Graphic Classics -MUST Reads!
Graphic Classics Volume 4:H. P. Lovecraft
GRAPHIC CLASSICS:
H.P. LOVECRAFT
Second Edition
144 pages, b&w, color cover
Retail price $11.95
Only $10
Firstly,let’s get on to the company info about this book:
SECOND EDITION – WITH 75 NEW PAGES!
Featuring three new comics adaptations:
• The Shadow Over Innsmouth — one of HPL’s greatest stories,
adapted by Alex Burrows, and illustrated by Simon Gane
• Dreams in the Witch-House — witchcraft, mathematics and a talking rat by Rich Rainey and Pedro Lopez
• Sweet Ermengarde — a rare Lovecraft comedy,
scripted by Rod Lott, and illustrated by Kevin Atkinson
And returning from the first edition:
• Herbert West: Reanimator — presented in four chapters by Richard Corben, Rick Geary, J.B. Bonivert and Mark A. Nelson
• The Cats of Ulthar — illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
• The Terrible Old Man — illustrated by Onsmith Jeremi
• The Shadow Out of Time — adapted and illustrated by Matt Howarth
• Plus illustrations by Jim Nelson, Gerry Alanguilan, Skot Olsen, Maxon Crumb,and a terrific cover painting by Italian artist Giorgio Comolo
The package containing the latest treats from what must be one of the best U.S. Independent comic publishers arrived Monday morning. Just as I was leaving for the occasional meeting at Paul Brown’s pad –Darron Northall was there and as he plays a part in what I’m about to write I have to mention him. Or this won’t make sense.
I unwrapped the three books [keep reading to learn about the other two!] and asked whether anyone might care to review? Mr Northall flicked through the books briefly,not even enough time to read them. “I can’t see the point” he announced. I asked what he meant?
It seems that Mr Northall cannot see the point in adapting H. P. Lovecraft stories into comic strip form unless the story is altered to be ‘new’ in some way. He simply could not see why Lovecraft’s narration had to be used –“they might as well go out and buy his books!”
At this point the conversation got very heated. I left the room twice. It was that or strangle,uh,”someone”.
The almost “late” Mr Northall could not understand that you cannot criticise a book without reading it and that these creators have taken the time to adapt and draw the Lovecraftean works..while we are waiting for part 2 of his “Outlaws” story. My anger,I think,was justified after reading the book.
Giorgio Comolo’s cover is simply beautiful. A real work of art that,as a long time horror comic fan,I can appreciate. There is another great black and white illo by Gerry Alanguilan for “A Memory”.
Alex Burrows adapts “The Shadow Over Innsmouth” and this is drawn by Simon Gane. This one had me page-turning in a frenzy. A really good and gripping story with an art style that added to the mounting horror. Worth the book price for this one alone!
The other story that kept me gripped was,again drawn in a unique style,was “Dreams In The Witch House”. Adapted by Rich Rainey and illustrated by an artist new to me –Pedro Lopez. This was wonderful stuff!
Kevin Atkinson draws,while Rod Lott adapts,a humourous tale:”Sweet Ermengarde”. A nice treat after the dark horror up to that point.
“The Cats Of Ulthar” has been adapted by Tom Pomplun and the art is just WONDERFUL –thanks to Lisa K. Weber,who I believe I mentioned in my last GC review. Whether these are colour illoes that have been grey-scaled I’m not sure but it is worth looking at a few times.
Matt Howarth adapts and draws in his unique and great style,”The Shadow Out Of Time”. Pure joy.
Adapted by Tom Pomplun,”Herbert West:Reanimator” is drawn in four parts by four artists –Richard Corben,Rick Geary,J.B. Bonivert and Mark A. Nelson. Of which,old Undergrounder [comics] here,Corben has to be my favourite –a class act.
I could go on but I think you’ve gotten the point? This is 144 pages of horror comic that might –might—get you interested enough to go out and buy Lovecraft’s books or even try your hand at a horror strip!
Quality of printing,of course,doesn’t need to be raised. It’s quality from cover-to-cover and would make an ideal Christmas or birthday present for someone you know with a comic or horror comic interest.
HORROR CLASSICS
Graphic Classics Volume Ten
144 pages, b&w, color cover
only $10
Stories from the original masters of horror in comics.
EDGAR ALLAN POE -Some Words with a Mummy Poe’s satiric tale adapted by Rod Lott and illustrated by Kevin Atkinson
H.P. LOVECRAFT -The Thing on the Doorstep Obsession, possession and terror by Michael Manning
SAKI- The Open Window An impressionable man meets The Bad Seed, illustrated by Gabrielle Bell
W.W. JACOBS- The Monkey’s Paw Nothing comes for free, as illustrated by John Pierard
BRET HARTE- Selina Sedilia A gothic farce from the great Western author,adapted by Antonella Caputo and illustrated by Nick Miller
JACK LONDON -Keesh, Son of Keesh Terror on the Tundra, illustrated by “Johnny Jihad” creator Ryan Inzana
OLIVE SCHREINER -In a Far-Off World A nightmare fantasy by the South African author, illustrated by Jackie Smith
HOWARD GARIS-Professor Jonkin’s Cannibal Plant
The precursor to “Little Shop of Horrors” from the creator of
“Uncle Wiggly”, rendered in comics by Onsmith Jeremi
HONORE DE BALZAC-The Thing at Ghent A horrific tale retold in one page by Mark Dancey
FITZ-JAMES O’BRIEN-A Day Dream A simple “what-if” goes to extremes, as pictured by Milton Knight
AMBROSE BIERCE-The Mummy A tribute in verse, illustrated by Brandon Ragnar Johnson
You have all the info and credits there so let’s get into this.
“The Thing On The Doorstep” is presented to us by Michael Manning. There is much about this ‘strip’ that would be familiar to readers of pre-1940s comics. Illustrations in amongst the text so there is no set panel layout. Very nice art style indeed.
Kevin Atkinson illustrates Poe’s “Some Words With A Mummy” with a very nice humourous art style that works well.
Jackie Smith,Mark Dancey,Saki,Milton Knight and Ryan Inzana are also notable contributors.
John W. Pierpard contributes “The Monkey’s Paw” which is incredibly stylish and a major highlight in this anthology.
Mark A. Nelson’s cover is,as you might expect,up to the usual Graphic Classics standards but he also contributes an absolutely incredible black and white piece of art within the book. I wonder what his comic strip work might look like?
You might think that books of this quality would be in every comic book store. But they are not and I have wonder if it’s just because they are not full colour and featuring the latest Marvel or DC hero?
Well,I highly recommend Graphic Classic books and,if your local store participates in Free Comic Book Day [1st May] you have a chance to check out a give-away.
Want to know what’s in it? Well…
Graphic Classics:Special Edition will present five new comics adaptations of some of the favorite authors from the regular Graphic Classics series:
Edgar Allan Poe’s The Black Cat
adapted by Rod Lott and illustrated by Gerry Alanguilan
Ambrose Bierce’s Diagnosis
adapted and illustrated by Mark Dancey
Arthur Conan Doyle’s John Barrington Cowles
adapted by Alex Burrows and illustrated by Simon Gane
Mary Shelley’s The Dream
adapted by Antonella Caputo and illustrated by Anne Timmons
Lord Dunsany’s A Narrow Escape
adapted and illustrated by Milton Knight
Artist Signings —
• Two of the artists from Graphic Classics: Special Edition will be signing copies of the book at stores on Free Comic Book Day:
• Anne Timmons, artist for Mary Shelley’s The Dream will be appearing at Excalibur Comics, . Stop by and meet her if you are in the area.
• Gerry Alanguilan, cover artist, and artist for Poe’s The Black Cat will be appearing at Comic Odyssey in Robinson’s Galleria, Edsa corner Ortigas, Metro Manila, Philippines. The event will be webcast live on Filipino fansite Azrael’s Merryland. Thanks, Azrael!
If you see a copy grab it. If you see either of the books reviewed here and you have a taste for classy comics –I don’t think “comics” is adequate— buy them. See why they are called “Graphic Classics” and why that should,as with the UKs Classical Comics,recommend the books to schools or libraries and,hopefully,get kids or older folk the impetus to get the text versions and check out.
This is the Educational Age Of Comics!
Tel Sed!
Comic Bits Online is the web version of the Comic Bits magazine Edited and run by Terry Hooper. Currently Interviews Editor at Manga Life,Terry has over thirty years experience in the comic industry as script writer,artist,freelance Editor,publisher and much more. But if you want the facts:
Curriculum vitae Name:Terry HooperDob:6th June 1957 [50 yrs]Currently living Ashton Vale,Bristol,United Kingdom ...
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