What would be the serious equivalent of "parody"?
I'm looking for a suitable word.
A parody is a work that references some other work by making fun of it, usually having similar setting and characters but comic outcome.
What if the referencing work is not intended to be funny? For example, I'm just reading a comic clearly referencing some other comic but turning story originally intended for kids much more realistic, gitty and simply gruesome. Is there a word in English describing such a work?
Edit: After reading a few suggestions I noticed one subtlety I intended to express. Just like in the case of parody I'd like to indicate a sense of discussion with the original work. It's something I have an impression is missing in case of remake or rework.
A reinterpretation? Reinterpret:
to understand and explain or show (something) in a new or different way
Rework?
to make changes to (something, such as a piece of writing or music) in order to improve it.
Reboot?
restart or revive (a process or sequence, especially a series of films or television programmes); give fresh impetus to.
Pastiche?
an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.
an artistic work consisting of a medley of pieces imitating various sources.
imitate the style of (an artist or work).
Nod?
a gesture of acknowledgement or concession to.
"the device is a nod to the conventions of slapstick"
Throwback?
a person or thing having the characteristics of a former time.
"a lot of his work is a throwback to the fifties"
All definitions sourced from the Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English, provided by Google, or Merriam-Webster.
Consider recast.
Recast verb 1.1 Present or organize in a different form or style. ‘his doctoral thesis has been recast for the general reader’ - ODO
You can say that the original story was "recast for a more sombre audience".
I think grim parody is about as close as you will get.
From Hilltop Views online:
Banksy’s newest British exhibition a grim parody of Disneyland’s image
... It’s a theme park on the southwest coast of England, and the theme is doom and gloom — a grim parody of Disneyland, with dreary-looking rides, depressed employees garbed in Disney character costumes and carnival games that only cynics enjoy.
Banksy, along with over 50 other artists worked on Dismaland Bemusement Park for months; it was finally opened to the public on Aug. 22 and will remain so until Sept. 27, according to CNN arts reporter Allyssia Alleyne.
The cost? Five bucks.
The draw? “A chaotic new world where you can escape from mindless escapism,” reads Dismaland’s brochure.
The park and the art pieces inside stink of realism.
In contrast to Disney’s “It’s a wonderful life; You can do anything” message, Banksy’s artwork says bleakly, “Stop dreaming.”
Perhaps Remake might suit your purposes. According to Wikipedia,
A remake is a film or television series that is based on an earlier work and tells the same story.
This doesn't mean that the story or the characters are exactly the same. For example, 10 Things I Hate About You is a 'remake' of the Shakespeare play The Taming Of The Shrew; while the movie is in the genre of 'romantic comedy' it does not ridicule or parody (in the modern sense) the original work.
Even though you are talking about a graphic novel and not a film or TV series, I think you could legitimately say that one is a remake of the other.
Okay, so this question is super old now, but:
reimagining (gerund of reimagine)
Reinterpret (an event, work of art, etc.) imaginatively.
Examples:
Cruel Intentions is a present-day reimagining of Dangerous Liaisons.
Dracula 3000 is a reimagining of Bram Stoker's literary classic Dracula, set in the 31st century.