The Trap-Door Maker: A Prequel To The Phantom Of The Opera. Collected Edition (Perfect Paperback)

~ Pete Bregman (Author, Illustrator), cover by Basil Gogos (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bregman's work throughout this series has been impeccable, and the way he has breathed life into the character has been remarkable. --Comics Waiting Room

Recipient of the Diamond Comic Distributors / Previews CERTIFIED COOL classification. --Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.

The effect is simple and marvelous: a strong character is given even more depth and detail, and a classic story has new life breathed into it. --Movie Poop Shoot.com

Product Description

The critically-acclaimed graphic novel is now a COLLECTED EDITION with stunning Basil Gogos cover. Prior to his infamous life as 'The Phantom,' the disfigured genius named Erik traveled the globe as a magician and sideshow horror. His unique skills eventually earned him a job as architect and political assassin for the Shah of Persia. THE TRAP-DOOR MAKER tells the tale of Erik's origins, actions, and ultimate betrayal! COLLECTED EDITION contains all three books, as well as bonus adaptation of Gaston Leroux's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Chapter 1.

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Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Neck Bolt Publishing (June 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977386635
• ISBN-13: 978-0977386635
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,326,763 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Must Have, October 30, 2008

By	L. Epps "word wizard" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Pete Bregman's take on Erik's life in Persia had me absolutely glued from page one, to the very end. His talent as an artist, and his love for the story, comes through in every scene. One understands the emotions of particular characters just through their eyes. I am really grateful that Bregman took on the challenge of filling in the misty years Erik spent in Persia, and his relationship with the Daroga. This work complements all the other stories, and is a must have for a Phantom devotee. Buy it. You will not be disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Graphic Novel version of the Classic, August 17, 2008

By	L. L. Gray "IListen" (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Gaston Leroux alludes to Erik's past in "The Phantom of the Opera", wetting our appetite but never really filling in the details. Many authors have written stories that give the reader a glimpse into what that past may have been to shape the Opera Ghost's character, and now Bregman has provided us with another version, this time in pictures. Using the increasingly popular medium of the graphic novel, Bregman recounts Erik's time as the architect of the Persian Shah's macabre palace, complete with secret passages and torture chambers. He also gives us a look at his relationship with the Sultana, although in a different light than given by Leroux. This edition includes the 3 books that originally comprised "The Trap-Door Maker", as well as the first chapter of a graphic novel version of "The Phantom of the Opera". It also includes sketch board drawings of the various devises Erik invents and concept drawings of Erik, without his mask, based on Leroux's descriptions (although Bregman ultimately decided not to depict Erik without his mask).

Graphic novels have a strong appeal for young people and this may be a good way to introduce this classic tale to them, even if they have seen the musical or any of the film adaptations. I hope that Bregman follows through with his version of the original classic; the taste he has given at the end of this volume is only a tease for what looks to be an excellent entry into these genres.

4.0 out of 5 stars A cut above your average piece of Phan-Phiction, to be sure, May 2, 2009

By	Benjamin Orchard (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My copy of "The Trap Door Maker" arrived in the mail last week and I finished it in a couple of sittings.

I can now say that:

1. It does work reasonably well as a standalone story. Those who haven't read Leroux's original novel will find it to be coherent and intelligible, though much of the obvious foreshadowing will fly completely over their head and the ending will seem abrupt (it's really more of a cliffhanger for Bregman's upcoming comic book of "Phantom Of The Opera" than anything else)

2. This is not a revisionist depiction of the characters. Erik is the sarcastic, oddly childlike, stone-cold-killer that we all know and love from Leroux (though being younger, he's not as adept at killing initially, but he soon learns). The Daroga is shifty-but-honourable, just like in Leroux. I had no trouble reconciling Bregman's characterisations with the originals.

3. This is not just a regurgitation of the way Susan Kay depicted Erik's early years. Bregman has his own take on things.

My general impressions of this book:

It's quite short, and fans of this version who refer to it as a "graphic novel" are being misleading. I finished it in a couple of sittings and could easily have finished it in a single sitting if I wasn't so busy with work. My one real disappointment with "The Trap Door Maker" was that I think it could've been longer.

Bregman's book is an intelligent one, but not a thought-provoking one. He comes up with an interesting plot, his dialogue is literate and believable... but he doesn't even try to psychoanalyse any of these characters. If you come to this book wanting a deeper understanding of Erik's psychology then this book will disappoint. Though his past is vividly depicted, Erik remains an enigma in many respects
(and perhaps that is a good thing - there's another extreme in fan fiction to over explain things... I am looking at you, Madame Kay...)

This book is not in the least bit romantic. No nookie for Erik here, no sir.... and yet, neither does Erik come across as a terrifying and imposing figure. Bregman has done quite a remarkable thing here... his Erik is human without being cutesy and fluffy... his Erik is also dangerous without coming across as an outright villain... bravo for pulling off such a difficult balancing act, Bregman. It's something that most authors of Phan-Phiction do not even dare to attempt.

I also liked how the design of child-Erik's mask was like the Lon Chaney version.

And I liked how we never got to see Erik's face, like in the Charles Dance philm.

The sample chapter from Bregman's upcoming "Phantom" adaptation and his initial draft sketches of Erik's face both promise great things to come.

Bregman's balanced and unsentimental take on this character is a delicacy to be savoured amidst so much sugar coated Phan Phiction that's out there.