Just when you thought that the genius behind reality TV could not get any more genuine or authentic, does come another realm of web-based reality that entices the viewers, includes interactivity and most importantly entertains them. A new show which takes on a never before seen and never before done approach to reality web TV—they combine an illustrious and well written online comic books series with reality TV.
How do they do this? If you visit their website (http://www.deadend.com) you can actually browse through all online webisodes of what the creators of such have titled, “Drive to Die”. It is inclusive of now 20 online comic book episodes which span the full length of a webpage. Users are offered an interactive feature that has never before been done on any website, nor any comic book, or even any reality TV series: a completely interactive online reality comic book.
Dead End implements what they call “Hot Spots” throughout each of comic book’s webpage illustrations. Basically, users can find these so-called “Hot Spots” and when they click on them the pages becomes interactive. Some of them linking out to other related websites, others to various relevant audio clips and some that link to actual real footage of the spliced reality show—which corresponds directly to the comic book as seen on their website.
Keep in mind that the creators of this very popular Webisode realty TV/comic book series are firmly embraced in the expressions of free speech; meaning that they freely use profane expressions and that some of the comic books and reality TV series feature drug usage and profane content in an attempt to capture reality—not to offend the users.
In week 1, titled: “Looking pretty real enough for me,” it starts off with several people viewing a porno clip of a guy who is about to have interspecies sex with a donkey—not for the faint of heart. But beautifully captured and portrayed almost identically by their web-based comic book series—which does include “Hot Spot” links to corresponding video clips that enhance the viewer’s experience. A cut-scene shows the members of the cast loading up their car to embark on the first webisode of the “Trip of Death”.
While Dead End may not be the appropriate content for some users—as it plainly displays graphic violence, pornography, profanity and reality, all spliced together within the electronic wrappings of a website—it certainly struck a solid tone with me for complete originality. And, no matter what you may think of the content—it is hard not to keep watching the video.
After watching the first webisode viewers are inclined to revisit their website to find out what happens in the next webisode. The approach to taking reality TV and combining it with an interactive web-based comic book is not only genius—it has never been done before. Making this series nothing short of original, entertaining and morbid—even if some viewers may disapprove of the content, Dead End is a sure-fire win in my book. Perhaps this is why they were nominated for Official Selection in the 2003 Sundance Film Festival.
For more information and to read the online comic book as well as view the webisodes—which now number 20 in all
