Gothic Classics: Graphic Classics, Vol. 14

Eureka Productions' Gothic Classics, Vol. 14 collects several new comic book adaptations of classic gothic English literature.

Highly regarded works such as J. Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla", Ann Radcliffe's "Mysteries of Udolpho", Edgar Allan Poe's "The Oval Portrait", Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey", Myla Jo Closser's "At The Gate", and even Jane Austen's poem "I've a Pain in my Head" all get the comic book treatment.

I've a Pain in my Head

Austen's "I've a Pain in my Head" is humorously illustrated by Molly Kiely in a one page narrative that presents Austen's poem in a light that I'm not sure se intended, but the conclusion of which is quite funny.

That light little spot is the first and last bit of humor you'll find in any of these stories.

Carmilla

Le Fanu's "Carmilla" is adapted to graphic novel format by Rod Lott. The story tells of a noble family who out of the goodness of their own hearts, take care of a mysterious young girl named "Carmilla" while her mother is away on urgent business. The girl begins to haunt the dreams of the lord's young daughter. The daughter becomes ill many of the community fall ill and die. When the master of the house runs into an old friend from a neighbouring village he discovered that his friend has a very similar story that resulted in the death of his niece. He too had been taking care of a mysterious girl known to him as "Millarca", who revealed herself to be a vampire, sucking the life from his family and subjects. The nobles determine that they must dispatch the undead monster before any more souls are taken form the Earth.

This story is one of my favorites in the book. The graphic adaptation is very well paced by Lott and the story is illustrated in an endearing animated style Lisa K. Weber. Weber's pencils are unique as there are no inks; the entire story is done in various shades of what appears to be regular graphite pencil. Many seasoned artists would be unable to pull this off, but Weber's work turns out beautifully.

Mysteries of Udolpho

Ann Radcliff's "Mysteries of Udolpho" is adapted to comics by U.K. comic creator Antonella Caputo. In this story a young woman is whisked all across Europe thanks to her undying love for a young Chevalier and the marriage of her aunt to a corrupt Italian Signor. The tale includes dark family secrets, murder, pirates and secrets hidden in the Signor's own castle; Castle Udolpho.

This story failed to hook me for a couple of reasons. The plot was a little complicated and seemed a touch drawn out. The story likely could have been abridged further than it was. Also the timeline of the story seemed confused at times, like things were out of sequence. This story made me want to seek out the original novel, not because of enjoyment, but from a desire to understand what the heck was going on at times.

The saving grace of the story is the excellent professional quality of the artwork by Carlo Vergara. Vergara's work seems to nearly come to life and leap from the page.

The Oval Portrait

Poe's twisted little tale is adapted by Tom Pomplun. This is a story of obsession and the sacrifice one person will go through to please someone they love. In contrast to the previous story, this one is short, sweet, to the point and better for it. The story doesn't lose any of the important elements while at the same time excluding anything not essential to the main plot line.

Illustration is expertly provided in the quirky style of artist Leong Wan Kok, which fits the quirky style of the story to a "T".

Northanger Abbey

Austen's classic story is adapted by Trina Robbins. The story again features characters of noble and well off blood. In the modern sense this story isn't quite as "gothic" as the others, but holds up as a compelling narrative. Interestingly enough, a key plot point in the first act of the story relates to the heroine's obsession with Ann Radcliffe's classic "Udolpho" story, also adapted for this book. The story is more of a romantic drama than anything.

Robbins adapts the story well and Anne Timmons illustrations are breathtakingly reminiscent of many classic pulp comics of the 50's and 60's.

At the Gate

Myla Jo Cussler's unique angelical story is adapted by Tom Pomplun, the second of Editor Pomplun's contributions to the book. At the Gate is a story of path leading into rolling hills and a large archway. The archway is the gate to heaven and the hills are covered with previously deceased K-9 pets, waiting for their living masters to arrive so that they can accompany them into the gates of heaven.

Pomplun does an excellent adaptation of Cussler's short story and Shary Flenniken's artwork brings a live, cuddly quality to the characters that helps immerse the reader into the story.

Overall Opinion

All in all, Gothic Classics is a pretty good collection of new graphic adaptations of classic literature. If I had to pick one criticism on the collection as a whole it's that all of the adaptations still seemed to rely heavily on the original narrative of the novel. I would have liked to see these stories adapted a little bit further so that the original text had become story dialogue as opposed to narrative captions.

Those little details aside, the entire collection is an enjoyable read and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to expand their graphic novel enjoyment beyond the standard superhero fare.

Source material:
Eureka Productions' Gothic Classics, Vol. 14, featuring: Jane Austen & Molly Kiely. Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Rod Lott & Lisa K. Weber. Ann Radcliffe, Antonella Caputo & Carlo Vergara. Edgar Allan Poe, Tom Pomplun & Leong Wan Kok. Jane Austin, Trina Robbins & Anne Timmons. Myla Jo Closser, Tom Pomplun & Shary Flenniken. Edited by: Tom Pomplun. B&W, 144 pages. $11.95 U.S./$14.50 Can