RoboCop (comics)

Supercbbox| title = RoboCop
comic_color = background:#8080ff


caption = Cover of first issue. Cover art by Frank Miller
schedule = was supposed to be monthly, spread over 30 months
format = Limited series
publisher = Avatar Press
date = August 2003–February 2006
issues = Nine
main_char_team = RoboCop
past_current_color = background:#ff9275
creators = Frank Miller (original screenplay, concept supervisor)
Steven Grant (writer)
Juan Jose Ryp (illustrator)

"RoboCop" is a comic book mini-series, created by Frank Miller and published by Avatar Press. The series was personally overseen by Miller based on his own unused screenplay for the film "RoboCop 2" and notes of unused ideas for "RoboCop 3". It was written by Steven Grant with artwork by Juan Jose Ryp.

The series was composed of nine issues that were published from August 2003 through February 2006 under Avatar’s Pulsar Press line, which specializes in licensed comic properties from movies. Issues featured covers by Miller and alternate covers by Ryp.

Project history

In 1988, after the success of "The Dark Knight Returns", Frank Miller was contacted by producer Jon Davison about writing a sequel to the Davison-produced box-office smash "RoboCop", directed by Paul Verhoeven. Miller enthusiastically accepted the offer, eager to make an impression in Hollywood the way he had in comics the past decade. Miller’s screenplay was regarded as an ample follow-up to the original; filled with dark humor, socio-political commentary, and graphic violence.

However, the realities of the Hollywood studio system soon became apparent to Miller. Although he enjoyed being handsomely paid for his contributions, he lamented the fact that he was bombarded by notes from studio execs telling him that his script was “unfilmable.” His script was drastically re-written into what became "RoboCop 2".

Even when his tenure as screenwriter was officially over, Miller showed up on set everyday, eager to learn all about the movie-making process from start-to-finish. He was even given a cameo as “Frank the chemist.” The final product was lamented by critics, audiences, and even the actors involved.

Still optimistic that he could make an impression in Tinseltown, Miller accepted the job of writing "RoboCop 3", hoping that some of his excised ideas would make it into the second sequel, only to find that his work was even more drastically altered than before. Disillusioned, Miller left Hollywood for good. [“Working on "RoboCop 2" and "3"] I learned the same lesson,” Miller said in 2005. [http://www.g4tv.com/icons/features/51443/Icons_Interview_Frank_Miller_pg3.html] “Don’t be the writer. The director’s got the power. The screenplay is a fire hydrant, and there’s a row of dogs around the block waiting for it.” (It’s worth noting that Miller’s time in Los Angeles inspired him to create "Sin City" and his urge to maintain creative control in film eventually led to the "Sin City" motion picture.)

While no further films have been made, the comic book license for "RoboCop" was acquired by Dark Horse Comics. Miller would come into contact with the fictional cyborg once more with the critically-acclaimed, best-selling limited series, "RoboCop vs. The Terminator". His original screenplay for "RoboCop 2" took on an almost “urban legend” status as fans wondered about “what could have been.”

Almost a decade later, the comic rights to "RoboCop" were acquired by Avatar Press. Upon announcing the acquisition, the company's publisher, William Christensen, received several offers from artists and writers hoping to contribute to the project (which eventually lead to the Avatar comic ""). Christensen himself was interested in producing a comic adaptation of Miller’s “lost” screenplay, of which he possessed a copy. Christensen soon got in contact with Miller, who was enthusiastic to the idea of his story finally being told uncensored.

Although Miller chose to oversee the project himself, scheduling prohibited him from personally writing the comic adaptation or illustrating. That job was then turned over to comic writer Steven Grant, a long-time acquaintance of Miller’s who had written the comic adaptation of "RoboCop 3" for Dark Horse Comics. Juan Jose Ryp, best known for illustrating the Avatar comic "Another Suburban Romance" (written by Alan Moore), became the title’s illustrator while Miller drew covers.

ynopsis

Frank Miller’s long-unseen follow-up to the 1987 blockbuster film finally sees the light of day. The machine that was born as Alex Murphy continues his war against the criminals of Old Detroit. But his human soul still haunts him with a sympathetic conscience and memories of his past life.

When his creators and benefactors at the Omni Consumer Products (OCP) corporation get wind of this, they deem RoboCop obsolete. Now our hero and his resilient partner, Officer Anne Lewis, are pitted not only against the scum of the streets, but the new OCP model that shows no mercy.

Reception

Critical reaction to Frank Miller's "RoboCop" comic has been mixed. Randy Lander of comic review site The Fourth Rail gave the first issue a score of 7 out of 10, saying that "there's not a lot of personality to the book" but added that it's "certainly interesting to read and full of potential." [ [http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/snapjudgments/081103/frankmillerrobocop1.shtml Review by Randy Lander] , The Fourth Rail]

Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly gave the comic a "D" score, criticizing the "tired story" and lack of "interesting action." [ [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,479889,00.html Review by Ken Tucker] , Entertainment Weekly, September 5, 2003] A recap written for the pop culture humor website I-Mockery said, "Having spent quite a lot of time with these comics over the past several days researching and writing this article, I can honestly say that it makes me want to watch the movie version of "RoboCop 2" again just so I can get the bad taste out of my mouth. Or prove to myself that the movie couldn't be worse than this." [ [http://www.i-mockery.com/comics/longbox24/page2.php "Frank Miller's Roboflop"] , I-Mockery, March 31, 2008]

References

External links

* [http://www.avatarpress.com/robocop The official website for the mini-series by Avatar Press]