24 years ago, the at-the-time 25-year-old artist Jason Shawn Alexander started — and abandoned — an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. After rediscovering 80 illustrations he did over two decades ago, Alexander is finally finishing the project as Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, which launches on Zoop today.
“I was really young when I saw Albert Finney play Scrooge and that version still makes me cry to this day,” Alexander told Comic Book Club over email. “The Christmas theme in a ghost story just allows for the best stylistic imagery. The juxtaposition, visually, is just outstanding. And it’s a story about redemption, forgiveness, and hope. It’s kinda great.”
To find out more about the book, what makes this vision unique, and more, read on.
Comic Book Club: You first worked on this 24 years ago… What was it like revisiting this art? And how have you changed as an artist?
Jason Shawn Alexander: It’s been various emotions as I’ve gone along. I was a bit dismissive of the art at first. My wife is always the one who gets me out of my head on stuff like that and that was the case, here. Then I saw the value and quality in the work. Sometimes it takes outside eyes. On a technical level, I’ve changed immensely. hopefully one improves at anything they work at for 25 years, lol. Mostly, though, I see hound me in this art still very much searching for a full voice and in the middle of trying everything. Today I feel like I very much have that voice and a project like this helps push my boundaries even further.
Why A Christmas Carol? What do you find compelling about this story, in particular?
It’s always stood out to me. I was really young when I saw Albert Finney play Scrooge and that version still makes me cry to this day. The Christmas theme in a ghost story just allows for the best stylistic imagery. The juxtaposition, visually, is just outstanding. And it’s a story about redemption, forgiveness, and hope. It’s kinda great.
There have been a lot of adaptations, so how do you find your own niche to make this unique? Other than, of course, you doing the art?
I’m approaching this almost like an art book. I want, so much, to represent this story to the best of my ability, I have to admit that this is the most thoughtfulness I’ve ever put into a project. I think my art IS what makes this unique. The words are the same, but in this book I’m getting to show you what I imagine in my head when I read this story. And I hope my vision of it helps a whole new audience be transported.
You’re also directly adapting it, with Dickens credited as the writer… How did you tackle breaking up the book from prose to panels?
It’s mostly just storytelling. Each Stave/Chapter is pretty short. I take those moments, when reading, that push images into my head and start doodling ideas. Some make it, some don’t.
What can folks expect from the Zoop campaign?
Really great production and rewards that include original sketch plates. Also access to a lot of my previous comic art from Spawn, Abe Sapien and more.
Are there any other 24 year old projects hanging around in a box somewhere you’re looking to adapt next?
Yes. But they’re actually mine from 24 years ago and I can’t wait to dust them off and bring them out.
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is now on Zoop.
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