Mr. Pizza's Hardy Boys Forum

General Hardy Boys Discussion => General Hardy Boys POLLS => Topic started by: tomswift2002 on July 04, 2008, 09:25:47 PM

Poll
Question: If the trilogies don't work, what should S&S do?
Option 1: Keep only the graphic novels running? votes: 1
Option 2: Keep the graphics in the ATAC universe and restart the Digests at #191. votes: 5
Option 3: Keep the graphics and restart the Casefiles at #128? votes: 7
Option 4: End all of the series and don't ublish a new book for five years due to series fatigue? votes: 1
Option 5: I'm not sure. (Please suggest your ideas.) votes: 2
Title: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 04, 2008, 09:25:47 PM
I was just thinking.  I wonder if with the way the UB's have been written, and from what I've seen and heard, and the low sales, I wonder if S&S might be considering keeping the graphic novels going in the ATAC universe, but ending the main ATAC line and restarting the Digest line at #191.

And by restarting I mean having the books written in third person, the Hardy's being more mature - sort of like Clark Kent from Smallville, and more subplots in the books with Callie and Iola and maybe introduce Tom Swift into the line in a more friend role and have him appear as a "Special Guest Star".

What do you guys think?  If the main UB line ends, should S&S keep the graphics going in the new universe and restart the Digests at #191?  You can answer here, but I'll also make a poll.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 04, 2008, 09:36:28 PM
This is the poll for the 'Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191' topic.  This poll has no time, but you can change your vote, but you can only vote for one option.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Centrion on July 05, 2008, 10:47:58 AM
It's an interesting thought, I've always wanted for Tom Swift and the Hardys to meet again. I definetly want the Graphic Novels to continue.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Centrion on July 05, 2008, 10:59:30 AM
I went with keep the Graphic Novels (which in my opinion have been improving) and restart the Casefiles. But, with the Casefiles, it would be better to have the stories go along with the earlier books, because with a few exception, all the later Casefiles were worse then the earliers (IMO).
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SkyWarp on July 05, 2008, 02:44:11 PM
IF the UB failed, and IF the GN continue to do well, then I suggest the GN continue, but all other seres end until 2012 at which time the Casefiles return for their 25th anniversary.  :)  Of course, all that is built upon a lot of IF statements. 
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on July 05, 2008, 04:47:38 PM
I like your idea, tomswift2002, and I wouldn't mind seeing it happen, my idea is less likely to happen but in a perfect world, I would love to see it happen...

Note: the following is told from a fictional point of view, as if I time traveled about 10 years into the future, and then wrote a article about the ''history'' of The Hardy Boys (or what would be history in about 2018), note that I have left I have left the graphic novels out of my idea, since I think they are fine and popular how they are, and as you will see ATAC is part of my proposed continuity.

Disclaimer: I just thought most of the book/series names off the top of my head, and don't necessarily think they are the best names possible for Hardy Boys series.

In 2008, in an attempted improve poor sales of their Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers series, Simon & Schuster re-introduced the mini series format to The Hardy Boys world for the first time since 1993's Hardy Boys Casefiles Ring of Evil trilogy. The Murder House Trilogy was published in May 2008, which was met with less then enthusiasm from fans.  After the completion of Murder House, the Double Danger Trilogy and Galaxy X Trilogy.

Even in light of the new trilogy format, the Undercover Brothers series was still not selling well, and in September 2009, The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers series was discontinued after 30 volume.

In the spring of 2010, Simon & Schuster rebooted The Hardy Boys continuity, for the second time in only five years, unlike the Undercover Brothers continuity however, the new continuity didn't ignore The Hardy Boys' roots, but instead embraced them.  This was evident to fans from the very beginning of the new continuity, which was lunched with Hardy Boys: Chapter One, a three part mini series retelling of Frank and Joe's early cases, including an updated version of the very first Hardy Boys book, ''The Tower Treasure''. The mini series was followed later that month with book one in the new Hardy Boys series, untitled The Hardy Boys vs. the World. Iola Morton was alive in this story, and in the forward it was explained that this series started where The Hardy Boys (digest) series left off, and the events take place before Iola's death in The Hardy Boys Casefiles.   

By the end of 2010 and the publication of The Hardy Boys vs. the World #7, most of the original cast had made an appearance in the new continuity, including the Hardy's friends, something that the Undercover Brothers series had lacked.

At the beginning of the series, Simon & Schuster promised fans that this series would tie all past series together and fix any continuity problems, because of this they felt ATAC could not just be ignored, but because it had been one of the main factors in killing their last Hardy Boys series, Simon & Schuster did not feel ready to include it in the new main series. Instead they lunched a new independent mini series in 2011, simply untiled ATAC, which chronicled the founding of American Teens Against Crime, right up to the never before told final battle with WARD and the ultimate collapse of both organizations. The series ran until the end of the year along side the main Vs. the World series, and while finally establishing where ATAC fit into the continuity, it also freed the continuity from the unpopular agency (mind you the series was popular and Simon & Schuster might consider other ATAC mini series in the future).

In June, Nancy Drew made her first guest appearance in The Hardy Boys vs. the World #10, the same month, Frank and Joe guest stared in the also newly revamped Nancy Drew world. To go with these appearances, a one-shot crossover book was published, retelling the story of Nancy and the Hardy boys first meeting.

Simon & Schuster started off 2012, with a new crossover series, Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys vs. the World, and the start of new story line in the regular Hardy Boys series, which involved a major subplot dealing with Joe and Iola's relationship. The two part story arc concluded in February, and set up The Hardy Boys: The Death of Iola mini series, and the launch of The Hardy Boys Casefiles II book one, on the 25th Anniversary of the original Casefiles series. The Hardy Boys Casefiles II #1, was essentially a modern version of #128, as it made reference to Casefiles #127 ''Dead in the Water'' as having taken place only a few weeks before. For the sake of new readers, as well as the aforementioned Death of Iola series, The Hardy Boys Casefiles: 25 Years Book was published, which over viewed most of the original 127 Casefiles titles.

For the rest of the year The Hardy Boys vs. the World was published one month and The Hardy Boys Casefiles II  was published the next. By December 2012 there was 19 Vs. the World books and five Casefiles II books, plus the three mini series, Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys vs. the World #1, the one-shot Nancy Drew meets the Hardy Boys, and The Hardy Boys Casefiles: 25 Years Book.

Like the every years since the rebooted continuity, Simon & Schuster started 2013 off with a mini series, this time a Hardy Boys/Tom Swift crossover, a remake of the 1990's two Ultra Thrillers. On top of this Tom Swift appeared as a guest star in Casefiles II #6, these were popular, and the next year Tom Swift appeared with both Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys, in the first three way crossover ever.

The Hardy Boys vs. the World and The Hardy Boys Casefiles II are still published to this day, along with yearly crossover series, one with Nancy Drew and one with Tom Swift.

Note that in 2010 Simon & Schuster also rebooted the Nancy Drew continuity, and in 2012, due to the success of the new Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, did the same with Tom Swift. For the new continuity Simon & Schuster took more of a shared universe approach, and it is far from rare for any one of the four title characters, to make guest appearances in another series.

The most successful story of the new continuity, was 2014's Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys/Tom Swift crossover which was the conclusion of a story line had been taking place in both Nancy Drew series (Vs. the World and Files II) and Hardy Boys series (Vs. the World and Casefiles II), and the Tom Swift series, over the past few months.


Okay, back to 2008. What do you think?
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: NZone on July 05, 2008, 06:20:16 PM
i like it, would be sweet if it happened, but ... well ... i dont know, if we petitioned the publisher could happen, im gonna go hire a bunch of bum to email the publisher, five bucks each and theyll probably do it
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 05, 2008, 10:04:57 PM
Quote from: HardyBoysWiki on July 05, 2008, 04:47:38 PM
I like your idea, tomswift2002, and I wouldn't mind seeing it happen, my idea is less likely to happen but in a perfect world, I would love to see it happen...

Note: the following is told from a fictional point of view, as if I time traveled about 10 years into the future, and then wrote a article about the ''history'' of The Hardy Boys (or what would be history in about 2018), note that I have left I have left the graphic novels out of my idea, since I think they are fine and popular how they are, and as you will see ATAC is part of my proposed continuity.

Disclaimer: I just thought most of the book/series names off the top of my head, and don't necessarily think they are the best names possible for Hardy Boys series.

In 2008, in an attempted improve poor sales of their Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers series, Simon & Schuster re-introduced the mini series format to The Hardy Boys world for the first time since 1993's Hardy Boys Casefiles Ring of Evil trilogy. The Murder House Trilogy was published in May 2008, which was met with less then enthusiasm from fans.  After the completion of Murder House, the Double Danger Trilogy and Galaxy X Trilogy.

Even in light of the new trilogy format, the Undercover Brothers series was still not selling well, and in September 2009, The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers series was discontinued after 30 volume.

In the spring of 2010, Simon & Schuster rebooted The Hardy Boys continuity, for the second time in only five years, unlike the Undercover Brothers continuity however, the new continuity didn't ignore The Hardy Boys' roots, but instead embraced them.  This was evident to fans from the very beginning of the new continuity, which was lunched with Hardy Boys: Chapter One, a three part mini series retelling of Frank and Joe's early cases, including an updated version of the very first Hardy Boys book, ''The Tower Treasure''. The mini series was followed later that month with book one in the new Hardy Boys series, untitled The Hardy Boys vs. the World. Iola Morton was alive in this story, and in the forward it was explained that this series started where The Hardy Boys (digest) series left off, and the events take place before Iola's death in The Hardy Boys Casefiles.  

By the end of 2010 and the publication of The Hardy Boys vs. the World #7, most of the original cast had made an appearance in the new continuity, including the Hardy's friends, something that the Undercover Brothers series had lacked.

At the beginning of the series, Simon & Schuster promised fans that this series would tie all past series together and fix any continuity problems, because of this they felt ATAC could not just be ignored, but because it had been one of the main factors in killing their last Hardy Boys series, Simon & Schuster did not feel ready to include it in the new main series. Instead they lunched a new independent mini series in 2011, simply untiled ATAC, which chronicled the founding of American Teens Against Crime, right up to the never before told final battle with WARD and the ultimate collapse of both organizations. The series ran until the end of the year along side the main Vs. the World series, and while finally establishing where ATAC fit into the continuity, it also freed the continuity from the unpopular agency (mind you the series was popular and Simon & Schuster might consider other ATAC mini series in the future).

In June, Nancy Drew made her first guest appearance in The Hardy Boys vs. the World #10, the same month, Frank and Joe guest stared in the also newly revamped Nancy Drew world. To go with these appearances, a one-shot crossover book was published, retelling the story of Nancy and the Hardy boys first meeting.

Simon & Schuster started off 2012, with a new crossover series, Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys vs. the World, and the start of new story line in the regular Hardy Boys series, which involved a major subplot dealing with Joe and Iola's relationship. The two part story arc concluded in February, and set up The Hardy Boys: The Death of Iola mini series, and the launch of The Hardy Boys Casefiles II book one, on the 25th Anniversary of the original Casefiles series. The Hardy Boys Casefiles II #1, was essentially a modern version of #128, as it made reference to Casefiles #127 ''Dead in the Water'' as having taken place only a few weeks before. For the sake of new readers, as well as the aforementioned Death of Iola series, The Hardy Boys Casefiles: 25 Years Book was published, which over viewed most of the original 127 Casefiles titles.

For the rest of the year The Hardy Boys vs. the World was published one month and The Hardy Boys Casefiles II  was published the next. By December 2012 there was 19 Vs. the World books and five Casefiles II books, plus the three mini series, Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys vs. the World #1, the one-shot Nancy Drew meets the Hardy Boys, and The Hardy Boys Casefiles: 25 Years Book.

Like the every years since the rebooted continuity, Simon & Schuster started 2013 off with a mini series, this time a Hardy Boys/Tom Swift crossover, a remake of the 1990's two Ultra Thrillers. On top of this Tom Swift appeared as a guest star in Casefiles II #6, these were popular, and the next year Tom Swift appeared with both Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys, in the first three way crossover ever.

The Hardy Boys vs. the World and The Hardy Boys Casefiles II are still published to this day, along with yearly crossover series, one with Nancy Drew and one with Tom Swift.

Note that in 2010 Simon & Schuster also rebooted the Nancy Drew continuity, and in 2012, due to the success of the new Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, did the same with Tom Swift. For the new continuity Simon & Schuster took more of a shared universe approach, and it is far from rare for any one of the four title characters, to make guest appearances in another series.

The most successful story of the new continuity, was 2014's Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys/Tom Swift crossover which was the conclusion of a story line had been taking place in both Nancy Drew series (Vs. the World and Files II) and Hardy Boys series (Vs. the World and Casefiles II), and the Tom Swift series, over the past few months.


Okay, back to 2008. What do you think?

Really good idea HBW.  Sounds like it came out of the comics world where they've rebooted Superman and Spider-man a couple of times but still kept the core ideas intact.

Maybe we should get everyone to petition S&S to do a reboot like you suggested.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SkyWarp on July 05, 2008, 10:15:07 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on July 05, 2008, 10:04:57 PM
Really good idea HBW.  Sounds like it came out of the comics world where they've rebooted Superman and Spider-man a couple of times but still kept the core ideas intact.

Maybe we should get everyone to petition S&S to do a reboot like you suggested.

I am NOT a fan of reboots.  Never have been and never will be.  I consider the UB books a reboot, and, well, we see what we have now. 

GI Joe comic books are getting ready to go through their first reboot and the arguements have been very interesting to say the least. 

I am a firm believer that just about anything can be done without a reboot.  We just have to have good writers and editors. 

With all that said, I think anything above could easily be done without  a "reboot" per say and could be done in the continuity of the Digest/Casefiles canon.  Albeit, sometimes it can get interesting trying to make things work, but well written stories will make those "interesting" things seem insignificant. 

Star Wars has never been rebooted, Star Trek has never been rebooted, why does the comic book world love to reboot all the time?  It just doesn't seem to work.  Comic book sales have been plummetting for over a decade or two now.  I don't think reboots work. 
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on July 05, 2008, 10:24:50 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on July 05, 2008, 10:04:57 PM
Really good idea HBW.  Sounds like it came out of the comics world where they've rebooted Superman and Spider-man a couple of times but still kept the core ideas intact.

Maybe we should get everyone to petition S&S to do a reboot like you suggested.

Yes indeed it is.

A petition is a really good idea! Maybe you've tweaked it a bit so as many people as possible like it (including you, CJ ;)), we can do it, and even those who aren't crazy about it will like it more then UB I'm sure.

Maybe anyone who is a member of other Hardy Boys forums, should post a link to it there, as well as on Nancy Drew and Tom Swift forums, since it concerns them as well.

Quote from: SkyWarp on July 05, 2008, 10:15:07 PM
I am NOT a fan of reboots.  Never have been and never will be.  I consider the UB books a reboot, and, well, we see what we have now. 

GI Joe comic books are getting ready to go through their first reboot and the arguements have been very interesting to say the least. 

I am a firm believer that just about anything can be done without a reboot.  We just have to have good writers and editors. 

With all that said, I think anything above could easily be done without  a "reboot" per say and could be done in the continuity of the Digest/Casefiles canon.  Albeit, sometimes it can get interesting trying to make things work, but well written stories will make those "interesting" things seem insignificant. 

Star Wars has never been rebooted, Star Trek has never been rebooted, why does the comic book world love to reboot all the time?  It just doesn't seem to work.  Comic book sales have been plummetting for over a decade or two now.  I don't think reboots work. 

Well it wouldn't be a full fledged reboot, but more combining the three previous continuities and changing them when needed (as little as possible), so they fit well together. Like you I don't really like reboots in the sense of something like the Undercover Brothers or the numerous Tom Swift reboots over the years.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 05, 2008, 10:30:13 PM
Plus the Star Trek books are crossing over into each other series now to the point where it is one big universe referencing events or even having events occur at the same time in the different series.  Just think of the 7-book Gateways saga from 2001 that had the TNG, DS9, VOYAGER & New Frontier stories taking place all in 2376, or Season 8 of DS9.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on July 06, 2008, 06:43:56 PM
Wow HardyBoysWiki - that was some good stuff!

I just don't understand S&S - after all these years and having all these "professionals", how can they still continue so blindly? Even if they can't do some of what was said, small changes can make a big difference ::)
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Bigfootman on July 14, 2008, 06:33:38 PM
I hope they continue the Casefiles. They should start by republishing "Revenge Of The Desert Phantom". That was the first book in the casefile format. The Undercover Brothers have jumped the shark.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 14, 2008, 06:49:27 PM
Quote from: Bigfootman on July 14, 2008, 06:33:38 PM
I hope they continue the Casefiles. They should start by republishing "Revenge Of The Desert Phantom". That was the first book in the casefile format. The Undercover Brothers have jumped the shark.

The UB's "jumped the shark" with #5 Rocky Road.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Bigfootman on July 14, 2008, 06:50:49 PM
Yes, why did they have to make such an unrelitic plot?!? Why!?
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on July 14, 2008, 07:05:57 PM
Haha, jumped the shark. That makes me think of Fonzie in Happy Days literally jumping a shark. That's where the saying came from, you know :D
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 14, 2008, 07:09:12 PM
Well, considering that the Hardy's nearly jumped over Niagra Falls in #5...
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: NZone on July 15, 2008, 08:43:38 AM
Maybe the new writers are a lot cheaper?  ??? ???
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Bigfootman on July 15, 2008, 10:32:20 AM
I really want new casefiles!
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on August 30, 2008, 08:21:19 AM
Quote from: Bigfootman on July 15, 2008, 10:32:20 AM
I really want new casefiles!

Agreed, but Casefiles in the vein of the first 66 books.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on August 30, 2008, 09:10:28 PM
Keep the Graphics in ATAC and restart the Digests. :)
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on August 30, 2008, 09:39:02 PM
I just hope it's not the death of the HBs altogether in novel format.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on August 30, 2008, 09:41:16 PM
Well, I do, but the Digests aren't bad, but I just chose out of those options. I wouldn't want UBs to end, but if the Trilogys don't work, they probably wouldn't write any more Ubs. :'(
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on September 19, 2008, 04:27:45 PM
Looks like most people would like to see the main Undercover Brother series to end, but keep the Graphic's running and restart the Casefiles at #128.

SDL, have you put anymore thought into that petition to stop the UB's and restart one of the other series or even get your idea started?
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on September 19, 2008, 04:54:05 PM
Yeah, I've put some thought into it. I'm thinking my idea is good but might be to much to ask for, so instead I'm thinking of petitioning a more basic request. Although I would still link to my proposal, this would be the main thing:

1. A series with a strong continuity.
2. A series that embraces the history of The Hardy Boys. Being very faithful to the past series, and ultimately ties them together.

So basically a series, which stars the Frank and Joe we love from the Casefiles, Originals, and Digests. A series that is consistent. A series that remembers it's roots.

For my ideal Hardy Boys series see my proposal below:

*My proposal here*

This would be ideal - most of all we want a series with a strong, consistent continuity and a series faithful to it's past.

Please comment. Does it sound good to you? Add your ideas.





Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on September 19, 2008, 04:55:53 PM
Also, we want a series that is appealing to fans both young and old.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on September 19, 2008, 05:31:37 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on September 19, 2008, 04:55:53 PM
Also, we want a series that is appealing to fans both young and old.

That is good.  I don't think I could think of any thing better.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on September 19, 2008, 06:02:25 PM
I've done up a draft of what the petition might look like.

Quote
The fans of The Hardy Boys have become very displeased with current series lately, that is The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers, and it's spin-offs, Undercover Brother Super Mystery, and Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys Super Mystery. Why? Well, for one thing, the series has no continuity, or some would say to many continuities.

For example

And for another thing the series, not only does it not mention the events of past Hardy Boys series, including the classic Hardy Boys Original series (published by Grosset & Dunlap), and fan favorite The Hardy Boys Casefiles, it totally ignores them! Where does American Teens Against Crime fit in with the timeline? Is it before or after the Casefiles? Why is the has the boys aunt changed her name from Gertrude to Trudy? It was defiantly Gertrude before! Even worse the title characters, Frank and Joe, the Hardy Boys have been changed! We'll break it down:

Frank always calm and cool in every situation, managed to date Callie Shaw for years, and even have romances with other girls, most notably Nancy Drew, in the Undercover Brothers (UB from here on in), is totally scared of girls! He starters and blushes like a insecure geek, when ever he talks to a female between the ages of 13 and 30! Does this sound like the same character to you?

Now, Joe. If on of the Hardy boys was a chick magnet it was Joe. However, Simon & Schuster has decided to totally disregard this in the UB, and can't buy a date in this series!

Also, the boys always known to be mature for there age, are immature and petty. Fighting (the Hardys rarely fight if ever fight..not in UB), and arguing over forgettable things, like who gets the top bank. I know there BOYS but come on!

Anyway the list goes on, and on, so let's get to what we as fans, want.

1. A series with a strong continuity.
2. A series that embraces the history of The Hardy Boys. Being very faithful to the past series, and ultimately ties them together.
3. A series that is appealing to fans, both young and old.

So basically a series, which stars the Frank and Joe we love from the Casefiles, Originals, and Digests. A series that is consistent. A series that remembers it's roots.

For my ideal Hardy Boys series see my proposal below:

*My proposal here*

This would be ideal - most of all we want a series with a strong, consistent continuity and a series faithful to it's past.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on September 19, 2008, 08:00:06 PM
Here's another version of your draft with spell check a few reworded sentences and some examples of no continuity (feel free to add on this if you wish, but also list the book that you found it in).

Quote
The fans of The Hardy Boys have become very displeased with the current series lately, which is The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers, and its spin-offs, Undercover Brother Super Mystery, and Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys Super Mystery. Why? Well, for one thing, the series has no continuity, or as some would say too many continuities.

For example

?   The name of the Hardy?s contact at ATAC changes from Q (Undercover Brothers #12 Trouble In Paradise) to Q.T. (Undercover Brothers #7 Operation: Survival) to an unnamed voice (Undercover Brothers #11 Hurricane Joe), to the non-descriptive voice of an ATAC contact (Undercover Brothers Haunted) and back.
?   Do the Hardy Boys get to keep their mission discs after they have been reformatted into regular music CD?s or DVD?s (Undercover Brothers #1 Extreme Danger) or do they have to send the discs back to ATAC for recycling? (Undercover Brothers #5 Rocky Road)

And for another thing the series, not only does it not mention the events of past Hardy Boys series, including the classic Hardy Boys Original series (published by Grosset & Dunlap), and fan favorite The Hardy Boys Casefiles, it totally ignores them! Where does American Teens Against Crime fit in with the timeline? Is it before or after the Casefiles? Why is it that the authors had the boys aunt changed her name from Gertrude to Trudy? It was definitely Gertrude before! Even worse the title characters, Frank and Joe, the Hardy Boys have been changed! We'll break it down:

Frank always calm and cool in every situation, managed to date Callie Shaw for years, and even have romances with other girls, most notably Nancy Drew; in the Undercover Brothers (UB from here on in), he is totally scared of girls! He stutters and blushes like an insecure geek whenever he talks to a female between the ages of 13 and 30! Does this sound like the same character to you?

Now, Joe. If one of the Hardy boys were a chick magnet it was Joe. However, Simon & Schuster has decided to totally disregard this in the UB, and he can't buy a date in this series!

Also, the boys were always known to be mature for there age; in the Undercover Brothers they are immature and petty. In the past series the Hardys always managed to get into a good old knock them down fight with the criminals, however, in the Undercover Brothers you never get to see the Hardys in a fight with a criminal, since the criminal usually runs right into the arms of the law at the end of the case, a way too easy wrap-up for a Hardy Boys story.

Anyway the list goes on, and on, so let's get to what we as fans, want.

1. A series with a strong continuity.
2. A series that embraces the history of The Hardy Boys. Being very faithful to the past series, and ultimately ties them together.
3. A series that is appealing to fans, both young and old.

So basically a series, which stars the Frank and Joe we love from the Casefiles, Originals, and Digests. A series that is consistent. A series that remembers its roots.

For my ideal Hardy Boys series see my proposal below:

*My proposal here*

This would be ideal - most of all we want a series with a strong, consistent continuity and a series faithful to it's past.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on September 19, 2008, 08:25:00 PM
Add, his name changes from Q.T. to Q, and he never smiles and then he does to the Q example. Plus the football issue could be mentioned.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on September 30, 2008, 02:51:57 PM
ATAC SERIES: JUST ATAC SERIES. If thats the way its going to end.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on September 30, 2008, 06:03:06 PM
...and a just Hardy Boys series.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on September 30, 2008, 10:14:34 PM
It's a good letter you put together SDLagent. Definitely reflecting what some of us are thinking too.

But one problem is that they made changes on purpose. At least some of them, anyways - like the characters' personalities ::)
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on October 01, 2008, 01:11:02 AM
Also, I haven't sent it yet - I guess real life's been getting in the way. Dang it!
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on October 01, 2008, 11:06:05 AM
Could you add your proposal as to have an ATAC series.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 02, 2008, 08:23:22 AM
The fans of The Hardy Boys have become very displeased with the current series lately, which is The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers, and its spin-offs, Undercover Brother Super Mystery, and Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys Super Mystery. Why? Well, for one thing, the series has no continuity, or as some would say too many continuities.

For example

?   The name of the Hardy?s contact at ATAC changes from Q (Undercover Brothers #12 Trouble In Paradise) to Q.T. (Undercover Brothers #7 Operation: Survival) to an unnamed voice (Undercover Brothers #11 Hurricane Joe), to the non-descriptive voice of an ATAC contact (Undercover Brothers Haunted) and back.
?   Do the Hardy Boys get to keep their mission discs after they have been reformatted into regular music CD?s or DVD?s (Undercover Brothers #1 Extreme Danger) or do they have to send the discs back to ATAC for recycling? (Undercover Brothers #5 Rocky Road)

And for another thing the series, not only does it not mention the events of past Hardy Boys series, including the classic Hardy Boys Original series (published by Grosset & Dunlap), and fan favorite The Hardy Boys Casefiles, it totally ignores them! Where does American Teens Against Crime fit in with the timeline? Is it before or after the Casefiles? Why is it that the authors had the boys aunt changed her name from Gertrude to Trudy? It was definitely Gertrude before! Even worse the title characters, Frank and Joe, the Hardy Boys have been changed! We'll break it down:

Frank always calm and cool in every situation, managed to date Callie Shaw for years, and even have romances with other girls, most notably Nancy Drew; in the Undercover Brothers (UB from here on in), he is totally scared of girls! He stutters and blushes like an insecure geek whenever he talks to a female between the ages of 13 and 30! Does this sound like the same character to you?

Now, Joe. If one of the Hardy boys were a chick magnet it was Joe. However, Simon & Schuster has decided to totally disregard this in the UB, and he can't buy a date in this series!

Also, the boys were always known to be mature for there age; in the Undercover Brothers they are immature and petty. In the past series the Hardys always managed to get into a good old knock them down fight with the criminals, however, in the Undercover Brothers you never get to see the Hardys in a fight with a criminal, since the criminal usually runs right into the arms of the law at the end of the case, a way too easy wrap-up for a Hardy Boys story. 

Also the fans don't like all the profanity that has appeared in recent Undercover Brothers books.  In Undercover Brothers #23, 'House Arrest', on ten seperate occassions a character uses the expression "Oh My God" which to most people is not an acceptable expression to be in a children's book, and is a profane and rude expression.

Anyway the list goes on, and on, so let's get to what we as fans, want.

1. A series with a strong continuity.
2. A series that embraces the history of The Hardy Boys. Being very faithful to the past series, and ultimately ties them together.
3. A series that is appealing to fans, both young and old.

So basically a series, which stars the Frank and Joe we love from the Casefiles, Originals, and Digests. A series that is consistent. A series that remembers its roots.

For my ideal Hardy Boys series see my proposal below:

*SDLAgent and Tomswift2002's proposal here*

*bozonessinc spin-off proposal*

This would be ideal - most of all we want a series with a strong, consistent continuity and a series faithful to it's past.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on October 02, 2008, 10:55:38 AM
Now, it would not just be my proposal, other members of the forum have made that idea what it is, I do not claim that it came from me. I should promote it. Could you also add that members of the Hardy Boys Casefiles Forum or just fans?
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 02, 2008, 05:34:01 PM
Where it says the proposal parts with the * * surrounding the text, that is talking about what has also been written by not just SDLagent, bozonessinc and myself, but the other parts that have been submitted by other people. 
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Bigfootman on October 02, 2008, 06:10:06 PM
You forgot on your list of problems that the UBs have earsed all of the Hardy Boy's friends, even Chet Mortion. Oh, also don't forget my idea of republishing the digests up to #100
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on October 05, 2008, 11:46:10 PM
An Article About HBs Fading Away Slowly...in 2001! (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9502E0D8133DF93AA15754C0A9679C8B63)

Looks like history repeats itself or something.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on October 06, 2008, 11:09:39 AM
Look, can we say that SandS will continue UB's after the trilogys?
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 07, 2008, 05:38:53 PM
Considering that it's been about 5 months since $&$ announced The Galaxy X Trilogy Book 1: Galaxy X, we have to consider the fact that $&$ will not continue the UB's after the next trilogy and will probably make the Galaxy X #1 book just a stand-alone title.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on October 08, 2008, 11:13:41 AM
How do we know. Maybe like haunted they are waiting for the release of the first Double Trouble book. Then they will announce a new release. The truth is noone knows!
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 08, 2008, 02:07:13 PM
Quote from: bozonessinc on October 08, 2008, 11:13:41 AM
How do we know. Maybe like haunted they are waiting for the release of the first Double Trouble book. Then they will announce a new release. The truth is noone knows!

Considering that in the past there would be no more than a wait of two months to see the next title in the series, and now its been 5 months since the last title was announced, it is not looking very good for the Undercover Brothers series or the Hardy Boys in general.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on October 08, 2008, 02:39:02 PM
Towswift2002, there is galaxy X, I just notice that now, in may next year. It says "book one of the galaxy x trilogy" so I can take from that there will be two more.

So now knowing that, it comes out in May we can take from that, a few months from may there may be another trilogy announced. whether it will all be trilogies from now on. I do not know!
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 08, 2008, 04:24:52 PM
Galaxy X Book 1 was announced back in April 2008 for release next year. 
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on October 09, 2008, 12:52:24 AM
Just because Galaxy X is planned to be the first of three doesn't mean there will be two more, considering $&$ has never really ended a series before, they've just out and out discontinued them, even with more books planned.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 09, 2008, 08:02:16 AM
Quote from: SDLagent on October 09, 2008, 12:52:24 AM
Just because Galaxy X is planned to be the first of three doesn't mean there will be two more, considering $&$ has never really ended a series before, they've just out and out discontinued them, even with more books planned.

Agreed. 
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Bigfootman on October 12, 2008, 06:53:06 PM
CHANGE YOUR NAME BACK BONES!
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on October 13, 2008, 01:29:47 PM
Control bigfootman, I already did, why are you so concerned about what my name is... think about yours.. Is it cause you got big feet or summit' like that...
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: 003Robin457 on October 13, 2008, 02:56:12 PM
Quote from: Bigfootman on October 12, 2008, 06:53:06 PM
I'm a attack Chiwawa!
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on October 13, 2008, 10:06:53 PM
Do you mean Chihuahua? Because:

Chiwawa (http://www.reference.com/search?q=Chiwawa)
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on October 14, 2008, 11:00:28 AM
Put it in red Iola, thats what spelling errors are marked with...
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on October 14, 2008, 04:23:00 PM
You never know, there's a small chance that...who am I kidding.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on October 16, 2008, 10:57:39 AM
He's right???
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 16, 2008, 05:53:44 PM
Quote from: Iola.Alive on October 13, 2008, 10:06:53 PM
Do you mean Chihuahua? Because:

Chiwawa (http://www.reference.com/search?q=Chiwawa)

I think she meant Chihuahua.  It is the smalles dog breed in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog)

You might want to check out this picture of a couple of Chihuahua's next to a couple of Great Dane's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Great_Danes_and_Chihuahuas_by_David_Shankbone.jpg

Also, it is the topic of the #1 movie in the US and Canada for the past 2 weeks at the box office:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Hills_Chihuahua
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: 003Robin457 on October 16, 2008, 06:01:08 PM
I meant the Dog. <OO>____   <----- Doggy
                          U   II II


Sorry for the lame Text art. :D
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 16, 2008, 06:05:21 PM
Quote from: 003Robin457 on October 16, 2008, 06:01:08 PM
I meant the Dog. <OO>____   <----- Doggy
                          U   II II


Sorry for the lame Text art. :D

Yeah, the correct spelling for the dog is C-H-I-H-U-A-H-U-A.  You'll find that it is named after Chihuahua, Mexico.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on October 16, 2008, 07:58:52 PM
Quote from: bozonessinc on October 16, 2008, 10:57:39 AM
He's right???

Yeah.

Quote from: tomswift2002 on October 16, 2008, 05:53:44 PM
I think she meant Chihuahua.  It is the smalles dog breed in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog)

You might want to check out this picture of a couple of Chihuahua's next to a couple of Great Dane's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Great_Danes_and_Chihuahuas_by_David_Shankbone.jpg

Also, it is the topic of the #1 movie in the US and Canada for the past 2 weeks at the box office:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Hills_Chihuahua

That photo when you compare the dogs is crazy.

Anyways, that Beverly Hills Chihuahua movie - I remember when I first saw the trailer. You know how it starts? "I come from a line of warriors..."

I thought, "Oh great. Another one of those kind of movies."

All of a sudden these singing chihuahuas pop out. Yeah, it definitely surprised me, especially because I wasn't really paying attention. There's even a video on YouTube of people's reaction to it. It's pretty funny.

Quote from: 003Robin457 on October 16, 2008, 06:01:08 PM
I meant the Dog. <OO>____   <----- Doggy
                          U   II II


Sorry for the lame Text art. :D

Not bad.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on October 16, 2008, 08:46:16 PM
Yes, he musta meant chihuaha..
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: 003Robin457 on November 02, 2008, 09:55:01 AM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on October 16, 2008, 05:53:44 PM
I think she meant Chihuahua.  It is the smalles dog breed in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog)
That better be a typeo! >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on November 02, 2008, 10:44:54 AM
It was a typo. Calm down.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on November 03, 2008, 02:11:49 PM
Wow, people go crazy for a spelling mistake....

Quote from: 003Robin457 on November 02, 2008, 09:55:01 AM
That better be a typeo! >:( >:( >:( >:(
Quote from: Goddess on October 16, 2008, 07:58:52 PM
Yeah.

That photo when you compare the dogs is crazy.

Anyways, that Beverly Hills Chihuahua movie - I remember when I first saw the trailer. You know how it starts? "I come from a line of warriors..."

I thought, "Oh great. Another one of those kind of movies."

All of a sudden these singing chihuahuas pop out. Yeah, it definitely surprised me, especially because I wasn't really paying attention. There's even a video on YouTube of people's reaction to it. It's pretty funny.

Not bad.
Quote from: tomswift2002 on October 16, 2008, 06:05:21 PM
Yeah, the correct spelling for the dog is C-H-I-H-U-A-H-U-A.  You'll find that it is named after Chihuahua, Mexico.
Quote from: Goddess on October 13, 2008, 10:06:53 PM
Do you mean Chihuahua? Because:

Chiwawa (http://www.reference.com/search?q=Chiwawa)
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on November 04, 2008, 02:15:52 PM
That Beverly Hills Chihuahua thing was a response to someone else's post so that doesn't count. Also, "Chiwawa" was a typo but I was pointing out that it's actually a real word/place so that doesn't count either.

Plus Robin and tomswift2002 had good reasons too, I think.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on November 04, 2008, 02:21:05 PM
Sorry Olivia, I did not mean to point out it like that. I just want to hear some opinions on the Hardy Boys Digests. Whether or not people would like to see another book published?

I think that it would be cool to have another book like the Digests, because then the hardys go on there own missions and you get to see what they discover without help from the network or ATAC.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: Olivia on November 04, 2008, 02:28:44 PM
It's okay, I don't care ... and sorry if I sounded mad or something. Most of the time when it sounds like I'm mean or mad, I'm actually not. Or I'm just joking.

But when you're trying to explain things to people, it can seem one way.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: bozonessinc on November 04, 2008, 02:32:35 PM
Yeah, thats good. I don't think that you sounded mad or anything!
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on January 09, 2012, 08:56:56 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on July 05, 2008, 04:47:38 PM
I like your idea, tomswift2002, and I wouldn't mind seeing it happen, my idea is less likely to happen but in a perfect world, I would love to see it happen...

Note: the following is told from a fictional point of view, as if I time traveled about 10 years into the future, and then wrote a article about the ''history'' of The Hardy Boys (or what would be history in about 2018), note that I have left I have left the graphic novels out of my idea, since I think they are fine and popular how they are, and as you will see ATAC is part of my proposed continuity.

Disclaimer: I just thought most of the book/series names off the top of my head, and don't necessarily think they are the best names possible for Hardy Boys series.

In 2008, in an attempted improve poor sales of their Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers series, Simon & Schuster re-introduced the mini series format to The Hardy Boys world for the first time since 1993's Hardy Boys Casefiles Ring of Evil trilogy. The Murder House Trilogy was published in May 2008, which was met with less then enthusiasm from fans.  After the completion of Murder House, the Double Danger Trilogy and Galaxy X Trilogy.

Even in light of the new trilogy format, the Undercover Brothers series was still not selling well, and in September 2009, The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers series was discontinued after 30 volume.

In the spring of 2010, Simon & Schuster rebooted The Hardy Boys continuity, for the second time in only five years, unlike the Undercover Brothers continuity however, the new continuity didn't ignore The Hardy Boys' roots, but instead embraced them.  This was evident to fans from the very beginning of the new continuity, which was lunched with Hardy Boys: Chapter One, a three part mini series retelling of Frank and Joe's early cases, including an updated version of the very first Hardy Boys book, ''The Tower Treasure''. The mini series was followed later that month with book one in the new Hardy Boys series, untitled The Hardy Boys vs. the World. Iola Morton was alive in this story, and in the forward it was explained that this series started where The Hardy Boys (digest) series left off, and the events take place before Iola's death in The Hardy Boys Casefiles.   

By the end of 2010 and the publication of The Hardy Boys vs. the World #7, most of the original cast had made an appearance in the new continuity, including the Hardy's friends, something that the Undercover Brothers series had lacked.

At the beginning of the series, Simon & Schuster promised fans that this series would tie all past series together and fix any continuity problems, because of this they felt ATAC could not just be ignored, but because it had been one of the main factors in killing their last Hardy Boys series, Simon & Schuster did not feel ready to include it in the new main series. Instead they lunched a new independent mini series in 2011, simply untiled ATAC, which chronicled the founding of American Teens Against Crime, right up to the never before told final battle with WARD and the ultimate collapse of both organizations. The series ran until the end of the year along side the main Vs. the World series, and while finally establishing where ATAC fit into the continuity, it also freed the continuity from the unpopular agency (mind you the series was popular and Simon & Schuster might consider other ATAC mini series in the future).

In June, Nancy Drew made her first guest appearance in The Hardy Boys vs. the World #10, the same month, Frank and Joe guest stared in the also newly revamped Nancy Drew world. To go with these appearances, a one-shot crossover book was published, retelling the story of Nancy and the Hardy boys first meeting.

Simon & Schuster started off 2012, with a new crossover series, Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys vs. the World, and the start of new story line in the regular Hardy Boys series, which involved a major subplot dealing with Joe and Iola's relationship. The two part story arc concluded in February, and set up The Hardy Boys: The Death of Iola mini series, and the launch of The Hardy Boys Casefiles II book one, on the 25th Anniversary of the original Casefiles series. The Hardy Boys Casefiles II #1, was essentially a modern version of #128, as it made reference to Casefiles #127 ''Dead in the Water'' as having taken place only a few weeks before. For the sake of new readers, as well as the aforementioned Death of Iola series, The Hardy Boys Casefiles: 25 Years Book was published, which over viewed most of the original 127 Casefiles titles.

For the rest of the year The Hardy Boys vs. the World was published one month and The Hardy Boys Casefiles II  was published the next. By December 2012 there was 19 Vs. the World books and five Casefiles II books, plus the three mini series, Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys vs. the World #1, the one-shot Nancy Drew meets the Hardy Boys, and The Hardy Boys Casefiles: 25 Years Book.

Like the every years since the rebooted continuity, Simon & Schuster started 2013 off with a mini series, this time a Hardy Boys/Tom Swift crossover, a remake of the 1990's two Ultra Thrillers. On top of this Tom Swift appeared as a guest star in Casefiles II #6, these were popular, and the next year Tom Swift appeared with both Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys, in the first three way crossover ever.

The Hardy Boys vs. the World and The Hardy Boys Casefiles II are still published to this day, along with yearly crossover series, one with Nancy Drew and one with Tom Swift.

Note that in 2010 Simon & Schuster also rebooted the Nancy Drew continuity, and in 2012, due to the success of the new Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, did the same with Tom Swift. For the new continuity Simon & Schuster took more of a shared universe approach, and it is far from rare for any one of the four title characters, to make guest appearances in another series.

The most successful story of the new continuity, was 2014's Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys/Tom Swift crossover which was the conclusion of a story line had been taking place in both Nancy Drew series (Vs. the World and Files II) and Hardy Boys series (Vs. the World and Casefiles II), and the Tom Swift series, over the past few months.


Okay, back to 2008. What do you think?

Maybe Simon &Schuster will do something like this..
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: MacGyver on January 10, 2012, 07:49:39 AM
Wow- that sounds like a pretty cool plan. 8)
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: SDLagent on January 10, 2012, 04:07:38 PM
It's been so long since I wrote that I had to read it again, but, yeah, I still think it would be a cool idea.
Title: Re: Hardy Boys Digests --- possible #191
Post by: tomswift2002 on January 10, 2012, 06:41:57 PM
Well with S&S currently working on ac new series, maybe you should see if you could suggest a few things.