With so many great books, novels, and comics out there, it’s easy to miss incredible content. Fortunately at Temple Of Geek, I’m lucky enough to have numerous colleagues that are extremely knowledgeable in many topics. I asked several of them what written stories deserve big screen adaptations. Their answers are all so interesting that everything they suggested is on my backlog for me to gleefully consume.
Possible spoilers ahead for some of the stories mentioned.
Danielle Schwertner says:
Gods of Jade and Shadow
Over the past few decades, onscreen adaptations of various mythological beliefs have continued to find a popular place among audiences. Options are scarce, however, when it comes to such adaptations of Mesoamerican beliefs. Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Gods of Jade and Shadow (Del Ray, 2019) would, in my opinion, be a beautiful addition. An emotionally wrenching exploration of 1920’s Mexico and the gods worshipped by the ancient Maya, Gods of Jade and Shadow tells the story of Casiopea Tun, a young woman trying to find where she belongs when she meets Hun-Kamé, the Mayan god of death. Thrust into an adventure unlike any she’s ever known, Casiopea must confront her own complicated relationship with death alongside her desperate yearning for life.
Moreno-Garcia weaves together a story that is both familiar in its fantastical, mythological elements, and something not yet attempted on screen (though Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever does come close with Namor and Talokan). Bringing this boom to life on screen would offer not only a refreshing take on mythological tales, but it would demand inclusion of Mexican and indigenous voices in every aspect of its creation. Assuming, of course, that they treat the story and culture with the respect it deserves. It’s my hope, especially as a Latina myself, that one day respectful adaptations of stories like Gods of Jade and Shadow become not only possible, but truly welcomed.
Ron Aspiras says:
The Good Asian
My pick is The Good Asian, an Eisner Award winner for Best Limited Series in 2022. The comic was written by Pornsak Pichetshote with art by Alexandre Tefenkgi, colors by Lee Loughridge, and published by Image Comics. The saying is to “never judge a book by its cover,” but in this situation, judge away and find a fantastic noir comic book ripe for television or film adaptation.
The book is about a Chinese-American detective Edison Hark trying to solve a murder in 1930’s San Francisco, a time when an immigration ban was in effect targeting Asians, adding to the racial tension that was a very prominent issue during that period.
The storytelling is superb, and the use of Tefenkgi’s art and Loughridge’s colors from the very first page really sets the tone for the rest of the series. I love the development of Hark’s character being affected by the racial and political environment of that period and how he was raised by a Caucasian family but embroiled amongst the racial conflicts in his own position. Pornsak goes on to include epilogues at the end of each issue to further bring in historical context and inspirations to his series. The Good Asian is a worthwhile read especially for readers who are fans of the Detective Noir, mystery, and drama genres.
Alexandrea Callaghan says:
Green Arrow and Black Canary
Starting of course with the wedding special, they could make a whole movie of their relationship and how they arrived to marriage in the first place, but not everything needs a backstory. A superhero wedding obviously gets crashed by the bad guys and everyone needs to deal with the fallout. It’s classic, it’s simple, and it would be very easy to adapt to the big screen. And casted correctly the characters of Green Arrow and Black Canary would have such explosive chemistry it would truly start a new wave of appreciation for their pairing.
Hawkgirl
The renamed Hawkgirl title only had 18 issues, but it finally focused on Hawkman’s better half, Shiera Hall, though in this series she is reincarnated as Kendra Saunders. Her short solo series takes place a year after the events of Infinite Crisis and focuses on her being a Thangarian cop, and though may not be not enough for a movie, it would be a perfect limited series. This run also plays out the beautiful and inescapable curse that plagues Shiera and Carter as they find their way back to each other after being ripped apart, yet again.
Myles Obenza says:
Project Hail Mary
In 2015, moviegoers were treated by Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Andy Weir’s sci-fi-lite novel The Martian. Since then, Weir has penned two subsequent novels in the same realistic science fiction vein: Artemis and, most recently, Project Hail Mary. While movie adaptations have been in the works for both books, the one I’d most like to see is Project Hail Mary. Nothing against Artemis, but I do personally feel it is Weir’s weakest entry. Ryan Gosling is said to be producing and starring in the film as protagonist Ryland Grace, a middle-school science teacher who discovers a world-ending, energy-consuming microorganism he dubs Astrophage. Grace must then go on a one-way trip to a nearby solar system to discover the secrets of the alien lifeform and save humanity. Along the way, he learns more about what Astrophage is and makes an unexpected ally and friend.
If Ridley Scott’s The Martian is any indication, a movie adaptation of Project Hail Mary is sure to be of the same quality and sport the same esoteric rocket science jargon, while still telling a raw, relatable human story. If you’ve read the book, you’re probably curious and excited to see how they handle Rocky. No spoilers here, but that was my favorite part of the book, and I would be beyond disappointed if they ruined him. An Artemis adaptation will likely be made before this, but Project Hail Mary is one I cannot wait for.
Matthew Forchione says:
God Country
God Country is a graphic novel penned by frequent Marvel Comics scribe Donny Cates, and published by Image Comics in 2017. Originally a 6-issue series that is much different than his usual work, it’s now available in a single book collection and is exactly what a great fresh standalone Hollywood movie could be. It’s incredibly unique and filled with complex emotions and themes, by the end you’ll be singing it’s praises to everyone you know.
God Country tells the story of Emmet Quinlan, a man suffering from dementia while his family gut-wrenchingly watches his decline into a different person. One day a severe storm hits his home and a mysterious, invincible giant sword appears along with it. Upon picking up the sword, Emmet’s dementia is gone and he gain amazing powers. Unfortunately, if he lets go of the sword, they disappear. With sword in hand, Emmet must fight off monstrous beings that wish to possess it and its powers… and take away his.
Luthor Strode
Luthor Strode is a super violent action comic series written by Justin Jordan with art by Tradd Moore and Felipe Sobreiro. Luther is a nerdy, lanky teenager that’s frequently bullied that obtains a workout manual called The Hercules Method. He immediately sees results and begins a rapid ascent from normal to extraordinary. He gains a bevy of superpowers, such as near-invulnerability, super strength, and super healing, just to name a few. Interestingly enough, the story seems to intentionally echo aspects of Spider-Man’s origin but with more adult and violent themes.
Luther Strode was even optioned in 2020 for a movie by production company Allnighter, but the website for Allnighter now leads to a dead address and their Instagram hasn’t had a post since late 2021, so it seems like this incredibly promising property is in adaption limbo. Hopefully with the success of adaptations of violent, adult comics like The Boys, Deadpool, and Invincible succeeding, it’s entirely possible Luther Strode may stride onto our screens at some point.
What are your picks for novels or comics that deserve a big screen adaptation? Let us know on our Twitter!
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