COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Drive #1
Raves
Rants
Drive #1 is a fantastic adaptation of the James Sallis novel that hit all all the right notes. But perhaps it is better suited as a full graphic novel.
The moment you turn the first page of Drive #1 you are going to be instantly reminded of the visual style present in the film adaptation. Although this comic is an adaptation of the James Sallis novel and not the film, you can’t help but feel a strong connection to the 2011 film starring Ryan Gosling in terms depicting the vivid colors and bright neon lights of Los Angeles and Hollywood.
Adaptations can be a bit tricky to write at times. On one hand the source material is readily available as a reference, although one still has to take a few liberties at times. And then there’s the added pressure of expectations from people who have read the original book. Michael Benedetto successfully finds the right blend between the two, using just the essentials and leaving all the fat to push the narrative along.
Benedetto introduces the Driver right in the heart of L.A., a stunt driver for movies who also does jobs as a getaway driver. With no name mentioned, we see his personality develop in just a few pages. All the little scenes he’s involved in all contribute to the pace of the story, as well as the Driver’s quirks and oddities.
Artist Antonio Fuso is just the right man for this comic adaptation., having worked on the graphic novel adaptations of Stieg Larsson’s Millenium trilogy of crime novels. His gritty style of pencils and storytelling paired with Jason Lewis’ colors bring L.A. alive in every page. Fuso’s panels are very clean and fluid, making it easy to follow the narrative.
While the issue seems to hit all the right notes, the biggest flaw I see is the chosen medium. For people who are used and have read the completed story, it could feel a bit tedious to see the story unfold in little chapters. Perhaps Drive could have suited better as a graphic novel, instead of the single issue format. All that said, Drive #1 has the right mix of great visuals and compelling narrative to draw the reader in.
Drew Bagay
