LUCIDMEDIA

Graphic Novels On The Big Screen

Written by Adam A. Donaldson Tuesday, 15 April 2008 04:35

With the recent insurgence of graphic novel mania, sparked by the latest movie adaptation of the project 300 (a Frank Miller creation), the next surefire film of the Dark Horse repertoire comes in the form of the saga, The Pathfinder. Sure to be amazing, Dark Horse does some pretty cool stuff that showcases a number of many teenage dream team-ups and ultimate fights! Mike Richardson of Dark Horse first acquired the license of Edgar Rice Burroughs's Tarzan with high hope for the hero. The Tarzan Versus Predator Graphic Novel At The Earth's Core is written by Walter Simonson, and an alluringly appealing array of artwork kicks it into high gear with not only an interesting storyline, but every young man's dream match-up. A UFC battle of the highest proportions, but even more mortally threatening minus the Octagon. The only way out of this arena is death. Mortality, danger, overcoming obstacles and death-defying feats that beat the odds seem to be Dark Horse's specialty! The character of Tarzan as Edgar Rice Burroughs first set out is the sworn protector of Pellicidar. Located at the center of the earth, Tarzan, Lord Of The Jungle is everything that embodies honour and allegiance to its inhabitants. According to Peet Janes, editor of Tarzan Versus Predator, “Mike Richardson wasn't envisioning some poorly knit stretched-thin story thread as an excuse to cross over two characters; rather, he was acknowledging the power of a character as old as our century by pitting him against a formidable enemy who also happens to have developed a singular strength in contemporary, popular culture.”

Contemporary popular culture is just the highlight. It is the point needed to drive home the lust for a new generation of superhero that graphic novels seem to provide. Even finding heroes of the past in forgotten realms which makes storytelling something of a satisfying source of entertainment. Popular culture can not only give audience to a new breed of hero, but also breathes new life into older, forgotten heroes.

The Graphic Novel 300 by Frank Miller does this ingeniously. The melding of a forgotten historical battle where many heroes emerged and that can translate into providing a successful media meld of today's cry for entertaining obscurity. Obscurity is found in many graphic novels that try to mimic reality in a grey area by giving the impression that, “Hey, this could be real!” The half muddied half accurate adherence gives not only a sense of exactness, but also of imagination.

Realism is another desire of today's sophisticated audience. The ever popular genre of comics has relied heavily on great artists to give it the realistic visual any project needs. The success of the film Braveheart, for instance, has a lasting effect on the audience, as it portrays a time in history that the audience knows is not purely fiction. Star Wars the Trilogy has developed from this ideal. I remember sitting in the theatre when Star Wars first came on the big screen and it was the impression of realism that struck me most. Nowadays, realism is expected in movies. Marvel Comics has also played a role in this genre of placing the comics industry to a level where realism comes in the form of realistic renderings. Illustrators have found a real niche in the industry where the more realistic the work the better! The feel of a character such as Spider-Man has been brought to life using 3-D computer animation that is almost undetectable except for the fact that we know that humans can't maneuver quite the same. Which brings it back down to earth as we wait for the next possible creation of a character that gives us such a display of accuracy that there is no way of seeing any discrepancies.

The other side of the coin is to strip away all realism and focus strictly on the comical essence of a project, like illustrator Sergio Aragones. He has been called the fastest cartoonist on the planet. With his obvious talent Dark Horse has published a series working alongside Sergio entitled Actions Speak. Currently with a movie in the works Sergio Aragones has a style that is at the other end of the spectrum that movie going audiences are accustomed to. Yet the hilarity of his work may just maneuver the populous to a new arena of appealing visuals. Groo The Wanderer is the title of the film named after the entertaining and comical character Groo. Mannerisms not unlike the carnivorous journeys of Conan The Barbarian, Groo finds himself in all sorts of hilarious situations. The movie is set to be made by Director Rob Minkoff of Stewart Little fame.

Irresistible characters are being ushered onto the big screen for a reality check. Comical elements and imaginative storylines and backdrops are compiled to produce the ultimate in realistic and visual compliments. Graphic novels seem to be the perfect medium to match the cinematic preface as they are practically storyboards awaiting approval. The question now remains whether or not graphic novels will continue to produce blockbuster appeal, or is the recipe for realism and the fantastic headed for the realm of passe?