One of the Most Iconic Teen Comedies of the ‘80s Is Secretly Based on a Comic Book

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John Hughes was exceptionally productive during the 1980s, earning him a reputation synonymous with some of the most influential teen comedies in modern cinema. He directed “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Additionally, he wrote the screenplays for notable films like “Pretty in Pink” and “Some Kind of Wonderful.” Few people know that this renowned filmmaker also wrote and directed an excellent comic book adaptation. Although it wasn’t heavily promoted as a spin-off, his hilarious sci-fi comedy “Weird Science” was inspired by a classic comic book from earlier times.

In other words, the 1985 movie was based on a somewhat free interpretation of a tale that originally appeared in a comic book published by EC Comics back in 1951.

Weird Science Quietly Takes Its Premise From an EC Comics Anthology

Hughes reworked the screenplay for the movie “Weird Science” based on the comic book series with the same title. Each issue usually had four distinct stories, allowing readers to pick their preferred tale within a single issue. Notably, the film is primarily influenced by the story “Made of the Future!” written by Al Feldstein, which debuted in Weird Science #5 around 1951.

The “Made for Tomorrow” tale introduces us to Alvin Blank, a man who finds himself unexpectedly in the future after being abandoned by his fiancee and crossing paths with a band of time-travelers. While in this advanced era, Alvin picks up a device that enables him to design his perfect partner. Upon his return to his own time, he brings along a futuristic companion. However, in an ironic twist, Alvin’s former spouse flees back to the future, leaving Alvin on his own once more.

In the comic, the storyline differs greatly from the movie. Instead of focusing on an adult man searching for a partner, the film centers around two teenagers, Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith), who are obsessed with sex. They develop a computer program to create a female character named Lisa (Kelly LeBrock). As their story unfolds, they learn valuable lessons about the consequences of their desires, particularly caution when making wishes come true.

Given that John Hughes is known for his work with teenage characters, it’s not surprising to find that he adapted the main roles to high school students instead of adults seeking a suitable partner. This choice aligns well with Hughes’ filmmaking style, and he skillfully develops Gary and Wyatt as multidimensional and frequently relatable teenagers.

It’s clear that there are misogynistic elements present in both the comic and movie versions of Weird Science, but each one manages to make amends for it. In the comic, Alvin ends up alone despite his attempts to find a submissive companion. However, the characters Wyatt and Gary in the movie eventually grow beyond objectifying women, instead learning to relate to them as fellow humans.

The movie also earns praise by portraying Lisa as intelligent, resourceful, and self-assured, even though she was originally intended to be a sex object for the male characters. Initially, her partners attempt to have a sexual relationship, but these attempts fail. Instead, Lisa guides them towards developing confidence in more positive and healthy methods.

Essentially, “Weird Science” is an endearing teenage classic that skillfully merges science fiction with humor of a more adult nature. Kelly LeBrock plays the role of Lisa, the perfect woman created by the two main characters, Gary (portrayed by Hall) and Wyatt, in their computer. It’s entertaining to watch Gary grow and discover aspects of himself throughout the story. Moreover, it’s intriguing to witness John Hughes exploring science fiction, as his work is typically rooted in reality.

In essence, while the overall structure of the Weird Science comic book and film vary greatly, many central ideas remain consistent. It’s fascinating to speculate how Universal Pictures might have emphasized the connection to the comic if it were released today. Yet, back then, comic adaptations hadn’t yet gained the popularity they enjoy now, which probably explains why the studio didn’t heavily promote that aspect in their marketing campaign.

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2025-07-10 23:41