26 Jul, 2010
This years Comic Con has shown that comics, graphic novels and animation based on video games are big business. The newest announcements to come from the show is that both Silent Hill and Epic Mickey have had comic books announced, with Epic Mickey also getting a graphic novel.
In an interview with FEARnet, Tom Waltz discussed the comic book which will start its release run in October. Waltz is a co-writer for SIlent Hill 8 and has also written the comic book, which is inspired by fans posting on Silent Hill forums about how there has yet to be a historical setting in the series. The comics are set in the 1800′s revolve around the story of outlaw Jebediah Foster who moves to Silent Hill and has to face the demons of his past. It will feature a character who is also in Silent Hill 8 which will add a layer of mystery given the time difference between the comic and upcoming game. As the comic will be released prior to the eighth game of the series, it seems to be a tool to create hype for the game, but Waltz also states that they will help understanding of the character who is in both comic and game:
You can play the game and not read the comic book and understand this character but you’ll REALLY understand this character if you read the comics and then play the game.
I hope that the comics do add something to the series and are not just a way for Konami and the comics publisher to get more money. The Silent Hill games provide their scares through their intense atmosphere combined with a strong and intriguing story. While the comics may be able to provide the story, I doubt that a comic can will be able to provide the claustrophobic feeling of stumbling through a desolate misty town where you don’t know where the next monster might be. The publication run for the comics will start in October and will be four issues long. The publisher for the comics is unknown at this point and it is also unclear whether they will be available outside the US without importing. The price point per comic is also unknown at this stage.
Disney have announced that the new Wii exclusive game Epic Mickey will be getting a digital comic available on the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and PSP. Disney Epic Mickey “Tales of the Wasteland” will feature 6 comics which are 8 pages long. Peter David, who has had a long and well established comic book career with IDW and Marvel, will be writing the comic books while art will be provided by Claudio Sciarrone. The comics will be a prequel to the story of Epic Mickey which will provide back story to the game and will also feature settings which are not in the game .The release date for the comics is unknown, as is their worldwide availability and price point.
David will also be writing the Disney Epic Mickey graphic novel, which will be distributed in print and digitally by Disney. Paolo Mottura and Fabio Celoni will provide the artwork which aims to reflect the artistic style of the game. It will retell the story of the game within 64 pages, but it will feature a set narrative path compared to the game which has multiple endings. Again, the release date for the graphic novel is currently unknown, as is their worldwide availability and price point.
I can see that both the comics and the graphic novel will appeal to fans of both artistic style, and alot of effort seems to be taking place to ensure that both reflect the games dark steampunk style. Fans of the story will also probably enjoy being able to get the back story through the comics. However, retelling the story of the game in the graphic novel strikes me as a strange move if it is released before the game – surely fans would rather wait for the game which gives them the option of alternative endings and an inventive gameplay experience?
Silent Hill comic source: FEARnet
Epic Mickey comic and graphic novel source: Gamespot
In the case of the Silent Hill comics, that is an interesting way to promote the game. I’ll see if I can get hold of them closer to the time, and write a little feature on them.
Then again, and I am only going on what I heard generally- were the previous Silent Hill comics not a complete flop? Terrible stories and rubbish characters (demonic cheerleaders!?). With a new team behind them, this could be a success!
Yeah, I agree. I hope you are able to get a hold of them, I am interested to see if they do a good job with them.
I knew there were the novels, but I didn’t even know there where Silent Hill comics! Seriosuly, demonic cheerleaders? I just hope this historical setting isn’t overrun with bad cliches or anything.