The thought struck me, has anyone ever done a comics adaptation of the Lensmen trilogy? There's the American manga series from the 80's based on the Anime movie. But that had very little in common with the Lensmen books. The reason I was wondering this was, from reading the plot description on wikipedia, the novels sound fascinating. I'd heard it was very influential, the comparison you always hear is that it's the basis for the Green Lantern. But it also sounds like it's the basis for Star Wars and Star Trek. Between Lensmen and Skylark of Space (the template for Flash Gordon) it seems like E.E. Doc Smith is single-handedly responsible for the entire genre of space opera.
I know Lensmen was an influence on Kirby. You see it in those Sun Collider super starships in the techno-cosmic war segment of New Gods #7.
I tried reading the first novel, Triplanetary, but found its prose style very off-putting. Not that it was particularly bad, but it was very much of its era, which can be good, but in this case it made it difficult for me to get very far into the book. It would be the perfect book to adapt to the comics form, if only so I could finally read it. It's got all these great visual concepts, and it would probably be an eye-opener for people who are unfamiliar with just how many new trails were blazed by this one writer.
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There are a number of Japanese Lensman comics out there based pretty much on the anime. They were not authorized by the estate and bear very little resemblance to Smith's Lensman series. As far as I know there was never any comics based on the Skylark books.
-- Stephen Lucchetti
Lensman has some great science fiction concepts that are ultimately undermined by totally leaden writing. The Lensmen themselves are so perfect and powerful that nothing every really threatens them, and that throws any potential drama right under a bus. Reading plot summaries of Lensman on wikipedia is more fulfilling.
If you really do want to read the whole thing, start with Galactic Patrol - Triplanetary is an older book rewritten to fit into the series.
I'll give Galactic Patrol a try. Triplanetary wasn't my cup of tea, shoehorning it to fit into the series is probably why.
Triplanetary IS a tough read. Started and stopped reading it several times. I think you'll dig Galactic Patrol and be able to get through it. That wiki on E.E. is something else, isn't it? Totally galactic...and KIRBY! I think you'd do an incredible job of illustrating his series! By the way, can you purchase that french magazine that's reprinting your work? My wife is a h.s. french teacher (I'm a h.s. librarian) and she can translate for me if needed. The old Mobius and Druillet stuff from Metal Hurlant is incredible as well. I found a copy of Lone Sloane way back when and still love going through it. I see his work reflected in your work as well sometimes.
American Barbarian is GREAT! Gives me a "THUNDARR" flashback!
Continued success and thanks for GODLAND!
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