Dylan Dog: A Background Primer
Dylan Dog has sold over 60 million copies all over the world making it one of the most popular comic books around. Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, we examine the history behind Dylan Dog and the Italian comic series that was created by and originated in 1986. We will give fans background information on Dylan’s character and adventures, as well as educate fans of the flick to explain differences between the film and comic version.
Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) stars as Dylan Dog, a supernatural detective who will go where the living dare not — facing friend and foe alike in the monster infested backstreets of New Orleans. Armed with an edgy wit and an arsenal of silver and wood-tipped bullets, Dylan must solve a series of murders before an epic war ensues between his werewolf, vampire and zombie clients. Based on one of the world’s most popular comic books (over 60 million copies sold), this inventive horror comedy will slay you with humor and genuine frights.
Acclaimed horror director Kevin Munroe (TMNT) guides this comedic cast, which also includes Taye Diggs (Private Practice), Peter Stormare (Minority Report), Sam Huntington (Being Human) and (Kurt Angle (Death From Above).
THE SETTING
The whole idea behind Dylan Dog is the world that lives underneath the shadows and the comics are set in London to an underground of mythological mystery. During production of the film Dylan Dog, budgets made it difficult to film in London and producers had to find an alternative setting. It became a challenge finding an ideal place that would match a dark London as depicted in the Dylan Dog comic books. Their search took them no further than New Orleans, which became the top choice because of its European and gothic look and helped bring the undead to silver screen life.
THE WRITER
Dylan Dog creator Tiziano Scavi is a famous author, journalist and writer of several novels, best known for creating the popular gothic styled comics. His work on Dylan Dog has made the books one of the most loved comics around. More than 1 million copies of Dylan Dog are sold monthly which makes this Italian author a comic fan’s household name.
Dylan Dog isn’t an ordinary detective – he’s a private investigator of paranormal cases in London. As a former inspector of Scotland Yard, Dylan earned his skills working under Inspector Bloch. Around London he’s known for being top in his field, not to mention a romantic lover with the ladies. In Dylan Dog: Dead of Night he gets involved with his female client, Elizabeth (Anita Briem), but isn’t portrayed as the big ladies’ man he is in the comics. Dylan Dog’s trusty sidekick, Groucho Marx fails to make an appearance in the films however where would Dylan Dog be without a trusty sidekick? His newly turned zombie pal, Marcus leaves a stench with his comedic charm and together they have got vampires and zombies nailed down.
THE SIDEKICK
Dylan Dog wouldn’t be the top paranormal detective of London without his sidekick, Groucho. A one-time Grouch Marx impersonator, Groucho is now Dylan Dog’s goofy sidekick. He loves jokes and most of all, loves the ladies, but unfortunately is lacking the Dylan Dog charm in that department. In the movie, Groucho’s role is non-existent but Dylan Dog has a new sidekick named Marcus, who finds himself in Zombie crisis as he comes to terms with his new undead lifestyle. Marcus may not have Groucho’s street smarts but he remains loyal to Dylan Dog and plays a vital role in their dark investigations!
THE DARK CASES
In a world where monsters and zombies exist, Dylan Dog has got his plate full of battling mysterious cases. He’s the kind of private investigator that asks questions like, “Have there been any other zombies in your family?” Tivio Sclavi’s storytelling has thrilled fans with comics like Johnny Freak, Memories from the Invisible World and The Return of the Monster. In the film version of Dylan Dog, director Kevin Munroe creates a silver screen setting for the dark underground world of New Orleans and brings the original story made for the silver screen Dead of Night.
Dylan Dog has had a strong following since its publication in 1986, and currently sells over a million copies a month. It is also the most widely known comic book across Italy. Thanks to reprints from Dark Horse Comics, it has large cult following in the U.S. as well. Fans of the comic books will enjoy Dylan Dog: Dead of Night for the dark underground world, the comedic one-liners and Dylan Dog’s classic melancholy outlook.
Is there a chance to see Kurt Angle vs. Brandon Roth I’m there!
Ghod, i hate press releases.