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Hollywood’s Comic Book Conspiracy
Topics: comics, comic books, Bakotopia, Bakersfield, Graphic Novels, 2007, blog
Posted by zsmith Tue Oct 16, 2007 14:26:55 PDT
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0 responses 3 comments Hollywood’s Comic Book Conspiracy
With tinsel town’s originality going bankrupt, studios look to the graphic novel for the next bloody blockbuster


By Zachary Smith, Bakotopia contributor

“But who reads comic books anymore?”

That is the question asked in a world where the super villains have erased the memory, and existence of the superheros from the world’s collective conscious.

It also happens to be the premise for a comic book named “Wanted” (think about “American Psycho,” “Fight Club,” and “Super Villains” mixed into one.)

“Wanted” follows in the footsteps of other popular books such as “Sin City,” “300,” “Iron Man,” and just like those three books turned to flick, “Wanted” is also getting prepped for movie treatment.



Being curious as to what the movie would be about I looked up a quick synopsis of “Wanted” on imdb.com and Wikipedia.com. Much to my lack of surprise they’ve already butchered the property.

I guess what I’m trying to say is: READ THE BOOK. The initial product is almost always superior to the movie adaptation.

Despite that downer, there are exceptions to the rule.

On rare occasions, movie adaptations have gotten something correct by exploring different genres and aspects of the comic book world.

Frank Miller is probably, after Will Eisner, the most important comic book creator of the last 30 years. 

Miller is an artist and illustrator, which makes him one of those rare talents in a collaborative industry that can do everything by himself.  Both “Sin City” and “300” are hit movies based on graphic novels by Frank Miller. 



The movie adaptation of “Sin City” is by far the only comic book movie so far to get a fair treatment, the movie’s director Robert Rodriguez made sure that Miller was included in the creative process - so much so that he abdicated his position in the DGA (Directors Guild of America) so Miller could share directing credits.

To read the book before the movie comes out is not something I make a habit of - I have plenty of books to read. If I like the movie or hear something good about the book, then I’ll read it. The difference between reading the comic before seeing the movie is that reading a comic will take an hour out of your time at most. Then you ask, and I’ll agree, why should I indulge in the most anti-cool thing in existence? I mean comics, who does read them? The truth is, a lot of people.

In Japan comics are made for all ages, both genders, and for all sorts of different interests. In Japan comics sell in the millions.  When I visited Tokyo, comics outnumbered magazines, novels, and other products available in stores. 

So how well do comics sell in America?  About one-tenth that number. 

At the end of 2001 Frank Miller followed up his 1986 classic “The Dark Night Returns” (an alternative future for Batman in which he has retired, superheros are outlawed, Gotham has gone to hell, the Joker is comatose, Two Face has one face, and Superman works for the government) with the sequel “The Dark Knight Strikes Again.”  Pre-orders for “Again” came in at around 125,000 units. A record number for a comic book.

Like Japan, comics books in America cater to all sorts of different interests; however, American readers are usually more familiar with the superhero genre. 

Enjoy the gangster life of “The Sopranos”?  Read “100 Bullets,” a crime comic so thick with noir that you drown in the violence, dark and moody art, fast-paced and cutting dialogue, and complicated plot. The concept?  A man hands you an attaché case with an untraceable gun, 100 untraceable bullets, and a case file providing you everything you need to know to get revenge on the person who has ruined your life.  What would you do given the opportunity to get revenge and not have any consequence?  All that happens in just the first issue, and that’s just the first stone in a structure made up of many different parts.

Is crime not your genre of choice? How ‘bout romance? 

“Strangers in Paradise” is the story of Francine, her lesbian best friend Katchoo, and their friend David. David loves Katchoo, Katchoo loves Francine, and Francine loves all the wrong type of men.  Think love is the only plot point in this story?  You’re dead wrong - what you learn is that Katchoo used to work for an organization that is more powerful than the president and they want Katchoo back.


('Strangers in Paradise')

The love train doesn’t stop there. You might hear all the indie hipsters kids talking about “Blankets,” and for a good reason: it’s an excellent book about growing up, faith, and first love. 



In the mood for something a little more dangerous or strange, think comic books are safe? You don’t know danger or strange.  “Preacher,” a modern day western, is the story of Texas preacher named Jesse Custer, given the power of the “word of God.” In the book, Custer is looking for God so he can answer some questions. Jesse’s guardian angel is portrayed by The Duke himself - John Wayne.  Jesse is also being followed by the angel of death - a cowboy with a pair of Walker Colts instead of a flaming sword. His best friend is a 100-year-old Irish vampire, and his girlfriend is a former assassin.

Did you say you want a revolution? How about “The Invisibles,” a group of sexy anarchist super-spy magicians fighting to keep us free from ourselves. 



Who are The Invisibles? A cyborg from the future, the next Buddha/messiah/Christ/anti- christ, a former NYC police officer who may or may not be working for the other side, a Brazilian transvestite shaman, and a sci-fi novelists with a penchant for ultra violence. Oh yeah, and if you start getting glimpses of “The Matrix” from reading this book, where do you think they got the ideas?

So what's the point of my ramblings? BUY, READ, and LOVE comics!



These books are the wave of the future, what’s cool now was being done in comics 10 years ago. If you want to be ahead of the herd, start reading these books.  What I’ve given you here is a small example of what the comic book industry has to offer, if you want to know more go to your local comic book shop.

FOR PART-TWO IN THE ONGOING BAKOTOPIA SERIES, PLEASE CLICK LINK BELOW!


*Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 13, 10 - 19 - 07

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Comment From: matt

Tue Oct 16, 2007 14:29:53 PDT

This is a great story, Zach! Every time I go into Russo's, the comic book guy always has a lot of cool info to share! We look forward to more columns in the future! - Matt

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Comment From: Squirrely

Tue Oct 23, 2007 20:31:23 PDT

Wow great story. I really enjoy comics. I think everyone  is forgetting about how comics used to be.

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Comment From: lilnemo

Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:40:41 PST

These articles are great, I've read the different Crows, and just was handed a copy of Sin City to read. I'm currently reading Stephen Kings series of Dark Tower Comics. So as a lifetime fan of the comics, even at one time having subscription win I was in jr. high to The Uncanny X-Man and Peter Parker The Spectacular Spiderman. I was the first to be elated that my favorites were coming to life on screen, and quickly disappointed when they changed life long plots of the characters. Most recently being a web-head was Spiderman 3. Made up charcaters in X-Men, Making Judge Dredd Likeable. these thing I always have a hard time swallowing. I once heard the Pini's Elfquest was going to be adapted into a an animation series, but fell short of expectations and was permanently shevled. Thanks for the insight to the other Graphics Novels/Comic Books to film, I will definately check them out. great stuff

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