Customer Reviews

In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Though beautifully done in many ways, I feel that this book should have been entitled: IN THE SHADOW OF RUFUS W. GRISWOLD. Just two days after Poe's death, Griswold, his bitter rival, wrote his "Obituary", and later "Memoir", in his edition of Poe's works, in 1850. "His abusive and slanderous characterization of Poe became the unofficial biographical record for the 19th Century"...(Poe Encyclopedia, 1997). It is obvious that it still seems to be continued in the defamation of Poe's character to this day, as is, I feel portrayed by the storyline in this book.

Having been a Poe scholar for years, I'm disappointed that the effort used to create this book didn't focus more on his creative abilities, showing his tremendous talent. He gave us the detective genre. He was a fierce, but truthful critic and editor. Just check out a chronology of his works. It's obvious that he did more in his 40 years, than just sit around getting drunk, and seducing his aunt.

His gentle side is, of course, spoken of in the countless letters, memoirs and testimonies written by his friends and loved ones during his life, and especially after his death, when his defenders tried to dispel Griswold's lies.

I am very impressed with the graphics, art work and photography that was created in this book. My only objection is the inaccurate information regarding his life. I hate misrepresentation. (Think of how YOU would feel...) There is so much research information available which, I feel could have been used to DISPEL the worn out, recycled lies that have plagued him for over 150 years.

Those of us who admire and respect him will continue to defend his reputation and honor his memory.

I should preface this review by saying that I've loved Poe since I was a kid. I think Poe appeals to the young and romantics (and the two are not dissimilar - there is an admirable innocence in both), and why not? He was obviously a genius, who applied his incredible talents to the women he loved and idolized, and his own tortured, almost perpetually-adolescent soul is the definition of angst. Therefore, my connection with Poe is sentimental as much as it is "fun" and scholarly.

Which is all to say that I picked up a copy of "In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe" as soon as it became available. An unusual graphic novel - in the same style as "I, Paparazzi" which Stephen John Phillips also photographed - "Shadow" purports to be a "diary" left by Poe, rediscovered by a literary scholar teetering on the edge of decay. Poe's diary lays out in graphic detail that the man was not simply haunted by the "demons" of bipolar disorder and alcoholism, but actual demonic spirits that granted Poe his abilities at the cost of his health, his loved ones, and eventually his life.

On one hand, this makes a great addition to the Poe pantheon. What better explanation for a genius' macabre work than to explain it away by true supernatural forces? On the other hand, it sells Poe and that very genius short - what way to better insult one of the English languages finest authors than to claim that he wasn't responsible for his own work - that strange creatures from another dimension wrote it instead. Something about that doesn't sit well with me; one of the things take makes genius, literary and otherwise, so amazing is that people can sit and say, "he (or she) is one of US. A person, another human being, did THAT." If you explain it away with divine (or profane, as the case might be) inspiration, much of the effect is lost.

Not that "Shadow" is a bad book - far from it. Fuqua nailed Poe's writing style exactly, and the photography and graphic manipulation give it an otherworldly feel so familiar to those who "know Poe." There was obviously more than a little research involved in "Shadow," and both the story and the illustrations reflect a sincere desire to honor the author. Unfortunately - and maybe it's my own personal bias - "Shadow" ends up discrediting the very author to whom it pays tribute.

That being said, read at your own risk. Whether you agree with their premise or not, it's still worth a look.

Final Grade: C+

"In The Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe" is a superb graphic novel, certainly unique in its style. The photographic art is a great concept and it works very well with this "real" story of Edgar Poe. Unfortunately, as an avid scholar of Poe, I still cringe when reading this story, which is great despite its inaccuracies.

First and foremost, the perverted love triangle between Edgar, his wife Virginia, and aunt "Muddy" was a rumor created in passing after Poe's death by his sort of arch-nemesis Rufus Griswold, and there has never been any record to prove it as truth. Additionally, the story continues a variety of false truths of Edgar's life, including his moody character. Readers should be aware that an artist's work is not necessarily a reflection of the artist's life. If that were the case, perhaps it is Jonathon Scott Fuqua, and not Poe, that is plagued by demons.

Overall, this is a great read with a highly innovative art style. Just don't use it as source material for your studies of Poe.

This work takes the graphic novel genre to greater heights. The use of Stephen Phillips' lovely quirky photography and Steven Parke's endlessly creative artistic expression to enhance Jon Fuqua's quietly insightful tale of what was really going on with Poe is a dark and blissful marriage, as bothersomely beautiful as Poe's own to cousin Virginia. Edgar, Auntie Maria, and cuz Virginia brought worlds of new meaning to the concept of menage a trois. This story unflinchingly examines and displays the seamiest aspects of Poe's morally equivocal, but endlessly fascinating and brilliant life. Fans of PREACHER, HELLBLAZER, and Neil Gaiman's SANDMAN will find much to love here as well. This belongs in every public library collection for young adults and in any collection of American literary history. The best part is that the demons who plague Poe are portrayed in such a way as the reader still can never be quite sure if they are real and separate beings or just Poe's absinthe-soaked delusions. Masterfully rendered.

Graphic novels, like comics, have to stand on the three legs of story, writing, and art. If any leg fails, the book fails. I found the story to be great and the writing to be above average. I found the photography to be lacking, though. It is not for a lack of technique, as one look at the cover image demonstrates (it is actually what drew me to the book--stunning). What bothered me about many of the pictures is the posing of the models. The models come off, well, posed. So much so that they look like mannequins when they should be expressing movement or emotion. Whether this is the fault of the models or the photographer I can't say but the responsibility ultimately lies with the photographer. It detracts from the work as a whole and keeps the book from being completely satisfying.

I am new to the world of the graphic novel, but if "In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe" is the standard, I want more. After their strong debut with "I, Paparazzi," the trio-con-brio of Parke-Fuqua-Phillips have realized their potential with this offering. Although it will predictably irritate Poe purists, it shouldn't - because this is just the type of informed speculation that even has a chance of plumbing the source of Poe's sort of mad genius. In the end, the question of Poe's literal demons is left open to debate - a masterstroke, given the ever-enigmatic Poe's legend.
The display of individual talent here is alone worth the cost of the book: Phillips photos are beautifully composed and lit.
Fuqua's writing is altogether spooky as he seems to channel the master himself. When Fuqua/Poe writes, "I laid bare the inner-world of haunted men, of people seeking revenge, of those doomed to die lonely," it's as if Poe is in the room with you. Steve Parke, whom I've been privileged to watch illustrate and photo-restore my own books, is at his apogee this time. Not only is every frame turned into a piece of art, but his casting of Damon Norko as Poe is inspired. If someone doesn't license some of his panels from Poe for posters I'll be shocked. As Joe Bob Briggs would say, "Check it out."

I am new to the world of the graphic novel, but if "In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe" is the standard, I want more. After their strong debut with "I, Paparazzi," the trio-con-brio of Parke-Fuqua-Phillips have realized their potential with this offering. Although it will predictably irritate Poe purists, it shouldn't - because this is just the type of informed speculation that even has a chance of plumbing the source of Poe's sort of mad genius. In the end, the question of Poe's literal demons is left open to debate - a masterstroke, given the ever-enigmatic Poe's legend.
The display of individual talent here is alone worth the cost of the book: Phillips photos are beautifully composed and lit.
Fuqua's writing is altogether spooky as he seems to channel the master himself. When Fuqua/Poe writes, "I laid bare the inner-world of haunted men, of people seeking revenge, of those doomed to die lonely," it's as if Poe is in the room with you. Steve Parke, whom I've been privileged to watch illustrate and photo-restore my own books, is at his apogee this time. Not only is every frame turned into a piece of art, but his casting of Damon Norko as Poe is inspired. If someone doesn't license some of his panels from Poe for posters I'll be shocked. As Joe Bob Briggs would say, "Check it out."

This book is a wonderful idea for a small book - A diary found that belonged to Edgar Allan Poe. The illustrations are fantastic, and lead to the character of the book. Follows the sad story of Poe. And the writing - it's a WOW - giving that Poe had his demons, (we knew that) but they were ACTUAL DEMONS)

For Poe fans especially - or those who want to see a great illustrated book for adults.

I have two simple words for this book... MIND BLOWING!

Disgusting, libelous twaddle that drags Poe's name through the mud. Useful as an emetic, perhaps.