a lot of help from MYOB – mind your own business. Let people find their own path to fulfillment.
Having said that, we cannot claim that we were intentionally trying to appeal to the trans community when we wrote the book in the 1990s. We wish we did, we wish we did something broader with queer rights, but we don’t. Of course, we’re happy that trans readers have found something they can accept Shapeshifter. But it’s kind of like “stolen courage.”
Kaplan: As a Trekkie, I feel compelled to ask, given the many references to the series throughout the series: how do you both feel about this? StarCraft (if you feel anything)?
Apply + Grant: Michael is a StarCraft warrior, so we have to use the first person singular here.
Granted: Ahem. I’m a big fan of the original StarCraftand a fan The next generation. I like what I see so far strange new world. I think they made a mistake on a couple of shows because their shows got dark and gloomy StarCraft It’s a utopia, not a dystopia. At a time when democracy itself faces very real threats, we don’t need more fatalistic pessimism, we need some hope for a better future.
Kaplan: Is there anything else you want me to add?
Apply + Grant: Just our gratitude and respect, shapeshifter reader. You hear a lot about toxic fan bases. Um, shapeshifter Fandom is the opposite of toxic. Frankly, they are the men, women, or neither who are nicer, kinder, or both than we have ever met. Our “literary children” grow into lovely people.
graphic novel adaptation Predator: Shapeshifters #5 Will start arriving at your local bookstore and/or public library on August 20thth2024.
