Comics
[Comic-Con ’13] ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ To Be Adapted Into A Graphic Novel
Hunter S. Thompson’s renowned gonzo journalism novel, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”, is being adapted into a graphic novel. While IDW did not release details about the creative team during the panel, I’m curious to see how this story gets told in comic form. There is a lot of potential for some crazy drugged-out visual storytelling. We’ll keep you posted on any updates.
Official Press Release:
San Diego, CA (July 19, 2013) – IDW Publishing is excited to announce it is taking a trip through bat country, adapting Hunter S. Thompson’s acclaimed Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas into an original graphic novel! Grab your keys, pack your stash, and join IDW on the twisted journey in an all-new graphic experience.
The release date and creative team have yet to be determined, however IDW is committed to bringing the passionate energy of the novel to both new readers and veteran Gonzos alike. Preserving Thompson’s rebellious spirit is a top priority for IDW, “I’ve read Thompson throughout my entire life, I’m very serious about doing this novel right,” said IDW CEO/President Ted Adams. This exciting new project further explores the literary relationship between novels and comics that IDW actively pursues.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas follows Thompson on his surreal journey through Sin City. His trip was molded by the stimulants and psychedelics that mom warned you about. Influenced by the death of American counter-culture the story challenges the idea and application of the “American Dream.” In 1998, Fear and Loathing was translated to film by the award-winning director Terry Gilliam and featured Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke (Thompson’s alias) in the lead role.
Thompson’s work has been instrumental in the development of modern American journalism appearing in Rolling Stone Magazine, The New York Times Magazine and Esquire. His trademark “Gonzo” style of writing is praised for its fluid tales laced with danger and corruption, often examining the hazards of contemporary American existence. Already renowned for their literary adaptations by best-selling authors including Stephen King Anne Rice, Cory Doctorow, George R.R. Martin, Peter S. Beagle, Harlan Ellison, Joe Hill, Richard Stark, James Patterson, and many others, IDW looks forward to capturing Thompson’s distinct view of the world.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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