- Motion comic
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A motion comic is a form of comics combining elements of print comic books and animation.
Contents
History
The earliest examples of motion comics are found in independent creations such as Broken Saints.
In 2005, Lions Gate released an animated version of the Saw: Rebirth comic, one of the first examples of an animated comic created to tie into a film franchise. The first major motion comics released, which is also the first use of the term "motion comic," were released by Warner Bros., the owner of DC Comics to coincide with the film premieres of The Dark Knight and Watchmen, releasing an adaption of Batman: Mad Love and Watchmen: Motion Comics, adapting the comic book of the same name.[1][2][3]
Marvel Comics have also begun producing motion comics, beginning with an adaptation of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday's Astonishing X-Men and a Spider-Woman series by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev produced simultaneously in print comic and motion comic formats. They have also recently announced the addition of Extremis.[4]
Examples from other companies include Peanuts Motion Comics, the Dead Space prequel comics and the "Lucy" element of the ABC News documentary Earth 2100.[5]
Another example would be a four-part motion comic based on the Uncharted video game series as a prequel called Eye of Indra, released for the PlayStation Network. A database of motion comics can be found online at Digital Motion Comics.
Illustrated Films
A sibling format to motion comics called illustrated films was developed by transmedia studio HALO 8 Entertainment with their Godkiller, which was produced at the same time as (but separately from) the Watchmen motion comic. As opposed to repurposing an existing comic book, Halo-8 created new sequential art that was designed from its inception to be transmedia art for both a comic book and an illustrated film. Godkiller creator Matt Pizzolo told Bloody Disgusting "Godkiller was just a slower production than Watchmen because we had to create 200 pages of art and story from the ground up first, rather than starting with one of the greatest comic books ever made as source material. Plus we had a dozen voice performers instead of just one."[6]
Although aesthetically similar to motion comics, Pizzolo identifies illustrated film influences as including Liquid Television, the MTV cartoon adaptation of The Maxx, the Berserk anime series, Chris Marker's La jetée, the motion comic Broken Saints, and the experimental cinema of Ralph Bakshi.[7][8]
According to Comics Alliance, Pizzolo stated "the difference between an illustrated film and a motion comic is kind of the difference between a movie that was shot in 3D versus a movie that was shot in 2D but got a 3D post-conversion. We're not repurposing an existing comic book here, we're building something unique from scratch."[9]
Godkiller also diverged from motion comics with voice performances by a "genre-star-studded ensemble" (according to Fangoria)[10] featuring Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Bill Moseley (The Devil's Rejects), Danielle Harris (Halloween franchise), Nicki Clyne (Battlestar Galactica), Lydia Lunch, Justin Pierre (singer Motion City Soundtrack), and Davey Havok (singer AFI).[11][12]
The 75-minute Godkiller feature was released theatrically in 11 cities before it was distributed on DVD and cable VOD. [13][14]
Upcoming illustrated films from Halo-8 include Ben Templesmith's original project Black Sky and an adaptation of Tim Seeley's Hack/Slash.[15][16][17]
Reception
Reception to motion comics has been mixed.
NewTeeVee commented, "This first generation [of motion comics] is admittedly crude, but there is enough 'motion' in these motion comics to keep the viewer’s attention, and so far the music and voice acting have been great. Plus, the level of experimentation and sophistication will grow as more are produced."[18]
Comics Worth Reading asked,
"When you add camera tricks and a soundtrack to a comic, is it still a comic? Or just a poor excuse for a cartoon, done on the cheap? Are they reaching a new audience, attracted by a new format in more modern sales outlets (that come to them)? Will those hypothetical new readers eventually wind up buying traditional-format comics? Could this be just another way to try and make more money from the same, previously existing content?"[19]
Artist John Cassaday described his experience with the motion comic adaptation of Astonishing X-Men, saying:
"I'd seen some motion comic animation, and the quality varied. When Marvel approached me, I was initially hesitant, but after looking at some test footage and hearing how committed they were, I knew what direction they were wanting to go."[20]
References
- ^ "Watchmen Motion Comic". Watchmenmotioncomic.com. http://www.watchmenmotioncomic.com/. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
- ^ Howell, Peter (March 3, 2009). "Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/Entertainment/article/595402. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
- ^ McBride, Sarah (July 18, 2008). "Web Draws on Comics". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB121634908179464605.html. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
- ^ "Marvel Motion Comics". Marvel.com. http://www.marvel.com/motion_comics. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
- ^ Marshall, Rick (June 2, 2009). "Comic Creators Play Big Role In Tonight’s ‘Earth 2100’ Special.". MTV. http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/06/02/comic-creators-play-big-role-in-tonights-earth-2100-special/. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
- ^ THEoDEAD. "MAY SPOTLIGHT: Halo-8 PLUS An Interview With Founder Matt Pizzolo!". Bloody Disgusting. May 4, 2010.
- ^ Anders, Jason. "The Making of Godkiller". Fulle Circle Magazine. November 24, 2009.
- ^ Thill, Scott. "Post-Apocalyptic Comic Godkiller Emerges as ‘Illustrated Film’". Wired. October 6, 2009.
- ^ Khouri, Andy. "New 'Black Sky' Teaser Brings Ben Templesmith's Illustrations to Film [Video,"] Comics Alliance (Dec. 2, 2010).
- ^ Gingold, Michael. "Genre Names Speaking Up For Godkiller". Fangoria. February 25, 2009.
- ^ Staff Report Quartet voicing roles in 'Godkiller' film". Hollywood Reporter. February 24, 2009.
- ^ Rotten, Ryan. "Halloween, Battlestar Vets Enter Godkiller". Shock Till You Drop. March 26, 2009.
- ^ Moore, Debi. "Details on the Godkiller Theatrical Tour and VOD Home Invasion". Dread Central. May 17, 2010.
- ^ THEoDEAD. "Halo-8 Announces Theatrical Tour For 'Godkiller' Including IMAX!". Dread Central. May 17, 2010.
- ^ Newsarama. "TEMPLESMITH/ PIZZOLO: Black Sky, God Killer & More @ C2E2". Newsarama. April 19, 2010.
- ^ Marshall, Rick. "Hack/Slash To Get The Illustrated Film Treatment". MTV Splash Page. September 10, 2010.
- ^ The Beat. "Nice Art: Ben Templesmith’s BLACK SKY teaser". Comics Beat. December 2, 2010.
- ^ Albrecht, Chris (July 30, 2008). "The Rise of Motion Comics Online". NewTeeVee. http://newteevee.com/2008/07/30/the-rise-of-motion-comics-online/. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
- ^ Draper Carlson, Johanna; Carlson, KC. "What's the Point of a Motion Comic". Comicsworthreading.com. http://comicsworthreading.com/2009/08/23/whats-the-point-of-a-motion-comic/. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
- ^ Richards, Dave (October 23, 2009). "Cassaday on the "Astonishing X-Men" Motion Comic". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23421. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
Categories:- Comics terminology
- Art media
- Comics formats
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