Quicknation    A History of Violence

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A History of Violence is a graphic novel by John Wagner originally published by Paradox Press, a division of DC Comics. It is the basis for the film directed by David Cronenberg.

The story begins with small town Michigan cafe owner Tom McKenna who becomes a local hero after defending his store from an attempted robbery. When his story receives national attention, several members of the New York City Mafia arrive in town, believing him to be someone who crossed them 20 years ago named Joey. Whilst Tom protests his innocence to everyone, eventually his façade is dropped and he reveals his history of violence to his wife and son.

In 2005 the novel was adapted into a critically acclaimed film starring Viggo Mortensen. Though the story remains intact for the most part, several changes are present. In the film version, the protagonist's name at the beginning is Tom Stall instead of Tom McKenna, Ed Harris's character is named Carl Fogarty, instead of John Torrino, and Tom's son is named Jack instead of Buzz. The film also includes sex scenes not present in the graphic novels. The town in the film is "Millbrook, Indiana" while in the novel it is in Michigan. The mobsters are from Philadelphia in the film while in the novel they are from Brooklyn, New York City.