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From Graphic Novel Panels to Landscapes: Travel Routes for Fans of 'Traveling to Mars' and Sci‑Fi Comics

sscenery

2026-01-30

11 min read

Curated earthbound routes—red deserts, retro‑futurist towns and eerie coasts—designed for cinematic photography inspired by Traveling to Mars.

Hook: When the world feels like a comic panel but the routes are scattered

Fans of graphic novels like Traveling to Mars know the frustration: you see a frame—a red dune lit like a blood-orange sunset, a retro neon motel under a purple sky, or a coastline that looks like a spaceship ran aground—and you want to stand there with a camera. But planning a trip to match that visual language is time-consuming, with tips scattered across forums, social feeds and film-location lists.

This guide fixes that: in 2026 we map six earthbound routes that echo the aesthetic of hit transmedia graphic novels—red deserts, retro‑futurist towns, eerie coastlines—designed for cinematic landscape photography. Each route includes curated viewpoints, practical logistics, photo shot lists, sustainable-travel notes and booking tips so you can get the look, legally and sustainably.

Why this matters in 2026

Transmedia studios and IP deals have pushed graphic-novel aesthetics into mainstream travel culture. In January 2026, European studio The Orangery—the IP house behind Traveling to Mars—signed with WME, accelerating cross-platform adaptations and fan interest in location‑based experiences.

"Transmedia IP Studio the Orangery, Behind Hit Graphic Novel Series ‘Traveling to Mars’ and ‘Sweet Paprika,’ Signs With WME" (Variety, Jan 16, 2026)

At the same time, travel trends in late 2025 and early 2026 prioritized immersive, camera‑ready trips (The Points Guy’s 2026 lists reflect a surge in offbeat and photogenic destinations). Add the rise of sustainable travel, stricter drone and park regulations, and AI-powered planning tools, and the modern traveler needs routes that are creative, legal and practical. This guide meets that need.

How to use this guide

Each route below includes:

Core aesthetic: what makes it feel like a graphic-novel panel
Must-shoot viewpoints and times
Suggested 2–5 day itinerary with distances
Gear & composition tips for cinematic photos
Permits, safety and sustainability notes
Booking & print/licensing pointers

Route 1 — American Southwest: Red Desert Circuit (Utah + Arizona)

Core aesthetic

Burnt orange plateaus, stacked sandstone, lonely highways with retro signage—this is the archetypal red desert look that feels lifted straight from panels of Traveling to Mars.

Must-shoot viewpoints

Monument Valley lookout at sunrise for layered silhouettes
Vermilion Cliffs and White Pocket (dune-like rock lines)
Canyonlands Grand View Point at golden hour
The Wave / Coyote Buttes (lottery permit — see permits section)
Lake Powell viewpoints for mirror-red reflections at sunset

Suggested itinerary (5 days)

Day 1: Fly to Flagstaff or Page, drive to Monument Valley — sunset shoot.
Day 2: Early Monument Valley sunrise, drive to Vermilion Cliffs, scout White Pocket for afternoon light.
Day 3: Backcountry day: Coyote Buttes (if you win the permit) or alternative slot canyons near Page.
Day 4: Canyonlands/Island in the Sky sunrise; afternoon at Dead Horse Point State Park.
Day 5: Drive to Lake Powell; sunset reflections and departure.

Gear & cinematic tips

Wide-angle lens (16–35mm) for grand vistas; 70–200mm for compressed layers.
Use polarizer to deepen skies; graduated ND for exposed skies at sunrise/sunset.
Bracket exposures for HDR—deserts have high dynamic range at golden hour.
Compose with a foreground rock or road leading into the red palette—graphic novels favor strong leading lines.
Try an orange-teal grade in post for a retro-futurist comic feel, but keep skin tones natural for any people in-frame.

Permits, safety & sustainability

The Wave (Coyote Buttes) requires a strict lottery permit; apply months ahead or choose other BLM alternatives.
Respect Navajo Nation lands—permits and guided tours are often required.
Bring 4x4 or plan for high-clearance roads; summer temps exceed 100°F—carry water and a satellite comms device.
Stay on trails and avoid collecting rocks; leave no trace—desert recovery is slow.

Route 2 — Atacama & Altiplano: Mars-Like High Desert (Chile)

Core aesthetic

Sharp salt flats, basalt spires and alien lagoons—Atacama’s altitude and light create frames that could be storyboarded for an interplanetary travelogue.

Must-shoot viewpoints

Valle de la Luna at dusk for moon-crater dunes
Laguna Cejar and Tebenquiche for mirror reflections of salt crusts
El Tatio geyser for high-altitude steam at sunrise (with proper acclimatization)
Altiplano lagoons (Salar de Surire) for flamingo silhouettes

Suggested itinerary (4 days from San Pedro de Atacama)

Day 1: Acclimatize, scout Valle de la Luna at sunset.
Day 2: Sunrise at El Tatio; afternoon desert panoramas.
Day 3: Day trip to altiplano lagoons; sunset colors on the salt flats.
Day 4: Dawn astrophotography—Atacama’s dark skies are world-class.

Gear & cinematic tips

Bring warm layers for pre-dawn shoots—temperatures drop significantly.
Use a sturdy tripod for long-exposure starfields; consider a star-tracking mount for Milky Way detail.
Power supplies should be insulated against cold; bring extra batteries. Consider field power options and portable solar chargers for remote shoots.
Frame with small human silhouettes to amplify scale and that comic-panel loneliness.

Permits & safety

Respect protected wetland areas and flamingo habitats—follow local guides’ conservation rules.
Altitude sickness is real: hydrate and acclimatize for 24–48 hours before high-altitude shoots.

Route 3 — Wadi Rum & Petra: Bedouin Mars (Jordan)

Core aesthetic

Rust-red rock corridors, striated canyon walls and isolated camps under brilliant skies—Wadi Rum often doubles for cinematic Mars in film and offers immediate graphic-novel appeal.

Must-shoot viewpoints

Lawrence’s Spring and Khazali Canyon in Wadi Rum
Desert camps at dusk with starscapes and lanterns
Petra’s Treasury at sunrise for that iconic, ancient-meets-sci‑fi look

Suggested itinerary (4 days)

Day 1: Arrive in Wadi Rum; afternoon jeep tour for golden-rock compositions.
Day 2: Sunrise shoot; overnight in a Bedouin camp for astrophotography.
Day 3: Transfer to Petra; sunset silhouette shots at the monastery.
Day 4: Sunrise at Petra’s Treasury; departure.

Gear & tips

Capture silhouettes with backlight to get the comic-strip contrast.
Use red-enhancing polarizing filters sparingly; over-saturation looks obvious in prints.
Hire local guides for safe desert routes and cultural insight—this supports the community and ensures legal access.

Route 4 — Retro Futurism Route: From Palm Springs to Marfa to Roswell (USA)

Core aesthetic

Mid-century neon, Googie architecture, minimal desert motels and UFO folklore—that mid-century-future look is perfect for retro‑futurist panels.

Must-shoot viewpoints

Palm Springs mid-century modern hotels and the Tramway overlook
Joshua Tree’s stark silhouettes at sunset
Prada Marfa and Marfa’s wide desert lawns
Roswell’s UFO Museum and neon signage
Route 66 neon motels (Tucumcari, Amboy) at night

Suggested itinerary (6 days; fly into Palm Springs or El Paso)

Day 1–2: Palm Springs + Joshua Tree—sunrise and neon at night.
Day 3: Drive to Marfa; sunset at Prada Marfa and Marfa lights viewing.
Day 4: Explore local installations and galleries; shoot minimalist landscapes.
Day 5–6: Route 66 stretch to Roswell for alien‑themed signage shots.

Gear & cinematic tips

Neon looks best with slightly slower shutter speeds (to capture glow) and low ISO.
Include human-scale elements—vintage cars, motel chairs—to sell the retro story.
For motion blur and car trails, use 6–15 second exposures at f/8–11.

Permits & local tips

Many small towns have private art installations—ask permission before photographing close-up.
Book iconic motels well in advance (boutique retro stays sell out in peak season).

Route 5 — Eerie Coastlines: Iceland, Faroe Islands & Scotland

Core aesthetic

Black sand, sea stacks, fog-choked cliffs and abandoned huts—these coasts feel like stormy end-pages from a sci‑fi comic.

Must-shoot viewpoints

Reynisfjara and Vík, Iceland—basalt columns and black sand
Vestrahorn (Stokksnes) for jagged peaks meeting the sea
Faroe Islands’ Kallur Lighthouse and Mykines sea cliffs for dramatic silhouettes
Isle of Skye’s Old Man of Storr and Neist Point for moody cliff shots

Suggested itinerary (7–9 days; fly into Reykjavík or Vágar)

Days 1–3: South Iceland ring—Reynisfjara, Vestrahorn, Glacier lagoons.
Days 4–6: Fly to Faroe Islands—day hikes to cliff viewpoints at dawn.
Days 7–9: Scotland—Isle of Skye hikes and coastal scouting for long exposures.

Gear & composition

ND filters for silky-water long exposures; 10–30 second exposures reveal atmospheric motion.
Bring rain protection and microfibre cloths—coastal spray is constant.
Embrace negative space and fog for that eerie, comic-panel atmosphere.

Permits & safety

Weather can change quickly—check local mountain and coastal warnings and wear proper footwear.
Respect cliff edges and local bird-nesting areas; drones may be restricted near wildlife.

Route 6 — Industrial Retro-Future: Turin, Eindhoven & Post-Industrial Europe

Core aesthetic

Steel, signage, neon factories and Art Deco train stations deliver a European retro-futurist palette—perfect for urban panels that feel both nostalgic and strange.

Must-shoot viewpoints

Turin’s industrial waterfront and Art Nouveau arcades (note: The Orangery is Turin-based, and the city’s cinematic vibe often inspires transmedia art)
Eindhoven’s Strijp-S district for repurposed factory architecture and neon art
Abandoned but photogenic industrial sites in Belgium and northern France (always confirm access)

Suggested itinerary (4–6 days)

Day 1–2: Turin—historic arcades, nocturnal neon and rooftop compositions.
Day 3–4: Train to Eindhoven—daylight industrial details and evening art installations.
Day 5–6: Short hops to repurposed shipyards or factories for gritty, retro-future panels.

Gear & tips

50mm and 85mm primes for isolated architectural details; a tilt-shift lens helps correct perspective on facades.
Look for strong geometric shadows and repetitive patterns common in factory architecture.

Legal & ethical notes

Many post-industrial sites are private—obtain permission before entry; trespassing risks fines and ruined reputations.

Cross-Route Practical Tools & 2026 Trends

Apps & planning tech

Sun Surveyor / Photographer’s Ephemeris — plan golden/blue hour and sun angles.
Park & permit portals — many parks now offer online permit systems after 2024 reforms; check official federal/state pages.
AI itinerary assistants — in 2026 GPT-driven trip planners produce draft logistics, but always verify local rules and weather.

Drone rules & 2026 updates

By 2026 most countries maintain clear drone restrictions around national parks and wildlife areas. Drones can elevate aerial compositions but require registration, geofencing awareness and respectful flying (no flights over crowds or protected species).

Sustainability & community-first travel

Local communities and protected-area managers increasingly expect photographers to offset their impact. In 2026, popular sites use timed entries to reduce crowds; support local guides and stay in community-run lodgings.

Shot Planning Checklist (Printable)

Golden hour/blue hour times for each day
Primary and secondary viewpoints per day
Permits & entry times verified
Drone authorization (if applicable)
Gear checklist: camera, lenses, tripod, filters, batteries, hard drives
Emergency kit: water, PLB/satellite comms, first aid

Licensing, Prints & Monetization (Practical Steps)

If you plan to sell prints or license images inspired by graphic novels, follow these practical steps:

Document permissions for private sites or recognizable commercial signage; secure property releases when necessary.
Understand IP boundaries: creating work "inspired by" Traveling to Mars is fine for editorial and fine-art prints; avoid implying official endorsement unless you have licensing.
Use marketplaces: list high-resolution prints on licensed platforms (your own store, galleries, or curated marketplaces like scenery.space) and set clear print and usage terms.
Metadata & provenance: embed shooting data in metadata, keep RAW files and location notes—collectors and licensors often request provenance. See guides on multimodal media workflows for practical provenance tips.

Case Study: A 3-Day “Traveling to Mars” Mini-Route — Southern Utah

Example of a short, high-impact trip that copies the comic’s aesthetic without long travel:

Day 1: Arrive in Page; sunset at Horseshoe Bend then night under the Milky Way at Lone Rock Beach.
Day 2: Sunrise at Antelope Canyon (booked slot), afternoon at Vermilion Cliffs viewpoint; evening shots at White Pocket (permit/private guide advised).
Day 3: Sunrise in Monument Valley and midday departure.

Why this works: short drives, iconic vistas, and guaranteed color shifts for cinematic grading.

Final Tips From the Field

Scout with lenses, not just locations—what looks good to the eye may need a different focal length to tell the story.
Pack for two light conditions per day—desert days are hot; nights are cold.
Respect local cultures: when photographing people or private property, ask first and offer prints or digital copies as goodwill gestures.
Backup daily: portable SSDs and a 1‑TB daily copy prevent catastrophic loss.

Why graphic‑novel travel will grow in 2026 and beyond

Transmedia adaptations and IP-driven tourism are increasing interest in curated, themed trips. Studios like The Orangery are accelerating cross-media storytelling; as fans seek physical experiences that match on-page worlds, expect more specialized tours, pop‑up exhibits and officially licensed photo experiences. At the same time, regulators and communities are tightening access—so being a responsible, prepared photographer will be the difference between a great trip and a costly mistake.

Call to Action

Ready to storyboard your own graphic-novel route? Download our free 2026 Scenic Route Pack with printable checklists, Lightroom presets inspired by comic-panel color grades, and a sample 7-day packing list—tailored for red deserts, retro-futurist towns and eerie coasts. Share your photos using #GraphicNovelTravel and tag @scenerydotspace for a chance to be featured in our curated gallery and to get feedback on composition and licensing strategy.

Bookmark this page, pick a route, and start planning—your next cinematic landscape is a panel away.

scenery

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.