Publisher - Marvel
Published - 12th October 2011
Format - Hardback
Synopsis -
Award-winning author
Nancy Butler, adapter of Marvel's best-selling Adaptations, SENSE AND
SENSIBILITY and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE brings you another Jane Austen
classic! Joined with the beautiful illustrations of JANET LEE, Butler
brings to life Austen's most precocious heroine, Emma Woodhouse.
Discover what has made this story so enduring, as its re-told in the
Mighty Marvel manner!
As a long time fan of both Jane Austen and Marvel, when I saw this beauty there was just no stopping me! I believe this edition collects together the 5 comic book series into this gorgeous graphic novel, adapted by Nancy Butler and illustrated by Janet Lee.
I first read Emma many years ago and it still remains the one and only time I ever read this particular Jane Austen novel. Like many others, the character of Emma made me want to tear my hair out in frustration before eventually beaming with pride at her ability to make good on her mistakes. I wasn't sure if I was going to fully appreciate the graphic novel as it had been such a long time since I read the book but no worries - Nancy Butler had me covered.
The adaptation of novel to short bite-sized chunks was wonderful. Butler really captured the story and every single one of the array of characters that we are introduced to in Emma's world. The events really came to life and the essence of Austen was still present on every page. The graphic novel still raised questions about society, marriage and even the importance of transport in just a few short pages but I didn't feel like anything was missing.
The illustrations felt a little immature on my first impression, but I soon realised how beautiful and charming they were. They were playful and beautifully coloured with vibrant pastels and they really caught the characters personalities too. Each character was easily distinguishable both through text and illustration and I feel that the illustrations particularly matched well with Emma herself, young, playful and memorable.
I knew that I was going to enjoy this graphic novel but I didn't expect to love it. In the back of the book, other adaptations of Austen's works by Marvel were advertised and i'm SO excited for them! It was a great experience and it will definitely be joining the list of some of my favourite Austen adaptations!
Published - 2009
Publisher - Eye Classics
Synopsis -
“Youth! Youth! There is
absolutely nothing in the world worth having but youth!” The Picture of
Dorian Gray is a graphic adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic work,
stunningly re-imagined by writer Ian Edginton and artist I.N.J. Culbard.
This Gothic morality tale is the story of a man who, taken by his own
beauty, pledges his soul in a desperate bid for eternal youth. But when
his wish is granted, things go terribly wrong. A painting of Dorian
begins to age in his place, while Dorian himself becomes a dangerous
narcissist who destroys everyone standing in his way until the day he is
forced to come face to face with the ugliness of his own conscience.
The Picture of Dorian Gray (orig: Oscar Wilde) is my all-time favourite book, and so when I spotted this I just HAD to see if it was everything I imagined.
The text itself was great. It kept the essence of the book and the story was easy to follow and captured the characterisations of most of the characters. I was somewhat surprised and disappointed that the more gruesome and disturbing elements of Oscar Wilde's original version were left out but it didn't especially take away anything away from the graphic novel.
The biggest problem I had with the graphic novel was the actual graphic section. The artwork just didn't work for me at all. The faces seemed distorted and it was really difficult to tell the difference between Harry and Basil. The text compensated for that but I feel like the entire thing was let down by it. The artwork is really important to a graphic novel or manga and it should flow seamlessly and compliment the text etc but honestly, I didn't feel it.
Overall it was a fun, quick read that I did partly enjoy but I feel like perhaps most of my enjoyment came from the fact that it was an adaptation of my favourite book. On the other hand that could also be why I feel overly critical of it, too. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a good, simple overview of The Picture of Dorian Gray without actually reading the book, or to those who would like an easy way to refresh their memory.
Published - 1st November 2008
Publisher - Little Brown
Format - Paperback
Synopsis -
Kicking off a juicy new
series, this book introduces a group of girls who are navigating the
social minefields of eighth grade at New York's Westchester County's
most exclusive private school.
I saw this graphic novel on the very bottom shelf, hidden behind a bunch of other graphic novels and mangas and being the slightly neurotic book lover that I am, I felt kind of sorry for it sitting there, unloved. So naturally I picked it up, sat myself on my library's extremely comfortable sofa and read it. I knew right away that it wasn't going to be a right fit for me, so it's a little unfair that i'm writing a review for it, but it's Comic Week and I haven't read that many lately!
The writing and plot is very cutesy and adolescent. A group of spoilt rich kids flaunt their importance, popularity and money whilst degrading the only interesting character that appears in the entire graphic novel. Claire is beautiful and smart but also extremely naive and desperate to make an impression - much like all teenage girls. What really did annoy the crap out of me though was the way Claire gave up her own personality to become Massie's clone. She gossiped, lied and pulled Massie-esque pranks in order for the other girls to like and befriend her. My problem with this is that The Clique is quite obviously aimed at pre-teen/children. I think Harrison would have been much better off teaching her audience that you can make friends with smarts and a friendly attitude; you don't need to lie and cheat! Though this does come through a little, it's a little too late in my opinion.
The girls in the clique are vicious and nasty, and if it wasn't for the fact that i'm a stickler for finishing what I start, I wouldn't have finished this one. That being said, I think young girls probably would enjoy this. The artwork is great and not only adds to the story, it actually kind of makes it worth it. I think i'll be skipping other books like this in future.
