**WARNING! PLEASE BE ADVISED! THIS IS A MATURE READERS TITLE, SO GRAPHIC IMAGES AND LANGUAGE FOLLOW!**
There’s this film out in theaters right now called Django Unchained. Have you heard of it? Cause if not, clearly you’re not of this planet and are secretly trying to overthrow the Earth.
Django Unchained is easily one of the best movies of the year—and the Academy seems to agree as it’s been nominated for Best Picture at this year’s 85th Academy Awards (not to mention its other nominations the cateogries of Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor).
However, while you may have heard of the film, have you heard about the comic book adaptation? Because if you’re a fan of the movie, we highly suggest checking it out.
Adapted by writer and producer Reginald Hudlin from Quentin Tarantino’s full Oscar-nominated screenplay, the Django Unchained comic book gives fans a unique opportunity to see how things can change between script and final film—and there are definitely differences to be found. That's clear even in the comic's character designs. Tarantino himself wanted the comic to stand on its own as a piece of literature and suggested the characters and locations not look exactly like their movie counterparts and instead come directly from the artist's mind. Artist R.M. Guera worked without photo reference and has even refused to see the movie until he is completely finished with the series as he’s worried that it may influence his art.
Check out a few of the other differences from the already sold-out issue #1!
1. When King Schultz first meets Django, he asks him about the Brittle Brothers. In this scene cut from the film, we see there’s even more reason for Django to hate this trio of sadistic brothers.
2. Those who have seen the movie know that the D is silent. But how did that come about? In this scene, we discover how Django wound up with his cool written name.
3. When Schultz and Django arrive in Daughtrey, the duo enter a bar and order a drink, enticing the bar owner to run to get the Sheriff. In the comic—and screenplay—we see a little more of Schultz’s unfamiliarity with American customs of the time.
These are just some of the changes from the first issue alone. Issue #2 promises even more! From new scenes to dialogue tweaks and even new characters, there’s a significant difference worth checking out. (As an early head's up, you may want to pay attention to Page 11, Panel 4, where you might notice a slightly older, scruffier looking Tarantino, who was at one time slotted to play a character in the scene!)
Django Unchained #1 is currently available in comic shops and online in the DC Digital Store. Look for issue #2 on February 13.
