PoP! Top 6-Pack: Licensed Comics That Need To Happen
The PoP! Stars narrow it down to the cream of the crop in categories ranging from (but not limited to) Comics, Movies, Toys and Geek Culture in general. This is the PoP! Top 6-Pack.
There are few things comic publishers like more than an established product. The debut of a new series based on an already existing work will hopefully draw any fans into their local comic shops to check it out. Buffy has been selling gangbusters for Dark Horse, Boom! Studios has had tons of success with their Pixar & Muppet books, and the collaborations between Marvel and Stephen King have been a license to print money. So with that in mind, I humbly suggest these six licensed comics that should be made, complete with my pick of suitable creative teams. Because “humbly suggesting” sounds a lot nicer than “demanding.”
Note: For this article I limited myself to work that, to my knowledge, have never appeared in comic form. Which means no Warren Ellis-penned Rocky Horror, I’m sad to say. Also, these are all original stories. Adaptations of other works, like the current Marvel Illustrated comics that adapt literary works, are right out.
Pirates of the Caribbean
What a mist!
Written by Gail Simone, art by Gabriel Bã
Disney’s Pirates films came out of nowhere and became an enormous success. It’s a no-brainer that their over-the-top action and swashbuckling adventures would translate well to the realm of comics. And when it comes to fun-filled action and crackling dialogue, Gail Simone, she of Secret Six & Birds of Prey fame, immediately springs to mind. Paired with Gabriel Bã, who’s done wildly imaginative artwork on Umbrella Academy, this book would be great fun on the high seas. Savvy?
From Dusk Till Dawn
Hopefully with covers by Frank Frazetta. Because damn.
Written by Christos Gage, art by Jim Calafiore
The movie series might have fizzled out, but that shouldn’t stop these south-of-the border bloodsuckers from making the jump to funny-books. As evidenced with his Deadshot miniseries and recent Dark Reign influenced arcs of Avengers: The Initiative, Christos Gage writes great bad guys. And I have a feeling Jim Calafiore’s art, seen recently in Gotham Underground and Secret Six, would really lend itself to a horror book. I know I’d sink my teeth into it.
Dollhouse
Why yes, I would like a treatment.
Written by Maurissa Tancharoen & Jed Whedon, art by Pia Guerra & Jose Marzan, Jr.
Okay, it’s well known I’m a Whedon junkie. So I’d love to see the recently ended Dollhouse continue on in comic form. Especially if it covered the time skipped over on the series before the two “Epitaph” finales. It would be Tanchareon & Whedon’s first comic work, but the couple wrote several great episodes and I’m confident they would do a fine job here. Throw in Guerra & Marzan, Jr.’s emotionally charged artwork, used so well on Y: The Last Man, and you’ve got a series you’d never want to get wiped.
Gremlins
You know, the hair does attract attention away from his ears.
Written by Judd Winick, art by Amanda Conner
There might have only been two movies, but I’m ready for more hi-jinx featuring the Mogwai named Gizmo and his destructive offspring. Say what you want about Winick, but the man produced some of the funniest comics ever with his The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius, and he’d be the perfect scribe to deliver side-splitting Gremlin chaos. Current Power Girl queen Amanda Connor is one of the most gifted artists working today, and her wide range of expressive faces would give each Gremlin it’s own personality. But please, don’t ever get this comic wet…
The Fifth Element
In the future, all heads will be able to float.
Written by Peter David, art by Robbi Rodriguez
Luc Besson’s 1997 film is a stunning visual masterpiece that would translate fantastically to comics. The universe is just begging to be explored, whether fleshing out Korben Dallas’s backstory or seeing his further adventures with Leeloo. In addition to his original writing, David is great at adapting and expaning other’s works, so he’d be my top choice as scribe. As for art, Rodriguez did some engaging work on the recent Stephen Colbert’s Tek Jansen mini, and his style would fit well here. Just don’t forget your multi-pass when you go to the comic shop.
The Venture Bros.
Heroes to virgins everywhere!
Written by Jackson Publick & Doc Hammer, art by Mike Allred
It’s a proven scientific fact that the world needs more Venture Bros. in it, so comics based on Adult Swim’s arguably best show would be doing mankind a great service. While other writers could capture the show’s spirit, ideally creator Publick and frequent collaborator Hammer would handle the writing duties. And who better to depict it’s madcap antics than the creator of Madman himself, Mike Allred? Go Team Venture!
So those are my top picks for new licensed comics. But I wanna hear what you think, PoPulation! Like ‘em? Hate ‘em? Got other licensed works you want to see in your pull-box? Let me know!
Edited to add: As of November 2010, it looks like Dollhouse comics are going to happen courtesy of Dark Horse. And who’s writing them? That’s right, Maurissa Tancharoen & Jed Whedon. Did this article have something to do with getting the ball rolling? I doubt it, but that won’t stop me from taking some credit!
Filed Under: Columns • PoP! Top 6-Pack
Wow. I would say that each and every one of these is spot on. Great picks, Rob.
Gabriel Bã. Gabriel Bã. A thousand times Gabriel Bã.
I would buy the shit out of all six of these books! Now I’m sad that they don’t exist.
i have to say that as many bad comics as there are out there, i’d read the shit out of a MST3K book. licensing would never allow it, but just imagine a world where it would…a magical, far away place…
Adult swim should just have a super-sized comic series featuring some of their best shows in comic books. I would love to see Harvey Birdman, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Venture Brothers, and maybe Robot Chicken.
im going to agree with all theses!