Authors: Mark Millar, John Romita Jr, Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: February 23, 2010
Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The movie “Kick-Ass” is easily one of the best comic book adaptions in the last few years. It is an originally idea with the recent remake Hollywood craze. The film is based on the bestselling comic book by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.
The book plays like a giant comic book and really gives great details into the characters and the making of the film. It is very colorful and is a real page turner. My only major complaint is that is not hardcover, this would have made an awesome coffee table book.
The book starts with a great introduction from its creator Mark Millar. It is split into three main parts: “The Beginning”, “The Movie” and The Future”. “The Beginning” focuses on the film’s fast track from the comic page to the theater screen. “The Movie” focuses on each of the character from the film individually including Dave Lizewksi, Marty & Todd, Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl, Big Daddy, Marcus, Frank D’Amico and Red Mist. Also included in this section is focus on the production, the origin of Big Daddy & Hit Girl, and the films big ‘kick-ass’ finale. The content in the book is so detailed and jam-packed that you almost need to go back and re-read it multiple times to make sure that you get everything. Also there are so many pictures I found myself flipped through the book just to scroll through the art work. Of course “The Future” section, talks about the second film as well as the follow comic to “Kick-Ass”. I know the comic already was released following the book but I have a feeling we will be holding our breaths for a long time for a second film…(insert sad face).
“Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic, Making the Movie” goes into major details of this comic book superhero phenomenon went from the page to huge Hollywood movie. The book showcases Mark Millar’s early comic book script pages. Amazing artwork from John Romita Jr. are included throughout the book and even new pages drawn especially for the movie. There are also a bunch of exclusive contributions from the cast and crew and that is what makes this book definitely than the normal making of/art book. This feels really hands on and personal from the cast/crew. Lastly there are also hundreds of movie photos, sketches, storyboards and pieces of production art. If you are fan of this series it is a MUST to piece of this book. If you no familiar, it is a great introduction to “Kick-Ass” and is guaranteed to turn you into an instant fan.