In class this semester we have focused a lot on various film adaptations. Of the adaptation we actually watched, Watchmen and Ghost World, it became clear to me that much of the graphic novel is lost in translation. This is not to say that I did not enjoy them or that they did not have any value. I just feel that some of the most interesting things about the comics were lost or edited out in the movies. In my opinion the form and use of symmetry was by far the most fascinating and meaningful element within Watchmen. These elements were not really included or stressed in the movie the way they were in the novel. In Ghost World the random cast of characters and the apparent lack of a storyline – the series of random conversations and events, as well as the idea of nostalgia are all kind of muted in the movie. There is much more of a focus on outside characters, less nostalgia, and a much more distinct storyline.

I started watching the trailer for the new movie adapted from the Scott Pilgrim comics, Scott Pilgrim vs. the Word, wondering if they would keep the formalists elements of the novel that I feel made the novel. I am happy to report it seems they are. During the fight sequences the “KRAKS” and “POWS” are still included as visual elements. Before the fights the digitized video game like “vs.” appears between the two characters. The movie also seems to include new video game elements not possible in the comic book format. The website for the movie reflects the comic book genre as well.

We will have to wait to really see if the finished movie lives up to what the trailer and hype shows. So far however it looks like Scott Pilgrim will be one of the few movie adaptations that will be able to maintain physical form and unique visual aspects of the original graphic novel.