Fairy tales have fueled our dreams and fired our imaginations for centuries. Step inside a time machine built by a collection of today's finest storytellers, and enter a range of futures where familiar tales are reimagined in an astonishing variety of styles. Editor Andrew Carl and Producer Chris Stevens bring you the next wave of leading writers and illustrators, working alongside superstar creators like Farel Dalrymple (Pop Gun War), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Khoi Pham (Daredevil), and Brandon Graham (King City) to deliver a reading experience that will delight generations young and old.
Once Upon a Time Machine
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"It's a giant book stuffed to bursting with great stories told with truly unique characters, based on classic fables. Every piece presented here is a quality piece of work and will provide hours of whimsical, light hearted reading." -Talking Comics
"It's a volume that adults and children will greatly enjoy, with clever, insightful, and witty tales abounding on every page...Highly recommended." -SFRevu
"You may not be completely sold on one story, but you turn the page and there is one that completely blows you away. No matter your tastes, there's something for you in this. I cannot recommend this highly enough and give it a 5/5 because that is as high as it goes." -Comic Book Therapy
"Time Machine examines knotty, dark issues -- death, loss, alienation -- but, as with the original stories, there are lessons to be learned. With its wealth of humor, playfulness and gorgeous illustration, it's completely kid-safe, but grandma will surely get a kick out of it, too." -Philadelphia City Paper
"This is a gorgeous, GORGEOUS presentation. Clocking in at over 400 pages, this book is the type of thing I absolutely adore; beautifully crafted genre stories that take full advantage of the medium of comics." -CHUD.com
"It's a volume that adults and children will greatly enjoy, with clever, insightful, and witty tales abounding on every page...Highly recommended." -SFRevu
"You may not be completely sold on one story, but you turn the page and there is one that completely blows you away. No matter your tastes, there's something for you in this. I cannot recommend this highly enough and give it a 5/5 because that is as high as it goes." -Comic Book Therapy
"Time Machine examines knotty, dark issues -- death, loss, alienation -- but, as with the original stories, there are lessons to be learned. With its wealth of humor, playfulness and gorgeous illustration, it's completely kid-safe, but grandma will surely get a kick out of it, too." -Philadelphia City Paper
"This is a gorgeous, GORGEOUS presentation. Clocking in at over 400 pages, this book is the type of thing I absolutely adore; beautifully crafted genre stories that take full advantage of the medium of comics." -CHUD.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Disclaimer: Copy recieved via Netgalley.
Once Upon a Time Machine is what all good retellings of beloved tales should be. The basic premise is a series of tales transported to Sci-Fi settings that, in part, ensure employment of a comics department in a large corporation. Perhaps a comment on today's publishing world? If so, it seems to be an accurate one.
And you can believe it.
The various stories used include American folklore such as John Henry, Aesop, Asian tales such as "The Peach Pit Boy", European fairy tales such as "Billy Goats Gruff" and classic literature such as the works of Dumas. It works. It works brilliantly and is not a copy of Fables.
In short, the only thing setting this collection of retellings from those short stories collections edited by Datlow and Windling is the medium used.
Each story is retold using a different style, and between the stories is artwork depicting scenes from other tales. While the settings are in the future, they range from spaceships to bio-domes and a future Nigeria. If you are a parent or a librarian looking for something depicting more than just white men, this collection more than fulfills that demand.
The collection starts very strong with a retelling of the American legend of John Henry. John Henry is a folk hero who does not get the attention he deserves, at least currently, and it is a joy to see him in a beautiful and powerful retelling. The framing device used in the tale works perfectly, and this is one of those comic stories that transcend comics. The power and pathos of the John Henry story is more than equaled by tales such as "Pinocchio or the Stars are Not Wanted Now", "The Five Chinese Brothers", and "The Last Leaf", a retelling of an O. Henry story . These stories show that too often comics move beyond the medium that is seen most often in the movies and racks. They are equal of anything by Eisner, who gets a nod in the beginning of the collection.
Not every story in the collection is serious and heart-breaking. "Goldilocks and the Three Bears, or Silver-Hair and the Three Xairs" will delight any science fiction fan as well as lovers of Roald Dahl. Thought Mickey and the Brooms was a bit cute in Fantasia, try "Sweet Porridge".
What is most interesting is how some of the tales are transformed. "The Billy Goats Gruff; or, The Crossing" keeps the testing of the original but becomes a quest for a girl undertakes to save her grandfather. "The Three Musketeers" have to help their king in a future Nigeria, where their enemies consist of robots that remind one of Star Wars droids. The changes or twisting of some of the stories is very imaginative and works - "The Tortoise and the Hare" as a soapbox derby for instance. The best twist, in my mind, is "The Billy Goats Gruff". I would buy a series of stories about Billie. Where was she when I was growing up? "The Billy Goats Gruff" story will please fans of Robin Mckinley.
Even those stories such as "The Last Leaf" and "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" that stick most closely to their sources keep the spirit of the source and hence work extremely. "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" is a favorite story of mine, and I liked this retelling as much as I liked the original.
The artwork is varied, including artwork that is clearly inspired by anime and magna. There is super-hero artwork in "Peach Pit Boy", which of all the stories is the closest to a tradition comic super-hero. In most of the cases, the artwork suits the style and tone of the story perfectly. The only art I didn't particularly like was that with "The Three Musketeers", I loved the story but at times I found the artwork a little hard to follow. Even there, however, in many panels you could see the connection between the story and the art.
I do have to say the only time I was disappointed was the fact that the "Three Little Pigs" picture that referenced both Power Rangers and Star Wars was just that. While the pig story was good, I wanted to see the story that went with that picture.
Ah well, hopefully there will be a volume two. This is an excellent book. If you love fairy tales, read it. If you have a daughter, get for her. Get if for your libraries. It really is a work of art on all levels.
Once Upon a Time Machine is what all good retellings of beloved tales should be. The basic premise is a series of tales transported to Sci-Fi settings that, in part, ensure employment of a comics department in a large corporation. Perhaps a comment on today's publishing world? If so, it seems to be an accurate one.
And you can believe it.
The various stories used include American folklore such as John Henry, Aesop, Asian tales such as "The Peach Pit Boy", European fairy tales such as "Billy Goats Gruff" and classic literature such as the works of Dumas. It works. It works brilliantly and is not a copy of Fables.
In short, the only thing setting this collection of retellings from those short stories collections edited by Datlow and Windling is the medium used.
Each story is retold using a different style, and between the stories is artwork depicting scenes from other tales. While the settings are in the future, they range from spaceships to bio-domes and a future Nigeria. If you are a parent or a librarian looking for something depicting more than just white men, this collection more than fulfills that demand.
The collection starts very strong with a retelling of the American legend of John Henry. John Henry is a folk hero who does not get the attention he deserves, at least currently, and it is a joy to see him in a beautiful and powerful retelling. The framing device used in the tale works perfectly, and this is one of those comic stories that transcend comics. The power and pathos of the John Henry story is more than equaled by tales such as "Pinocchio or the Stars are Not Wanted Now", "The Five Chinese Brothers", and "The Last Leaf", a retelling of an O. Henry story . These stories show that too often comics move beyond the medium that is seen most often in the movies and racks. They are equal of anything by Eisner, who gets a nod in the beginning of the collection.
Not every story in the collection is serious and heart-breaking. "Goldilocks and the Three Bears, or Silver-Hair and the Three Xairs" will delight any science fiction fan as well as lovers of Roald Dahl. Thought Mickey and the Brooms was a bit cute in Fantasia, try "Sweet Porridge".
What is most interesting is how some of the tales are transformed. "The Billy Goats Gruff; or, The Crossing" keeps the testing of the original but becomes a quest for a girl undertakes to save her grandfather. "The Three Musketeers" have to help their king in a future Nigeria, where their enemies consist of robots that remind one of Star Wars droids. The changes or twisting of some of the stories is very imaginative and works - "The Tortoise and the Hare" as a soapbox derby for instance. The best twist, in my mind, is "The Billy Goats Gruff". I would buy a series of stories about Billie. Where was she when I was growing up? "The Billy Goats Gruff" story will please fans of Robin Mckinley.
Even those stories such as "The Last Leaf" and "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" that stick most closely to their sources keep the spirit of the source and hence work extremely. "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" is a favorite story of mine, and I liked this retelling as much as I liked the original.
The artwork is varied, including artwork that is clearly inspired by anime and magna. There is super-hero artwork in "Peach Pit Boy", which of all the stories is the closest to a tradition comic super-hero. In most of the cases, the artwork suits the style and tone of the story perfectly. The only art I didn't particularly like was that with "The Three Musketeers", I loved the story but at times I found the artwork a little hard to follow. Even there, however, in many panels you could see the connection between the story and the art.
I do have to say the only time I was disappointed was the fact that the "Three Little Pigs" picture that referenced both Power Rangers and Star Wars was just that. While the pig story was good, I wanted to see the story that went with that picture.
Ah well, hopefully there will be a volume two. This is an excellent book. If you love fairy tales, read it. If you have a daughter, get for her. Get if for your libraries. It really is a work of art on all levels.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Love to Read
Format:Paperback
ONCE UPON A TIME MACHINE met and exceeded my expectations. The book looks great, the content is fresh, and most of all everyone loves (and grew up with) fairy tales. This collection should be in every library -- personal and public. Congratulations to the editors Andrew Carl and Chris Stevens and to all of the contributors. Watch the great trailer and you'll be sold.... [...] Now go order it!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By deanW
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The art in this book is amazing. One of my favorite pages was done by Dave Proch, the detail is just unreal. I truly believe he is one to look out for and this book will become a modern classic.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
alright comic book
I had to buy this for my art history of comics book. There were only some of the comics which i was a fan of but i feel like this all depends on the buyer. Read more
Published 1 month ago by punkrock61832
5.0 out of 5 stars
I did the FROG PRINCE pin-up!!!
This book was a huge labor od love and I am so happy to see it come to fruition and published by such a comic book powerhouse like Dark Horse.
Published 3 months ago by Frankie B. Washington
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a Wonderful Gift
This project, one that came to fruition because of the extraordinary level of skill and dedication on the part of its contributors, truly 'breathes' on its own; the work is alive,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ryan J. Ortega
5.0 out of 5 stars
Once Upon a Time Machine
To re-imagine fairy tales in comic form is a great concept and this compilation is wonderfully executed--both in words and visuals. Read more
Published 4 months ago by B Apple Sullivan
5.0 out of 5 stars
good gift for a ten year old
I read half this before I wrapped it for Christmas. Some very nice stories in this volume. I like the multitude of countries and ethnicities involved.
Published 4 months ago by D. L. Cillo
4.0 out of 5 stars
A review from Bookworm1858
The blurb promised a collection of 24 tales twisting and playing with beloved fairy tales. However I did not realize that it would actually be retellings of familiar stories. Read more
Published 5 months ago by bookworm1858
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fairy Tales and Folklore in the Future
This was a beautiful accomplishment! The writers and artists created a wonderful retelling of traditional fairy tales and folklore in sci-fi and fantasy settings. Read more
Published 6 months ago by pariahstudio
4.0 out of 5 stars
Re-imagining my childhood
It's interesting. In all honesty, I would never pick up a comic book, or graphic novel, or even a manga as recreational reading. They aren't my kind of thing. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Whoadini
2.0 out of 5 stars
Once Upon a Waste of Time
I expected to love this book, which is why I selected the ARC in the first place. In general I love fairy tales, and I love to see them reimagined, but I was truly disappointed in... Read more
Published 6 months ago by fredtownward
4.0 out of 5 stars
Once Upon a Time for modern times
Aside from the Preacher and 100 Bullet series, I'm not well versed in comics unless my fan boy buddy gets me into them. Read more
Published 7 months ago by ViperCrowe
