222. Graphic Classics: Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson edited by Tom Pomplun (Canada) - (US)
Graphic Classics, Volume 9

Pages: 144
Ages: 12+
Finished: Aug. 12, 2012
First Published: May 15, 2012
Publisher: Eureka Productions
Genre: graphic novel, short stories, poetry, YA
Rating: 5/5

First sentence: "This is a handy cave and a pleasant sittyated grog-shop."


Publisher's Summary:  "Horror, Mystery, Fantasy & Verse from
Scotland's Greatest Storyteller

• Treasure Island -
Stevenson’s all-time adventure classic, adapted by
Alex Burrows and Scott Lincoln

• The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde -
a unique two-part adaptation illustrated by
Simon Gane and Michael Slack

• The Bottle Imp -
a contemporary visual interpretation by Lance Tooks

• Plus Verses and Fables -
a collection of poetry and short fiction illustrated by
Maxon Crumb, Joe Ollmann, Cynthia Martin, 
Hunt Emerson, Lisa K. Weber, Shary Flenniken,
Johnny Ryan, Neale Blanden, Roger Langridge, 
Rico Schacherl, Peter Gullerud and Tom Neely

• With a comics biography of Robert Louis Stevenson
by Mort Castle and Chad Carpenter,
cover by Scott Lincoln, and additional illustrations by
Anton Emdin and George Sellas"

Acquired: Received a review copy from Eureka Productions.

Reason for Reading: Latest release in the series.

Volume 9 in the series gets a small revamp as it goes into its Second Edition.  I have not read or seen the first edition so cannot compare the two but I do know that a selection of stories called Tales of Treasure Island has been replaced with an actual adaptation of the novel Treasure Island.  In the mere 52 pages used to convey this classic tale much has been whittled down and just the bare bones of the original remain, but to be fair a good job has been done with this limited space and the adapter, Alex Burrows, has decided to focus squarely on Jim Hawkins.  The Fable and Verse section is tremendous fun.  Here we encounter all manner of genres that Stevenson dabbled in from children's poetry to alien science fiction.  The short stories in here are wonderful and have been greatly adapted, many of them are not well-known.  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde has also been given an excellent treatment.  Divided into two parts with two separate artists, the first part is done in graphic format and tells our tale as we know it; the second part is a reproduction of the text from R.L. Stevenson's own pen as he writes Jekyll's letter of confession.  This text is then highly illustrated.  A unique way to present this story graphically and extremely satisfying.  The Bottle Imp is also satisfying even though it renders the story in art, though not text, as set during modern times.  Finally, I must say, I heartily enjoyed the mini- biography of R.L. Stevenson's life.  I have read a lot by this author but have never actually read about him, so it was all new information to me and highly entertaining.  This type of piece would be welcome in other volumes in this series that focus on one particular. author.  Usually with these books, I find the collection of art styles please me for the most part but usually find a few "not my thing".  However, I found this volume entirely visually pleasing and I certainly enjoyed the black and white art which suits this author and his genres of horror, mystery, and the Victorian era very well.  A must have in the collection.