Film and Comic Books [Paperback]

Ian Gordon (Editor), Mark Jancovich (Editor), Matthew P. McAllister (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 11, 2007

In Film and Comic Books contributors analyze the problems of adapting one medium to another; the translation of comics aesthetics into film; audience expectations, reception, and reaction to comic book-based films; and the adaptation of films into comics.

A wide range of comic/film adaptations are explored, including superheroes (Spider-Man), comic strips (Dick Tracy), realist and autobiographical comics (American Splendor, Ghost World), and photo-montage comics (Mexico's El Santo).

Essayists discuss films beginning with the 1978 Superman. That success led filmmakers to adapt a multitude of comic books for the screen including Marvel's Uncanny X-Men, the Amazing Spider-Man, Blade, and the Incredible Hulk as well as alternative graphic novels such as From Hell, V for Vendetta, and Road to Perdition.

Essayists also discuss recent works from Mexico, France, Germany, and Malaysia.

Essays from Timothy P. Barnard, Michael Cohen, Rayna Denison, Martin Flanagan, Sophie Geoffroy-Menoux, Mel Gibson, Kerry Gough, Jonathan Gray, Craig Hight, Derek Johnson, Pascal Lef?vre, Paul M. Malone, Neil Rae, Aldo J. Regalado, Jan van der Putten, and David Wilt

Ian Gordon is associate professor of history and convenor of American studies at the National University of Singapore. Mark Jancovich is professor of film and television studies at the University of East Anglia. Matthew P. McAllister is associate professor of film, video, and media studies at Pennsylvania State University.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book of essays that explore how comic books inspire film and create new realms of visual art

- Provides an edited anthology that explores the aesthetics, economics, and critical/commercial reception of film adaptations of comic books

- Contains commentary on recent critical hits and commercial blockbusters such as American Splendor, Ghost World, Spider-Man, and Dick Tracy

- Includes essays on films and comics from a variety of countries outside America, including Germany, France, Mexico, and Malaysia

- Features contributions from Timothy P. Barnard (National University of Singapore), Michael Cohen (La Trobe University, Australia), Rayna Denison (University of Sussex), Martin Flanagan (University of Bolton), Sophie Geoffroy-Menoux (University of La Réunion-France), Mel Gibson (University of Northumbria), Ian Gordon (National University of Singapore), Kerry Gough (University of Central England, Birmingham), Jonathan Gray (Fordham University), Craig Hight (University of Waikato), Mark Jancovich (University of East Anglia), Derek Johnson (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Pascal Lefèvre (University of Leuven), Paul M. Malone (University of Waterloo-Canada), Matthew P. McAllister (Penn State University), Neil Rae (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Aldo J. Regalado (University of Miami-Florida), Jan van der Putten (National University of Singapore), David Wilt (University of Maryland) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Inside Flap

Essays that explore how comic books inspire film and create new realms of visual art

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Mississippi; 1st edition (June 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578069785
• ISBN-13: 978-1578069781
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,015,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Australian who lives in Singapore