Director’s film to be turned into series of comic books
HE went from being a Bruce Lee fan growing up in South Wales to one of the biggest movie directors in Asian cinema.
And now Hirwaun’s Gareth Evans can add ‘comic book supremo’ to his CV following the news his 2012 action film The Raid is to be be turned into a series of graphic novels.
Titan Comics – the London publishers behind the likes of iconoclastic sci-fi such as Tank Girl – have signed up the cult hit, which told the story of a small Indonesian swat team taking on some of the world’s worst thugs and killers in a seemingly impenetrable high-rise safe house.
Long having been promised a multi-million dollar Hollywood remake, the movie featured meticulously choreographed fight scenes showcasing the little known Indonesian martial art of Pencak Silat – several national champions of which discipline Evans cast as leading men in his movie.
A sequel, which centred on corruption in the Jakartan police force, followed in 2014 with a third film currently being planned for 2018.
It’s thought Evans, who graduated in media technology from the University of Glamorgan before moving abroad, will play a key role in developing the illustrated spin-offs.
“Gareth is a visionary and a huge talent,” said Titan editor Martin Eden.
“It’s a pleasure to work with him on developing his characters for the comic book page.
“We promise to deliver the same thrilling, fifth-gear adrenaline that fans have come to expect from the franchise.”
The comics are planned to arrive later this year.