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What the---?! An Ayn Rand comic strip?
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Started by Arkadin,

21 posts in this topic

Arkadin

Arkadin

Posted
Posted

So, I was perusing the Wikipedia entry on Ayn Rand's novel "The Fountainhead"...

All well and dandy - but then I saw this:

 

In 1945, Rand was approached by King Features Syndicate about having a condensed, illustrated version of the novel published for syndication in newspapers. Rand agreed, provided that she could oversee the editing and approve the proposed illustrations of her characters, which were provided by Frank Godwin. The 30-part series began on December 24, 1945, and ran in over 35 newspapers.

 

A Fountainhead comic strip in 1945, drawn by the magnificent Frank Godwin (Connie, Rusty Riley)? Amazing!

 

Has anyone seen this? Does anyone have any of the strips? Let's see 'em if you do!

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Arkadin

Arkadin

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That would be great to see. What year did the movie come out; probably about the same time.

 

The movie came out a bit later, in 1949. A real jaw-dropper of a film.

 

Steve Ditko was also a fan of Rand's philosophy, which turned up in some of his work. His "Destroyer of Heroes" in Blue Beetle #5 for instance is a weird superhero story / Objectivist manifesto combination that's fascinating and all but impenetrable.

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jpepx78

jpepx78

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from allan holtz's blog :

"The comic strip version of Ayn Rand’s "The Fountainhead" ran in Hearst newspapers [including the Los Angeles Herald-Express], beginning 12/24/1945, for 30 installments. Reportedly it was carried by 55 [or 35, depending on the Rand bio] major newspapers in cities such as New York, Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, and San Francisco -- though I've never found one. Ms. Rand also wrote most of the adaptation and was sent samples of several artists’ works to select; she originally wanted Harold Foster, who was unavailable, and settled on Connie's / Rusty Riley's Godwin. These were collected into "The Illustrated Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand Institute in 1998."

 

 

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50YrsCollctngCmcs

50YrsCollctngCmcs

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Anyone been brave enough to see the Atlas Shrugged movies? I didn't even realize these had come out and saw the ads this weekend. No way I would see what looks like a major turkey in the theater. I will attempt to watch Part 1 on Netflix when I have some time.

 

I read Atlas Shrugged in the summer of '81; finishing it up on the shores of Lake Sebago in Maine. I don't think I would read it again but it was quite a read the first time. It ends with a 100 page manifesto that drones on and on; you need a lot of patience to get through that. Ms. Rand must have been an interesting person to know.

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pooroldman

pooroldman

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There had been attempts to film Atlas Shrugged before, and for one reason or another the attempts had failed:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Shrugged:_Part_I

 

The owners of the rights had to either film when they did or else lose their rights, and Atlas Shrugged, Part I and now Part II were the result. They're both low budget pictures with no big name stars. Scripting, something Rand was apparently quite adamant about having closely follow the book is poor and really doesn't get Rand's philosophy across as well as she probably would have liked. It's certainly worth a look, but I was glad I saw it on Netflix and not in a theatre.

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rjpb

rjpb

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Given Rand's resurgent popularity in recent years, I'm surprised no one has collected these in trade format. Not to my taste, but seems like an opportunity for a fast buck - get Ditko and Frank Miller to do variant covers and sell twice as many.

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aardvark88

aardvark88

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I saw Atlas Shrugged Part 1 on dvd from RedBox and enjoyed it more than Judge Dredd 3D. I liked the Socialism vs Capitalism themes, and hints of Atlantis. Hope to read the long book this year. :cool:

They never advertised Atlas Part 2 in Canada so perhaps they did a limited release in USA first for Oct 12/12? (thumbs u

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50YrsCollctngCmcs

50YrsCollctngCmcs

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Given Rand's resurgent popularity in recent years, I'm surprised no one has collected these in trade format. Not to my taste, but seems like an opportunity for a fast buck - get Ditko and Frank Miller to do variant covers and sell twice as many.

 

The backup feature could be Ditko's Mr. A!

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50YrsCollctngCmcs

50YrsCollctngCmcs

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So last night I dropped my son off for soccer practice and ran some errands and ended up at the South Pasadena, CA library thinking I would read the day's paper. Secretly though I like to go there because they have a great collection of Graphic novels, as welll as DC Archives, Marvel Masterworks and a large variety of the black and white reprint material. What the heck, forget the paper let's read one of those!

 

I picked up the Action Hero Archive and read the first Question story by Ditko. Very cool and very interesting. I hope to be back next week for more!

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Hamlet

Hamlet

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I saw the first part on Netflix. It wasn't very good.

 

It would be pretty hard to follow if you haven't read the book. Remember the Dune movie? Same problem. I don't think anyone who hasn't read the book will like it.

 

I've not seen the second part, but initial reviews have not been kind. It has an entirely new cast. I'll probably watch it if Netflix has it, but I may just end up fast forwarding to Francisco's money speech if it doesn't start well.

 

 

There had been attempts to film Atlas Shrugged before, and for one reason or another the attempts had failed:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Shrugged:_Part_I

 

The owners of the rights had to either film when they did or else lose their rights, and Atlas Shrugged, Part I and now Part II were the result. They're both low budget pictures with no big name stars. Scripting, something Rand was apparently quite adamant about having closely follow the book is poor and really doesn't get Rand's philosophy across as well as she probably would have liked. It's certainly worth a look, but I was glad I saw it on Netflix and not in a theatre.

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aardvark88

aardvark88

Posted
Posted (edited)
Given Rand's resurgent popularity in recent years, I'm surprised no one has collected these in trade format. get Ditko ....

 

The backup feature could be Ditko's Mr. A!

 

Some quotes from Mr. A that seem to reflect Atlas Shrugged part 1:

"See everyone, sacrificed a little, and gained a little; but no one lost everything. What could be more fair?

Thanks to my "protector" (the government), I am out half my earnings, and what is a promise from a thief worth?

No one has the right to take what is mine away from me by force." hm

 

Have not seen Atlas Shrugged part 2, as may not be distributed in Canada yet.

More Mr A:

"Evil by itself has no power; evil survives by the power of good used in evil's service." :gossip:

Edited by aardvark88
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