Neverwhere (1968) User Reviews

The beginning of Den

[Rectangular_businessman · 6/10 · 23 May 2022]

Basically, a pilot version of the cult "Den" comic, directed by Corben himself.

While the animation feels a little bit simplistic and dated (Specially in comparison with the excellent artwork of the comics), and despite the cheesy acting, it still has a certain charm.

"Den" is one of those comics that would never work in live-action, unless it is adapted in a completely sanitized manner that simply won't make it any justice and will remove most of its appeal.

In other words, what happened with the film adaptation of John Carter of Mars, the main inspiration Corben had for Den.

An interesting glimpse at what was to come.

[Sum Flounder · 21 February 2002]

Comic artist Richard Corben started making this animated short as a solo project while working at a studio in Kansas. His employers and co-workers found out about it and assisted Mr.Corben in completing and releasing it. As I understand, it played primarily at film festivals and science fiction conventions, gathering some awards along the way. It was at a sci-fi convention in the early eighties that I saw it. I thought it was pretty inventive and was interesting in that it showed the beginnings of the unique style he would develop over the decades that followed. It was also in NEVERWHERE that Corben introduced Den, his most famous character. For another look at Den,see HEAVY METAL.

Successful experiment...

[poe426 · 10/10 · 7 September 2008]

Coming across NEVERWHERE on the internet brought back memories of working on a live, one hour weekly experimental film and video show (on Public Access). It boggles the mind to think that Richard Corben was on this level 40 years ago! The animation is fluid and boasts that distinctive Corben look. (I refer interested readers to Corben's current rendering of a story by Mike Mignola, THE CROOKED MAN, that borrows liberally from the late Manly Wade Wellman's Silver John the Balladeer stories.) I've said it before, but it bears repeating: it's about time someone- anyone, in any country- got behind a big budget cgi version of Corben's DEN- or MUTANT WORLD or any one of the countless stories he's illustrated over the years. Time's a'wastin'.