Well, I figure I may as well up the ante by providing Petri Hiltunen's marvellous adaptation too, with an English translation provided by Cromsblood, with REH for reference, and Google translate to assist.*
First off, Clood's interpretation, which has naturally been the subject of much debate:
Next, Buscomas:
Finally, the relevant pages from Hiltunen's adaptation:
Personally, I love how all three are very different interpretations of the same scene. I suspect there wouldn't really be a consensus on the "best" one like there can be with other Dark Horse vs Marvel adaptations. I can, and have, voiced my issues with Cloonan's adaptation, but I could easily do the same with Buscomas', and although Hiltunen's is the most faithful adaptation of the three by a substantial margin, even it has some things that I disagree with. It just shows you that this story really deserves not just one great adaptation, but several.
Hiltunen's is my favourite, though, and not just because of the fidelity: it really captures that marriage of the Northern Thing with the exoticism of Belit, the Black Coast and piracy on the high seas. If "Queen" was made into an opera, I see it as a mix of African, Semitic and Celtic musical styles. But I digress, back to work.
*Thanks to Cromsblood himself for reminding me to finish that sentence!
Al its almost like a cover band doing say black magic woman from santana . being in a few bands in and out of my youth this was a fun song to do.when you cover it its not gonna sound like the original .andthe guitarist may put his own solos rather than copy santana or even the singer puts their own spin on the vocals...hell you may even go acoustic or play the short version...in effect you make it yours while paying tribute to the original. similar situation applied to remakes /reboots of film and even adapting lit to another medium. theres always something to enjoy or to find to enjoy.its great when you have someone who can really bring out the feeling you got out of the original
ReplyDelete.I'm of the mind that the originals are the originals and youre never going to top that, but like that local bands guitarist that pulls a solo on their cover of fairies wear boots that would make iommi proud, you never know when you can get a pleasant surprise out of it
too.-mario
"with an English translation provided by..."
ReplyDeleteLet me finish that sentence for you Al!
"...Cromsblood, with REH for reference, and Google translate to assist".
Own horn tooted.
The Hiltunen adaptation certainly has a striking art style. I like the stark simplicity of some of the panels, as well as the cut-down dialogue. And the use of contrast is also very cool.
ReplyDeleteI'm of the mind that the originals are the originals and youre never going to top that, but like that local bands guitarist that pulls a solo on their cover of fairies wear boots that would make iommi proud, you never know when you can get a pleasant surprise out of it
ReplyDeleteThat's a good way of looking at it. Adaptations are, like covers, naturally derivative, but the best can make you look at it from a different angle.
"with an English translation provided by..."
Let me finish that sentence for you Al!
"...Cromsblood, with REH for reference, and Google translate to assist".
Argh, I knew I left something off before publishing, thanks CB!
The Hiltunen adaptation certainly has a striking art style. I like the stark simplicity of some of the panels, as well as the cut-down dialogue. And the use of contrast is also very cool.
I really love the use of stark shadow, very Frank Miller-esque without necessarily being Frank Miller. It also has one of the most interesting interpretations of the Winged One I've seen - though, naturally, we'll have to wait quite a while to see what Becky comes up with.
"I'm of the mind that the originals are the originals and you're never going to top that..."
ReplyDeleteMostly true. One exception being the aforementioned Black Magic Woman, originally done by Fleetwood Mac, later covered by Santana (the version most people know and remember).
I hate Hiltunen adaptation. That drawings are just ugly.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the Marvel one, of course. For me, Buscema and Thomas are the BEST Howard scholars EVER.
"I hate Hiltunen adaptation. That drawings are just ugly."
ReplyDeleteHate is quite a strong word.
The art is good but I feel it sometimes lacks something. Perhaps some more detail in background would have made it better. Overall fine work from then an aspiring artist.
I happen to own the original comic book and I think it is very faithful to REH. The best adaption of 'Queen of the Black Coast' in comics.
A matter of opinion, perhaps. I really don't like that style.
ReplyDeletelike I said on the reh forums that Hiltunen adaptation reminds me of the old b&w ninja turles( there werent many) very distinct. they all have something to offer imo, but its all personl taste in the long run.-mario
ReplyDeleteActually, there's a fourth adaptation -- the Mexican comic from the 60s that not only retold the REH story but continued with a still-living Belit and Conan going on further adventures.
ReplyDelete