Having anticipation for the upcoming film release of Dennis Lehane’s novel SHUTTER ISLAND, I was excited that there was a graphic novel adaptation. I was even more excited that this adaptation was not based on the film (like a tie-in would be) but was based on Lehane’s novel and that graphic novel by Christian de Metter was listed as 2009 Official Selection at the annual Angouleme BD Festival (the Cannes of the comic world), which meant that this graphic novel wasn’t going to suck.
I am happy to say that de Metter has effortlessly adapted Lehane’s incredible novel. I could tell you the whole story but being a Lehane story discovering the mystery is half the one. Shutter Island is a mental facility that tries to cure and/or maintain some of the most violent and dangerous people suffering from mental illness. When one of these patients go missing two federal marshals are sent to investigate. These two marshals get more than they bargained for when they are stranded on the island during a storm and they begin to realize that there is more going on at the facility than meets the eye. The story then becomes a mystery of trying to discover how one of the patients escaped and to find the identity of another patient who doesn’t seem to exist.
Lehane’s story is great and it’s very interesting seeing how de Metter adapts it to the comic book medium. Although not truly a black and white comic the book maintains its noir elements by having all the colors muted and dulled down to simple grey tones. The few splashes of color are relegated to flashbacks which are a nice touch. This is one of the true highlights of the year and one that should be read before seeing the film (but after reading the original novel).
CITY GARDEN - "The Old Woman & The Park"
On the set of the short film "A Gift"
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