Nearly 8 years since the last in the series was published, Pottermania is still going strong. We've had books, films, a website and theme parks - is it time now, finally, for a comic adaptation?
Throughout January, French artist Nesskain (Le Cercle) posted a sample comics page for each of the seven books in the Harry Potter franchise, a personal project but one that attracted the attention of Delcourt's David Chauvel, who in turn pointed it out to JK Rowling and her agents.
They're taking a look, hopefully sparking a conversation about comics rather than IP protection.
Hit the jump for more, and prepare for the feels!
(Click headings to go to full size image at Deviant Art)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- or Sorcerer's Stone of course, for the US folk. Here's where it all began, with a suitably LARGE Hagrid, bearded Dumbledore, young(er) McGonagall, and one very hairy baby.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- now that is one bloody big Spider. Rather Lovecraftian in form which gives it an extra shot of horror at the moment of reveal, and this dude definitely looks like Potter. The human with the scar I mean. Not the spider, he's even more spidery than Atlach-Nacha.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- the feels have started. I love how large the patronus is here, a giant protective stag. I'm not quite sold on the Hermione here but her hair is properly messy which is nice.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- dragons! Brooms! Fire! Double-page spread! Fancy panel arrangement! Excellent transition choices here that bring the movie to mind while still maintaining a distinctive take on proceedings.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- now THIS is what comics can do, that books and film cannot. MAGIC. Real magic, tangible mysterious and occult magicks that are beyond the ken of mere muggles, and dark magic here that is beyond the dreams of most wizarding students. Voldemort steals the show here, his robes whipping out like he's a footloose Darth Maul acolyte as he sneers through his reptilian mouth.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Bellatrix is rather fun here, Draco a little insipid rather than tormented, and Snape a wee bit vacant. Albus on the other hand is exactly right - tired, drained, pleading, finished.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- oh god he really does have his mothers eyes and he looks so much like his dad, and OH THE FEELS...
A lot could and would probably change were this to ever become a real comic book series but I love the little differences from the film - and think of what a comic could include that the films skipped over! - and the style looks like it could have stepped off the cover of a Harry Potter book but with some extra magical tweaks. And it's such a tease. I want to know what Neville looks like! What the twins look like! Luna and Peeves and Fang and The Burrow... WANT.
We all know where the Harry Potter story goes and how it ends, but it somehow never loses its appeal. We want more books, more re-reads, more films, more magical universe to explore. And maybe, more of this comic.
All art is credited to Nesskain: tumblr; deviantart; twitter; bdgest
H/t to the always wonderful Le Geek C'est Chic
