The pen is mightier
Graphic Novel to film? Here are some recent examples
Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis
Ghost World 2001
This Terry Zwigoff adaptation of Daniel Clowes' graphic novel adhered closely to the peculiarities of the original text. Critics and fans approved; the film was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, and topped an MSN list of Top 10 Comic Book Movies.
American Splendour 2003
Starring Paul Giamatti, the film was based on the comic musings of Harvey Pekar as illustrated by Robert Crumb, Alison Bechdel and Joe Sacco. It was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar in 2003.
V for Vendetta 2005
At what point does a comic book becomes a graphic novel? V for Vendetta, a ten-issue series, is unusually politically engaged for a comic. The film was lost behind the publicity of Natalie Portman's freshly shaved head.
Sin City 2005
The most true-to-its-original adaptation of a graphic novel, probably because author Frank Miller-directed it himself. Cast included Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Toro and Clive Owen.
Art School Confidential 2006
Terry Zwigoff directed the film version of Daniel Clowes' four-page Art School Confidential comic, but the original was better.
Persepolis 2007
Marjane Satrapi's depiction of her Iranian childhood won a place on Time magazine's Best Comix of 2003 list. She made an animated version for Sony Pictures Classics in 2007, amid criticism from the Iranian government. It won the Cannes Film Festival Grand Jury Prize, and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2008 Academy Awards.
Coming soon...
Black Hole
Charles Burns' hardcover book depicts the effects of a sexually transmitted alien virus that attacks teenagers in mid-1970s Seattle. Originally a series of comics, Black Hole pushed the boundaries of traditional graphic novel content with its explicit black-and-white realism. The film, directed by David Fincher (Fight Club), is in pre-production for a 2010 release.