Off The Beaten Track

[Julian Gift]

A couple years ago, I started reading indie comics as much as I did the titles from the mainstream. Boy, am I glad that I did. I went for their quirky ideas that one may not have read as stories in the mainstream comic books. That included their takes on superhero fantasy (Normalman, Spandex Tights and Humongous man to name a few). I am glad to see that indie titles (Ghostworld, American Splendour & Scott Pilgrim Versus The World) are appearing in cinemas. I would be interested to watch them appear as microfilms as well. I know that a fan film was done for Powers and Henchman.

Are there any indie comics that you would like to see appear on screen or even done as short films?

[ClarkKent_DC]

Howard the Duck.

What's that? Howard the Duck wasn't an indie title, and there already was a movie? Howard the Duck was an indie title in all but name ... and the less said about the movie, the better, save that if they try it again, let's hope they do a better job.

As for other examples ...

I was a longtime fan of Ms. Tree; having it become a DC title actually hurt it more than it helped it.

And there was Mad Dogs, a three-issue miniseries Chuck Dixon did for Eclipse back in '92. It's a hard-boiled cop drama about a Dirty Dozen-type crew in Philadelphia, assembled off-the-books by the district attorney to take down an Asian drug kingpin. I loved that series, and recently learned Dixon reissued it in 2008 under the title Philly NARCO. If you like two-fisted, rough-and-tumble crime stories, this is the book for you. And it practically was a movie already, just on paper.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

There was a forensic-criminology book in the late 90s called Gravediggers -- it hit right before CSI did. I would have liked to see more of that -- and it seemed ripe for a movie. Along those same lines, Waid & Azaceta's Potter's Field would make a nice TV series, too.

[Julian Gift]

Here are some of my choices: Normalman, Weapon Brown, The Bogey Man, The 3 Geeks, Secret Identities the Asian American Superhero Anthology, Essex County Vol. 1: Tales From the Farm, Hectic Planet, Apocolypse Nerd, Black Hole, Philosopher Rex and Supernatural law. To name a few. It would have been interesting to see what ideas indie writers would have, if they were asked to contribute to DC comics' upcoming animated showcase.

[Cavaliere (moderator emeritus)]

Supernatural Law would make a terrific cartoon series. Great idea, Julian.

[Travis Herrick (Modular Mod)]

I think the Flaming Carrot would be great as an Adult Swim series. Steve Rude did a Nexus animated short, and I would love to see a full length animated movie.
I'd like to see an AKA Goldfish or Jinx movie.
A Queen & Country TV series.
I also think Three Strikes or Skinwalker would make good movies as well.

[Julian Gift]

I agree with Travis' choices. Thanks on the appreciation, Cavalier. How about Barry Ween, Boy Genuis, The Power of 6, Resurrection, Salt Water Taffy, Maintenance and Tales Designed to Thrizzle

[Cavaliere (moderator emeritus)]

There was talk of a Barry Ween TV show, I think for MTV, but like so many projects it disappeared into the Hollywood monster.

[Rich Lane]

Circumstances that are way too complex to go into now led me to becoming good friends with Spandex Tights creator Bryan J. L. Glass to the point where he asked me to proof read his novel Quixote (which he recently told me was optioned for a T.V. series). He's come a long way since then. His Mice Templar book has earned him awards, accolades and such, and I can say without hesitation that it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Seriously. He's one of best folks I know.

He told me a few months ago that he was picked to write the re-telling of Thor's origin prior to the opening of the movie, which, if well-received, will break him wide open.

[ClarkKent_DC]

3 Geeks is an excellent choice. Likewise Supernatural Law.

[Mr. Satanism]

There's a terrific comic called "Runoff" that has been collected in three trades- very unique and creepy, with some good humor in it as well, and very interesting characters. No film/TV show could capture the quirky artistic approach, but it would still make for a neat, Twin Peaks style show. I heard that it had been optioned at one point, but I have no idea where it stands now.