Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book characters)

[crookeddy]

Hello all. I've been wondering if there are any good novelizations of comic book stories, or even original novels about comic book characters. I currently have Infinite Crisis and Crisis on Infinite Earths the novels. I also have the Death and Life of Superman. What are some other good ones?

 

[Greg Cox]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

There are way too many books to list, although I'm sure some kind soul will come forward with a link to some comprehensive database. I will jump on the opportunity, however, to plug my novelizations of "52," "Countdown," and "Final Crisis."

In the past, there have also been lines of Marvel and DC novels published by Pocket Books, Berkeley, and Byron Preiss. You might be able to track some of those down.

There have also been novelizations of pretty much every superhero movie!

 

[crookeddy]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

There are way too many books to list, although I'm sure some kind soul will come forward with a link to some comprehensive database. I will jump on the opportunity, however, to plug my novelizations of "52," "Countdown," and "Final Crisis."

In the past, there have also been lines of Marvel and DC novels published by Pocket Books, Berkeley, and Byron Preiss. You might be able to track some of those down.

There have also been novelizations of pretty much every superhero movie!

Good job on the Infinite Crisis novel by the way! I definitely had an easier time understanding what was going on.

As for the comprehensive list, I don't think I really need one. I am just looking for personal recommendations on the good ones.

 

[23skidoo]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

I enjoyed 52, though I wish it was longer and featured some of the plotlines of the original (I understand Greg's rationale for picking and choosing, of course).

Incidentally, I highly recommend the audio drama versions of Infinite Crisis and 52. There's a company called Graphic Audio that puts on full-cast adaptations of novels -- I'm talking 5-6 hour productions here. They're fantastic, probably the closest thing I've seen in the US to what Big Finish is doing in the UK.

I just found out there's a Crisis on Infinite Earths production too, which I'll be ordering, and they're also starting to do dramas based on Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War novels, too. I keep crossing my fingers that they'll get the rights to Honor Harrington.

They've also done performances of several JLA and Batman novels, too.

Alex

 

[Defcon]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

I have only read a handful of novels based on Comics, but two which I really enjoyed were Spiderman: Down these Mean Streets by Keith R.A. DeCandido and Wolverine: Election Day by Peter David. (links to my reviews)

 

[Greg Cox]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

I enjoyed 52, though I wish it was longer and featured some of the plotlines of the original (I understand Greg's rationale for picking and choosing, of course).

Incidentally, I highly recommend the audio drama versions of Infinite Crisis and 52. There's a company called Graphic Audio that puts on full-cast adaptations of novels -- I'm talking 5-6 hour productions here. They're fantastic, probably the closest thing I've seen in the US to what Big Finish is doing in the UK.

There's an audio version of COUNTDOWN, too. Although I haven't had time to listen to it yet.

At one time, Keith DeCandido had set up a website listing all the Marvel Comics novels out there. I can't remember the URL. In the past, I've done novels based DAREDEVIL, GHOST RIDER, IRON MAN, FANTASTIC FOUR, X-MEN, and THE AVENGERS, but I doubt if they're still in print. (Except maybe the FANTASTIC FOUR novel and GHOST RIDER.)

I know Greg Rucka did a novelization of the BATMAN: NO MAN'S LAND storyline years ago.

 

[Defcon]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

At one time, Keith DeCandido had set up a website listing all the Marvel Comics novels out there. I can't remember the URL.

Here.

But I think he hasn't updated it since 2007 (since one of the novels is listed as coming out in 2008).

 

[Greg Cox]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

At one time, Keith DeCandido had set up a website listing all the Marvel Comics novels out there. I can't remember the URL.

Here.

But I think he hasn't updated it since 2007 (since one of the novels is listed as coming out in 2008).

That's the one!

And thanks, everyone, for the kind words about INFINITE CRISIS and 52.

 

[Mistral]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

the novelization of Kingdom Come was great-it fleshed out much of the thoughts and underlying themes of the comic

 

[scnj]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

There are a fair few Spider-Man novels out there. I read one as a kid and enjoyed it, but all I can remember of it now is Venom threatening to eat his spleen.

However, I tend to find that comics are such a visual medium it's often hard for a written novel to do them justice. No disrespect to any authors of course, there have been some wonderful efforts, but I usually prefer comics as comics.

 

[Mysterion]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

Long OOP, but worth finding are the Superman novels Last Son of Krypton and Miracle Monday by Elliot S. Maggin. Maggin manages to take a lot of seemingly silly stuff from the comics and make some sense out of it. Very well written books, IMO.

 

[Mr Light]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

There's adaptations of the Death and Return of Superman and Batman Knightfall as well. I haven't read the Supes one in a long time but I loved it back in the day. Batman No Man's Land is a great read as well (haven't read the actual comics yet it's on my to-buy list).

 

[Brikar99]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

There are a fair few Spider-Man novels out there. I read one as a kid and enjoyed it, but all I can remember of it now is Venom threatening to eat his spleen.

I remember this... I can't remember the title of the book for the life of me. But doesn't Peter taunt him along the lines of, "Do you even know what a spleen is?" and later, Brock goes to the library to look it up?

 

[Defcon]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

According to Google Books it could be The Venom Factor by Diane Duane.

 

[Nathan_Heller]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

"The Last Days of Krypton" and "Enemies and Allies" (the first meeting of Superman and Batman) by Kevin J. Anderson come highly recommended by me.

 

[scnj]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

According to Google Books it could be The Venom Factor by Diane Duane.

Could be to be honest. The name doesn't ring a bell, but this was around 9-10 years ago.

 

[Christopher]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

Long OOP, but worth finding are the Superman novels Last Son of Krypton and Miracle Monday by Elliot S. Maggin. Maggin manages to take a lot of seemingly silly stuff from the comics and make some sense out of it. Very well written books, IMO.

Best Superman novels ever. They can be read online here:

http://superman.nu/thebook/legend_contents.php

According to Google Books it could be The Venom Factor by Diane Duane.

Duane wrote a trilogy, The Venom Factor, The Lizard Sanction, and The Octopus Agenda, all three of which featured Venom (since he was such a popular and ubiquitous character at the time for whatever bizarre reason). I think it must've been one of those, since I seem to recall the exchange Brikar99 described and those are the only novels I've read with Venom in them (though I know there's at least one more out there).

 

[Mysterion]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

Long OOP, but worth finding are the Superman novels Last Son of Krypton and Miracle Monday by Elliot S. Maggin. Maggin manages to take a lot of seemingly silly stuff from the comics and make some sense out of it. Very well written books, IMO.

Best Superman novels ever. They can be read online here:

http://superman.nu/thebook/legend_contents.php

Very cool! Did not know these were available on-line. Also had not seen Luthor's Gift before. Thanks for the heads-up, Christopher.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

I remember as a kid having a novelization of the Iron Man origin story. This would have been late-70's-ish. I lost it in the course of time, but I'd love to see it again.

 

[Mr. Sin]

Re: Comic book novelizations (and novels based on comic book character

I would recommend Peter David's Hulk novel, "What Savage Beast". It's basically a "What if" (Well, most of these original novels are, anyway) but it's one of the better Marvel novels IMO. Also I enjoyed PAD's Hulk movie adaptation more than the movie itself.