When I was thinking about which comic I would pick to be adapted into a film I was a little stumped. Fleet suggested I pick Fear Agent since I’m constantly singing it’s praises, but I think Rick Remender’s space western would be better fit for a intentionally campy television series. Still at a crossroads about my decision, all was revealed to me this morning when I looked at my kitchen wall and the comic movie that needs to be made was right in front of me. Hanging above my microwave surrounded be Godzilla figures is a signed and numbered print of Daniel Clowes’ “Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron.” Anyone who’s read this surreal graphic novel knows that it goes without question that “Like A Velvet Glove…” is the perfect story to be adapted by David Lynch.

Clowes’ adapted movie work has quite literally been hit or miss. “Ghost World” being the hit. “Art School Confidential” being the miss. However, if adapted my the right director ( That being David Lynch), I’m confident “Like A Velvet Glove…” could also being a hit at least in the art house circuit. There really isn’t anything like this Clowes early graphic novel. Even trying to describe the plot is hard to do, much like a David Lynch film. A quick explantation would simply be that lead character Clay Loudermilk is searching for his estranged wife, Barbara Allen, whom he sees in a porno movie. Simple enough plot I guess, but that doesn’t account for the strange fish-like girl who falls in love with Clay, the man with shrimp tales coming out of his eye-sockets, or the dog with no head. That’s where David Lynch comes in to make the plausible seemingly implausible. Though I think Lynch would be best for the project, I also think director Jim Jarmusch could give him a run for his money.

As for casting, I could see Steve Buscemi reprising his role as a Clowes character and playing Clay Loudermilk. He always good at a sweaty, nervous oddball. However, if Hollywood would want to cast a more handsome leading man, I also think John Hamm could play a strong version of Clowes’ neurotic lead. If John Hamm played the lead his connection to St. Louis could easily land a screening at the Tivoli Theatre with a possible meet and greet appearance. That would certainly be exciting. Just think of a cerebral episode of AMC’s “Mad Men” where that rascally, old Don Draper is being asked to fertilize the eggs of a sickly fish-like girl on the bed of a hotel. That’s a comic movie I’d see!

-Jon

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