5 Werewolf Films That Inspired The Comic Silver Skin
List by Anthony Cleveland, writer/creator of Silver Skin.
Comics aren't cheap to make. I knew I was ready to self fund a comic, but I didn't know which story of mine to commit my resources to. Ultimately, I decided I wanted to do Silver Skin because it was a story that was personal to me, and it was highly influenced by the classic films I grew up with.
Silver Skin is a comic book about a mentally challenged teenager (Eddie) and his brother (Ricky). Every full moon Eddie transforms into a werewolf and Rick has to find a way to keep them and the general population safe.
I'm excited to say that the comic is now finally nearing completion -- something I knew would inevitably happen one day, even if I had to draw it crayon. All throughout the complications (it's taken nearly a year to complete because of many unfortunate delays), I would revisit the films that inspired the comic to keep my spirits high, watching them and rewatching them. Below are just 5 examples of the werewolf films that inspired my story:
- 5. ALL THE UNIVERSAL MONSTER MOVIES:
All the movies on my list (with the exception of #1), I probably watched once or twice this past year. However, there has been an endless rotation of Frankenstein, Wolfman, Gill-man, and Dracula films in my blue ray player. There's so much imagination in these films that is now considered so basic. My comic won't look gothic, but many of the characters down the road are inspired by these films in some way, shape, or form.
- 4. Silver Bullet:
This film probably features the worst looking werewolf ever to appear on film, but there's still a strange child like wonder beneath all the werewolf attacks. Plus, our main character is a vulnerable kid in a wheelchair. It's a werewolf film with some heart, that doesn't have any fear to rip one out on screen occasionally.
- 3. Bad Moon:
similar to Silver Bullet, its another werewolf film with some heart; Only here its the family dog trying to protect a mother and her son from a werewolf. It is straight up Beethoven meets the Wolfman.
- 2. American Werewolf in London:
I don't want to get sued...so I'll say Silver Skin may or may not have the same rules as AWiL, including being stalked by the spirits of those killed by the werewolf.
- 1. Frankenstein meets the Wolfman:
What's different about this Universal film is the themes in it. Here the Wolfman (Lon Chaney jr.) seeks out renowned scientist Dr. Frankenstein, not to use his knowledge not to cure him but to help him die. The entire film is about his quest to die and end the curse. Very Dr. Jack Kevorkian. It's a theme that is in my comic as well, but much more internally so.
Silver Skin is set to release this October, but an official date has yet to be publicized. You can visit silverskincomic.com and follow Silver Skin on Facebook for more info and details. Be sure to share your thoughts and feelings in the comments sections below, and, as always, remember to viddy well!