Frame 137

Frame 137 is a short story that first appeared in issue #61 of Dark Horse Presents in April 1992. It was created by American graphic artist James O'Barr, who is best known as the creator of the comic book series The Crow.[1]

Cover of Dark Horse Presents #61 (featuring Frame 137 by James O'Barr)

The comic, which is set in a post-apocalyptic version of the future has been adapted into a short film, by Australian filmmaker Judd Tilyard. The short film which was produced by Tilyard and Liz Tomkins features an animated sequence of new original artwork from James O'Barr as well as a cover of 'Dog Food', the Iggy Pop song referenced in the original graphic novel, from Mondo Generator and featuring Nick Oliveri and Dave Grohl, the track was created for the short film.[2]

Publication history

O'Barr wrote Frame 137 in the early-nineties[3] with plans to create a series of graphic novels to be titled Gothik.[4] Based loosely on the Wizard of Oz and taking place in a bleak, Blade Runner style setting,[5] several short stories from this cyberpunk universe were published in various comics including IO and Snake Dance,[6] which introduced the 'Blixa' character. However in 1994 his press commitments for The Crow, which had just been released, became too demanding and O’Barr abandoned the pursuit of the graphic novel.

Adaptations

O’Barr authorised an adaptation of the Frame 137 comic into a short film,[7] which was written and directed by Judd Tilyard and is currently in post production. They have been collaborating since on a feature film set in the Frame 137 world and based on O'Barrs original unpublished graphic novel, "Gothik".

Plot

The 4 page story opens with the young Jonny Z, sitting at the bar of Frame 137 - the underground tech saloon run by Rico, one of the few people Jonny likes and trusts. Jonny's dealer Big T is fashionably late, as always, and Jonny scans the crowd as he wishes cancer variants on T for making him wait.

After Big T shows, Jonny swallows a pharmaceutical rainbow of caps and tabs, which cools his previously tweaking system as he waits for the arrival of his 'client', Leo, a Kiddy flesh dealer Jonny's being paid to kill. It's a standard revenge hit, commissioned after Leo moved in and Skinny D's little sister went missing.

When Leo arrives, he has two twin A-Steroid Boys as bodyguards, the group takes a booth near the door and Jonny smiles, noting it's not gonna be Leo's night. Jonny's consciousness drowns in memories and amphetamines, as he approaches the booth contemplating his history and what it means to be an assassin. His ceramic Vach 9mm loaded, and out of sight, Jonny confronts Leo and his A-Boys.

Leo and Jonny stare each other down, threats are exchanged and tension mounts, a standoff, broken when the A-Boys stand, and Jonny blasts them back down. Jonny swings back around to Leo, catching him still seated he presses his gun to Leo's head. Sweating, Leo tries to talk his way out of the situation. Jonny smiles, and pulls the trigger.

Jonny turns and heads for the door. Giving Rico a sign that he'll square up with him for the damage later, he disappears from the bar. The Iggy Pops track "Dog Food" starts playing over the jukebox as Jonny fades back into the night.

References
  1. "From the Beginning, 'The Crow' Had a Grim Side : Movies: James O'Barr's comic book might have adapted smoothly to the big screen, but it was spurred by personal tragedy". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  2. Donnelly, Justin. "Mondo Generator - Dog Food (Impedance Records)". www.blistering.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  3. "Dark Horse Presents - #61". Dark Horse Presents. Comic Book Database. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  4. "James O'Barr Bibliography". Shattered In The Head - The Works of James O'Barr. Shattered In The Head. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  5. Weiss, Arlene. "Interview With "The Crow" Author, Artist, Musician James O'Barr: "Let The Picture Tell The Story"". Guitar International. Archived from the original on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  6. "Monster Massacre (1993) - Special 1". Black Ball Comics. Comic Book Database. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  7. "Motionworks Entertainment - James O'Barr - Frame 137". Motionworks Entertainment. Motionworks Entertainment. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
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