Customer Reviews

The Man in the Iron Mask (Marvel Illustrated)

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This is an interesting adaption of what we find out to be only part of a massive work put out by Alexander Dumas. I've never read the original work(s) and from what I've read in Roy Thomas' intro, he had quite a daunting task trying to adapt this. All that being said, I've grown up on seeing quite a few film versions, the most recent being with Leonardo DiCaprio in the dual roles of King Louis and his twin brother, and I find this illustrated adaption to be quite boring. Perhaps it is true to the literary works, but after you've seen the great film adaptions, this is kind of a snoozer. Still, the artworks very good, although half the time I couldn't tell Athos from Aramais from D'Artagnan in the different scenes. Porthos has always been easy - he's the fat one.
Do I recommend it? Yes, although don't expect something exciting like the film versions.

This graphic novel is one of the few adaptations I've seen that is actually faithful to the book. It is heartening to finally find that someone cares enough to be true to Dumas' story. The last one I've seen is the "Classics Illustrated" comic book.

The Leonardo DiCarprio movie is a travesty, on so many levels, for anyone who loves "The Man in the Iron Mask." I've looked at many film versions, and none of them match the deference to the original text as this graphic novel does.

If you want to experience this classic story in a colorful, graphic medium, I unreservedly recommend this.

Thank you, Marvel and Roy Thomas, for providing me with this quality addition to my Dumas shelf.