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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Weirdness Makes Ghosts Of Mars Rewatchable
- Ed Brubaker ranks Ghosts of Mars as a highly rewatchable, weird John Carpenter film rather than mere failure.
- He values its thematic continuity with Carpenter's work on violence and powerful women despite uneven execution.
Studio Notes Likely Distorted Film's Structure
- Brubaker and hosts observe that Ghosts of Mars' editing and studio notes likely produced structural confusion.
- That post-production interference explains odd off-screen action and abrupt scene transitions.
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.
