SNAKES IN A COMIC SHOP - DC ADAPTS SNAKES ON A PLANE

**MattBrady** · 06-14-2006, 04:30 PM

It was only a matter of time, wasn’t it? The (perhaps unprecedented) Internet phenomenon known as Snakes On a Plane has infected – or perhaps that’s infested – comic books.

DC has confirmed that in August, they are publishing a two-issue adaptation of the New Line/Samuel L. Jackson action flick set for release August 18th, written by Chuck Dixon, penciled by Gordon Purcell, with covers by J.G. Jones and Jerome Moore.

Here is how DC is describing the two-issue project…

SNAKES ON A PLANE #1 & 2
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Gordon Purcell
Photo covers
Issue #1 Variant cover by J.G. Jones
Issue #2 Variant cover by Jerome Moore

You’ve heard the Internet buzz…seen the hair-raising trailer…now experience the comic of the sensational summer movie Snakes on a Plane, written by Chuck Dixon (NIGHTWING) with art by Gordon Purcell and painted covers by J.G. Jones (52) and Jerome K. Moore!
Snakes on a Plane stars Samuel L. Jackson as an FBI agent assigned to escort a government witness on a flight to Los Angeles. But when a crimelord sets loose hundreds of deadly snakes during the flight, the agent must band together with the pilot, frightened crew and passengers in a desperate attempt to survive and protect his witness!

There are mother$%#@!! Snakes On The mother$%#@!! Plane!

Retailers please note: Each issue will feature two covers; see order form for details.

Issue #1 on sale August 16; issue #2 on sale August 30 (1 & 2 of 2) 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US MATURE READERS

Newsarama also had a chance to catch up with Dixon and Purcell for a few comments on being part of the perhaps the most talked and written about movie in years. We first asked both creators what they originally thought of the hype and attention surrounding the film, before they got involved in the comic book adaptation…

”I made an awful lot of fun of this project around April Fool’s Day,” revealed Dixon. “ Iwas convinced that this flick was a joke. Guess the joke’s on me. This kind of transparent, naked marketing seemed more like something that Homer Simpson would go see rather than a real-world movie. When I found out this was not a hoax I admired the ballsiness of the filmmakers and marketers in not taking themselves seriously. The whole thing now is a brilliant parody of how films are promoted.”

”Once in awhile, you gotta love a concept so simple that it can be summed up in four words,” added Purcell. “And Sam Jackson cast as the lead writes itself! I love that the movie creators were flexible enough to incorporate some of the online fandom’s contributions into the film - this is one baby with a lot of godfathers!”

As to why the hype surrounding the film has taken on such a life of its own, Dixon believes it’s due to the sophistication of movie audiences today, which he considers greater than what they get credited for in Hollywood.

“They ‘get’ it and are already celebrating the flick for its puncturing of show biz clichés and the concept of synergy that we’re assaulted with every time a new movie opens,” said Dixon. “It’s a brilliant move to make us all not only a part of the movie but a part of the run-up as well. If the stories are true about Samuel L. Jackson insisting that the movie retain its working title then the man is more of a genius than even I previously thought. And I’m a major fan of the guy.”

Purcell has his own take…

”People don't like being herded into planes and flung into the air in the first place - but traveling with screaming babies or drunk businessmen is one thing - poisonous snakes is another! It combines two of America's biggest fears. Spreading the word on this movie is part of the fun - much like Blair Witch and the JibJab boys, it's fun to be part of something early on!

Speaking of the story, the writer charged with adapting it to the comic book page is a fan…

”It’s a great popcorn, thrill ride movie that will exceed expectations,” said Dixon. “It’s fast moving and fun. A good time at the multi-plex. It begs you to have lowered expectations so it can easily vault over them.”

Dixon called the process of writing it for the comic book page “It’s pretty cut and dried”

”The screenplay is clear and concise,” he said. “There’s the usual telescoping and compressing to get it all in seamlessly. But it’s working out well so far.”

He described the #1 priority of his job to “to try and match the breakneck pacing of the film.”

”My job is to re-tell (along with Gordon) it in a series of static pictures. The dialogue’s all here. The action’s mapped out. We just have to make a comic book out of it. And, if you don’t know what you’re doing, that’s not so easy to do. But me and Mr. Purcell are good at what we do.”

“I've done some previous movie adaptations (two Star Trek films, Barb Wire) along with a lot of licensed stuff (X-Files, Xena, Lost In Space), and I approach these gigs as giving fans snapshots of the film,” added Purcell about his process and priorities. “You can't include every frame of the movie in 44 pages, but you can hit the highlights and tell the story that works as a comic and as a film adaptation.

“I want readers to know this is Snakes on a Plane, not just any action film. Most fans like getting to see the stars drawn like the actual actors at their best, and not generic comic characters. I promise they'll get plenty of Sam Jackson in this one!”

As to parting thoughts from the creators?

”Clear the runways, kids - Sam Jackson's got snake @$$ to kick - and Chuck Dixon and I are providing the boots!” said Purcell

Said Dixon, “See the movie. Wear the t-shirt. Download the screensaver. Buy five copies of the comic book!"

HBKShowstoppa · 06-14-2006, 04:46 PM

It's SNAKES!!
WHAT?!?
SNAKES!!!
WHERE?!!?
ON A PLANE!!!
SNAKES ON A PLANE?!?!
SNAKES ON A PLANE IN A COMIC!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAH! *head explodes*

Sean Walsh · 06-14-2006, 04:52 PM

Forget Marvel and their CIVIL WAR crap...

For it is truly DC that knows what America wants.

And that is snakes on planes.

Skatonic10 · 06-14-2006, 04:54 PM

I'm going to have to get a couple copies. In case the pages get sticky.

I don't really know what that means...

DAV!S · 06-14-2006, 04:54 PM

hardcorewikidawesomeness

SpyGuy · 06-14-2006, 05:00 PM

You know what would be even better?

Chuck Norris and Snakes on a Plane in a Comic Book

EdKaye · 06-14-2006, 05:02 PM

sweet! My girlfiend will love this, she has been looking forward to this stupid film.

defjoe · 06-14-2006, 05:03 PM

Never heard about this movie, is this new?

EdKaye · 06-14-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpyGuy

You know what would be even better?

Chuck Norris and Snakes on a Plane in a Comic Book

I got a Chuck Norris: Karate Komandos the other day, awesome!

Hobowatcher · 06-14-2006, 05:18 PM

Isn't New Line owned by Warner Brothers?

Darksbane · 06-14-2006, 05:22 PM

This movie and by extension comic book is going to tank. Just because it had some buz because of its stupid name doesn't mean that people are going to pay to go see it. Anyway the buz it had was like 2 months ago and in internet fad time that might have well been when the dinosaurs were alive.

Mr Wesley · 06-14-2006, 05:27 PM

Quote:

”Once in awhile, you gotta love a concept so simple that it can be summed up in four words,”

"Mother____ing snakes on a mother____ing plane" is six words.

lynchian · 06-14-2006, 05:28 PM

Wow, all those times i said there was no god, i apologize.

There is obiviously is a god and he wants me to acknowledge his existence through the comic medium.

Thank you god for movies and comics like this

tralfaz · 06-14-2006, 05:45 PM

snakes should come with the comic book dammit

Jimmy Palmiotti · 06-14-2006, 05:56 PM

a very talented buddy of mine John heffernan wrote this movie and from what he tells me, it sounds like it kicks major snake ass. he will be in san diego promoting it.

John is currently working on JUST A PILGRIM, based on the blackbull comic written by garth ennis. I am really excited to see this...and the comic as well. chuck is awesome!

perfect match!

Jimmy

khuxford · 06-14-2006, 05:58 PM

This is the end of Western civilization now...

Michael P · 06-14-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khuxford

This is the end of Western civilization now...

It's worth it.

Bobo Da Hobo · 06-14-2006, 06:21 PM

Man I was fine until they said Chuck Dixon

CaptMal · 06-14-2006, 06:36 PM

I'm with you on that, Bobo Da Hobo...

Becklove · 06-14-2006, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darksbane

This movie and by extension comic book is going to tank. Just because it had some buz because of its stupid name doesn't mean that people are going to pay to go see it. Anyway the buz it had was like 2 months ago and in internet fad time that might have well been when the dinosaurs were alive.

I don't know... people will pay money to see things that naturally are not all that good (take for instance the huge popularity of "White Chicks"); All I know... before the midnight showing of X3, a sold out audience was screaming in delight when that preview popped on screen. I think it's going to be bigger than it ever should have been..

mpg · 06-14-2006, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpyGuy

You know what would be even better?

Chuck Norris and Snakes on a Plane in a Comic Book

they dropped the ball on this one....

OcCaM · 06-14-2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by defjoe

Never heard about this movie, is this new?

But you and I must have heard about this before, because EVERYBODY is talking about it!

Anyway, this sounds like trash, Chuck Dixon writing it? Gone! And while I'm in the minority I won't be watching the movie because I don't like Jackson's one-note personality and acting! He's very stereotypical!

Actually, the one movie I dragged myself out this year to see might have had a preview for this! I tend to block nonsense out of my head quickly!

(Pretty sad that I only get to see one movie a year at the theatres, but most aren't worth more thn a dollar rental IMO. Besides, after spending $150-$200 a month on comics I really can't afford to go out.much. Damm comics! Speaking of movies I'd pay good cash to see a Fear Agent movie already!)

immortus · 06-14-2006, 06:59 PM

God just killed himself.

AnthonyL · 06-14-2006, 07:03 PM

Snakes on a plane is just one of those things I have to see eventually. I'm not salivating for it to come out, but there are once in awhile things that appear to be soooo bad that you have to see it.

The same feeling that says someday I might want to check out "From Justin to Kelly" and "Gigli".

But I won't pay money for it. I"ll wait for it to come out on television.

On a weekend.

When I have absolutley nothing else to do.

And when there is nothing, and I mean nothing on.

Anthony L

BillReed · 06-14-2006, 07:10 PM

Well, I'll be seeing it in the theater. And perhaps buying the comic book. Which, hopefully, will turn into an ongoing; SNAKES ON A COMIC

Imagine. Snakes in all sorts of situations. Planes, trains, and automobiles.

But, c'mon, it'll be the best worst movie ever. And by that extension, the best worst comic adaptation ever.