A major work in the history of the modern graphic novel, Charles Burns' "Black Hole" is a striking tale of a sexually transmitted plague running rampant amongst a community of teenagers in suburban Washington in the 1970s. Mind-bending and terrifying, this graphic novel has come close to being adapted many times over the years, with directors like David Fincher and Rick Famuyiwa attached to the project, but has yet to make it to the screen. Should "Black Hole" be adapted? Yes! But how? Film or television? Horror or drama? Tune in to hear cartoonists Jonas and François tackle one of the giants of their medium.

In this episode we look at N.K. Jemisin's apocalyptic "The Fifth Season." One of the most critically-lauded speculative fiction authors out there ("The Fifth Season" and its two sequels won the Hugo Award for Best Novel three years running, an extraordinary, never-before-achieved hat trick!), Jemisin writes wildly imaginative literature that feels tailor-made for our times. But can (and should) this twisty novel be turned be brought to the screen? What challenges lie in wait for any potential adaptation? Tune in to find out what we think! Plus we revisit a couple "New & Notable" adaptations from episodes past and more!

A series that is near and dear to both Jonas and François, "The Tripods" books by John Christopher are a surprising mix of rip-roaring boys' adventure tale and terrifying pastoral dystopia, a genuine masterclass in world-building and storytelling. But can this five-decade-old YA sci-fi series still be relevant to modern audiences? Suffice it to say that Jonas and François have IDEAS about how the Tripods could and should be brought to the screen again! And yes, we do discuss the cult-classic BBC programme!

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Jennifer Egan's "A Visit From the Goon Squad" was quickly optioned when it first appeared over a decade ago, but has never made it to the screen. With Egan's latest book "The Candy House," a "sister novel" to "Goon Squad," hitting summer reading lists everywhere, is it time to reconsider her original book of interlocked stories? How would Jonas and François adapt this tricky text? Plus a discussion of our theme music, plus New & Notable and more!

A perennial favorite answer to the question "What novel would you most want to see turned into a film?" has got to be "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt. This never-adapted, much-loved literary sensation is coming up on its 30th anniversary! How would we adapt this book? And do we think it should even be adapted in this day and age? Tune in to find out!

Jonas and François take a look at three stories by the contemporary science fiction author Ted Chiang, including "Story of Your Life," which was adapted as the film "Arrival."

Jonas and François revisit one of the classics of the sci-fi genre, Ursula K. Le Guin's unadapted (and perhaps unadaptable?) The Left Hand of Darkness. This gender-bending classic of science fiction that won both the Hugo and Nebula awards when it came out (a feat only Dune had done previously)! Never adapted to film, and perhaps with good reason?

This week we're talking about The Hunter, a 1962 novel by Richard Stark AKA Donald Westlake. This one's been adapted previously, so we discuss the two movies and a graphic novel. We also play a game!

For our first episode, we're talking about Replay, a 1986 novel by Ken Grimwood. What obstacles would need to be overcome in order to turn this into a TV show, movie, or something else?