There are those comics that shouldn’t ever be adapted for the screen, big or small. Although due to the episodic nature of comics, they would work well as a TV series. One of stories from the pages of a stand alone comic or graphic novel would and could taken to the screen BUT there is always the question, should it be adapted?
There are a selection of comics I believe should never be adapted for TV or film and I really hope that these never happen, mainly because they’re weird or I know how the story would play out and ultimately ruined. Comics have used as the end point to shows after they’ve been cancelled or the fans have wanted more after a natural end. The stories and characters work well within their domain of ink and paper, lets not drag them out to make a buck or two.
Saga
This is the epic space opera which has become a huge hit. Possibly too big to go unoticed by Hollywood and the TV land executives. Boasting a large cast of characters set in a space world where there are many species of everything you could ever think of off, with artwork to go with it. There are also heartbreaking deaths, violent escapes and sexual ones too. With a ‘star crossed lovers’ theme at the heart and a never ending war between two races, ‘horns’ and ‘wings’ and everyone else picking sides. Alana, from the technologically advanced planet Landfall, the largest planet, meets Marko, from Wreath, Landfall’s moon, who people can use magic, they meet while he is prisoner and fall in love. Escaping the planet and essentially going on the run after Alana gives birth to Hazel, who is also the story’s narrator. Pursued by hitmen, royalty and other beings, they carve out a family and life together. Add in monsters, hitmen (called freelancers in this world), superhero soap operas, an infamous book able to tear down the establishment and robot royalty, the stories told in saga do indeed make a saga.
Compared to the likes of ‘Star Wars’, ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’, there isn’t anything you can quite compare it to. Probably its been such a hit - its refreshingly original yet feels inspired but a thousand science fiction stories. This would of course be difficult to create if the TV/Filmmakers would stay true to the style of images of the comic. There is a possibility the comic could work if animated but a live action version would be impossible to capture.
Sex Criminals
For those who don’t know, this isn’t what it sounds like. Something I say to everyone who hasn’t read the comic. It’s about sex. But its also about love, friendship, bank robberies and saving a library. Suzie, a librarian, meets Jon, and actor working at a bank, at a party. They hit it off and sleep together which is when they discover that they both have the power to freeze time when they orgasm. They each already knew they had this power but finding each other is the moment where the story begins. As their relationship becomes more intimate, they decide to rob banks to save Suzie’s library from being shut down. Along the way they discover others with the same ability but different quirks. But really its about a guy and girl just trying to figure themselves out.
This would obviously be an issue for film, TV might be able to get this on screens but to be honest, its just too weird for TV. I think quite a bit would be changed and not for the better and I think it just works better in comic form. That’s my personal view. There may be others out there dying for this kind of freaky show. As it does get kinda freaky.
Grandville
Described as a cross between Arthur Conan Doyle, Rupert Bear and Tarantino meant that I would obviously love this series og graphic novels following Detective Inspector Archie LeBrock of Scotland Yard (a badger built like a brick shithouse) and his loyal partner on the force, Detective Ratzi (a rat).
The characters of this universe are mostly anthropomorphic animals although humans who appear, they are treated as the underclass and are referred to as 'doughfaces'. Also in this world, the history is very different. France are the main 'evil empire' after Britain lost the war with Napoleon and invaded the country, murdering the British Royal Family. Britain was then ruled over for 180 years until the revolution and fight for independance, 23 years before the start of the first book. LeBrock having been on the front lines of the fight. Paris is the largest city in the world and is known as 'Grandville' which is where most of the stories take place. Each follows a theme of some sort; conspiracy, terroism, science fiction, religion and gangsters with a wide range of characters, some modelled after real historic people as well as nods to animated and comic book characters and homages to certain works of art. Its a feast for the eyes and fascinating to read. But with all these details on the page, there is a very good chance all this would be lost on the screen. Even if this was an animated series, the charm and bloody origianlity might not transend well and I have a feeling would not be as popular with a TV audience.
Lastly....
Fables
For those who know and love this comic created by Bill Willingham, you are no doubt aware of the development hell the adaptation has been through. Fables, first appeared in 2002 and has since spanned 150 issues, spin off series Jack of Fables, Cinderella and Fairest oh and The Literals (if you count it as a spin off, it was part of The Great Fables Crossover), stand alone graphic novels; 1001 Nights of Snowfall, Werewolves of the Heartland and Fairest in the Land, stand alone novel; Peter & Max: A Fables Novel, a Tell-Tale game, also adapted into a comic; The Wolf Among Us and finally, the short lived sequel which arrived 2 years after the main series ended; Everafter: From the Pages of Fables. As you can see, Fables wasn't just a comic series, its a universe.
The story (the original story) begins with 'Legends in Exile' a would be murder mystery story, that introduces us to Fabletown, where characters from fairytales, fables, poems, nursery rhymes and children's literature live in secret having been exiled from their homelands, decades before by the 'big evil' adversary. The lucky ones to esacpe live their lives among the mundys - that's us - while they are immortal. The Fables who are unlucky enough to not pass for human or can't afford a glamour from the witches and sorcerers, live up state at 'The Farm'. They have their own government of sorts, with King Cole as the very lazy mayor and the hard working deputy mayor, Snow White. The Sheriff is none other than Bigby Wolf aka the Big Bad Wolf who was excused of his crimes in the Homelands. Both Snow White and Bigby, in the first arc, go in search of the would be murderer of Rose Red, Snow's twin sister. From the second arc, Fables takes a giant leap forward with its stories, even killing off main characters, starting a revolution at the farm and delving deeper into the history.
Around the time of 'Once Upon a Time's announcement, there were rumours that this was actually going to be a 'Fables' TV show BUT then that didn't happen and a mediocre TV was made instead. I watched bits of the first three seasons in the hope it would get better buuuuut it didn't. Then, a few years later, there was rumour about the comic being adapted into a film, which was a huge mistake, but then that never came to anything. But seeing all the new shows in the last few years, all the comic adaptations, my thinking is sooner or later, they'll turn to Fables. Maybe once the Marvel/DC wells have run dry? Although technically, Fables is from the DC side, being a Vertigo comic. I really hope that if it ever made, its made for TV as there is just too many details that can't be cut out for it to work as a film, but I bet every comic book fans says that about their favourite comic. I'm very precious about Fables as it was the series that actually got me interested and invested in the comic book world, I just want it done right if it has to be done.