One has to only look at The Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead, and Batman to see that TellTale is often at its best when adapting comic books to their unique narrative-game structure. While they’ve received some rough criticism over the last few years, I think TellTale still has a lot of talent and potential at their disposal. To close out Hero Week, I’ve decided to list the three comic properties that, I think, TellTale could knock out of the park in a way that they haven’t done in a good while.
Hellboy
With a new movie coming out next year, Hellboy probably makes the most sense when compared to other entries on this list. For those out of the know, Hellboy comics follow the titular Hellboy and the B.R.P.D (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense), as they investigate and deal with supernatural and otherworldly threats. The world of Hellboy is full of mysteries and strange happenings, making it perfect for a narrative-based TellTale game. Throw in different playable characters like Abe Sapien, Johann Kraus, or Liz, and you have quite a lot to work with. (Also Mike Mignola’s gorgeous art would look amazing in a TellTale game).
TellTale’s Hellboy could focus on Hellboy, the B.R.P.D, or any number of other main characters from the series (I, for one, would kill for a period-piece Lobster Johnson episode). There are years of comics and spin-offs to draw influence from as well, meaning TellTale could craft an original story that feels right at home with the main comic series. Whether it establishes the universe of the upcoming film or creates its own original canon, I think there’s a lot of potential to be had with a TellTale Hellboy game.
Watchmen
Watchmen is my favorite novel, period. Which is why I would want one of two things from a narrative game based on the legendary property: a 1:1 adaptation, or a story that is removed from the main story of the graphic novel. The latter probably works best, as it allows for more choice and narrative deviation, but I certainly wouldn’t complain about a playable version of the legendary novel.
My money would be on a story revolving around the Minutemen, America’s primary superhero team from before the Watchmen’s tenure. There’s actually already a great deal of characterization already there, whether you’re considering Before Watchmen or not. Exploring the events that slowly lead to the vigilante laws that are so prevalent in Watchmen would be captivating, as Minutemen would serve as an original story while harmlessly building on the world of Watchmen as a prequel of sorts. This concept would also allow for minor appearances from certain Watchmen characters like the Comedian, Dr. Manhattan, and the first Silk Spectre, all of whom were, in one way or another, present at some point during the era of the Minutemen. While it would be difficult to pull a project like this off, it’s not like Alan Moore can get any more mad after Doomsday Clock.
Alias (Jessica Jones)
While Marvel is generally pretty kid-friendly, there was a period of time where they published adult/mature comics under the MAX line. Punisher, Nick Fury, and Jessica Jones were probably the characters whose runs are best remembered, for mostly good reasons. Alias, the story of the incredibly human superhuman Jessica Jones, is one of the best of the bunch because of how well-written and unapologetically mature it is. Without spoiling much, Jessica Jones was once a superhero, but after being mind-controlled and sexually assaulted by the previously B-List Daredevil villain Purple Man, she becomes a super-powered private investigator. Jessica’s battles are rarely with physical foes, as her greatest enemies are her unresolved trauma and mental issues. It’s a dark, sobering, and incredible story, perfect for a Wolf Among Us type of narrative game.
While an adaptation would be great, TellTale’s Jessica Jones could focus on new cases that reveal the seedy underbelly of the Marvel universe. Jessica is written best when dealing with street-level or personal enemies, so the scope of the story would be rather small-scale. While investigating crimes done by villains like Bullseye, Jigsaw, and even organizations like the Maggia, Jessica could deal with personal issues that are represented by each foe. TellTale could have Jessica temporarily work with other street-level heroes like Cloak and Dagger, Daredevil, or even Peter Parker/Spider-Man, who she went to high school with. TellTale could simultaneously create their own take on Jessica’s relationship with Luke Cage, as they’re one of the best married couples in comics. The neon-soaked noir streets of New York would look great with TellTale’s style, and if we tie it into an article from earlier this week, why not tie this story into the larger Marvel Interactive Universe?
And those are the three comics that I’d love to see TellTale adapt. Do you agree, or disagree? Have any ideas of your own? Let me know in the comments below, and stay tuned to MonsterVine for all things Marvel.
