The name says it all, folks. Why in the world have the Ubs not been canceled when they said that the Killer Mystery trilogy would be the last one. I know because I had a party booked for the day that they officially ended the series.
??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Well, right now a lot of people are holding their breaths just to see if Children Of The Lost actually makes it to bookstore shelves, or if it becomes another "phantom" Hardy Boys title like The Hardy Boys Who-dunnit Book or Explosive Force.
http://www.simonandschuster.ca/search?navigation_query=Ns%3DON_SALE_DATE_DISTANCE%26Nso%3D0%26N%3D4294966498%26Ntx%3Dmode%2Bmatchallany%26M%3Dexpand_all_dims%3A1&page=1&sort=relevance
Look at this, S&S does not even list the UBs on their website! It's the same for the US one. Seems that they do not care anymore.
Also, "Darkness Falls" was supposed to re-release last year, sometime in June, it never did.
Well, no offense, but I personally wish that the series would just end. I think that it is a disgrace to the Hardy Boys franchise and that they should just reprint some of the more worthy Hardy series'
such as the digests or Casefiles.
Quote from: Hardy Man on September 27, 2009, 05:38:47 PM
Well, no offense, but I personally wish that the series would just end. I think that it is a disgrace to the Hardy Boys franchise and that they should just reprint some of the more worthy Hardy series'
such as the digests or Casefiles.
I totaly agree.
Quote from: Dinosaur Dan on September 27, 2009, 04:15:51 PM
Look at this, S&S does not even list the UBs on their website! It's the same for the US one. Seems that they do not care anymore.
Hey If S&S stops careing then the authors can do what ever they want. That should be fun.
Quote from: Hardy Man on September 27, 2009, 02:15:58 PM
The name says it all, folks. Why in the world have the Ubs not been canceled when they said that the Killer Mystery trilogy would be the last one. I know because I had a party booked for the day that they officially ended the series.
??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Oh man, you are funny ? especially since you?re serious.
The UBs are kind of good and bad in my sight.
As long as someone's still reading the Undercover Brothers series, they'll keep selling them. But I am curious to know where The Hardy Boys will go if this series ends soon.
Maybe they'll be forever lost.
Quote from: MacGyver on March 10, 2010, 11:18:55 PM
As long as someone's still reading the Undercover Brothers series, they'll keep selling them. But I am curious to know where The Hardy Boys will go if this series ends soon.
Hopefully someplace better.
But that's just what I mean. The Undercover Brothers is the only official book series for The Hardy Boys at this point. If that dies out, I can't see the Graphic Novels continuing much more either. (It just seems to stand to reason that if the main item the comic series is based on dies, then the comic usually follows suit soon. I've seen this happen before- the Quantum Leap comic book series comes to mind, which quickly ended after the show did.)
I'm just wondering if Simon & Schuster will unveil a different book series for The Hardy Boys altogether- either going back to the Casefiles or Digests style or something new altogether.
Quote from: MacGyver on March 10, 2010, 11:18:55 PM
As long as someone's still reading the Undercover Brothers series, they'll keep selling them. But I am curious to know where The Hardy Boys will go if this series ends soon.
Yeah but how can anyone read them when they are nowhere to be found?! My library doesn't have them and the book stores near me will have 1 every few MONTHS if I am lucky. I haven't really started into the UBs too much because of the negative reviews (and long list of others to read first).
But I wish S & S would revive the Hardy Boys franchise with something either fresh but also throwback to the Casefiles or something to captivate a new audience. The last TV series was in 1995 and was a flop. The Hardy Men movie (if it gets made) is just poking fun at our beloved boys.
WHY WILL NO ONE LISTEN TO THE FANS?!
I bet you if they actually cared and wanted to know how to be more successful, they would ask us...the people who read them, write them, and chat about them. Who better to get feedback from than the people who will keep you in business and actually CARE about what happens to these guys?!
*jumps off soapbox* :P
PS When I say they should captivate a new audience, I do NOT mean vampires, zombies, or werewolves. That too shall pass and HBs are classics....not fads.
QuotePS When I say they should captivate a new audience, I do NOT mean vampires, zombies, or werewolves. That too shall pass and HBs are classics....not fads.
To be fair, The Hardy Boys did a number of supernatural-themed books back in the late '70s and early '80s- even the originals deal with this sometimes (see "The Mystery of the Flying Express", "The Mysterious Caravan", "The Clue of the Hissing Serpent", "The Witchmaster's Key", "The Sting of the Scorpion"- "Danger on Vampire Trail" sort of does too- but only in name really- though the British Armada versions sure played it up.(http://www.hardyboys.co.uk/gallery/big/42colred.jpg)).
But starting with "Night of the Werewolf", I think there was a real push to make more fanciful titles dabbling in the supernatural- perhaps fueled by a general interest in this phenomena in the '70s as well as competing with The Three Investigators. (whose books were often dominated with such themes.) There's also "The Apeman's Secret", "The Mummy Case", "The Stone Idol", "The Vanishing Thieves" (another one of those fanciful-sounding titles that really wasn't), "The Four-Headed Dragon", "Track of the Zombie", "The Voodoo Plot", "The Demon's Den", "The Blackwing Puzzle", "The Swamp Monster", and "Revenge of the Desert Phantom".
There may be other examples, but all of these books sound like they really get into some weird, spooky, supernatural things- but most times the books honestly have nothing to do with what they sound like. And even if they do, there's most always a logical explanation outside of the supernatural. But The Hardy Boys Ghost Stories does generally break that mold.
Quote from: hardygirl847 on March 11, 2010, 04:20:43 PM
PS When I say they should captivate a new audience, I do NOT mean vampires, zombies, or werewolves. That too shall pass and HBs are classics....not fads.
That's the problem. S&S doesn't seem to realize that
The Hardy Boys are classics, and the
Undercover Brothers are trying too hard to be cool, rather then trying to be good, long lasting stories. In 50 years people won't be reading the UB, they'll be reading the Originals and maybe the Casefiles, too.
OK you got me there MacGyver. I remember reading
The Outlaw's Silver and there was supposedly the Jersey Devil. However, like you pointed out, it's not always what it seems. Also, if these types of stories occur in the originals, that's fine. They are still part of the classic continuity. So that doesn't bother me actually. The Ghost Stories also are safe because they too can be considered classics.
However....
Quote from: SDLagent on March 11, 2010, 05:32:22 PM
That's the problem. S&S doesn't seem to realize that The Hardy Boys are classics, and the Undercover Brothers are trying too hard to be cool, rather then trying to be good, long lasting stories. In 50 years people won't be reading the UB, they'll be reading the Originals and maybe the Casefiles, too.
I agree with this. The classics are going to stay that way because of their quality and ability to stand the test of the time. Hence, why they are classics. I fear that UBs and the GNs jumping on the fad bandwagon will just continue to make them seem more fleeting rather than substantial. Perhaps this applies more to the UBs than to the GNs. Either way, S&S should focus on quality of stories that have kept the HBs going for nearly what? 83 years?
When I have kids I will introduce them to the classics first and Casefiles (as they grow up). Hopefully though there will be a newer series that is geared towards young kids but also worthy of the Hardy Boys classic title and franchise by that time. They have 5-10 years to get their acts together! :D
Quote from: hardygirl847 on March 12, 2010, 03:56:08 PM
I agree with this. The classics are going to stay that way because of their quality and ability to stand the test of the time. Hence, why they are classics. I fear that UBs and the GNs jumping on the fad bandwagon will just continue to make them seem more fleeting rather than substantial. Perhaps this applies more to the UBs than to the GNs. Either way, S&S should focus on quality of stories that have kept the HBs going for nearly what? 83 years?
I think the GN are more faithful to the Original/Casefiles continuities then the UB. Sometimes the boys in the UB are almost unrecognizable. Also, the GN seem to have more memorable stories and characters...the Noirs, etc.
Quote from: SDLagent on March 11, 2010, 05:32:22 PM
That's the problem. S&S doesn't seem to realize that The Hardy Boys are classics, and the Undercover Brothers are trying too hard to be cool, rather then trying to be good, long lasting stories. In 50 years people won't be reading the UB, they'll be reading the Originals and maybe the Casefiles, too.
True. The originals and Casefiles were landmarks for the series. Throughout the past 80-something years of The Hardy Boys' existence, they have had a good deal with its long history.
Quote from: hardygirl847 on March 11, 2010, 04:20:43 PM
But I wish S & S would revive the Hardy Boys franchise with something either fresh but also throwback to the Casefiles or something to captivate a new audience. The last TV series was in 1995 and was a flop. The Hardy Men movie (if it gets made) is just poking fun at our beloved boys.
WHY WILL NO ONE LISTEN TO THE FANS?!
I bet you if they actually cared and wanted to know how to be more successful, they would ask us...the people who read them, write them, and chat about them. Who better to get feedback from than the people who will keep you in business and actually CARE about what happens to these guys?!
*jumps off soapbox* :P
Quote from: SDLagent on March 11, 2010, 05:32:22 PM
That's the problem. S&S doesn't seem to realize that The Hardy Boys are classics, and the Undercover Brothers are trying too hard to be cool, rather then trying to be good, long lasting stories. In 50 years people won't be reading the UB, they'll be reading the Originals and maybe the Casefiles, too.
Totally agree with you two.
It boggles my mind that S&S won't make a few changes or start a new series that could be tremendously successful and make them lots of money.
It's really not that difficult.
I like the GNs most of the time. Some of the art is not my taste but they do have better story lines. I included them in my earlier rant because they have the ATAC which is not classic Hardy Boys to me. They are a lot better than the UBs though...I will agree with that. :)
I don't know why they can't get their acts together either. I am sure they are trying to see what kids are into nowadays and work with that but it changes so frequently. First it's vampires then it's silly animal shaped rubberbands, and then who knows what? The Hardy Boys are classics and originals. They shouldn't need to conform to the popular trend of the moment. They are failing because this is what they are trying to do. On store shelves I see a lot of ORIGINAL blue spines and maybe a few older UBs that haven't sold. Why is that?? It's because the originals will always be better than lukewarm misrepresentations.
"The Hardys Boys: The Mystery of the Silly Animal Shaped Rubberbands" - that was a good one! ;D
(the mystery of their popularity- lol)
but when they tried to write a vampire story in the UnderCover Brothers series and use the cool one word titles-
"The Hardy Boys UnderCover Brothers: Suck"- just didn't work for me. ;)
(I can see the whole trilogy titles- "Bite", "Suck", "Stink" i.e. - "I vant to bite your neck", "I vant to suck your blood", "Your garlic breath sure stinks.") ;D
Reminds me of a Rolling Stones compilation album I saw in the stores once- http://www.amazon.com/Sucking-Seventies-Rolling-Stones/dp/B0007P78RQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1275606441&sr=8-1
I promise you that's the real name. (Keep in mind it was originally released in 1981 and I'm guessing that word didn't have the same connotation at the time that it typically does today. "Breathing In" would have been a better title for the meaning they were going for in today's vernacular. :D- And no, I honestly don't normally really use the word "suck" in that sense- and I don't really hate the Undercover Brothers series altogether, though it's not my favorite- but I couldn't resist the joke.)
LOL MacGyver!! Don't forget that Joe turns into a vampire, Frank turns into a werewolf and then they both fall in love with the same girl but turn on each other. OH and they give her shaped rubberbands instead of flowers to show her how much they love her. And Joe can't take her out during the day and Frank can't take her out at night...Hey, that could work out if she wanted to date both of them. haha...
No matter what direction the Hardy Boys go in, at least we have the originals, casefiles, and digests. I don't get how they can do a good job with the GNs but completely miss the mark with the UBs? That makes no sense to me. They could have a whole new generation of fans if they did it right. The GNs would do better if there was a good solid series to support it unlike the UBs. The UBs would be better if they were revamped and made into more Casefile-like stories.
*shakes head*
QuoteDon't forget that Joe turns into a vampire, Frank turns into a werewolf and then they both fall in love with the same girl but turn on each other. OH and they give her shaped rubberbands instead of flowers to show her how much they love her. And Joe can't take her out during the day and Frank can't take her out at night...Hey, that could work out if she wanted to date both of them. haha...
LOL!!! Ha ha ha- that would be awesome.
I feel a fan fic plot bunny coming on....JK I do NOT do vampires and werewolves in my stories. I will leave that to someone else.
I actually started reading a fan fic a long time ago that had Joe be possessed. Well, he turned out to be a vampire and killed everyone...including FRANK! I was not a fan of that story....no offense to the author. Its just not my style. I leave that kind of stuff to Bella Swan.
Quote from: MacGyver on March 11, 2010, 05:27:35 PM
To be fair, The Hardy Boys did a number of supernatural-themed books back in the late '70s and early '80s- even the originals deal with this sometimes (see "The Mystery of the Flying Express", "The Mysterious Caravan", "The Clue of the Hissing Serpent", "The Witchmaster's Key", "The Sting of the Scorpion"- "Danger on Vampire Trail" sort of does too- but only in name really- though the British Armada versions sure played it up.(http://www.hardyboys.co.uk/gallery/big/42colred.jpg)).
But starting with "Night of the Werewolf", I think there was a real push to make more fanciful titles dabbling in the supernatural- perhaps fueled by a general interest in this phenomena in the '70s as well as competing with The Three Investigators. (whose books were often dominated with such themes.) There's also "The Apeman's Secret", "The Mummy Case", "The Stone Idol", "The Vanishing Thieves" (another one of those fanciful-sounding titles that really wasn't), "The Four-Headed Dragon", "Track of the Zombie", "The Voodoo Plot", "The Demon's Den", "The Blackwing Puzzle", "The Swamp Monster", and "Revenge of the Desert Phantom".
There may be other examples, but all of these books sound like they really get into some weird, spooky, supernatural things- but most times the books honestly have nothing to do with what they sound like. And even if they do, there's most always a logical explanation outside of the supernatural. But The Hardy Boys Ghost Stories does generally break that mold.
"Revenge of the Desert Phantom" has nothing to do with ghosts at all.
Quote from: Dinosaur Dan on June 14, 2010, 03:12:28 PM
"Revenge of the Desert Phantom" has nothing to do with ghosts at all.
True, not ghosts in the metaphysical sense. However it does deal with ghosts in terms of the hermit---hard to find---never seen type of person. You know they exist, but no one's been able to see them.
OK let me just clarify...just in case...that my comments were about turning the actual boys into things that are supernatural such as vampires, and werewolves. I remember from past conversations that titles or book or plots had supernatural elements but were actually faked. I actually own the Danger on Vampire Trail (different cover though).
I don't think the writers were trying to compete with "The Three Investigators" by making supernatural-themed books, because, around the late '70s and early '80s, "The Three Investigators" books also seemed to go into less supernatural themes (Kidnapped whales, biker gangs).
Speaking of the "The Three Investigators", am I the only one who thinks that the "The Three Investigators Crime Busters" was a lame attempt to rip-off the Casefiles? I tried to read the first Crime Busters book, but I could not stand the horrible writing and Jupiter's whining about how he needs some "wheels". I have yet to make it past the third chapter.
Quote from: Dinosaur Dan on June 25, 2010, 06:23:44 PM
I don't think the writers were trying to compete with "The Three Investigators" by making supernatural-themed books, because, around the late '70s and early '80s, "The Three Investigators" books also seemed to go into less supernatural themes (Kidnapped whales, biker gangs).
Speaking of the "The Three Investigators", am I the only one who thinks that the "The Three Investigators Crime Busters" was a lame attempt to rip-off the Casefiles? I tried to read the first Crime Busters book, but I could not stand the horrible writing and Jupiter's whining about how he needs some "wheels". I have yet to make it past the third chapter.
Don't forget that there was
The Hardy Boys Ghost Stories anthology from 1984.
From what I know of the Three Investigator's Crime Buster's series it was edited by the same people in charge of the Hardy Boys Casefiles, although the Casefiles did come first, but Bill McCay was the editor on both series in the beginning.
I've read all of The Three Investigators Crimebusters and thought they were great. Though, yes- they were obviously at least inspired by The Hardy Boys Casefiles.
The Crimebusters were made by the same people who made the Casefiles, so I wouldn't say it's a ripoff.
Quote from: SDLagent on June 26, 2010, 01:47:27 AM
The Crimebusters were made by the same people who made the Casefiles, so I wouldn't say it's a ripoff.
http://www.threeinvestigatorsbooks.com/Lynds2.html
"JM: We note the format changes between the original series to the Crimebusters series: the page count for Crimebusters seems to have gone down, and the format of the books is very consistent no matter who the author is.
GL: It was very consistent. As you will see in the bible, we were given the size of the page that we had to put on our computer, the number of chapters, and so forth.
The format changes were a marketing decision.
Random House analyzed the "Hardy Boys" older series. They figured out the elements that went into that, and they tried to duplicate it while adding a 3Is spin."
I haven't read them or heard of them before. If they are like the Hardy Boys, I would certainly check them out. I will always love the Hardys more...but there is room for both. :)
The original Three Investigators is a really good series. A better detective series than The Hardy Boys, I have to admit.
QuoteI haven't read them or heard of them before. If they are like the Hardy Boys, I would certainly check them out. I will always love the Hardys more...but there is room for both.
Oh, they're definitely both great! I love The Hardy Boys and I love The Three Investigators! (and some other literary detective heroes too for that matter). 8)
Quote from: SDLagent on June 30, 2010, 03:27:00 PM
The original Three Investigators is a really good series. A better detective series than The Hardy Boys, I have to admit.
Very interesting! I understand you are emphasizing the detective aspect of the Investigators as being superior to the Hardys. However, I don't know if I would like them better overall. I suppose a trip to the library is in order. :)
Quote from: MacGyver on June 30, 2010, 08:47:08 PM
Oh, they're definitely both great! I love The Hardy Boys and I love The Three Investigators! (and some other literary detective heroes too for that matter). 8)
Hopefully I will also feel that way. :)
Okay, I know I'm late but I thought I'd share too. hehe
Quote from: SDLagent on March 11, 2010, 05:32:22 PM
That's the problem. S&S doesn't seem to realize that The Hardy Boys are classics, and the Undercover Brothers are trying too hard to be cool, rather then trying to be good, long lasting stories. In 50 years people won't be reading the UB, they'll be reading the Originals and maybe the Casefiles, too.
I sadly think you're right. It's frustrating to watch such a lack of quality and honestly respect for what the Hardy Boys are. I do enjoy reading the UB stories -- at least some of the older ones. I haven't read the later ones. I think they nailed some of the humor from the older books I missed in the Casefiles but there's such lack of plots and substance. I've been disappointed. The most saddening thing about the whole series is what will be left for HB? I know they've had lackluster series before but it's still difficult. I'm not sure how popular they are. I just worry what will happen to them.
I'm pretty sure no matter what version of The Hardy Boys it is, as long as it's making money, it'll keep getting printed. No company lets go of a franchise like that that has been a money-maker for 83 years and counting.
I don't doubt that but it saddens me with the quality as lackluster. Eventually, I just wonder if the effort will be continued to produce especially if the lack of quality leads many fans turned off by newer versions. I don't know honestly. I think they will be or at least hope so but it stinks to watch sometimes.
Quote from: hardygirl847 on June 02, 2010, 07:43:26 PM
I don't know why they can't get their acts together either. I am sure they are trying to see what kids are into nowadays and work with that but it changes so frequently. First it's vampires then it's silly animal shaped rubberbands, and then who knows what? The Hardy Boys are classics and originals. They shouldn't need to conform to the popular trend of the moment. They are failing because this is what they are trying to do. On store shelves I see a lot of ORIGINAL blue spines and maybe a few older UBs that haven't sold. Why is that?? It's because the originals will always be better than lukewarm misrepresentations.
Great way of putting it.
And LOL at you and MacGyver's convo on the other page :D
Thanks Olivia! And yeah we had fun with that!! lol
I found a blog from a year ago that someone was writing while they read some of the digests and such....I thought I would share....
http://hardyboysdigests.blogspot.com/ (http://hardyboysdigests.blogspot.com/)
I've seen that blog once before- some amusing reviews of some of the later Digests and early Undercover Brothers titles. Some get a bit risque, but it's pretty funny overall.
Yeah, that's a good blog.
It seems to be quite outdated. Anyone want to start a new one? :)
Quote from: hardygirl847 on October 22, 2010, 04:35:28 PM
It seems to be quite outdated. Anyone want to start a new one? :)
Haven't seen it before. Thanks for those of you that post external links, because I don't always come across these things!
A more updated blog would be cool.
Quote from: SDLagent on March 11, 2010, 02:49:50 AM
Maybe they'll be forever lost.
haha :)
if the UBs were cancelled then
I'd be forever lost!
Quote from: iheartmystery on April 15, 2011, 09:42:30 AM
haha :)
if the UBs were cancelled then I'd be forever lost!
So would I! ;) ;D
Apparently, you're already lost.
Quote from: SDLagent on April 15, 2011, 04:49:54 PM
Apparently, you're already lost.
well, even it's that is so, i like it that way
Quote from: SDLagent on April 15, 2011, 04:49:54 PM
Apparently, you're already lost.
(http://www.cool-smileys.com/images/37.gif) (http://www.cool-smileys.com/smiley-with-a-sign-that-says-huh) I don't get it.(http://www.cool-smileys.com/images/164.gif) (http://www.cool-smileys.com/puzzeled-smiley-with-question-marks)
Quote from: Katie on April 15, 2011, 08:31:33 PM
(http://www.cool-smileys.com/images/37.gif) (http://www.cool-smileys.com/smiley-with-a-sign-that-says-huh)I don't get it.(http://www.cool-smileys.com/images/164.gif) (http://www.cool-smileys.com/puzzeled-smiley-with-question-marks)
I think he's saying that you are as
lost as the Frank and Joe of the Undercover Brothers continuity.
Quote from: tomswift2002 on April 17, 2011, 04:49:15 PM
I think he's saying that you are as lost as the Frank and Joe of the Undercover Brothers continuity.
Okay . . . :-\ The Lost set was was great! ;D
Quote from: Katie on April 17, 2011, 07:39:12 PM
Okay . . . :-\ The Lost set was was great! ;D
It was good, but still the series as a whole is just about as lost as you can get in the great fiction forest. There's nothing in it that makes it stand out from the other "trees".
There's nothing great about the forest the Undercover Brothers are lost in.
Just to let you guys know, I just received an email from Paul Mular (that he forwarded from another person who, I believe, is more up with what's going on in the Nancy Drew world), via another Hardy Boys group that will go unnamed, that 2012 is the cancellation year for The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers and the Nancy Drew Girl Detective series. Mular's email also said that sometime around January 2013 a new Nancy Drew series titled Nancy Drew Diaries is set to be released, but so far there has been no word on a new Hardy Boys series.
So, HBUB #39 Movie Mayhem may, very well, be the last book, and final nail in the Undercover Brothers series coffin. (And this may be a reason why the Graphic Novels have gone on hiatus, with the main series headed for cancellation, S&S may be looking to see how they can rework all the Hardy Boys books that have the Hardy Boys in their teen years.)
So far there has been no word on the Secret Files or the Clue Crew books having the same fate.
When you think of it, the Undercover Brothers have last nowhere as long as the Casefiles did, and did not have as many titles as the Casefiles had. Plus, when you think back to the last year of the Casefiles, the books started to be released every second month instead of every single month, before the series was cancelled, just like the UB's were being released every second month (like the Digests used to), but then for a short time it was every 3 months and recently, for the last two trilogies the release time between books has been between 4 to 5 months (with a Super Mystery'07 being released about a month or two after the first book of the trilogy).
But, it would be nice if S&S restarted the Digest series, or maybe even the Casefiles.
QuoteWhen you think of it, the Undercover Brothers have last nowhere as long as the Casefiles did, and did not have as many titles as the Casefiles had. Plus, when you think back to the last year of the Casefiles, the books started to be released every second month instead of every single month, before the series was cancelled, just like the UB's were being released every second month (like the Digests used to), but then for a short time it was every 3 months and recently, for the last two trilogies the release time between books has been between 4 to 5 months (with a Super Mystery'07 being released about a month or two after the first book of the trilogy).
Yeah, I had noticed this trend going, so honestly, I can't say I'm surprised. Especially when #40 went missing from Simon & Schuster's website, I figured something was up. I guess (unless something changes) the bits of info that did get released on the book can go into the scrapbook for "unreleased Hardy Boys books" on the Wikipedia page.
QuoteSo far there has been no word on the Secret Files or the Clue Crew books having the same fate.
I don't think these series would end just yet as both seem to be pretty popular still. (And both are probably better than their current teenage counterparts, sadly.)
Another Nancy Drew series-
Nancy Drew Diaries? Interesting. I don't want to speculate too much on such early information, but I wonder if that series would actually be presented as diary entries of Nancy Drew- that could be interesting. It would still maintain the 1st. person writing style of the
Girl Detective series, if so. I also wonder if that wouldn't be leaning a bit more toward the romance side of Nancy's life (with the mystery side still in place hopefully) as well- since their love lives seems to be the stereotypical thing girls write about in their diaries most.
As to a new Hardy Boys series- I don't know. It would be cool to kick back up the Digests or Casefiles series- they could just dive back into either #191 or #128, respectively. I don't think I'd want a "revamping" though. (i.e. restarting the whole series using those continuities but renumbering the new books rather than incorporating them into the existing series.) I have a feeling it would probably be another spinoff series though- but hopefully one that breaks away from the ATAC model and gets The Hardy Boys back to their roots. Hopefully something at least close to the quality of the original/revised stories. Maybe they'll finally get around to that Chet Morton's hobbies spinoff series I remember reading about some time ago. ;D (This is an idea that was pondered somewhere in the 1930s-'40s or so, I think- an early spinoff idea that never happened.)
Or maybe they'll have to do what the Star Trek universe has had to do for a while- just let it rest for a bit. But even if it's a temporary hiatus, somehow I don't think The Hardy Boys would ever be totally gone- it's too much of classic, legendary series now as well as a moneymaker for Simon & Schuster. Well, I guess we'll see how it goes in time...
It's about time.
Like others, I hope we don't get another reboot. I'd like to see a old continuity revisited. It would be pretty sweet if they went back to the Original continuity - and went all out, including longer page counts and interior illustrations! The original Hardy boys but for the 21st century.
QuoteLike others, I hope we don't get another reboot. I'd like to see a old continuity revisited. It would be pretty sweet if they went back to the Original continuity - and went all out, including longer page counts and interior illustrations! The original Hardy boys but for the 21st century.
Hmm- so that would be like
The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories #191, but perhaps in hardcover format like the original Grossett & Dunlap books, with the interior illustrations and longer page count and all?
Or just a new series set in that continuity...
I would be cool with a series set in present time or even a period piece to revisit the late '20s the series was original set in- or at least perhaps to the '50s for the revised books...
I would say just call it The Hardy Boys #1 to attract new readers, and than maybe switch to the original numbering in time for book #200. And maybe just have the books come out once or twice a year so you could have longer, HQ stories in hardcover.
Quote from: tomswift2002 on September 29, 2011, 10:17:06 AM
Just to let you guys know, I just received an email from Paul Mular (that he forwarded from another person who, I believe, is more up with what's going on in the Nancy Drew world), via another Hardy Boys group that will go unnamed, that 2012 is the cancellation year for The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers and the Nancy Drew Girl Detective series.
Finally!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvX_5ym_ajI
The Nancy Drew Diaries series sounds interesting, I just hope that this time there's no "trilogies'.
I've also noticed that the pages for UB#40 have disappeared from Chapters, Amazon (both .com and .ca) and Simon $ Schuster Canada's webpages. (Actually, Chapters still has the page, but you can only access it by searching for "Franklin W. Dixon", but when it comes up, instead of saying "Pre-Order Today!", Chapters has put up their "Temporarily Unavailable" message, and they have changed the release date to December 31, 2030 (http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Case-MyFace-Kidnapper-Franklin-W-Dixon/9781442422353-item.html?ikwid=franklin+w.+dixon&ikwsec=Books); when the TU message is up, and with the 2030 release date than that definitely means that the book has been cancelled/sent to the out-of-print lists and is/will never be available.)
Here's the page for when you select all "Franklin W. Dixon" books, and sort it by release date: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/search/?keywords=Franklin%20W.%20Dixon&pageSize=12&sort=ReleaseDate&sortDirection=true&page=0 .
So when you think of it, here's the total book count for all the series:
The Hardy Boys (1927-2005): 233 (includes DH Original and Revised, GS, Campfire, SH, and 38 Revised Texts)
The Hardy Boys Casefiles (1987-1998): 130 (includes 3 American/Canadian Collector's Editions, obviously there are more Collector's Editions from the UK, but these numbers are just for the A/C editions, not counting any variations of covers/printings. ie: Casefiles Collector's Edition 3 with the 98 cover and the mid-2000's hardcover printing; 2002 "error" reprints of #1 and #95)
Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers (2005-2012): 39
A Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys SuperMystery'88 (1988-1998): 36
The Hardy Boys Graphic Novels (2004-2010): 20
Frank and Joe Hardy:/The Hardy Boys Are: The Clues Brothers (1997-2000): 17
Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: Be A Detective (1984-1986): 6
The Hardy Boys Secret Files (2010-Present): 6
The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers Super Mystery (2006-2008): 3
The Hardy Boys The New Casefiles (2010-2011): 2.5
A Hardy Boys and Tom Swift Ultra Thriller (1992-1993): 2
Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys Super Sleuths! (1981-1984): 2
Nice breakdown of titles- thanks for the list.
Obviously the original series continuity has the most Hardy Boys books, but the Casefiles is the next longest running series... Kinda sad for the Undercover Brothers series when you compare them... oh well- it's another chapter and take on the Hardy Boys' history- hopefully any future attempts will be more in keeping with the original continuity and characters
If I had any say in it, I would suggest that they revamp the Hardys to the Casefiles series. This seems to be a very popular series as well as more current than the Originals. However, some hybrid of the two would be epic. I'm okay with the UBs ending as long as something better is coming along.
Having no Hardy Boys is worse than UBs.
I really like the Casefiles but I the Original continuity was the most enduring and popular. There's something timeless about them that could work even in a modern context. I wonder what exactly it was enabled the series to last so long, and if you could ever pinpoint it.
Chapters is now saying that "The Case of the MyFace Kidnapper" is "sold out".
Paul mular just sent me another email through the group that won't be named that Simon & Schuster has told him that 2013 will see the launch of The Hardy Boys Adventures. (Yeah, I know, not exactly an original name.)
Less of a mouthful than The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers though. Or The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers Super Mystery series.
The Hardy Boys Adventures sounds like a pretty cool title to me. It's definitely shorter than the previous series' title, as SDLAgent said, and you know it's got to be full of adventure- I mean, it's right there in the title! :D
It also has a broader feel than just mysteries- I wonder if it would include some stories with The Hardy Boys that are not really mysteries per se, but perhaps more an outdoors-type "adventure" or such (i.e. I'm thinking of the outdoor survival adventures in The Hardy Boys Survival Handbook- that could be neat.) And I know it's way too early to really speculate on this before getting some more info, but it's just an idea. I of course would definitely want mysteries to still be the main focus, but that was just an idea that might broaden the appeal somewhat and still be action/adventure oriented.
And the name has a more classic, timeless feel to it, which is a good start.
But at the same time, going by the name, it makes me wonder if within the next year S&S will announce that they are just dropping the "Adventures" part from the title and the first title will be numbered #191?
I don't see that happening. It would be cool if it did though.
I would certainly be happy for The Hardy Boys #191, especially if that meant going back to more of the Digests' style and continuity. I guess we'll see in time...
And The Hardy Boys #200 would be quite a milestone.
Well, when I first read this "New" Series title, immediately I was like "I highly doubt that we'll see an actual series on bookstore shelves with that title!". The title sounds too much like a working title (plus we are still over a year out from when the series is suppose to debut).
Maybe so but I think it's extremely unlikely that the series will go back to the original numbering. Only time will tell, though.
Well, for one more confirmation (if we really needed any more)- I just got a copy of Movie Mayhem, (Book Three in the Deathstalker Trilogy and #39 in The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers series) and instead of the usual note on the back cover about the next upcoming book- it instead has an ad saying to read the first two books in the Deathstalker trilogy, with the cover art of the previous two books shown. So it seems pretty certain this is the last book in this series. And if that Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Supermystery ('07) book comes through in the summer, that will be probably be the last book set in the UB universe. (Well, that one or whatever Nancy Drew: Girl Detective book is last to be released.... whichever comes first.)
So now with both the UB and GD series winding down- outside of this one last crossover book in the summer- and with the graphic novels down for the count at the moment- it looks we will have a bit of a Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew dearth for a little while until these new series kick off.... -the perfect time to get caught up on all the books I still haven't gotten around to reading and rewatching all the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew TV shows and appearances :)
I wonder what the new Hardy universe will look like?
Who knows? Only time will tell...of course, hopefully it will be significantly better than the most recent Hardy Boys universe- a harkening back to its original characterizations and founding.
I was just thinking today that this year will be the 85th. anniversary of The Hardy Boys. Of course, the original Hardy Boys series actually ran continously for the first 78 of those years (with spinoffs much later down the road, like the Casefiles)- the Undercover Brothers has run for 7 of the last years. That's still longer than other spin-off series, like the Hardy Boys/Tom Swift Ultra Thrillers of course- but considering the Casefiles ran for right about at 11 years- it doesn't seem all that long of a run, since the UB universe released 42 books (48 if you count in the presumably 6 ND/HB Supermystery titles ['07]), whereas the Casefiles released 127 titles (or 163 if you count in the ND/HB Superymstery ['88] titles)
The Original series didn't run continuously from 1927 to 2005, since when #85 came out in early 1985, the next book, #86, wasn't released till August/September 1987, over a year-and-a-half later! And then no books were issued in the series between September 1999 and mid-January 2000.
But, while there will be no normal Hardy Boys books for the next little while, the Secret Files will still be released every couple of months.
And I think there was actually one year between 1927 and 1959. But the series didn't really go on hiatus considering only one book came out a year they were probably just a bit behind schedule.
Okay, true- the series did have some gaps in its release schedule here and there, but nonetheless- the series still kept continuing running from #1 to #190, over the years of 1927-2005. That's a pretty good feat, I think.
QuoteBut, while there will be no normal Hardy Boys books for the next little while, the Secret Files will still be released every couple of months.
Oh yeah- I forgot about that series. So yeah- I guess we will still have The Hardy Boys in some form at least until the new series starts...
I would like to add my voice to your guys' that it would be so cool for there to be #191 and on! 8)
With the Hardy Boys Mystery Stories running from 1927 and into 2005, which includes surviving wars, that is awesome!!!! 8) Missing a year or so with the production being slow isn't any big deal. The always popular, well-loved Hardy Boys main series had new books being published in the 20th century and 21st century. 8) Yeah, that rocks in my book. 8)
Yeah, it is pretty cool. And I agree with your first comment about where the new series should pick-up. I don't think it'll happen though. We're probably in for another reboot.
Quote from: SDLagent on January 09, 2012, 01:22:17 AM
Yeah, it is pretty cool. And I agree with your first comment about where the new series should pick-up. I don't think it'll happen though. We're probably in for another reboot.
If it is a reboot the most important things to me would be that the main characters from the Hardy Boys Mystery Stories be in them - Frank, Joe, Fenton, Laura, Gertrude Hardy, Chet Morton, Iola Morton, Phil Cohen, Biff Hooper, Callie Shaw, Tony Prito, Con Riley, Chief Collig -
and that the characters stay in character. 8)
Word. :)
Quote from: SDLagent on January 06, 2012, 09:58:15 PM
And I think there was actually one year between 1927 and 1959. But the series didn't really go on hiatus considering only one book came out a year they were probably just a bit behind schedule.
Actually, that appears to be nothing more than the copyright being registered in one year, but the book wasn't issued til the following year (just like what occurred with UB's
Children of the Lost).
I hope they don't make it too diffferent... I can totally see $ & $ turning them into punk teenagers and making them annoying :P
Didn't they just do that?
Not as bad as they could... They still have the Hardy Boys charm and good manners and stuff now.
Well, for the most part I guess...except that now The Hardys get a lot more "slangy" in their speech and use foul language every now and then....
Quote from: MacGyver on January 18, 2012, 11:44:37 AM
Didn't they just do that?
Pretty much. Except they were teenagers
trying to be punk. Or act like they were from the 90s or something.
Quote from: JoeHardyRocks on January 18, 2012, 11:24:07 AM
I hope they don't make it too diffferent... I can totally see $ & $ turning them into punk teenagers and making them annoying :P
Ha, forgot about that. $&$.
Quote from: MacGyver on January 18, 2012, 03:30:44 PM
Well, for the most part I guess...except that now The Hardys get a lot more "slangy" in their speech and use foul language every now and then....
They used foul language in the Casefiles. ::)
Quote from: Katie on January 19, 2012, 04:27:52 PM
They used foul language in the Casefiles. ::)
"Heck"?
Quote from: Katie on January 19, 2012, 04:27:52 PM
They used foul language in the Casefiles. ::)
I don't recall any actual cussing except for stuff like "Joe swore softly."
Quote from: Katie on January 19, 2012, 04:43:34 PM
Yeah. ::)
Not everyone considers that a swear word, though.
Quote from: AlwaysAJoefan on January 19, 2012, 04:44:10 PM
I don't recall any actual cussing except for stuff like "Joe swore softly."
Yeah, you have a point. ;)
I think maybe one time I can recall did they have this- and that was in Dead on Target when Joe was trying to get past Frank to save Iola from the burning car. But they never had any actual swear words written out- I'd prefer they didn't even have lines like "Joe swore softly", etc. - but it's good in some ways for kids to see such scenes if they also see that cursing and swearing are not good language and should not be used.
But they certainly don't need words spelled out as they appear in the UB books and treated as if they are normal parts of conversation. Because if they are for some people- they shouldn't be.
Do they have any books scheduled after the Deathstalker Trilogy
Quote from: hardy boys fan on April 16, 2013, 04:18:27 PM
Do they have any books scheduled after the Deathstalker Trilogy
Nope, the Undercover Brothers series has been cancelled.
Quote from: hardy boys fan on April 16, 2013, 04:18:27 PM
Do they have any books scheduled after the Deathstalker Trilogy
You might like the new series, Hardy Boys Adventures, it has some good stuff and is in 1st person, also. :) There are two so far,
Secret of the Red Arrow and
Mystery of the Phantom Heist. :)