Week 13: Reconsidering the Superhero

I'm a big fan of superhero comics, and one comic that I've gotten into recently thanks to Netflix is the Umbrella Academy. I haven't branched out much from DC or Marvel, so it was refreshing to get a different take on superheroes and the different styles in which they can be told.

 I really like the stylization and exaggeration of the art for this one, it's a lot different from how Superheroes are usually portrayed. As far s the story goes, I'm not super impressed. I think it has a lot of potential but it feels kind of rushed. But I'm invested and want to read more.

We also read The Killing Joke in class:

The Killing Joke:


1.     What is your reaction to the text you just read?

Having read this piece before, I have always been a big fan. It’s really dark and it takes itself and its world seriously, and it’s very character driven. It brings out a lot of interesting detail regarding Batman and Joker’s relationship, as well as just what it was that made the Joker who he was. It’s always fun to see the honest sides of these characters. The artwork was also well matched to the dialogue and narrative. Very descriptive and creepy.

2.     What connections did you make with the story? Discuss the elements of the story with which you were able to connect.

Although nothing as traumatizing as what was in the text has happened to me, I still find that I have a sense of what the Joker has gone through, and what’s interesting is that some of his logic sounds based in some sort of reality when he describes it. We all have a bad day, and sometimes we feel like giving up and letting it all go. But what he doesn’t understand, is that even when we have a bad day, we all have a choice. We can go mad, or we can pick up the pieces and keep moving on. Which is interesting when you compare Joker and Batman. When Batman was faced with tragedy, he sought to do good, and for Joker he gave it all up. And Joker’s attempts at turning Gordon mad had failed despite his efforts. I think because of his tragedy, he wanted everyone else to feel the same pain as he did, and have his revenge on the world for moving on while he is so stuck in the past.

3.     What changes would you make to adapt the story to another medium? What medium would you use? What changes would you make?

I would love to see this story in several different mediums. 2D animated (which it already has been), in a game, or even in a 3D animation.

Out of the three of them I would choose a 3D animated adaption. Since the release of the Spiderverse movie from Sony I have been anxious to see more superhero content in 3D animation, and to see more adult content created for animation in general.
As far as changes go, it would have to be boarded out in a more cinematic way, and take more time in places where emotional beats are needed. Although I think the tension sticks for the most part in the comic, some parts, like the end, could have more time spent on them so we can experience the weight of the experiences the characters are going through, which would establish more of a connection with the audience.
The characters would also have to be adapted to a 3D animation style, which might be hard to keep the integrity of the original artwork, but I think it’s possible.

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