Alright – before I get to the review (it’s a big one), I’d like to cover some news. First, the bad news: Joe Kubert (Sgt. Rock and Hawkman amongst many other characters) passed away over the weekend. He was also known for one of the most decorated and prestigious schools of sequential art – the aptly named Joe Kubert School. If you’re looking to pursue a career in sequential art, please give them a look.
Now, for some good news: Steve Conley, writer and author of the webcomic Bloop is getting ready to go live with his kickstarter program tomorrow (14 August 2012). I was allowed a sneak-peek at his kickstarter page, and it looks fantastic. I can’t say anything more until the page goes live, but trust me on this – if you decide to fund any kickstarter, it needs to be this one. I am seriously giddy about this program. I’ll link to it as soon as it goes live.
Remember the Messy Eater Contest that Toon Books was doing a few weeks ago? They’ve extended the deadline to 15 August – so if you’ve been meaning to send in your pics to win a free copy of Maya Makes a Mess, you’ve got a couple of more days. There’s already some stiff competition on their site as well, check it out!
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A Wrinkle in Time
The Graphic Novel
Image Courtesy Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Written by Madeleine L’Engle, Adapted and Illustrated by Hope Larson
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012 (HB)
ISBN: 978-0-37438-615-3
$19.95, Ages 10+
Synopsis
Meg Murry. Charles Wallace Murry. Calvin O’Keefe. Mrs Who. Mrs Whatsit. Mrs Which. Names that have entered the timeless vernacular of YA science fiction literature. Originally published over 50 years ago, A Wrinkle in Time has never been out of print. Now, Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin are lovingly rendered in a visual aspect – from tessering to facing IT, the classic story gains a whole new dimension (please forgive the pun).
Analysis
I have been anticipating this for a long time, and it does not disappoint. It is obvious that Larson has poured a lot of work into this adaptation – this was not something that was slapped together in a matter of months. The characters are fully realized and developed (Mrs Who was a special delight, personally) and the two-tone color choices work throughout 99% of the book. The last 1% is my only beef with the book (and it’s a small one) is when Meg and company meet the Man with Red Eyes. Unfortunately, his eyes are a milky blue, causing a little disconnect with the story. Other than that, A Wrinkle in Time is a brilliantly recognized work from an outstanding artist. If this does not get at least one Eisner Award nod, then I will be supremely upset.
Final Thoughts
As a kid, I struggled to grasp L’Engle’s works (I was never good with the complex mathematical theories). Larson’s work on this book completely epitomizes the entire context of why I think graphic novels are so important. She has managed to take something that was practically undecipherable and present it in a way that is not only understandable, but engaging without talking down or resorting to condescension. This is going to be one of those books that will find its way into the classroom, not only as a literature book, but also a style book. If you enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time, this will be a very welcome addition to your collection. If you never read it because it was too confusing, give this version a try – it has a flow to it that makes everything more understandable. This is a (if not *the*) must have book of 2012.
A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel will be available 2 October 2012.
I am so excited to hear about this! Thanks!
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