5 Unconventional Comic Book Movies That You Need To See

2) Ghost World

Director Terry Zwigoff opened up a strange new world when he ventured behind the comic book pages to peel back the layers of legendary cartoonist Robert Crumb in 1995. His movie Crumb proved to be a faintly disturbing yet thoroughly invigorating documentary about a man who spent his entire life with a pencil pressed between his fingers – his sketches apparently the only thing preventing him from tumbling into insanity.

Zwigoff’s 2001 film Ghost World may play out a little differently to his investigatory documentary about Mr. Crumb, but the deep exploration of slightly unhinged, imperfect people remains so utterly apparent. Reaching right off the pages of Daniel Clowes’ 90’s graphic novel, Zwigoff relocates the kind of wicked humor you only ever see in black and white speech bubbles into fine movie dialogue.

Spilling at the seams with acidic, deadpan humor and anchored by a glorious performance from Thora Birch, Ghost World breaks away from comic book convention by offering a view of the real world through the eyes of a cynical adolescent named Enid. She holds utter disdain for mankind and society, and only when she encounters middle-aged loner Seymour (Steve Buscemi) does she realize that there may be people a little like her in the world after all.

Ghost World is an unconventional movie steered by an unconventional director, following an unconventional plot, exploring unconventional characters. It’s funny, moving and thought-provoking in its strangeness, but most importantly of all, it’s wildly entertaining and terrific to watch.