Friday 20 August 2010

DON QUIXOTE!


I'm very happy to announce that, as of September 1st, I will be adapting Don Quixote for SelfMadeHero. I'll be writing and illustrating the books. This was key for me as I want to bring a complete vision to Don Quixote.

I'll be fascinated to know what people's opinions are of Don Quixote, most people I've spoken to know the book, know that it is regarded as a cornerstone of western literature, but haven't actually read it. I have heard it described as 'the greatest book ever written, that no one reads'. That's a bit of a tragedy really. Even if you don't accept it's the 'greatest book ever written' it's hard to argue that it isn't the father of all novels (and I include Graphic ones!). I realise that it's a daunting book to tackle - a thousand page book written in the late 16th/early 17th century, most of us swallow hard at that kind of challenge, but it is worth it!

If I'm going to remain faithful to Cervantes' genius text I will need to make a graphic novel that is laugh-out-loud funny, painfully tragic, profound, surreal, constantly reinventing itself and featuring some of the most well-rounded characters in literature... no big ask then!

I can't wait to get started and I will post developments on this blog as I go.

Above is a sample from some of the pages I did as a pitch. I'm really glad Emma at SelfMadeHero has bought into my vision for this project and I look forward to working with the SelfMade team over the next 18 months.

9 comments:

Dan said...

Ace news! As someone who has read 'Don Quixote', I'm really looking forward to seeing how this comes out...

Mark Clapham said...

Ooh! Read Don Quixote years ago, looking forward to seeing your take. You could get a short GN from the book-within-a-book alone.

Mark Kardwell said...

I've read it, but don't like to let on.

Guessed you were doing this months ago!

geraint ford said...

Congratulations on this project becoming official Rob. I am sure you'll have a wonderful experience creating your version of it.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations - that's fabaroonie!

Dez Skinn said...

Brilliant news! Love your interpretation. Been a fan since buying the 19thC Dore hardcover (not when it first came out, mind...).

Dez Skinn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Peter Underhill said...

Have you seen the Chris Riddell illustrated edition. A bloody big project. I wish you the best of luck with it.

Rob Davis said...

Thanks all.

Peter, yes I have seen Chris Riddell's book, it's just an illustrated version for children rather than a graphic novel. Some nice touches in it, but complete opposite approach to how I plan to tackle it. I will explain in greater detail later.

 
Site Meter