Reply #23: Congrats to him!

[RainDog]

when I managed an undergrad library -- it was the "artistic" dorm with an on site dark room, kiln, bookmaking classes, etc. -- I always had a suggestion list and the students loved Bone!!! I was the first person to bring that book into a U. with a population of over 30k undergrads (the same year it was released in the one huuuuge volume.) My library was also the first one at that U. with a graphic novel collection (in an academic setting...) - I was able to bring in work like Epileptic, by David B. and Black Hole by Burns. I really think graphic novels are THE art form to define this era. Sacco and Ware... I'm waiting for Jason Lutes' next installment of Berlin, City of Stones.

Frans Masereel is one of my favorite expressionists working in wordless books way back when. I love woodcuts. Going way off on a tangent, but the whole topic is sort of organic for me. Really, there is a sort of tree that goes from Expressionists trying to make sense of the world of modern war, leading up to the rise of the Nazis to Eisner's Contract to his last "The Plot."

All this to say that I am so happy that he is getting recognition for his work!!

I hope he is more than happy with the outcome. Persepolis was made into a good movie. Maybe he can ask Satrapi what she did? Maybe he can point to that adaptation as a sort of "challenge" to the people doing the script? I'm glad he's standing up to the insertion of a "pop movie" song - Hollywood, with its eye on an ever moving bottom line, shoots itself in the foot all the time by trying to make everything generic cheese. (I'm speaking from a bit of exp... not so much to matter, but the stories about "dying from encouragement" are true.)

Tell him to make a list of certain "non-negotiables" and give those to the ppl working on the adaptation. It will save him some tears and give some structure to the writers making the adaptation. In addition to what he likes, tell them specifically what he doesn't like, and why. If he waits until they've formed their own idea of the piece it will be too late... too much will have been invested in their view.

I'm so happy to hear good news for good people! congrats again!