In this morning’s New York Times, George Gene Gustines talks with cartoonist Darwyn Cooke about the upcoming Justice League: The New Frontier direct-to-DVD film, based on his 2004 miniseries.
One of the biggest challenges was paring down the story from just under 400 pages into a 70-minute film. The comic book version has a sprawling cast and multiple subplots, from a nearly 40-page sequence that depicts the fate of the Losers, a squad of soldiers from DC’s war comics, to following Hal Jordan’s path from reluctant fighter pilot in Korea to his discovery of the power ring that will turn him into Green Lantern. In between, Wonder Woman and Superman debate their own involvement in Southeast Asia; the Martian Manhunter arrives on Earth; and John Henry rises in Tennessee to combat the Ku Klux Klan.
Mr. Cooke recalled another phone call, this time with Bruce Timm, a producer, writer and director on many of the animated cartoons featuring DC’s heroes. “Bruce said: ‘I told them not to make this! This is at least two DVDs!’ ” Mr. Cooke said.
[snip]
… [T]he process was not without its bumps. In the first three drafts, neither Wonder Woman nor Lois Lane, both significant in the comic, was in the film. “You have to pick your battles,” Mr. Cooke said. “I had to give up a lot of things that would make me weep, not because they need to be in the film but because I wanted to see them animated. But Lois and Wonder Woman had to be in.”
Although the DVD won’t be released until February, a preview will be shown next week during Comic-Con International.
July 21st, 2007 at 10:50 am
I’m normally suspicious of direct-to-video productions (disappointed too many time), but this one looks great and has a good pedigree. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
July 21st, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Was kind of hoping the look and feel would be like the comic; it seems to look more like a modified JLU instead.
July 21st, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Actually its a toned down version of Cooke’s style. Cooke is heavily influence by Bruce Timm, and worked on several shows with him. His style is basically an inky version of Timm’s. So to animate it, they would have to take awa the ink, so it looks like Timm’s now.
July 21st, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Looking at the two pictures, it’s about as close as it can be to Cooke’s art. The only differences are in there places where there is less detail, which is expected in an animated version.
I can see what you guys mean about the similarity to Timm’s style. I never noticed it when I was reading the comics originally, but it’s obvious now.