Hello all, this is my first editorial so please be gentle
As an avid collector of comic books for many years, it was a dream come true when Hollywood had the capability to respectfully adapt (for the most part) my boyhood heroes to the big screen.
Now with these heroes being given prime time slots on television with big audiences tuning in, we have a chance to savor the exploits of these characters on a weekly basis.
Studios developing various future Marvel and DC movies, man of steel being released this week, arrow and walking dead wrapping up there respective seasons it got me thinking.........
I have always wondered which would truly be a better vehicle for some of my favourite comics to be viewed in, FEATURE FILM or TV SERIES.
Leaving aside the most well known Marvel or DC properties, i have focused on a few lesser known to the CBM community and will ask which adaption will suit them FEATURE FILM or TV SERIES.
I will give my verdict, you may or may not agree but ultimately i hope this editorial will get you guys to voice your own opinions
Y : The Last Man
Y: The Last Man is a dystopian science fiction comic book series by Brian K. Vaughan (Saga) and Pia Guerra published by Vertigo
On July 17, 2002, something (referred to as a plague) simultaneously kills every living mammal possessing a Y chromosome — including embryos, fertilized eggs, and even sperm. The only exceptions appear to be New York residents Yorick Brown, a young amateur escape artist, and his male Capuchin monkey, Ampersand. Many women are killed from disasters caused by the men's deaths.
Society is plunged into chaos as infrastructures collapse, and the surviving women everywhere try to cope with the loss of the men, and the belief that, barring a rapid, major scientific breakthrough or other extraordinary happening, humanity is doomed to extinction.
Right, a fan favourite book, which most of the regulars on this sight will know was almost put into production a few years ago with Shia Labeouf attached to play Yorick. Personally this would have to be a TV series. AMC have shown with walking dead how a post apocalyptic world can be brought to the small screen. Other than the protagonist Yorick, it has a fully female cast. With a bit of cleaver casting for Yorick Brown it could be an interesting and different kind of series.
The scape of the story is really quite amazing and you are taken through twists and turns which would be either overlooked or rushed if made as a movie.
This saga consists of ten trades (60 issues). This means it has a conclusion, all twist would be wrapped up if it did indeed run its course. I could not go though a shoehorned last ever episode which lost wedged down the throats of an disgruntled audience
VERDICT: TV SERIES
Rising Stars
Rising Stars is a 24-issue comic book limited series by J. Michael Straczynski about 113 people (called "Specials") born with special abilities following the appearance of a mysterious light in the sky above Pederson, Illinois. The series explores how society may react to the advent ofsuperpowers, and how those who are Specials may react towards society and each other.
The story is narrated from the future by the last living Special, John Simon, nicknamed "Poet". The genesis of the Specials is shown to be the unforgettable descent of a fierce comet from the heavens. The story starts when the Specials are all grown up, but it constantly flashes back to when they were children. Through these flashbacks, the development of these 113 Specials is shown, starting with the government's monitoring and handling of the events, to the manifestation of their powers, to the impact of these abilities on the afflicted children and the world around them. Some of the Specials use their powers for the good of the world, others for personal benefit and fame, while others simply wish to forget about them and live a normal life.
This is one of my favourite comic book stories of all time and very dear to my heart.
I suggest that if you have never read this, then do as i don't want to ruin the story for you
There are 3 trades in the main story arch that in my opinion could be a movie for each (that's right i'm going trilogy for this one)
As you read above there are 113 specials but don't worry the main characters in this tale are far fewer (approx 9).
The nature of this story and the potential visuals and scope means a considerable budget would be needed. What is also interesting is that there are also three spin off mini series which could be adapted into an accompanied series (Rising Stars: Bright, Rising Stars: Voices of the Dead, Rising Stars: Untouchable) think s.h.e.i.l.d to the avengers.
I would love to rant on about this but as i said it, for me is a must read and have purposely tried not to give away too much.
VERDICT: MOVIE TRILOGY Rising Stars- Born in fire
Rising Stars- Power
Rising Stars- Fire and Ash
:TV SERIES consisting of the above mentioned mini series shown between movie releases
Preacher
Preacher is a comic book series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon,
Preacher tells the story of Jesse Custer, a preacher in the small Texas town of Annville. Custer was accidentally possessed by the supernatural creature named Genesis in an incident which killed his entire congregation and flattened his church.
Genesis, the product of the unauthorized, unnatural coupling of an angel and a demon, is an infant with no sense of individual will. However, as it is composed of both pure goodness and pure evil, it might have enough power to rival that of God Himself. In other words, Jesse Custer, bonded to Genesis, may have become the most powerful being in the whole of living existence.
Custer, driven by a strong sense of right and wrong, goes on a journey across the United States attempting to (literally) find God, who abandoned Heaven the moment Genesis was born. He also begins to discover the truth about his new powers. They allow him, when he wills it, to command the obedience of those who hear and comprehend his words. He is joined by his old girlfriend Tulip O'Hare, as well as a hard-drinking Irish vampire named Cassidy.
The series consists of 75 issues in total—66 regular, monthly issues, five one-shot specials and a four-issue Preacher: Saint of Killers limited series. The entire run has been collected in nine trade paperback editions. The final monthly issue, number 66, was published in July 2000.
Ok i said lesser known but this has to be addressed.
I shouldn't have to say too much as if you don't know this book, you need to sort you life out and buy every trade right now.
I will give you 3 letters HBO. Warner Bros own HBO. Warner Bros own DC. Vertigo is owned by DC therefore we have to ask, why are'nt they all over this?
As its a graphic novel for the mature readers, it has to be true to the source material. Violent, swearing a little naughty and in many parts just 'what the f##k'
Game of thrones (also HBO) has shown that violence quite frankly can be embraced when the the story is good. Ennis and Dillon collaborate fantastically for Preacher and well written violent stories is what they do (see also punisher: war zone).
VERDICT: TV SERIES but has to be HBO
Midnight Nation
Midnight Nation is a religious-themed twelve-issue American comic book limited series, created by J. Michael Straczynski and published from 2000 to 2002 by Top Cow Productions under their now defunct Joe's Comics imprint. It is about a man who is killed, in a sense, and is on a journey to save his soul.
Los Angeles police officer Lieutenant David Grey encounters a brutal murder. When he tracks down a possible lead he encounters strange, goblin-like men who attack him. When he awakes, Grey finds himself in a hospital, and those around him have become translucent and can no longer see him. It is explained to him by his mysterious guide Laurel that he has lost his soul and he has now been plunged into a shadow world that runs parallel to our own. Here is where all the abandoned and forgotten people and things go.
David is told that without his soul he will slowly become like "the Walkers", the monstrous people he encountered who attacked him. David must travel on foot to New York where "The Other Guy" holds his soul. Laurel has guided many others on the same journey before, but none have survived the trip.
Along the way there are various tests and tribulations to give David a greater understanding about the world and himself which will lead to an inevitable confrontation for his soul.
MJS again excels himself away from the superhero genre and quite simply tells a brilliant story. The idea itself is different and in many ways a welcome break to the normal comic book stories of capes and super villains.
There really are only 2 major characters which i can attest you do grow to care for. This has a fantastic ending which will leave to to ponder it an many levels.
This i think can be made in both.
MJS has a solid story to compact and cherry pick the most important and entertaining parts of the plot to make a very good dark supernatural-ish movie.
On the other hand the stories can be expanded in a series. This will give the characters more depth and layers.
VERDICT : BOTH FEATURE FILM AND TV SERIES. I just wat to see it made.
Thanks for reading, your views are welcome