Filmstalker: 9/11 the Graphic Novel

I read the 9/11 Commission Report from cover to cover, a heavy and long read it is indeed and not accessible for most, now however it seems that there will be a more accessible format, in a comic format. Hard to believe, but it is true.

The graphic novel is set to bring the 567 page (not counting the eleven pages of preface) long book into a mere 160 pages.

Industry veterans Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón have collaborated to produce "The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation,"...
...the creators say they hope their book will help attract young readers and others who might be overwhelmed by the original document...the adaptation recounts the attacks with parallel timelines of the four hijacked planes.

The words are almost entirely taken from the official Commission Report, and the comic is also set to carry the approval of the Commission themselves as they have written the foreward.

The story comes from The Washington Post, but from Cinematical comes the news that the authors are currently waiting for word from Disney's ex-big man, Michael Eisner on the sale of the film rights.

A Disney style cartoon of the novel? I think perhaps not. Interesting to think though, if the content is 99% that of the official report should the deal be with the Report publishers or the comic authors? Is this move a good one? Should the Report be made available in this way?

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For me graphic novels and comics are ways of escaping the "real world". In some ways, the publication of the 9/11 report as a graphic novel is almost trivialising what occured on that tragic day in 2001.

People were up in arms about United 93 and Oliver Stone's upcoming World Trade Center - stating it was far too soon to make movies based on the events.

But to now translate the events of 9/11 to graphic novel form? I'm not sure I like that idea. At least with a movie, you can make a swooping tribute to the lives lost on that day. But a graphic novel aimed at "young readers" is pure bullshit.

If somebody wants to read the Commission Report, they will read it. Be it now or in later life. But for most, the memory of that day will be enough. Two major motion pictures released this year and potentially more in the future will also serve as reminders and "insights" to the attacks. A graphic novel isn't warranted.

Posted by: spidey1703 | July 22, 2006 5:28 PM

Alan Moore and Bill Sinkiewicz made comics such as "Brought to Light" which were simillar to what could be achieved here. The report must be revealing by its own merits.

Posted by: Peter | July 22, 2006 8:32 PM

I too read the commission report, Richard. I am thinking this may be a good move that is seen as anything but.

It seems to me that this is a move to try and dispell alot of the "conspiracy" type disinformation out and about now. Not to get too political here, but most of these outlandish theories seem to be by people who either have not read the report, or those who could not completely comprehend what they were reading.

However, to the masses, and even the average reader, I see that this will look like yet more US propeganda meant to alleviate worries of governmental involvement.

I myself don't believe there's weight to the conspiracy theories...but moves like this will NOT help to shed any more light onto the happenings of these events.

And in this one case, with comics being, as spidey pointed out above, with comics being a means of escape and fantasy, I do not believe this is appropriet in the light of the losses of the many victims of 9/11.

movies are one thing. comics, however serious and mature, are quite another.

Posted by: mogulus | July 23, 2006 7:13 AM

There are comics aimed at adult audiences. And some of them have achieved a complexity and maturity very few movies have. There are comics for scapism and fantasy, and there are many others. A graphic novel is not only about superheroes. Take Cerebus, American Splendor, Corto Maltés, XIII, or From Hell, just to mention a few examples.

I don´t think the media is the problem, but the tallents and honesty involved.

Posted by: Peter | July 23, 2006 4:16 PM