When Ridley Scott , the trailblazing director behind "Alien," "BladeRunner," and "Gladiator," takes an interest in your story, so it would likely be wise to pursue exploration through whatever platform feasible.
"Modville," a four-part neo-noir graphic novel taking place in New Orleans In 2169, set in a world rife with crime and inhabited by artificial beings known as mods, it was precisely this tale. Conceived by Jesse Negron , co-written by Joe Matsumoto and with art by Hendry Prasetya and Eko Puteh The comic explores aspects of parent-child dynamics, ethical considerations, and what it means to be human.
The comic series deviates from the prevailing practice of reinventing superhero stories. Rather, it offers a fresh concept that will be distributed directly to consumers instead of going through a major publisher such as Diamond. Penguin Random House ) and will first be released in a premium edition (a 200-page hardcover rather than individual issues). Additionally, it will follow an eccentric release schedule, unconstrained by monthly deadlines.
Negron, who had previously collaborated with the director and his deceased brother, Tony Scott , presented the apparently radical concept of creating a comic book to Tom Moran, who was the senior vice president. Ridley Scott's film and TV company Scott Free Productions .
"Tony was a huge admirer of Jesse’s work. During our meeting where we discussed his concepts, I asked him, ‘So, what direction would you prefer—film or television?’ Tony replied, ‘Actually, my true passion lies with comics, though your organization doesn’t produce them.’ To which I responded, ‘Really, why shouldn’t we venture into that area?,'" recounted Moran. "Given our status as an entertainment enterprise, particularly now, adaptation is essential. It’s crucial for us to extend our boundaries and explore fresh avenues within the industry. In all likelihood, Ridley felt, ‘This expansion should’ve been initiated much earlier.’ His own talent as an illustrator certainly supports this viewpoint," he added.
"Collaborating with Jesse Negron "Mechanical Cake on graphic novels seems like a natural progression for both me and Scott Free," stated Ridley Scott via email.
Through his company Mechanical Cake , Negron will unveil the graphic novel along with a "Modville"-inspired booth at WonderCon. Anaheim This upcoming weekend. Negron, Moran, the publisher and editor. Dave Elliott , and Anthony Francisco a veteran visual development artist Marvel Studios , will delve into the details of the company during a panel discussion on Saturday.
Launching 'Modville'
Negron has been working on the idea for "Modville" for at least 5 years. Negron and Chief Financial Officer Tom Sanders Mechanical Cake was launched in 2015 with the aim of producing comics as well as fostering innovative concepts across various media platforms.
Mechanical Cake is a world-building intellectual property development group specializing in the sci-fi-fantasy-action-adventure category," stated Sanders. "A creator’s aim isn’t just to narrate a tale; it’s also about sharing it with everyone and engaging enthusiasts.
The company's connection to Scott already lends prestige to the title, yet gaining his approval was merely the initial hurdle.
Without a doubt, for me to perform at the bar of Ridley Scott "It’s quite stressful, honestly,” stated Negron. “Working at the standard he maintains can be really tough since he might say, ‘Eh, I’m not sure.’ But then again, working at his caliber means he often says, ‘Wow, keep up with this. Wow, you’ve done well.’” that !' It held significant importance for me.
Aligning with your business partners is just one obstacle to tackle when starting an independent comic book. Besides this, numerous challenges lie ahead. sale of Diamond Comic Distributors to Alliance Entertainment The comics industry might relax a bit, yet market dominators continue to grab most of the spotlight and retail shelves, leaving limited opportunities for smaller publishers and niche entrants. Through its Previews catalog, Diamond assisted lesser-known titles in gaining visibility, but with its bankruptcy And following the sale, it remains uncertain how this acquisition will impact the comics sector.
Out of the 40 best-selling graphic novels in 2024 (measured by unit sales), just four titles were not released by top comic book publishers such as Marvel Comics. DC Comics , Image Comics, IDW Publishing , Dark Horse Comics And BOOM! Studios. These titles include "Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder" published by Graphix, "Uzumaki," and "Chainsaw Man, Volume 1" — both released by VIZ Media — along with "صندrites." Jimi Hendrix "Purple Haze" by Titan Comics exemplifies this trend, particularly within periodic comic publications. Only four non-Marvel and non-DC properties managed to break into the top 50 comics list for 2024. These included notable '80s brands like Image’s G.I. Joe and Transformers, along with IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Dynamite Entertainment's Thundercats.
However, these are unsure times for every sector of the entertainment industry. Similar to the film business, comic book sales and consumer trends suggest that initiating an innovative narrative, lacking a pre-existing dissemination framework similar to what Diamond has offered for many years, is a challenging and perilous undertaking.
Movies and comic books share many similarities, which is also why their combination works so well. Scott Free Productions And Mechanical Cake is understandable to all parties concerned.
"They excel beyond anything else in this category—science fiction mixed with action, touching the boundaries of fantasy. There isn’t a better collaborator for me than Scott Free,” stated Sanders. “Creating a comic book feels akin to producing a movie or television series but demands even greater attention to detail. Every element placed within a panel serves a purpose, similar to how one would design scenes in movies or shows. When executed correctly, you essentially map out a visual script that’s easy for readers to comprehend. Our aim is also to construct an environment where others feel inspired to craft their own narratives.”
Scott, famous for his meticulous storyboards, was also attracted to comics due to his artistic background.
"Watching Ridley sketch is incredible; he’s incredibly imaginative, transforming ideas from his mind onto pen, then hand, and finally paper. You can leaf through his storyboards and visualize the entire film. This process is genuinely an artistic expression, which is precisely what you receive with comics," as stated by Moran.
Bill Sienkiewicz One of the leading artists contributing to the visual style of "Modville" is tasked with designing covers for the series. Sienkiewicz mentioned that he appreciates the "grunge" aspect of the narrative, as it evokes a sense of nostalgia.
I find 'Modville' appealing because although it doesn’t directly mirror 'Blade Runner,' it carries sufficient elements reminiscent of it to place itself nearby. The concept of delving into the essence of human nature and ethics intrigues me," stated Sienkiewicz. "With a serialized publication format, one has the luxury to incorporate subtle undertones and maintain an air of intrigue simply for its inherent value.
Publishing path
"Modville" has established its distinct path within a saturated market. The company plans to debut with high-end offerings such as 200-page books available in hardcover before shifting to paperback formats aimed at reaching a broader audience. Differing from conventional comic books and graphic novels, each edition will not undergo reprinting, rendering them exclusive items. Elliott expressed his desire for Mechanical Cake to remain open to the general public while ensuring that the artistic creation does not get compromised due to haste induced by commercial pressures.
"Elliott mentioned that currently, more books are being released through Kickstarter than nearly anyone else. This direct engagement with supporters is becoming increasingly vital in today’s landscape," he stated.
However, many other publishers you observe feel compelled to release content monthly because ‘it’s a new month; we must produce something.’ But I believe, ‘We don’t have to do that.’ Instead, we should publish work only once it’s fully prepared rather than rushing for an arbitrary deadline. My vision was to manage our publishing process similar to how European markets handle graphic novels and akin to the traditional approach to novel publication.
This mindset contradicts what both retailers and consumers might be accustomed to. Paul Grimshaw , owner of Burbank's House of Secrets The owner of the comic book shop favors serialized comic books and graphic novels released on a monthly schedule to maintain customer interest. However, uniqueness remains crucial as well. Among his best-selling titles in the last year is "Saga," which is a grandiose space opera and fantasy series penned by Brian K. Vaughan from Image.
"Frankly, what matters most is quality. Should your books boast excellent writing alongside top-notch illustrations, they'll attract readership naturally. Fads may capture attention briefly but won’t sustain interest over the long term. In my view, the best works combine skilled artistry with compelling narratives," Grimshaw stated.
Ridley Scott's influence
Besides lending his name to the project, Scott also contributed to shaping the story and a critical eye to the art direction. It dawned on Elliott early on that Scott could see the relationship colors played to viewers onscreen and to readers on paper.
"At first, the colors appeared more vibrant and striking. As Scott might suggest, ‘Perhaps we could soften them slightly, reduce their saturation.’ That’s when I grasped his understanding of how comics differ from cinema. Our discussion revolved around the idea that comics utilize color in ways not possible with film. Comics employ a subtler range of hues allowing for different emotional responses," explained Elliott.
"Initially, I worked as an artist, drawing storyboards for all my films, and it’s amazing how naturally the visual narrative of ‘Modville’ develops," explained Scott.
Scott and Negron appear to share compatible viewpoints. Negron’s style and narrative techniques draw inspiration from various sources: ranging from the vintage tech and chic visuals seen in "The Rocketeer," to a Southern Gothic atmosphere shaped by his religious background.
When Negron submitted Scott the initial version of "Modville," the director asked him to tone down several contentious and excessive aspects. Despite having spent years developing both the narrative and artwork, Negron understood that Scott’s aim wasn’t to alter his creative direction but rather ensure it would captivate audiences and maintain their interest.
He said, 'I once had a group of 6,000 people turn their backs on me.' Therefore, we made the beginning of ['Modville'] somewhat milder, and I believe it was a wise decision.