Make It So – CABIN IN THE WOODS Prequel Comics
If there’s one thing we geeks love to do, it’s wax theoretical on all the things that could have been or should yet be involving our favorite characters or properties. Whether an unseen final season or a never-produced line of action figures, we want them. Now. Make it so!
Caution: Included in this article are potential spoilers for The Cabin In The Woods. Do not read this article if you have not yet seen the movie.
Even though all the films of 2012 have not yet been released, Drew Goddard’s The Cabin In the Woods will no doubt end up as one of my favorite movies of the year. Co-written by Goddard and geek icon Joss Whedon, this fascinating and immensely entertaining deconstruction of the horror genre was one of the most fun and exhilarating theatrical experiences in quite some time, and now that it has been released on DVD and Blu-Ray, I can’t wait to watch it again. While the ending of that film does not leave any room for a sequel, an argument could be made for possible prequel stories that show the establishment and development of the organization that unleashes the horrors that prey upon the protagonists of the film. These stories may not be enough to be told in a movie, but they would be perfect fodder for tales told in comic book form by the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics, who have successfully translated other Whedon properties such as Angel, Serenity, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer to comics.
Publishing an ongoing comic series based on this organization might not be a feasible option, but there are enough untold stories about the cabin and the menagerie of horrors hidden around it to justify a series of one-shots or perhaps an anthology graphic novel that details the history of this mysterious location and the working stiffs responsible for providing annual sacrifices for the ancient and malevolent gods to prevent them from destroying humanity. The stories told in these comics would not only show a different monster or group of monsters wreaking havoc on a different group of unsuspecting college kids but would also give readers more time with the staff controlling them. One of the most enjoyable and entertaining aspects of the original film was the interplay between the staff members who are treating this horrible act of mass murder as just another run-of-the-mill job that they have to perform. In addition to revisiting the more familiar aspects of The Cabin In The Woods, other stories could explore the international efforts to appease the gods, such as the Japanese horror scene that was briefly glimpsed in the film. They could also tell stories of other nation’s efforts not seen in the film, such as perhaps a story taking place in Scotland dealing with an automated Loch Ness Monster. The possibilities for these stories are endless and could be very entertaining for fans of the original movie.
The obvious choice for the writer of these comics would be Joss Whedon, who has written several other comics, including those based on his own creations, but I would also love to see other creators tell these stories, such as acclaimed horror writer Steve Niles or perhaps Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, who could potentially add a Lovecraftian angle to this matrial. The art could be handled by a number of talented illustrators such as longtime BPRD artist Guy Davis or the legendary Richard Corben, all of whom have great experience with macabre material such as this. Now that The Cabin In The Woods is available for home viewing, hopefully more people will discover this wonderful film and give Dark Horse a reason to publish comics based on it. I for one would jump at the chance to read them, as I assume all fans of the movie would.
Filed Under: Columns • Make it So
Ben, you read my mind.
Would make an amazing story and a great series of books. Plus with out the ending from the movie being present I would love it, as other then the ending of the movie I loved the film.
I would be all over this.