GRAPHIC CLASSICS: BRAM STOKER #7
© Graphic Classics
Mania Grade: A
Issue: 7
Authors: Various
Publisher: Graphic Classics
Price: $11.95
Issue: 7
Authors: Various
Publisher: Graphic Classics
Price: $11.95
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: BRAM STOKER #7
By: Kurt AmackerReview Date: Friday, August 31, 2007
Graphic Classics has reprinted its seventh volume, Bram Stoker, with a new 48-page adaptation of Dracula by Rich Rainey and Joe Ollman. The publisher has retained the stories from the earlier edition, including adaptations of The Judge’s House, Lair of the White Worm, and excerpts from The Jewel of the Seven Stars – an early mummy-horror story – and the very Poe-like The Squaw. The volume also includes an illustrated printing of Stoker’s short story, The Wondrous Child.
Given the authorial source, the quality of the stories remains largely consistent. The Wondrous Child proves the collection’s weakest moment, if only because the story feels more whimsical and, I’m afraid, a touch silly by comparison to the morbid goings-on in the other tales. The adaptation of Dracula, though welcome, proves a bit too condensed for comfort. It reproduces many of the characters, details, and situations often missing from so many film adaptations, but rushes Stoker’s leisurely story in the name of space. After Marvel’s amazingly thorough Stoker’s Dracula by Roy Thomas and Dick Giordano, one can’t help but find any other adaptation wanting. Regardless, Joe Ollman’s art recreates the story in a quirky, cartoonish style that feels more appropriate for an animated film than a moody black and white vision of Stoker’s novel. But, rather than hindering it, the art brings a novel perspective in lieu of the usual lush, Gothic excess found in most adaptations.
Interestingly enough, Graphic Classics: Bram Stoker presents only The Judge’s House in arguably “standard” comic art. The art in the other stories presents a range of cartoonish exaggeration, from the angular, art deco negative space of The Bridal of Death (adapted from the aforementioned The Jewel of the Seven Stars) to the almost editorial cartoon style of Torture Tower (adapted from The Squaw).
Graphic Classics: Bram Stoker presents an entertaining selection of the author’s other, less known work. While the Dracula adaptation proves novel for its art, the collection stands out more for the chance to expose readers to the author’s other work.
Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at comicscape@mania.com.
More From Mania
GRAPHIC CLASSICS #1
And The Nominees Are...
(Monday, February 25, 2008)
Gothic Classics: Graphic Classics #14
(Saturday, June 16, 2007)
"Graphic Classics: H.P. Lovecraft"
(Wednesday, February 14, 2007)
Just Another Night at the Vampire Club: William Harms on IMPALER
(Wednesday, August 16, 2006)
The winners of the Bram Stoker Awards 2004
(Tuesday, June 8, 2004)
Peter Straub Wins Stoker Award for MR. X
(Wednesday, May 17, 2000)
See more related content
