Graphic Classics: Oscar Wilde (Graphic Classics (Graphic Novels)) [Paperback]

Alex Burrows (Author), Antonella Caputo (Author), Rich Rainey (Author), Lisa K. Weber (Author), Rich Tommaso (Author), Molly Kiely (Author), Nick Miller (Author), Lance Tooks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2009 | Series: Graphic Classics (Graphic Novels) (Book 16)

Graphic Classics: Oscar Wilde features "The Picture of Dorian Gray", Wilde's tale of narcissism and horror, adapted for comics by Alex Burrows and illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. Plus the comic satire "The Canterville Ghost" by Antonella Caputo and Nick Miller, "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime" by Rich Rainey and Stan Shaw, and an adaptation of Wilde's exotic play "Salome", illustrated by Molly Kiely.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This comic anthology of adaptations of Oscar Wilde’s writings gives readers an overview of the darkness and humor that were both a part of Wilde’s writing, though the effectiveness of the adaptations varies. All the stories are slow to start, but “The Canterville Ghost” and “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime” overcome this and end strongly. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” reads as if necessary text had been edited out, weakening it irreparably, and “Salome” is incomprehensible to readers without in-depth knowledge of the biblical story of John the Baptist, though its creepy title character will send shivers down readers’ backs. The varied illustrators have unique enough visions to expose readers to new art but aren’t so avant-garde as to be inaccessible. This collection from the Graphic Classics series will never be a first choice for browsers, but teachers and school librarians could easily use it as a nice companion to the study of Wilde’s works. Grades 10-12. --Snow Wildsmith

Review

Alex Burrows and Lisa K. Weber's take on The Picture Of Dorian Gray plays up the tale's gothic horror elements and demimonde decadence. Burrows streamlines the novel to fit it into 45 comics pages, but the results never feel rushed or cramped, largely because Weber conveys Dorian Gray's despicable behavior with a light touch that serves Wilde's sense of irony. --Noel Murray, AV Club

The sixteenth volume in this series does a bang-up job capturing the Victorian author's distinct voice. In this, it is perhaps one of the most successful entries in Graphic Classics series to date. --Bill Sherman, BlogCritics

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Eureka Productions (January 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978791967
• ISBN-13: 978-0978791964
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #785,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning book!, February 23, 2009

By 

Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Graphic Classics: Oscar Wilde (Graphic Classics (Graphic Novels)) (Paperback)

Great shades of classic literature! Of all the Graphic Classics editions I have read, my initial impression of Volume 16, Oscar Wilde, is the strongest by far.

I am not sure if it's the unexpected discovery of a favourite story that I have known, but not known. The "Canterville Ghost" is a splendid story of a ghost who just can't scare the English inhabitants of the house away. Reading the story carefully, you realize that Casper the friendly Ghost, Beetlejuice, and a host of other ghost friendly films are based on this. Antonella Caputo and Nick Miller do a super adaptation that sparkles with hilarity. The Picture of Dorian Gray is just as chilling and intense as the original story is.

The most startling tale is "Lord Arthur Saville's Crime." With stark, energetic art by Stan Shaw, Rick Rainey gives us a compelling story of an accurate cheiromantist with murder as his prediction. The biblical story of Salome (retold by Wilde) springs to life with unexpected details and brutality. The last panel of Salome kissing the head of the prophet just as she is about to be executed by her father is shocking, but could be more so if was a stark image of two bodiless heads kissing.

With usual skill and deft literary abandon, Tom Pomplun presents tales calculated to keep readers in suspense....

Look for Graphic Classics at your local book store or online at www.graphicclassics.com

Tim Lasiuta

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Graphic Classics, February 13, 2009

By 

Michael Kriesel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Graphic Classics: Oscar Wilde (Graphic Classics (Graphic Novels)) (Paperback)

If you remember the 1945 film, The Picture of Dorian Gray, you will revel, as I did in the new Graphic Classics collection of Oscar Wilde stories. It perfectly captures the black and white classic, and more. The graphic version (drawing by Lisa K. Weber) uses swoops of perspective, menacing shadow and quick cutting to advance the action to its dizzying climax. The highly charged illustrations by Stan Shaw for Lord Arthur Savile's Crime carry this even further. To see what this media is really capable of buy Graphic Classics Oscar Wilde. And hats off to the two people who adapted the originals to this form: Alex Burrows and Rich Rainey. After you catch your breath you'll want to move on to The Canterville Ghost and Salome, also in this issue. Oscar, you are alive and well in the Twenty-First Century.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Wilde Fan, March 23, 2010

By 

ems (westchester, ny) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Graphic Classics: Oscar Wilde (Graphic Classics (Graphic Novels)) (Paperback)

I wrote my Undergrad thesis on Oscar Wilde, I am a huge fan of all things Wilde, books, poems, biographies, essays, children's, adults, movies, plays etc. You get the point, anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this Graphic novel collection, my favorite being their take on Dorian Gray, although simplified and some of his amazing Wit is lost, the translation into a graphic novel lends itself perfectly.

highly recommend for fans or not. I enjoyed this GN so much that I also purchased the Lovecraft. (I plan to get for my new teen library room, as soon as the library work for is finished with renovations.)