The Secret of Nimh Comic Book

[OwenWelsh]

I recently discovered The Secret of Nimh comic book. I was interested in the book because I wondered how one would be able to adapt a story as complex as Nimh and present it in a comic book format. How would they layout the panels? How would they approach the color? The front cover reads "The complete picture story with all the color and excitement of the animated movie." I only agree with the "picture story" part of it. Its obvious that this was illustrated by someone who did not work on the film. All of the characters are off model. Notice the characters faces and expressions. Can you tell what they are thinking? In almost all the panels, I cannot.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/00cover.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/01page.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/02page.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/03page.jpg

[Phrogger]

Owen, I've owned this book since I was about 11 years old. I showed it to Don at the masterclass and he got a big kick out of it! The inside drawings are very stiff, but there are movie stills on the back- I used to draw them all the time!

That said, I think that animated films CAN be adapted to comics if given to the right illustrator. Giving the illusion of motion is a special problem; however, I think that Japanese Manga has been at the forefront of this and their techniques are starting to creep into American comics as well.

Here are two great examples of Manga in motion, Dragonball and Bleach:

http://www.narbonic.com/dragonball.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y256/shoke76/Bleach_fight01.jpg

Note that both of these were Manga *first* before they were animated. Clearly both artists have an understanding of motion, unlike the artist who created the Nimh comic (although he is still a fine illustrator).

[GregTheAnimatedCat]

While we're on the subject of animated films into comic book....

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TcCm3oRx61I/TFc7IVvCeHI/AAAAAAAAESc/j1px2DwFfVM/s1600/randr01.jpg

It's basically the entire film nearly unabridged in its entirety using panels straight from the film. The novelty wears off when you realize that the fact that you're not getting to listen to the music talent of Cheap Trick, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, and others including Earth, Wind, and Fire and that you're missing out on BRILLIANT ANIMATION. Don't believe me? Watch the trailer. Then watch the film.

3kPP45npLaQ

[OwenWelsh]

Meredith, you're right ,these manga comics seem much stronger than the american ones of the time.

I think what would have been more interesting is to see The Secret of NIMH Storyboards and use that as the comic book. That would be something to see. I wonder if the storyboards from NIMH are at SCAD...


Greg: I'll have to check out Rock and Rule. I haven't seen that one yet.

[OwenWelsh]

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/04page.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/05page.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/06page.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/07page.jpg

[Rodney]

I have a copy of this comic book and I think it's great.

Its obvious that this was illustrated by someone who did not work on the film. All of the characters are off model. Notice the characters faces and expressions. Can you tell what they are thinking? In almost all the panels, I cannot.

I don't know Owen, I think this is a pretty good (and faithful) comic book adaption. I don't know what the constraints were behind making it but I'd say over all they did a fine job with the adaption. No, it's not Don Bluth's wonderful pencils lovingly transferred to the page but it's a pretty good rendition IMO. The story is certainly there.

(There are some poses in the comic book that convince me there is a very good penciler or inker with animation experience somewhere in there.) The inking on that first page looks familiar to me.

I've seen some pretty bad adaptions but this one is pretty good for it's day.

[OwenWelsh]

The story is definitely there. I was just saddened by the artwork and the colors especially. The front cover of the comic and the back of the comic were images taken from the film, so I guess I expected the whole comic to be illustrated with the same love and care.

Check out the last page I just posted the background in the panels changes 4 times. It just confuses me.

[Rodney]

(returning to this after thinking about it for a few weeks)

Check out the last page I just posted the background in the panels changes 4 times. It just confuses me.

As the color appears to be very deliberately placed I must assume this was an attempt to direct the reader from panel to panel. I confess this seems to be something of a rare treatment and I'm not sure how well it works in the end. At a guess I'd say the color separator has made a conscious attempt to capture the feel of painted backgrounds and lighting where little or no background is present. Moreover I believe they'be deliberately tried to use color to control time and move the eye across the page.

I make this assessment based from trying to following only the color and panel breakdowns while ignoring the text and drawings (i.e. color and frames). If I read it correctly I detect a sense of being drawn from panel to panel by the color placement.

I certainly don't disagree with your assessment that this is confusing.
My question would be how much of that confusion might be attributed to you (as an artist) trying to understand why someone has made those colors change?

Initially I did not consciously note the background color. I was focused on the words and characters.
In thinking back (which is an inherently flawed process because that initial view is now thoroughly obscured and tainted) I believe I had perceived it as subtle lighting changes.

It'd be optimal if we could query the person responsible and get their take on it but barring that we'll have to view it our own projected perspectives. I take the time to write this because behind the confusing color changes I can sense a very competent professional. Dare I say there is even an element of genius here.