The Midnight Gospel Story: 7 Years and Now it's Unstoppable

Unless you were already a fan of Duncan Trussell or Joe Rogan, The Midnight Gospel seemingly materialized out of nowhere.  Fans, like us here at midnightgospel.net, were eagerly awaiting the debut, after hearing Duncan talk about it on JRE and his own podcast, DTFH (Duncan Trussell Family Hour).  Not only did it not just materialize out of thin air, the project, or at least the idea of the project began seven years prior.  Duncan says, "it came about in the early days of podcasting, " Trussell says.  "I got an email from Pendelton Ward and he told me he liked listening to my podcast."  It didn't just end there, both kept coming back to this idea of mutual respect for each other's art and how they could figure out a way to weave Trussell's gift of gab, with Ward's brilliant mind and ability to create memorable worlds and characters.  Once Ward's schedule cleared up a bit, he realized the idea of The Midnight Gospel and the rest is Netflix History. 

New Midnight Gospel Merchandise

Remembering back to finding out about the project, I honestly don't think what I was seeing or how I understood the concept of the show, just wasn't what I was picturing in my head, but it was far better than that.  When you hear that an animation team will be animating the dialogue from a podcast, I envisioned it for exactly what it sounds like, animating the story from the podcast.  I could have never imagined they would create this mystical world, The Chromatic Ribbon or any of the lessons the team tries to get across from their take on the morals or lessons in the story.

But, knowing the person handling the animation was Pendelton Ward, I knew it would be awesome.  Pendelton created a new world, that never existed previously and characters that we have never seen (which he is so great at doing).    Trussell, being a HUGE fan of Adventure Time began speaking with Ward regularly and their relationship, as well as the idea for The Midnight Gospel, grew very organically.  After Ward left Adventure Time, he was asked in 2014 if he would like to create a new show, he replied, "No, never.  That sounds like a nightmare!"

None of us knew but even as he said "No", he had already begun doing exactly that.  It started with Ward telling Trussell that he had an idea for a way to animate his podcast, to which Trussell was elated.  He said he could never imagined that his little podcast would could turn into a Pendelton Ward, animated series, and the thought of it was very overwhelming.  They decided they would meet for coffee, and Trussell went into the meeting with a "play it cool" mindset, but inside he was a nervous wreck.  He never planned on this turning into anything other than a podcast.  By the time the meeting was over Ward told Trussell that he was just too busy to start a new project and Duncan being really nervous, and meeting with the creator of Adventure Time, thought he would sound cool if he said he was also so too busy, so that's exactly what he told Ward.  

It took a few more years but Ward eventually reached out to Trussell again, and let him know this time he was ready to turn DTFH podcast into an animated series.  This is where it snowballs into what we know now as, The Midnight Gospel.  Ward created some rough concepts and once production began, Trussell said the experience was the most enlightening artistic collaboration he had had in his entire life.  I don't think the universe could have put two better people together and we as fans are the ones who benefit the most from their relationship.  The Midnight Gospel has changed many people's lives, as documented on the Official Midnight Gospel Facebook fan page.  Countless stories of fans, who have used the lessons taught in the Midnight Gospel to better themselves, their lives and/or their situation.  Rumor's are running around, but Netflix has yet to sign the duo up for additional seasons.  I can't imagine they would stop at just one season, with the popularity of the show and the prospect of putting out a whole lot more Midnight Gospel Merchandise.  

Like most other fans, we can't wait until we have a new season to watch and are patiently awaiting the announcement that it is coming!  I would imagine Duncan and Pendelton both have already begun working on ideas for the new season, and I for one can't wait!

Pendleton Ward is a name that's widely recognized within the animation industry, but outside of that, many people might not know who he is. However, if you've ever watched Adventure Time or Bravest Warriors, then you're familiar with his work. Pendleton Ward is a creative genius behind some of the most innovative and beloved animated television shows in recent years. In this article, we will dive into the life and career of Pendleton Ward and explore how he became one of the most celebrated animators in the industry.

Early Life

Pendleton Ward was born on July 8th, 1982, in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up in a family of artists; his father was a storyboard artist for Disney, and his mother was a painter. From a young age, Ward was interested in art and animation, and he spent most of his time drawing and creating cartoons.

Ward attended the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied animation. During his time there, he created his first animated short film, Barrista, which was screened at the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

Career

After graduating from CalArts in 2005, Ward started working as a storyboard artist for Cartoon Network's The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. It was during his time working on Flapjack that he came up with the concept for Adventure Time, a surreal and bizarre show that would go on to become a cultural phenomenon.

Adventure Time premiered on Cartoon Network in 2010 and quickly became one of the network's most popular shows. The series followed the adventures of Finn the Human and his best friend Jake the Dog in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo. The show was known for its offbeat humor, bright colors, and surreal storytelling, and it quickly developed a devoted fanbase.

Ward was the show's creator and head writer, and he was heavily involved in every aspect of the production. He voiced several characters on the show, including Lumpy Space Princess and Shelby. Adventure Time ran for ten seasons and won numerous awards, including six Primetime Emmy Awards.

After Adventure Time ended in 2018, Ward created another animated series, Bravest Warriors, which premiered on YouTube. The show followed a group of teenage heroes who protect the galaxy from various threats. While Bravest Warriors never reached the same level of popularity as Adventure Time, it still has a dedicated fanbase.

Ward's animation style is characterized by its quirky and whimsical nature. His work often features brightly colored characters and surreal landscapes. His writing is known for its humor and heart, and he's praised for his ability to create complex and relatable characters.

In addition to his work in animation, Ward has also created comic books, including The Midas Flesh and a limited series based on Adventure Time.

Impact

Pendleton Ward's impact on the animation industry cannot be overstated. Adventure Time became one of the most successful and influential animated shows of the 2010s, and it paved the way for other surreal and imaginative cartoons like Steven Universe and Gravity Falls.

Adventure Time also had a significant impact on popular culture, with its characters and catchphrases becoming household names. The show's legacy can be seen in everything from fashion to music, and it's widely regarded as a groundbreaking and innovative series.

Ward's influence on the animation industry is not limited to his creative work. He's also known for his generosity and willingness to help other animators. He's been a mentor to numerous young artists and has advocated for greater diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Personal Life

Despite his success, Pendleton Ward is known for his shyness and tendency to avoid the spotlight. He's rarely seen in public and doesn't give many interviews.