Renfield: A Tale of Madness [Paperback]

Gary Reed (Author), Galen Showman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1995

The saga of the madman as portrayed in Bram Stoker's classic novel, Dracula. Tormented by visions, Renfield must decide on joining the darkness if he wishes to obtain immortality. But what price will he have to pay?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A gothic jewel" -- Comic Buyers Guide

"One of the Best" -- Tomorrows News

"Perhaps the most intelligently written graphic novel Ive ever read." -- J.C. Vaughn, Combo Magazine

"puts a new twist to the Dracula mythos" -- Comics/Animation Newswire

About the Author

Kyle Garrett is the psuedonym of author Gary Reed who has written numerous graphic novels inlcuding the acclaimed series of Baker Street, Renfield, and Saint Germaine. He is also the author of a number of Tome Press titles featuring historical and biographical illustrated stories. Currently, Gary is writing a few series in comics and screenplays for film. He lives in Michigan with his wife and four daughters which also keeps him busy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Stabur Pr (September 1995)
• ISBN-10: 0941613771
• ISBN-13: 978-0941613774
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,263,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Reed balances his time between writing and teaching Biology courses at colleges in the Detroit/Ann Arbor area. As a writer, Gary is best known for his insightful and diverse stories in graphic novel format including such acclaimed titles as Baker Street, Renfield, Red Diaries, and Saint Germaine. Utilizing a sensibility structured around literary and historical figures, Gary is known for providing thought provoking stories that avoid the typical skim of sequential novels. His popular tale of a supernatural holocaust, Deadworld, is one of the longest running independent comics and is signed to be a major motion picture. In addition to graphic novels, Gary has also written screenplays, young adult novels, role playing and video games, and is currently working on two novels. In his early career, Gary was the founder and publisher of Caliber Press, one of the seminal publishers of the 1990's. Caliber helped to launch the careers of dozens on today's top creators. Gary's writing and publishing have been nominated and awarded numerous industry awards. Gary was also Vice President of McFarlane Toys, a company that revolutionized the industry. As an adjunct professor, Gary teaches a variety of Biology classes including General Biology, Evolution, Anatomy and Physiology, etc. Gary was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and still remains in the area with his wife, Jennifer. They have four daughters: Stephanie, Jessica, Alison, and Erica.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating look at a man descending into madness, October 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Renfield: A Tale of Madness (Paperback)

I was quite surprised by this book. I thought it would be just another Dracula story but the Count is hardly in it at all. But don't be mistaken, he is still a principle player. The story covers the patient Renfield as an inmate at the insane asylum. The writer gives a lot of information and reasons why Renfield catches flies and its not just to eat them. As the story unfolds, we see Renfield dealing with this prophecy that he has been saddled with and the decisions he must make. I picked this up because I read a review that someone wrote saying it was the most intelligent graphic novel they had ever read. I would have to agree...maybe not the most intelligent but certainly up there. The art was very good and I for one, was glad it wasn't gory. It told a lot more by being sublte. A very good book that would make a fascinating movie. hello, Hollywood? Are you listening?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good campanion volume to the classic., December 19, 2002

By 

James E. Pendergrass "jedwardp" (Durham, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Renfield: A Tale of Madness (Paperback)

I must begin by crediting this book for achieving its primary goal, which was of course to expand and further explain the character of Renfield. It does so interestingly, and at times, admirably. It also demonstrates the authors' knowledge of, and respect for, Stoker's masterpiece. Showman's artwork is effective and almost perfectly appropriate.

However, in shifting the focus of the story so greatly toward Renfield, it distorts the other characters---most notably Van Helsing---significantly. In places, it also veers more from the originally written events than I think was necessary, so I can give it only four stars. This disappoints me a bit, because the potential for a five-star book was there.

Read this, yes, but as a companion volume only, NOT as a substitute for Dracula, which I encourage you to read first.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gary Reed can write!, December 17, 2006

By 

Shannon Eric Denton "Writer and Publisher" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Renfield: A Tale Of Madness (Paperback)

Another great Gary Reed book. Whether it's his kid friendly stuff like SPIRIT OF THE SAMURAI or his graphic novel work for Puffin adapting such classics as FRANKENSTEIN, Gary always manages to find a new twist on something familiar. This book looks great also! I recommend it to anyone that's a fan of the mythos.