The 2011 film Drive was an unexpected hit, building on the foundation of James Sallis' neo-noir novella and weaving a moody, introspective tale of a soft-spoken loner with a talent for driving and killing. This comic book adaptation sticks closer to the source material, attempting to strike a balance between Sallis' spartan prose and the advantages of a visual medium. As a result, the comic doesn't immediately stand out as much as the film did, but it still makes for an enjoyable read.
As beloved as the film is, it's also frequently mocked for those long stretches of silence and soulful staring that constitute conversations (though compared to Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling's follow-up, Only God Forgives, Drive is practically a Quentin Tarantino movie). Gosling's nameless protagonist is all but an enigma. The original novel shows more interest in exploring Driver's mindset and motivations, a quality that the comic adheres to. While writer Michael Benedetto has no problem letting the art do the work as far as setting the stage and ushering the plot along, includes a running narration that offers insight into his behavior, the way he conducts business, and his generally risk-averse philosophy toward life. Furthermore, the character actually talks a fair bit despite maintaining their aloof, mysterious aura. The result is a good, solid noir tale with an intriguing protagonist and a creeping sense of foreboding.
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As beloved as the film is, it's also frequently mocked for those long stretches of silence and soulful staring that constitute conversations (though compared to Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling's follow-up, Only God Forgives, Drive is practically a Quentin Tarantino movie). Gosling's nameless protagonist is all but an enigma. The original novel shows more interest in exploring Driver's mindset and motivations, a quality that the comic adheres to. While writer Michael Benedetto has no problem letting the art do the work as far as setting the stage and ushering the plot along, includes a running narration that offers insight into his behavior, the way he conducts business, and his generally risk-averse philosophy toward life. Furthermore, the character actually talks a fair bit despite maintaining their aloof, mysterious aura. The result is a good, solid noir tale with an intriguing protagonist and a creeping sense of foreboding.
Continue reading…
Continue reading...