Back This Like Hell: Another Graphic Novel Kickstarter

Run Like Hell by Jeff Dixon and Karl Slominski

This week I want to spread the word about Jeff Dixon’s Run Like Hell, a graphic novel Kickstarter I think deserves backing. Written originally as a screenplay by Dixon before he moved to LA and later drawn fantastically by Karl Slominski, this book is essentially Logan’s Run set in hell. If you love mature - and I mean really mature - humour, original ideas and a draw-you-in premise, Run Like Hell is a project you’ll want to back.

The story is about Louis Rockwell, a former recruiter in the Central Hell Recruitment Agency who is stripped of his rank and thrown into prison. This isn’t any ordinary prison though; this is hell’s prison, and it's a lot worse than San Quentin. Louis understandably isn’t too happy with his incarceration and decides to escape, and this is the basis of Dixon’s story. You can tell this isn’t going to be a book that takes itself too seriously, so if you were looking for something like Maus then you need to look elsewhere. If you’re still reading then I’m guessing this book intrigues you; in which case go to Kickstarter and back the project.

I’m always interested to know why a project has been set up on Kickstarter. Obviously it is there because the creator needs money, but I always ask myself “What other funding methods has he tried?” In Run Like Hell’s case, Jeff Dixon has worked his ass off trying to get his story to see the light of day. He has slaved over horror screenplays in LA for a decade, built up his network of contacts, and shown the book to everyone he has ever met. This has resulted in a few decent reviews from influential people (Damon Lindelof of Lost and Stephen Susco of The Grudge love it) but it hasn’t resulted in funding.

At the time of writing there are 22 days left to go and the project is more than halfway funded, so things are looking good. I encourage you to head to the Kickstarter page, check out the awesome art work and read what Dixon himself has to say about his project. He also writes a blog that has a fascinating inside story into the background of the book, and it is well worth checking out.

The Top 6 TV Shows Based on Comics

Although they seem to be especially popular today, TV studio executives have been making TV shows based off comic books for a long time. In many ways it is a perfect partnership; you get ready-made characters and plot, an already partly written script, and a built-in audience to watch the show. On the other hand, the nature of comic books means that some of the set-ups and storylines are a little over-the-top, and many of them would need a Hollywood-type budget to get made.

These days though, a lot of TV shows actually are getting Hollywood budgets. There are more special effects, there are A-list actors taking up parts and the best writers in the business are writing for TV. Let’s take a look at some of the based comic-based TV shows.


1) The Walking Dead


Obviously Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead makes it onto the list, I mean it’s one of the most watched TV shows in history and it has only done three seasons. The finale of season three broke records for the most watched episode of a TV show on a free-to-air network. That’s pretty amazing for a show that takes its roots from a graphic novel.

Initially, season one took the core of its audience from the graphic novel world. Fans that had followed Kirkman’s story for years were excited that it was to be taken to the TV screen, and episode one picked up some solid viewing figures. A combination of solid writing, great acting and the inexplicable popularity of zombies drew in a larger audience from many different interests, and this in turn led fans of the TV show to check out the graphic novels. That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

2) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 

Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo and Raphael will have a place in the hearts of nearly every boy or girl who grew up in the 80s and 90s. This isn’t because of a love of renaissance art; it’s more due to a love of kickass mutant turtles with awesome ninja skills and a giant rat for a sensei. TMNT has seen mega-success as a comic book, TV show and film, and it is soon to be brought to the big screen again by Michael Bay.

The TV show brought changes to the turtles that, to many fans, will have become synonymous with this series. Things like the humour – especially the wise cracks-, and the different coloured masks for each turtle were a creation for the television series. The 1987-1996 animated series represented the creative and popular peak for the turtles’ television outings, and many people now in their 30s spent their Saturday mornings watching Leonardo and co fight Shredder.

3) Arrow


I’ve written about Green Arrow on this site before because the character has appeared in the top 100 list as well as making an appearance in the best Green Lantern graphic novels with a crossover story. The vigilante, whose weapon of choice is a bow, has been a popular graphic novel character since the 60s, and the show by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg is set to share him with a much bigger audience.

The first season aired in 2012 and brought in 4.14 million viewers, and for the rest of the season it consistently brought in over 2million. More importantly, the show is actually pretty damn good, and although it isn’t as gritty as the Walking Dead, it is certainly a good adaptation. This, along with the impressive TV views, was enough for it to be picked up for a second season.

4) The Incredible Hulk


The Incredible Hulk TV series could so easily have gone down the cheaply-produced, camp-script route that so many comic-to-TV adaptations seem to take. Instead, this show goes down the route of actually having a storyline of substance, where we are taken deep into Dr. Banner’s psyche to see how his destructive alter-ego affects him and those around him.

Not only was this a novel approach to take at the time, but the team behind The Incredible Hulk also managed to produce visuals that even today are iconic. Who hasn’t seen a clip of Banner’s transformation into the Green Beast? If for some reason you haven’t yet, check it out. Then, go and watch the series.

5) Batman: The Animated Series


The animated Batman series is an accomplishment in style and substance, and for me it is the best ever adaptation of a graphic novel for TV. With a superb creative team (Paul Dini and Bruce Timm) and an excellent cast (Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill), the animated series manages to take some of the deeper storylines of the books and place them in a show fit to be aired on Saturday mornings. This is one of the most intelligent cartoon shows ever.

It also has Mark Hamill giving a career-best performance, even better than his little-known turn in a film named Star Wars. His portrayal of the Joker is one of the definitive ones and it sits proudly alongside Jack Nicholson’s and Heath Ledger’s even if it isn’t as publicly celebrated. If you haven’t heard Hamill laugh manically as the Joker, go listen to it now.

6) Smallville


Alfred Gough and Miles Millar’s television take on the origins of Superman will be considered one of the classic graphic novel TV adaptations in years to come. Over ten seasons they took an in-depth look at the beginnings of one of the most popular superheroes ever, making sure to spend lots of time in his teenage years as we see Clark struggle to forge and identity for himself.

Particularly compelling is his relationship with Lex Luthor, who for many seasons is his best friend. Knowing that they eventually become arch-enemies made watching this a tense affair, because you were always wondering when their bond was going to snap and the bald millionaire was going to dive off the deep end. As well as his relationship with Lex the show also does a good job of establishing Clark’s backstory with Lois Lane, and as the seasons wore on even more DC characters were introduced.

Ten of the Best Kids Graphic Novels Part 2

Read part one of the best kids graphic novels.

6) The Complete Calvin and Hobbes

Writer: Bill Watterson
Artist: Bill Watterson
Ages: 8 and Up

Bill Watterson’s story of a young boy, Calvin, and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes, has been a classic for years now. Hobbes isn’t just a stuffed toy though; to Calvin he is real, and together they live through the trivialities of life and growing up. Many mums and dads will already have fond memories of their own of reading Watterson’s 28 year old comic, and the best thing they can do is let their own children share the experience.

Calvin and Hobbes is a comic that will give you laughter and happiness with its feel-good attitude and humorous observations from Calvin’s point of view. Reading it is now a visit to nostalgia for many parents who grew up in the 80s, but Calvin and Hobbes is going to be read by children for many generations to come.

7) Coraline: the Graphic Novel

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: P. Craig Russell
Ages: 10 and up

Next we move on to something darker. Coraline, by graphic novel legend Neil Gaiman, is the story of Coraline Jones, a girl who finds a door in her new house that leads her to an alternate universe. In this parallel dimension everything seems rosy; Coraline’s parents actually want to spend time with her, and the stray black cat that lives in the area can talk. But Coraline quickly finds out that not everything is good as it seems.

Although David McKean did the original illustrations in Gaiman’s novel, P. Craig Russell takes over art duties in the graphic novel adaptation and he does so with a lot of success. If your children love fantasy adventures and like to be a little bit scared then they’ll probably get a lot of enjoyment out of Coraline.

8) The Stonekeeper (Amulet book 1) 

Writer: Kazu Kibuishi
Artist: Kazu Kibuishi
Ages: 8 and Up

The Stonekeeper is a story of adventure, terrifying monsters, and two children’s quest to save their mother. This is not a book for very young kids, given that there are themes of death and grief, but grades three and up will get a lot out of Kibuishi’s story. In fact, some schools have actually started using the book and found that students have loved it.

Some people have made a big deal out of the fact that there is an emotional death in the beginning of the book – Emily and Navin tragically lose their father- but I don’t see this as an issue in a graphic novel for children. After all, there is a pretty heart wrenching scene in Bambi, yet you would never say a kid shouldn’t watch it. Get the Amulet series for your son or daughter and they will be hooked instantly.

9) Owly

Writer: Andy Runton
Artist: Andy Runton
Ages: 5 and Up

One of the most sickeningly cute entries on the list, Owly is the story of a lonely owl who goes on a journey to make a few friends and have a few adventures. He learns some lessons on friendship on the way, ones that any child should also learn, and generally becomes a much better owl by the end of the experience.

Rated for ages 5 and up, Owly is a tale full of emotion, lessons and things to make you smile. Runton has created a story that people of all ages will enjoy, and the book is good-natured fun in the extreme. Owly is one of those heroes that is absolutely good all the way to the core, and is a much need contrast to a lot of the anti-heroes we see these days.

10) Rapunzel's Revenge

Writer: Dean Hale / Shannon Hale
Artist: Nathan Hale
Ages: 10 and up

Rapunzel’s Revenge is a twist on a well-known fairy tale. It is the story of the classic character Rapunzel, but one in which she escapes the walls of her house and actually gets to explore some of the world. As you’d expect she has a lot of adventures, meets a lot of people and gets into a lot of trouble along the way.

This is an entertaining spin on a classic tale, and one your kid will get a lot out of if they love action and adventure. The art work is cartoonish and partners the story perfectly, and it makes this fairy story re-telling an exciting read for both kids and adults.

Ten of the Best Kids Graphic Novels Part 1

1) The Adventures of Tin Tin

Writer: Herge
Artist: Herge
Ages: 8 and up

From its humble beginnings as a strip in the Belgian newspaper Le XXe Siecle, The Adventures of Tin Tin has become one of the most well-known and popular children’s comics ever. It has seen print in fifty countries, sold more than two hundred million books and has had successful TV and movie adaptations.

With his wispy quiff and trusty dog by his side, Tin Tin travels the world getting into adventures that have aspects of fantasy, thriller, science fiction and mystery. It is like a gentler Indiana Jones with no violence, lots of action, exotic locations and lovable characters. Tin Tin has been a kids favourite for more than six decades now.

2) Darth Vader and Son

Writer: Jeffrey Brown
Artist: Jeffrey Brown
Ages: 6 and Up

Jeffrey Brown’s take on the paternal duties of one of the most powerful Sith lords in the galaxy reads like a manual on fatherhood for those with an eye on universal-domination. The comic shows Darth in a series of situations with young Luke in which it is his parenting, and not his Force, skills that are put to the test.

This book is packed full of Star Wars references and in-jokes, so if your kid loves Star Wars then they will love this graphic novel. Be warned though, many have fallen into a trap when buying Vader and Son; they buy it for their kid, take it home and then read a page or two to make sure it's suitable, and pretty soon they've read the entire book cover to cover and they completely forget to give it to their child. Let your kid read it first!

3) The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Writer: Brian Selznick
Artist: Brian Selznick
Ages: 7 and Up

A story you might know better as Hugo, the 2011 Martin Scorsese movie, The Invention of Hugo Cabret is the story of Hugo Cabret, a young boy who lives a secret life in the ceiling of a train station in Paris. He is a lonely orphan, more at home tinkering with clockwork than talking to people, but his life changes when he meets the outgoing Isabelle Melies.

This book can’t completely be described as a graphic novel because only 284 of the total 533 pages are actually pictures. The author has called it “not a novel, not a picture book, not a graphic novel, flip book or movie, but a combination of all these things.” This makes it a unique experience and together with the whimsical story and Selznick's superb artwork it is a book your child will love.

4) Diaries of a Wimpy Kid

Writer: Jeff Kinney
Artist: Jeff Kinney 

Ages: 7 and up

Starting out as a free webcomic in 2004, Kinney’s Diaries of a Wimpy Kid has gone on to see both printed and film versions of its story of life in a preteen’s world. Kinney manages to create a story full of realistically tragic and funny preteen dialogue, as well finding the hilarious parts of a normal kid’s life as he grows up and presenting them in an entertaining way.

The book is aimed at kids at a fifth grade level but it is equally suitable for adults to pick up, because many of the subjects that Kinney draws are universal experiences that many of us will have had growing up. If you like to laugh at the memory of yourself growing up, or if you want to show your kid that whatever dilemma he has at the minute is probably felt by every kid his age, then pick up Diaries of a Wimpy Kid.

5) Bone

Writer: Jeff Smith
Artist: Jeff Smith
Ages: 11 and Up

Jeff Smith’s Bone series isn’t just one of the best kid’s comics; it is one of the best comic series ever created. It appeals to everyone and every age, from a ten year-old just discovering the graphic novel format to a forty year-old who started reading them when he was a kid. We love Bone so much that we included it in our top 100 Best Graphic novel list. What is it that makes Bone so good?

It could be the lovable, funny and cute characters that are the Bone cousins. It could be the deep, colourful world that Smith makes seem so inviting. It could be both the long-running plot and the episodic adventures that our heroes get themselves into. It's too hard to pick because there are just so many great things Bone has going for it. If you were to choose just one book from the list to start your kid on, I would choose this.

Part 2 of the top children's graphic novels