Graphic Novel Adaptations!
The Latest TV Shows Based on Comics I've Been Watching
Title: Paper Girls
Format: TV Series
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
If you want a good coming of age story for teenage girls, I think this adaptation of the graphic novel, Paper Girls, is a great choice. I am not completely caught up on the latest issues of the source material, but I have loved everything I read of this sci-fi comic by master storyteller, Brian K. Vaughn.
After not finishing another Vaughn adaptation, Y: The Last Man on Hulu, I was dubious going into this one. “Y” started fairly strong, but by the time I got to episode 3, I was bored, didn’t really like any of the characters, and I felt like what was a strong premise in the comic got top-heavy in the show under the weight of current real-world politics.
Paper Girls on the other hand started a little slow and confusing in the first couple episodes, but by the time it got into the third episode, I felt like the tv adaptation had really found its heart and started running on its own legs. There were definitely some variations from the source material, but I felt like they served this story well and let the real strength of this version shine through: the young actresses playing the leads.
Kid actors can be a toss up when it comes to performances, but these young ladies knocked these characters out of the park. Without giving too much away, one of the most charming features of the story is the young versions of the girls coming into contact with future versions of themselves and their loved ones through some science fiction hijinx. The results in some scenes couldn’t be more touching, and it made what otherwise might have been just another quirky time travel adventure into something well worth my time.
BONUS: This show has an EXCELLENT soundtrack!
Title: Sandman
Format: TV Series
Where to watch: Netflix
I have not read all of the Sandman series, but I have read most of the books that were adapted in this tv show. I personally thought this was overall well done. It benefitted from (rather than was hurt by) having the original author, Neil Gaiman, as the showrunner. While there were many changes like original characters changing gender and race to create a more modern appeal, the changes felt valued and thoughtful since Gaiman was a part of those choices.
The story follows Morpheus, Lord of Dreams (a.k.a. the Sandman), after he has been captured by occultists in a ritual during the early 20th century. Nearly a hundred years later, he escapes his prison and must set right all the things that have gone wrong in the human world and the dream realm as a result of his absence.
The original series was a gory and dark adult comic that goes to some rather grim subject matter (i.e. a convention of serial killer “collectors” appears in one story), and the show doesn’t shy away from that darkness. Each story, like in the original comic, can stand on its own as a vignette about human nature although there are some threads that get pulled through the entire series.
The common denominator of the stories is the Sandman himself, who— similar to gods and goddesses of mythology—is more of a cold observer who avoids intervening in human affairs unless they start to threaten the balance of his own domains.
This show features some great actors carrying out strong performances. Although the lead playing Morpheus may appear a little stilted at times, in my opinion the actor felt completely suited to the character as it is written in the comic.
For a casual viewer, the first few episodes may feel a little hard to get through. This may partly be because it takes time to understand the universe being created. I also think these episodes represent some of Gaiman’s earliest writing, so perhaps they are a little heavy handed. However, if you can make it to episode 5 (“24 Hours”), it is truly one of the most disturbing stories both in the comic and the tv series, but also one of the most powerful. After that, you might just be hooked.
Title: The Boys - Season 4
Format: TV Series
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
I have not read The Boys graphic novel at all, so I have no comparison for what the source material may have contained and can only give my impression of what I’ve seen in this series. That said, I think is a really sharp piece of modern satire. It use a world populated real-life superheroes to satirize modern media, corporations, pop culture, and politics.
The latest season continues with the same over-the-top gore, violence, and sexual humor the show has been known for. (I hear it’s more tame than the comic.) Some parts of this season go over-the-top in a different direction by trying to soften some of the most violent characters with surrealism. (For example, using imaginary Disney-type cartoon characters to describe the internal dialogue of the mute Black Noir character.)
I can see how some of these choices may annoy the fan-base looking for more of the hard edged material, but what I do respect about unapologetic choices like these is the bravery to commit to them despite the show’s established parameters. Some may see such decisions as desperate effort to either keep the material fresh and daring or just a total loss of creative integrity. I feel decisions like these are fine as long as they are made for a legitimate reason that works to tell the story. (The movie Everything, Everywhere, All At Once is a great example of surrealism working well to tell a story.)
Overall, if you like dark humor and hard hitting satire, you’ll probably enjoy this one, but it may not be for everyone.
Sterling Martin is an artist and designer living in Chicago, IL. His background includes drawing, writing, theatre, teaching, improv & sketch comedy, and whatever else he can get his hands on to be creative. You can find him on the internet at:
Instagram: @sterfest.art
Website: sterlingmartin.design
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