The Art of Comics in Film

This is a class project.

[comic-visuals-in-film]

Films based on comics are hardly a rarity nowadays. It seems like Hollywood is constantly churning out big-budget blockbusters based on comic book superheroes. Generally the only visual elements of these films that are translated from page to screen are the appearances of the characters. But every so often a comic adaptation is released that places a stronger emphasis on the visual style of its source text. Two very different films that both accomplish this are Persepolis (2007) and Watchmen (2009). 

By comparing the visuals of each film to the graphic novels I hope to highlight the way both films bring art of comics to screen, pointing out both the limitations in adaptation and the opportunities for improvement.

[comic-visuals-in-film]

Persepolis, released in 2007, was a collaborative process between the book's author and illustrator Marjane Satrapi and filmmaker Vincent Paronnaud. Because Satrapi was so involved with the production of the film, its visual style is very close to the art of the source text. The film both attempts to match the art of the graphic novel, while taking advantage of the potential to improve upon it by adding extra detail and utilizing movement to enhance the story.

First we'll take a look at moments of the film that are inspired by specific panels of the graphic novel.

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

This is an example of the limitations of film. One benefit of comics is that it allows for the manipulation of the size or shape of the panel. Films are restricted by the shape of the film frame; they must work within its dimensions. In this scene, adding movement allowed the filmmakers to convey the same information as the panel within a differently shaped frame.

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

Though Persepolis attempts to be very source to its source text, adapting Persepolis to film allowed the filmmakers to make enhancements to the art of the original novel. In particular, it allowed them to add a great amount of detail to certain shots, particularly cityscapes and landscape scenes.

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

The addition of motion to the story of Persepolis not only creates a more dynamic viewing experience, but it allows for a greater expression of emotion. This often results in a clearer representation of characters' joy, horror, annoyance, and anger as well as a greater amount of drama than is possible in the novel's static and simplistic imagery.

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

[comic-visuals-in-film]

Finally, adapting Persepolis to film allowed the filmmakers to introduce some truly beautiful artistry. Such scenes are made possible by a combination of added details and dynamic movement that really takes Satrapi's art up a notch.