Clowes / Zwigoff: back to school

For all you underground comic book geeks out there (which extends far beyond Chris Ware… I’m just saying…), indie superstar and only-comic-book-pro-to-ever-be-nominated-for-an-Oscar Daniel Clowes (creator of Ghost World, poster illustration for Happiness) has a few new projects on the horizon.

The first, which is set to premiere this year, is an adaptation of his comic story Art School Confidential. It follows a snooty little art student hoping to bask in the fame and fortune he so rightly deserves, until the girl of his dreams turns her attention towards another art student, he then becomes embroiled in a murder. It features a cast of favorites including Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge!), Angelica Houston (Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou), and John Malkovich (played a retard in that movie) along with some young fresh faces, namely Max Minghella as the main character, and Sophia Myles as the love interest. It’s directed by none other than Terry Zwigoff, director of the disturbing yet intriguing documentary about underground comic sensation Robert Crumb (portrayed in ‘American Splendor’) aptly titled ‘Crumb’, who then further professed his love for comic books and music alongside Clowes with ‘Ghost World’.

Clowes’ next project is Backyard Resistance, based on a true story, about three friends who remake Raiders of the Lost Ark in their hometown.