It's been another six months since the last update, but rest assured, CRISIS is moving along in the development phase nicely. In fact I have phone meetings three times a week with the film/production studio to get the final touches on the script.

I'm hoping I can announce the lead actor soon! I'm hoping to announce who's directing! I'm hoping to announce the studio, and how I'll be involved from here. Unfortunately, I'm in the phrase that Hollywood calls, "Hurry up and wait."

However, here's what I can show you! As you may have read before, the only significant difference from CRISIS the book to CRISIS the movie will be the villain. With several other movies about the Zodiac Serial Killer already in production, the decision has been made to create a new one... What might this new killer look like? Here's a sneak peek!

- Matt Busch

It has been a long, long time since I've had a CRISIS update. That's not to say I haven't been busy, it's just that I haven't had anything concrete to report. I've been close so many times in selling this project, but until I'm locked in, there's no point writing about the close call I had, right?

Well, I FINALLY have something to report! Nothing is written in stone, and I have to be vague until the deal is sealed, but I have a really good feeling about this.

A few months ago I was contacted by a film production company in New York that they and a specific high profile actor were interested in CRISIS! However, they had a few issues with the script and wanted to see a rewrite.

So I wrote a whole new version of CRISIS (mostly cutting it shorter) and submitted it to this actor and production company.

And guess what- I was invited to come out to New York last week to meet with this actor personally and talk with the film production company. And- They loved it! They talked about a possible director and a likely major studio to release it! So it's all set, right?

Not quite. Recently there has been a lot of press on the Zodiac ( the real-life serial killer who is the villain in my fictional story ). In fact, there are several movies about the Zodiac coming out in 2004, and we don't want to compete with that. So that means keeping the existing
story, characters and elements in CRISIS, but changing the villain.

And that's where I'm at right now. I'm doing a new rewrite, and the deal is looking good. Nothing has been signed as of yet, but I feel confident that this is going to happen.

As for who this actor is- I've already done a painting of him as Bruce Lombardo- and here it is! However, until the deal is sealed, the mosaic blur stays... Stay tuned as I can hopefully remove it soon!

- Matt Busch

Lot's of stuff has been going on with CRISIS... While I haven't had any bites yet, I have had two nips. However, at this stage, I won't bother mentioning what they were until I sell this puppy for real.

So, what exactly is going on with Hollywood? Well, I've completed my list of Producers, Directors, Production companies, and even Actors! I've sent out hundreds of books directly to these people and places, though every Hollywood Player and "sell-your-screenplay" book will tell you that 99.9% of the time, you really need an agent to do this for you.

Call me a control freak, but I had to at least give it a shot on my own.

So finally, last week, I began sending out packages again, hitting up hundreds of agents. I already have several that are interested, and looking into it. That's where I'm at, at this given moment, but I expect I could have more to tell very soon.

And in related CRISIS news, the illustrated screenplay was reviewed in the latest issue of COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE Magazine! And, Wow! What a review! I couldn't have written a better one myself! Check it out below!

-Matt!

"From its inception, creator Matt Busch visualized CRISIS as a big-budget, big thrills cinematic spectacular, and that's exactly how he confidently and unabashedly pitches it to Hollywood in this illustrated screenplay. Brilliantly conceived and executed, it may or may not ever make it to the big screen, but its conceptual form at least has made it to the bookshelves. And this is too great a work not to be seen in some form or another.

"The story takes place in the near future, where the infamous Zodiac Killer has re-emerged from yesterday's headlines to begin another string of murders, this time in metropolitan Detroit. While detective Bruce Lombardo tracks this serial murderer, he also pursues a persistent gang of criminals, faces trouble at home with his children, and deals with an unexpected crippling accident.

"And with a nod to Alfred Hitchcock, James Cameron, and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS author Thomas Harris, Busch flawlessly lays out a story ripe with suspense, action, tragedy, and superb pacing. Putting this book down, by any meaning of the phrase, is very, very difficult. From the opening scene to the unexpected revelation at the story's end, Busch doesn't skimp on the twists and surprises that keep the story fresh with every development. And the fact that this is only a script, rather than a fully descriptive narration, makes it all the more amazing.

"Although the illustrations don't begin to convey Busch's depth as an illustrator (the cover does that by itself), the 100+ pencil and ink drawings accompanying the text are beautifully rendered corollaries. But Busch succumbs to a couple of minor tempting clichés, like a gratuitous battle scene involving an underwear-clad female officer. But these are only momentary distractions and easily forgiven. Hopefully, some Hollywood exec is taking a serious look at Busch's manuscript, because this story is far superior to most summer blockbusters."

-Jim Johnson, Comics Buyer's Guide Magazine

Well, the CRISIS Illustrated screenplay has been out for a few weeks now. So far, the feedback has been excellent. Many folks are writing in saying that they had a lot of fun reading it and that they totally got their money's worth. That's so good to hear!

Can't find the book? Copies will be for sale right here at www.MattBusch.com soon! As will other CRISIS goodies, like posters and T-Shirts!

So, in the last two weeks, I've sent out over a hundred books to various top Hollywood actors, directors, producers, agents and managers. I haven't recieved any official rejections, but it's too early to tell that yet. Well see- I'm getting nervous! I'll keep you posted!

Matt!

CRISIS is out! All around the world, your local comic book or hobby shop has the CRISIS trade paperback available now! (Hopefully, anyway¡K)

If for some reason, you can't find this book, and your local retail is too lazy to order it, Fear Not! Copies of CRISIS will be available right here at www.MattBusch.com soon!

So, what's next? Most of you are aware that this illustrated screenplay was created with the intention of becoming a major motion picture. I'll have the scoop on the steps being taken to do exactly that next month.

In the mean time, I'm really interested in what you all think of CRISIS! Be sure to drop me a line and give me some feedback. I love constructive criticism, so please don't be afraid to hold back¡K

I hope you all enjoy the book and I'll be back with an update soon!

Matt!

This update will be short and to the point, being that I'm immersed in the final stages of getting this book complete and into your hands!

Thanks again for all of your support on this project. I can't wait to get some feedback on it! I look forward to seeing you all soon!

-Matt!

Third installment, here we go! After seven years of being put together, this saga is on the fast-track to getting into your hands!

CRISIS is being solicited and advertised in Diamond Comic Distributions' catalog, PREVIEWS, right now! The book is featured as a SPOTLIGHT product, and also has a full color, full-page advertisement! You can see the ad below!

So- How can you get your hands on this book, when it's released in April?

You need to contact your local comic book store right now, and tell them to reserve a book for you! All you have to do is flip through your phone book to find the number of your local comic book store. Call them up and tell them that you want them to reserve you a copy of CRISIS by Matt Busch, from the PREVIEWS catalog under Accomplished Productions.

Retail orders may be somewhat limited, so if you want this book, please call to make sure you get it!

So, what is it that you're ordering? Below is the solicitation text for the book:

CRISIS TP
By Matt Busch
The city of Detroit is filled with terror, as it appears the Zodiac serial killer has returned with a new prophecy after years of silence. Bruce Lombardo, special ops for the Macomb County Sheriff Department, follows the Zodiac's encrypted puzzles though a series of tight situations. However, Lombardo's action-paced world turns upside down when he tragically loses his legs. Forced to use classic methods of logic and deduction, Lombardo has a newfound passion to catch the vicious killer, leading him to many levels of cliffhanging excitement. This intense trade paperback is brought to you by STAR WARS artist Matt Busch, a project that took seven years to create. Crafted into a visual screenplay, CRISIS brings everything you'd long for in an epic story filled with action, horror, suspense and mystery, combined with elements of faith, honor, and romance. This gorgeous graphic novel is a whopping 208 pages, adorned with over 130 illustrations for the ultimate cinematic experience!
SC, 7X10, 208 pg, b&w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16.95

Currently everything is on schedule! I'll have another update soon. In the mean time, please, please, please pick up the phone and order a copy from your local comic book store now!

-Matt!

Welcome to the second installment! I'm glad that you folks are checkin' up on me and seeing what's new¡K A lot is going to happen in the next couple of months, so you may want to buckle up!

Currently everything is on schedule. With any luck, I'll have the book in time for several of the shows I'm attending across America beginning in April!

More soon!

Matt!

Hello and welcome to my first Crisis installment! I'm hoping you'll enjoy this little journal, as I'm assembling this project myself. You'll get to see every step of the way with publishing, marketing, selling, and more.

Some of you may be somewhat familiar with the CRISIS project. It's my dream project, and it's been in the works now for over seven years. I've never been more proud of something, and the time to deliver is now. While the book is scheduled to be released at the end of April, there are a slew of other surprises in the works with this property.

So what is CRISIS? Right now, it's an illustrated screenplay, intended to be developed as a feature film. At first, it will be published as a graphic novel, released this April. The trade paperback is 208 pages long! A whopping book for a whopping story! You can click a link at the top of this page to see an EXCLUSIVE Preview. Check it out! I've never been more excited about a project, so I hope you are, too!