How Did This Get Made? Last Looks: John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars w/ Ed Brubaker
Nov 7, 2025
Eisner Award-winning comic book writer and showrunner Ed Brubaker joins the conversation, sharing his passion for John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars and its quirks. He discusses adapting his Criminal series for Amazon, offering insights into the challenges of showrunning and the collaborative nature of television production. Ed dives into his latest book, The Knives, a satirical take on Hollywood, while reflecting on the rich storytelling in comics and film. Tune in for anecdotes about industry legends and the crafting of compelling narratives!
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Carpenter's Flamboyant Character Names
- Brubaker recounts loving the film's dumb performances and idiosyncratic character names like Desolation Williams.
- He even named a character Genocide Jones as a tribute to Carpenter's flamboyant naming style.
Al Pacino Sat In A Parked Car On Set
- Paul Scheer shares a short production anecdote about Beverly D'Angelo arriving with Al Pacino waiting in a parked car all day.
- He describes Pacino sitting silently in the car for hours before a concert that night.
Post Production Shapes TV More Than Scripts
- Ed Brubaker describes adapting Criminal to TV as collaborative and evolving through production and post.
- He emphasizes that post-production rewrites and ADR often shape the final show more than initial scripts.
