How to Succeed in Evil by Patrick E. McLean

TagCloud for HtSiE

Okay, this is kind of interesting. It’s a visual representation of the most frequently occurring words in the text of all the How to Succeed in Evil Episodes.

Technorati Tags: How to Succeed in Evil, Patrick E. McLean, TagCloud

The Music of Evil

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So I keep getting questions about the music in How to Succeed in Evil. And to my surprise, people keep asking about what I call the main theme. I friend of mine turned me on to Reason and I played around with it until I had something I liked. When I started ‘Evil the podsafe music network didn’t exist and I needed some music so I did the best I could.

and this was it.

The file was lost in the hard drive crash that inspired the “Scary Story” pirate episode. And I don’t really play piano so I don’t remember what it was. It was in F minorish.

And somewhere along the way I discovered a piece of music called Ether by the Flavor Foundation. It has an inexorable sense to it. Downtempo but moving forward. And that’s what I’ve been using for the title music. You can find it on iTunes. Highly recommend the whole CD.

And if you want more tracks I consider in the evil vibe try Massive Attack’s Unfinished Sympathy and Super Bon Bon by Soul Coughing.

El Justiador Part II

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The inexplicable march of El Justiador marches on.

El Justiador Part I

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This is qualifies as prequel territory. As the characters have been evolving (and as I’ve been developing ‘Evil for television) I have discovered that the sweet spot of the story is Edwin as a consultant. There’s just no end of fun to be had pitting him against inane villian after inane villian.

So with that, enjoy the first part of Edwin’s involvement with El Justiador! Read the rest of this entry

The Death of Edwin 2.0

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After much soul searching, I found I was changing my character for external reasons, rather than for the demands of the story. And I also discovered that, in doing so, I run the risk of destroying what made the the character and the story work in the first place — Edwin’s unique Edwin-ness. Read the rest of this entry

New Site Design!

Webmaster Michael checking in to point out the new website design for How to Succeed in Evil! The Seanachai got a redesign not long ago so we figured it was time “Evil” got one, too! Welcome to the new succeedinevil.com! we hope you like it!

Edwin 2.0

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I’ve been having trouble writing stories for How to Succeed in Evil because Edwin is too perfect and too laconic. In fact, the way he is in the podcast, he’s kind of unsuitable for a main character. So I’ve done some thinking and some writing and here’s what I’ve come up with. Read the rest of this entry

Well, it’s high time for an update (and a question)

It is the expected cliche of our time to say, “I’ve been busy” but truly, I have. While there hasn’t been much going on on the site, there has been quite a bit going on behind the scenes. So here’s a peek. Read the rest of this entry

Evil, inexorable evil

With a name like How to Succeed in Evil, can success even be doubted?

Well, sure. But things are going pretty well now. New podcast episode is written and should be up within the week. (Barring attack by flying monkies or someone throwing gobs of money at me to write something else)
The big news about evil is there is interest in making it into a TV show. I like the way John Rogers put it at his blog Kung Fu Monkey. Read the rest of this entry

How to Succeed in Evil Update IN GLORIOUS COLOR

Okay, okay. So I’m lame for being quiet for so long. (And I know I’m lame)

But things are bubbling. I swear they are. For one thing, we’ve got a colorist (the Mighty Myron Macklin) and he’s awesome. And we’re almost, almost, almost, so close I can taste it, done with the color version of the book.
And of course, if you’ve caught up with the latest installment. We can expect many interesting things from Topper in what I’m going to call Season Two of How to Succeed in Evil.
Here’s a peek at the color (unlettered) Read the rest of this entry

Episode XII – Topper In Charge

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Edwin’s former employees get a surprise visit.

A Wonderful Dialog

William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy having a very candid conversation about why the Star Trek franchise will continue. I howled. Yes it’s gutshot, but this every last bitter dollar will be squeezed out of it. Read the rest of this entry

“How to Succeed in Evil” Wins a Parsec Award!

Patrick McLean was given a Parsec Award for “Best Fiction (Long)” for How to Succeed in Evil!

Episode XI – Going Out of Business

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Edwin settles the accounts and slips away.

Story Construction – Intro

The business of building stories seems not much different from the business of building anything else.

This is the insight of Lester Dent, the pulp writer who created Doc Savage. This was a guy who would regularly churn out 90,000 to 100,000 words a month on a manual typewriter. There’s no two ways about it, he was a monster. (Carpal Tunnel? Try micro-fractures in your fingertips.) Read the rest of this entry

Cheap Labor Pt. III

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Edwin makes a deal with the VP.

And hey, buy a comic here.

How to Succeed in Evil – Bag Set

Sadly, we’re fresh out of Bag Sets. Happily the color version will be available soon. (I can say no more whilst the deal is pending *wink* )

For limited time only, and at a limited quantity, we’re offering a copy of the promotional comic (b/w, 22 pages) signed and numbered by Nic and Patrick in an archival bag with a CD that collects the first 10 audio episodes of How to Suceed in Evil. This is absolutely a collectors item. 100 will be made available and after that, you’ll have to look on e-bay.

The cost is $40. And if the idea of giving money to support a wonderful property that has been completely free then consider that these sets will only soar in value as How to Succeed in Evil takes off.

So, whether you’re altruistic or just plain ol’ avaricous, there’s no reason not to snap one of these fine bag sets.

Machiavelli leads to disturbing thoughts.

So, in the interest of weaving some of the text in a sub-plot in How to Succeed in Evil, I’ve been re-reading the Prince by Machiavelli. And when I got to one of the better known passages- the sound bite to which this great and complex book is often distilled- (and why distill this work, it is for all purposes essential already?) the idea that it is better to be feared than loved. Read the rest of this entry

It LIVES!!!

And I’m not talking about the carpet. It’s the first run of the first issue of How to Succeed in Evil. 25 issues done digitally so we could have something to flash around at HeroesCon. Not in color, not perfect. But very, very good.

Soon they will be in color and soon they will be for sale.

waiting for the proof

the book is done done. everthing- pencil, inks, lettering, i wish we could have colored it.
but time is a bitch and she likes to run from you laughing. i’m happy with the book except for page 20. oh, page 20 i don’t like thee. well i like two panels on the page but the resst i would change and will change when i get the book back before we get a contract with image or some other comic company. every artist is their own worst critic, but i don’t know what you’ll think when you see the page or the book. i’m just worried about two people seeing it honestly. erik williams and chris brunner, the two people i’m in a constant pissing contest with. overall i’m still geeking over the fact that we have a comic book.

evil

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