コッポラの『メガロポリス』がグラフィックノベル版を発表

Francis Ford Coppola’s 2024 cinematic spectacle Megalopolis—a bold, genre-defying fusion of science fiction, political drama, and mythic grandeur—has cemented its place not just as a film, but as a cultural event. Since its jaw-dropping premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the movie has divided audiences and critics alike, polarizing fans with its operatic ambition, baroque visuals, and unapologetic idealism. Now, in a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of artistic reinvention, Coppola is expanding the world of Megalopolis into a new medium: the graphic novel.

Set for release this October, Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis: An Original Graphic Novel will be published by Abrams ComicArts, bringing Coppola’s visionary narrative to life through the dynamic collaboration of Chris Ryall and Jacob Phillips. Ryall, a seasoned writer known for his acclaimed adaptations of works by Stephen King (The Stand), Harlan Ellison (A Boy and His Dog), and Clive Barker (Hellraiser), brings his masterful storytelling prowess to the project. His script doesn’t merely translate the film—it interprets, expands, and deepens the mythology of Megalopolis, offering readers a fresh lens on Coppola’s sprawling vision.

Phillips, whose striking, cinematic artwork has previously captivated readers in titles like Newburn and That Texas Blood, delivers a visually arresting interpretation of the film’s most iconic moments. His stylized figures, dramatic lighting, and textured landscapes capture the grandeur and emotional intensity of the story, rendering New Rome—a dystopian metropolis reborn as a beacon of human potential—into a living, breathing world.

Coppola himself describes the graphic novel as a "sibling work" to the film: not a retelling, but a parallel evolution. “I wanted the graphic novel to emerge from my film yet chart its own creative course,” he said. “Rather than a direct translation, I envisioned it as a sibling work—something that could take flight through the talents of Chris Ryall, Jacob Phillips, and the Abrams team. They’ve beautifully realized this vision, proving that art always finds new expressions beyond its original form.”

At its heart, Megalopolis tells the story of Cicero (Adam Driver), a visionary architect driven by a dream to rebuild a fractured world into a utopian city—Megalopolis—where beauty, technology, and human dignity coexist. His journey is one of ideological clash and personal sacrifice, as he battles Mayor Cato (Giancarlo Esposito), a pragmatic ruler who sees progress as a threat to order. Their conflict mirrors the eternal tension between idealism and realism, echoing the fables of ancient Rome while sounding a deeply modern note.

Though the film remains unavailable on major streaming platforms, it can be rented or purchased digitally, allowing fans to experience Coppola’s epic in its original form. But now, with the graphic novel, readers have a new way to engage with the story—through the intimacy of the page, the rhythm of panel transitions, and the power of visual storytelling.

As the line between cinema and comics continues to blur, Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis: An Original Graphic Novel stands as a landmark moment in storytelling. It’s more than a tie-in—it’s a declaration: in the age of adaptation, the original vision doesn’t fade. It evolves.

Available October 2024 via Abrams ComicArts.
“The city is not built in stone. It is built in hope.”