HARRY POTTER, IS IT TIME?

[MattBrady]

All characters (c) and trademark their respective owners

Saturday, July 21st will officially see an end of an era.

That’s the day that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in JK Rowling’s phenomenally successful Harry Potter series goes on sale around the world. Rumors abound about what could happen in the final novel, from the possibility (unlikely though it is) of a happy ending, to rumors that Harry will die. But certainly, the question which has been asked in many minds is: does it have to end?

This being a comic book news site, our bias is probably already showing, and you can more than likely guess at where we’re going with this:

Can/should Harry Potter continue in comics?

Those of you who didn’t think of this already, slap yourself on the forehead and catch up to us after the stinging stops.

In short, it’s time. It's a topic that yes, hinges on decision makers that have little to do with comics, but still, as the market has changed in the last years and months, it's a decision that would make sense.

Of course, it wasn't time when Rowling first began her series about the young magician with a destiny. Back in 1997, when Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first hit, and no one knew what it would become, the idea of a comic adaptation – laughable. But move ahead ten years. As Rowling’s work has been credited with everything from increasing literacy among pre-teens and teenagers to bringing young adult fiction into its own as a category to be dealt with, to raising the bottom line at many a bookstore chain, so have comics and, more importantly, graphic novels.

Today, at a point where graphic novels are now outselling comics and bringing in $330 million as a category in 2006, not to mention receiving acclaim after acclaim, recognition after recognition and – this can’t be mentioned strongly enough: acceptance among a larger audience than ever, it’s a no-brainer that Harry Potter could thrive as a series of comics or graphic novels. In this day of more and more licensed literary properties, Harry Potter is the low hanging fruit. Copies of Rowling’s hardcover novels are purchased by kids and adults alike who don’t blink at spending upwards of $25 for the latest installments. And the numbers sold? 10.8 million in the first 24 hours of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince going on sale. Numbers like that set the offices of comic and graphic novel publishers awash in drool.

So – if we were to continue with this little premise – that there should be Harry Potter comics…what format should they be in?

The easiest answer: graphic novels of 120 pages or more. Thanks to manga, it's what the Potter audience already thinks of when they think of "comics."

Although, Dark Tower at Marvel makes a strong case for serialization…issue one of the adaptation of the Stephen King property did, according to Marvel, very solid numbers. From the LA Times:

"Dark Tower" has a large initial printing, and the first issue is projected to sell well above 200,000 copies, according to Dan Buckley, publisher of Marvel Comics.

The Dark Tower comic series is busting some long-held beliefs about casual readers finding comic shops and online stores, as King's audience, leading up toe the release, was mobilizing in order to find comic shops all over the country. And retailers can only drool at the prospects of seeing their own "Potter effect" akin to what bookstores saw when the novels caught fire. If Potter comics came out as monthlies, it would revitalize the direct market, no question, although, given Potter's popularity, it would take major muscle to keep the comics in the direct market only.

So...well, let's back off that strong call for graphic novels. Put it at 70/30 for graphic novels versus comic books.

The graphic novel format may edge out the monthly in this instance because it’s audience-friendly (a whole story in a single book) and also – well, because it’s the format that the publisher that most likely would land the comic book rights to Harry Potter, if they were to be had, already publishes in. Said potential publisher, Scholastic’s Graphix line, home to the color version of Jeff Smith’s Bone.

Under the guidance of David Saylor, Graphix has enjoyed steady growth, and has become the home not only for Bone but other Scholastic properties and titles as well. It would make the perfect home(*) for Harry Potter as comics, as Scholastic already publishes the Potter novels.

It got us thinking…so we asked David Saylor:

Newsarama: David, does Scholastic/Graphix have any plans to adapt Harry Potter novels, or tell original Harry Potter stories in graphic novel form?

David Saylor: Scholastic/Graphix has no plans to adapt the Harry Potter novels into graphic novel format.

NRAMA: In your opinion, would the Harry Potter novels/characters/stories be good fodder for turning into comics?

DS: My personal opinion is that the Harry Potter books are perfect prose works, just as they are. But that said, they certainly they work as movies, too, and there’s no reason why a brilliant graphic novel adaptation wouldn’t be possible. J. K. Rowling is a writer who conjures great visual storytelling and I think any graphic artist would find adapting them an enjoyable challenge.

(*) okay, yes, Marvel’s Joe Quesada at one time kind of joked that it would be fun to talk to Rowling about possibly doing Harry Potter comics, and yes, he had said the same thing about one day working with Stephen King, so yeah…there’s that outside chance, but it’s way outside. King’s Dark Tower publisher, Scribner/Simon & Schuster doesn’t have its own, in-house graphic novel arm, marking that pairing make sense.

Of course, there is the Potter connection with Warner Bros which cannot be ignored either, if one is to consider possible comic book publishers that could adapt the Potter novels, or spin new stories.

That would be DC, by the way…essentially meaning that the field is wide open, really when it comes to potential suitors for Harry Potter comics.

Potentially, what could Harry Potter graphic novels do? Not what stories could they tell, we’ll get to some of those in a minute, but what could they do as in changing the landscape? After all, the Potter novels themselves are responsible for much of what you see in the YA section of any bookstore today – a huge influx of titles from vast array of authors and a diversity of genres are now there to keep Judy Blume and Madeleine L'Engle company. As some argue, Harry Potter got the children of the world reading. You’ve seen the video from stores on debut night – lines out the door and around the block for what? A book.

Now – just take that enthusiasm and hunger, and point it at graphic novels. Not just possible Harry Potter graphic novels, but graphic novels as a category. As those who have seen it grow in the last few years know, the graphic novel market has increased in size through a series of small, but steady steps. Harry Potter graphic novels would be a leap unlike anything the market has ever seen. The hunger for Harry Potter graphic novels would spread to other graphic novels for kids, and then to adults. This all isn’t to say that Harry Potter graphic novels are a silver bullet for the ills of the comics industry…but the idea of them is awfully shiny.

So why don’t we have them? Simple – Harry Potter isn’t controlled by a corporation whose only goal is increasing revenue and making the shareholders happy. Rowling owns the rights to Harry, Hermione, and Ron. As far as she’s stated, she may write an eighth book after the upcoming Deathly Hallows, but nothing is set in stone. And publishers, don’t try to wave that bag of money under her nose. According to several reports, she’s richer than the Queen of England.

Rowling’s also left the door open on the possibility that Harry is killed at the end of the final book, preventing him from being used in later stories – something easily gotten around, so she’s kind of drawing the line in the sand on that one.

But end of the day, who can say? Is there hope that a young Wizard, or, perhaps others in the world said Wizard inhabits may make comics their own? Possibly. Scholastic has surely put the offer on the table. Again, they’d be foolish not to. Also, Stephen King and Rowling are acquaintances who occasionally are in the same place at the same time. As anyone who saw King at this weekend’s New York Comic Con panel will attest, the man is a huge fan of what Marvel is doing with The Dark Tower, and reportedly is considering plans to do more novels through the publisher, perhaps starting with The Stand. If Rowling had worries about how others would treat her characters or world, King could easily allay them, of course, ostensibly bringing the Marvel angle back to the equation.

Time will tell. Perhaps the deal is already signed, and will be announced the day the final novel hits. Perhaps such a deal will never be signed, ever.

But just in case one is, we tapped Troy Brownfield to find some angles and possible stories that could easily show up in graphic novel format. Take it away, Troy.

When one considers the vast number of pages that compose the books of the Harry Potter Universe, it’s amazing to realize exactly how many stories have been implied, but left untold. In some cases, we are given a shorthand version of certain events to facilitate their involvement in the main plot. In other cases, it seems to be a question of time.
It would seem, then, that mini-series or a series of graphic novels would be a sharp way to present some of these tales that might otherwise be lost. Following the example of concepts like The Gunslinger Born, here are a few suggestions that we have for Potter side stories that fans might like to see explored.

Rubeus Hagrid: Among Giants: While we’ve been given slight glimpses of Hagrid’s mission as envoy to the giants and his eventual rescue/relocation of his half-brother, Grawp, a full explication of this situation could be extremely entertaining. Hagrid continues to be a beloved character, even if he hasn’t got a lot to do in every volume. A graphic novel might be the perfect place to expand on this crucial, and character-expanding, adventure.

Dumbledore: Order of Merlin: Another beloved character, but one with literally dozens of mysteries that circle around him. A personal favorite of mine is the hinted battle he had with the Dark Wizard Grindelwald in 1945 (a fact mentioned on his chocolate frog trading card, and one rife with all kinds of wartime implications). Apart from that, Dumbledore clearly has a huge history that runs from his childhood through his tenure as a teacher and up through his appointment as Headmaster. Think about what he might have done during the rise of Voldemort, or how he might have managed Harry’s father and his trickster friends. This character is rife with potential for further exploration in the sequential form.

Voldemort: Anger: Even though Voldemort has had much of his history revealed in the past three novels, there’s no real linear retelling of how many of the pieces fall together. One suggestion we have would be to bring organization to all of these tales (his relationship with his father, his betrayal of Hagrid, his ascent to greater power, etc.) and show it in a straight-forward narrative fashion. Imagine someone like Dan Brereton or Stuart Sayger on the art chores, and hang on.

The Mauraders: Appropriately, this would cover the Hogwart’s days of young James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Severus Snape, and Lily Potter. While we are privy to many details of this group’s various interactions, it could be great fun to revisit their somewhat more light-hearted school days. There’s the blossoming romance between James and Lily, the frosty relationship between Snape and the others, and the generally more upbeat friendships that would sadly lead to betrayal and darkness. Overall, it’s an intriguing set of character arcs that could make for a riveting long-form series.

Mischief Managed: A quick-one here: the full-on comedic adventures of Fred and George Weasley. No further explanation needed.

Thoughts?

art above by Humberto Ramos, originally posted at his blog

[Cyphon]

I don't know about continuing beyond the Harry Potter books, but there is definitely a TON of background stories that could be fleshed out and discovered.

[LaughingJak]

Yeah, you want to get more kids in your shops? This would be a brilliant idea. IF, major if, handled with total respect for the property. If it was mishandled kids would pick up an issue and then not step foot in a shop again for years.

[Nobody]

Just read Books of Magic.

[Cyphon]

Originally Posted by LaughingJak

Yeah, you want to get more kids in your shops? This would be a brilliant idea. IF, major if, handled with total respect for the property. If it was mishandled kids would pick up an issue and then not step foot in a shop again for years.

I'm not 100% sure you do this as a monthly though. I think the Manga format, although Drawn with a more North American style, would be the best fit.

[Speedball93]

I guess this would kind of have to wait and see what the outcome of the novel is. If Harry is dead you are going to be pretty limited in the number of stories that you are able to tell. If everything comes out happy and there is a true ending, that eliminates the need for any additional materiel. Too early to guess right now.

[Jon Snow]

A few years ago there was an article in Wizard magazine about a possible HP comic.
I was keptic then, as i am now, as i am a HUGE Harry Potter fan.
I would dearly love tosse this happen, i'm sure it would translate really well into the comics format.
There are two things that worry me, one is the writing, and the other would be the art.
Now, i'm sure that there are a lot of writers out there that could write neat Harry-related yarns, but the bar is raised way too high for Harry fans to be content with subpar writing.
Artwise, please stay away from the manga-inspired look.
Take a cue from The Books of Magic; that's how Harry and friends should look.
Much as i enjoy DBPro's adaptations of great works by George R.R. Martin, Raymond E. Feist and others, the art is way too cartoony for me to enjoy them completely.
Couple that with artists that have atrocious storytelling skills and it always leaves a bittersweet taste in my mouth.
Shame if that were to happen in this instance.

[Jon Snow]

Originally Posted by Nobody

Just read Books of Magic.

Agreed.
The Gaiman mini in particular.
Now that's Harry even before there was a Harry.

[JonahsWhale]

Originally Posted by Nobody

Just read Books of Magic.

Heathen!

[Not From Around]

Originally Posted by Nobody

Just read Books of Magic.

I can tell you from personal experience that one can love Harry but not want to give "Books of Magic" the time of day!

If a Rowling-authorized graphic novel series came out, I'd certainly buy it for the library. Whether I'd like to read it myself would depend on how the art looked. And whether it was a reasonably good adaptation, but I'm assuming J.K. Rowling would settle for no less there.

[0ntir]

I'd like to see a number of finite series, the first detailing his earlier years, with all the weird goings on, at the home of his horrendous muggle relatives, and ending with his admission to Hogwarts.

The others would be set within the books, telling "Tales Out of School," as it were. Side-stories that don't play a part of the bigger picture.

It would also be interesting to see a series detailing the lives of Harry's parents, leading to their demise.

[Fats Tuesday]

I would buy a Harry Potter comic so fast it is not funny.

[Scorned1]

It is time for all of the other comic publishers to crap themselves now. This could be a juggernaut.

And does Harry Porter looks black in that artwork to anyone else beside me? He looks like Huey or Riley from the Boondocks cartoon.

[Ravager]

I'm sorry but i think the art used at the top of the page would be totally unsuitable for a harry potter comic. I know no-one is saying thats its gotta be like that anyway, i just don't think it would attract a wide audience if it had art similar to the pic above.

[FallenFate]

Originally Posted by Not From Around

I can tell you from personal experience that one can love Harry but not want to give "Books of Magic" the time of day!

If a Rowling-authorized graphic novel series came out, I'd certainly buy it for the library. Whether I'd like to read it myself would depend on how the art looked. And whether it was a reasonably good adaptation, but I'm assuming J.K. Rowling would settle for no less there.

Out of sheer curiosity, why would you not want to give BOM the time of day? BOM was an absolutely brilliant mini-series that was pretty well copied by Rowling. I have a hard time believing that Rowling was not at all aware of Tim Hunter. And even though I love the Harry Potter books, I think that that original BOM mini by Gaiman and Bolton is better than any of the Harry Potter books by far.

[Uchiha_Prodigy]

I would only read it if its not done in that generic manga rip off B.S. style.

[batlash]

There's a great opportunity for Harry Potter comics since there are any number of gaps in Rowling's novels where a month or so passes. There could be any number of side-stories that occured during those gaps. I'm not a "continuity slave" so I would not be bothered by how they all fit into the calendar of Harry's life or whether or not they affected the events of "Year Three" or whatever. Just as long as they are fun stories. The biggest challenge would be just keeping the stories true to their source.

Then again, that might prevent the big Harry Potter/Tim Hunter cross-over!

[Morten Pedersen]

Originally Posted by Nobody

Just read Books of Magic.

I agree, i prefer Tim Hunter over Harry Potter, since Tim's world is more serious and combines the dc magic universe, into this cool thing.

[stvnhthr]

Harry Potter comics? Why didn't we think of that!?

[ziza9]

Originally Posted by Nobody

Just read Books of Magic.

Exactly. It's a better read anyway.

[Derek Ruiz]

Originally Posted by Nobody

Just read Books of Magic.

Why not both?

[Jon Snow]

Originally Posted by FallenFate

Out of sheer curiosity, why would you not want to give BOM the time of day? BOM was an absolutely brilliant mini-series that was pretty well copied by Rowling. I have a hard time believing that Rowling was not at all aware of Tim Hunter. And even though I love the Harry Potter books, I think that that original BOM mini by Gaiman and Bolton is better than any of the Harry Potter books by far.

Yes, because Tim was the first bespectacled kid destined to be the greatest mage of his age ever created.

Don't go that way.
Neil Gaiman has repeatedly stated that they are completely different characters.

And yes, while the original mini is very good, it is not ontensibly a childre's book, as Harry's are.

[Tom Daylight]

Correction: Rowling has said that she may write an eighth book... but also that it wouldn't be a novel.

[StevieCool]

It would be fun only if they keep the comic editors out of it.

Otherwise, Harry dies every other issue, resurrects in the next one, Hermione would have had kids with Snape, Ron would be anti-registration, etc.

[Salieri]

Funny, even before I read the article, I had been slapping my forehead repeatedly from reading the Headline. My inspiration was the Timeless perfromance of Dustin Hoffman as Rain Man, most notably the screaming 'AAH! AAH! AAH!'

HARRY POTTER SUCKS!

MARVEL HAS TALENTED WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS ON ITS ROSTER!

PUTING ANYONE FROM MARVEL ON HARRY POTTER WOULD SUCK!

I can't make this any cleraer right now as I will have to go to the Doctor to calm myself down. Should the contrived, plagiarised, genericalyl hopeless and dull 'let's-pander-to-the-lowest-common-denominator' medium known to the world as Harry Potter ever make into Marvel, I will dedicate the rest of my Life to destroying both the entire Potter franchise (except The Film of Prisoner Of Azkaban, 'cause Alphonso Cuaron is perhaps the only talented person ever to direct a Potter Film) and the Editor who allowed it to be made into a comic book.