Graphic Classics: H.P. Lovecraft
© N/A

Mania Grade: A
Issue: 1
Authors: Various
Publisher: Graphic Classics
Price: $11.95

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"Graphic Classics: H.P. Lovecraft"

I must have set some kind of record for reviewing two prose-to-comic adaptations in one week.  Regardless, Graphic Classics’ H.P. Lovecraft collection visualizes several stories by the pulp author, including Herbert West – Reanimator, The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Dreams in the Witch-House, and a few others.  A huge slate of artists and writers contributed to this anthology, including Richard Corben, Simon Gane, Pedro Lopez, Matt Howarth, and a bunch of others.  Most of the artists bring a curiously cartoonish quality to the stories, but it never detracts from the eldritch proceedings therein. 

I should briefly opine on H.P. Lovecraft, in light of my words about Stephen King in my Dark Tower review.  Lovecraft’s prose has rarely impressed me or anyone else, including all but his most ardent fans.  Lovecraft loved adjectives to the point of ridiculous excess.  Rather than attempting to describe the many indescribable horrors encountered by his scholar-turned-adventurer protagonists, old Howard Phillips would often launch into diatribes of abstract adjectives worthy of the most long-winded politicians.  But, he certainly enjoyed moments of literary grace – At the Mountains of Madness remains fairly readable – and he rarely descended to true dreck.  I have a few Lovecraft anthologies on my shelf and I consider myself a fan.  However, like J.R.R. Tolkien, the breadth and scope of his mythology far outclasses his idiosyncratic prose.  He just needed a better editor. 

That said, Graphic Classics’ Lovecraft anthology succeeds by removing Lovecraft’s enjoyably gruesome stories from the author’s quirky prose.  And, in this case, we actually see the looming, indescribable, eldritch horrors sprung forth from the unknowable abyss that lurks beyond time and space!  We see them!  In fact, the visualization of so many Lovecraftian creatures serves as this anthology’s greatest strength.  Whereas the author assured us these creatures were simply too horrible to describe, several accomplished cartoonists and comic artists do just that.  Obviously, I’m exaggerating just a bit, but I really enjoyed seeing faithful, competent renditions of Lovecraft’s work, particularly given the dearth of quality film adaptations.   

If you love Lovecraft or just want an accessible introduction, pick up Graphic Classics: H.P. Lovecraft.