From Novel to Graphic Novel

Publisher's Weekly highlights the growth of turning popular novels, like Twilight, into graphic novels.

From the story...

While some authors—who often turn out to be big comics fans themselves—prefer to script the adaptations themselves, more often they oversee a creative team brought together by the publisher to transform their prose into visual storytelling. “The best work comes from the author him or herself,” Mitchell says about the process of writing the graphic novel scripts, but “lacking that option, we choose adaptors who are avowed fans of the work.” Mitchell used The Talisman, which is scripted by Robin Furth, as an example. Considered an expert on King's works, Furth “was Stephen King's research assistant for a number of years and had access to him when she needed to pick his brain,” Mitchell explains.

Furth also outlined the story plots for Marvel's Dark Tower, which were then scripted by veteran comics writer Peter David. “She knows more about the Dark Tower than anybody but King,” Macchio declares. “She was a touchstone for us. When we get a finished story arc from her, we know we have King's approval.” Similarly, the Erin Hunter team provides Tokyopop with “detailed plot synopses,” after which artist Dan Jolley “does the panel breakdowns and dialogue,” says Diaz-Przybyl. “Our original creators have been very involved,” Mitchell says, emphasizing that Diana Gabaldon and Kim Harrison wrote their own scripts, and “Dean Koontz creates lengthy story outlines and works back and forth with his adaptor on the actual scripting.” For Troublemaker, Hahn says Evanovich and her daughter were excited “to tap into another medium” and wrote their own script.

“Most of the [original creators] are very enthusiastic,” says Hassler. But different authors “may want a different level of involvement.” Unsurprisingly, all the publishers stressed the authors' approval. “At the end of the day, we show everything to the original creator,” says Hassler. “Nothing gets done if Stephen King doesn't approve,” Macchio says.