Netflix film "Freaks" as a dark comic

The superhero film "Freaks" has been running on Netflix since September.

Now the comic artist Frank Schmolke has turned the script into a dark graphic novel.

• “Freaks” is a co-production by Netflix and ZDF.

• Wotan Wilke Möhring and Cornelia Gröschel star in the superhero film.

• Frank Schmolke adapted Marc O. Seng's script as a comic.

There is a drawing by Frank Schmolke from 1999. From above, out of nowhere, a hand grabs a man's head and unscrews it.

“So, after work!” Sounds a voice from the off.

Although this work actually has nothing to do with it, it leads directly to “Freaks”, the new book by the illustrator and draftsman, who was born in 1967 in Munich.

Because Schmolke's comic novel, for which Marc O. Seng came up with the story, revolves around the question of what happens when our brains switch off and call it a day.

Which forces are released there?

But also: Which demons then shovel to the surface?

"Freaks" tells about the young mother Wendy

Wendy is at the center of the story.

The young mother is persuaded that she can only get her life under control with psychotropic drugs.

When she stops taking the medication, however, it is not only emotions that burst out unfiltered, but also superhuman abilities.

“Nowadays there is the right pill for every unwanted feeling,” writes author Seng in the afterword.

"But what if all the colorful pills are not only supposed to keep our uncomfortable emotions in check - but much more?"

Sure, the topic is not new, (pop) culture in particular likes to and often varies it.

The special thing about "Freaks" is that Frank Schmolke is indeed presenting a superhero comic, but reflects and pointedly grounds the genre: It simply shows people who have a hard time struggling with what happens with and through them.

This is exciting.

As always, the artist's style is powerful, drawing in black and white, as in his successful book “Nachts im Paradies” about his time as a Munich taxi driver.

He is particularly interested in the faces; Schmolke reveals a lot about his figures in detailed shots.

“Freaks” runs on Netflix and in 2021 also on ZDF

"Freaks" is based on the script by Marc O. Seng, the story was initially filmed in a cooperation between Netflix and ZDF.

The thriller is already running on the streaming service;

the second will broadcast the production, in which Nina Kunzendorf, Cornelia Gröschel and Wotan Wilke Möhring participate, in 2021.

Schmolke did not see the film beforehand in order to be able to develop his version undisturbed.

We succeeded: massive, dark, sweeping.

How did the guy on the drawing say back in 1999 when it was over and his head was unscrewed?

"Oh boy.

Already now? ”A legitimate question.

Information about the book:

Frank Schmolke / Marc O. Seng: "Freaks".

Edition Moderne, Zurich, 240 pages;

28 euros.