The Next Wave

A pair of comics-based films are on the horizon, though they're not the sort that most people would think of as comics flicks.

"Art School Confidential" is the second collaboration between director Terry Zwigoff and indie comics icon Daniel Clowes. Zwigoff directed the excellent doc "Crumb" ten years ago, going on to adapt Clowes' comicbook "Ghost World" in 2001 and then making the hysterical "Bad Santa." "Art School" is nominally based on a short story Clowes did years ago in "Eightball." That story ran only four-pages and provides but a few jokes in the 102-minute film, which debuted at Sundance and is set for a limited release in April. But the topic is ripe for humor and the bits that Clowes, who wrote the picture, brings to it strengthens the pic. The perfs, especially from Max Minghella, are strong and Ethan Suplee's hilarious film-student portrayal is really on the mark. The film has its weaknesses and has gotten mixed reviews so far, but it's sweetness and sharp humor should help it find an audience. An advance screening at the upcoming New York Comic-Con will give fans a chance to check it out early.

"V for Vendetta" is the next big comics adapation. Set to open March 17, the pic had a prime spot on the Super Bowl last Sunday. Early reviews are starting to leak out, with David Poland of the Hot Button raving about the pic, calling Natalie Portman "pretty perfect" and saying the film brought tears to his eyes in a blog entry called "V for Vucking Vantastic."