ORIGINAL AUTHOR: Mark Twain
ADAPTATIONS BY: (see below)
ILLUSTRATORS: (see below)
PUBLISHER: Eureka Productions
GENRE: Traditional Literature
FORMAT: Trade paperback
VOLUME: 8
EDITION: Second
PAGES: 144
COLOR: Black and white
ISBN-10: 0-9787919-2-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-9787919-2-6
STORY SYNOPSIS & REVIEW
Eureka Productions presents a series of Mark Twain stories in graphic format. Edited by Tom Pomplun, these stories are a fantastic way to explore and experience traditional literature. This edition is revised with 38 new pages and offers nine different stories from the great American writer:
Advice to Little Girls
Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
Tom Sawyer Abroad
Adapted by Tom Pomplun and illustrated by George Sellas
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Adapted and illustrated by Kevin Atkinson
A Dog’s Tale
Adapted and illustrated by Lance Tooks
Advice to Little Girls
Illustrated by Florence Cestac, Kirsten Ulve, Shary Flenniken, Toni Pawlowsky, Mary Fleener, Annie Owens and Lesley Reppeteaux.
The Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in Connecticut
Adapted by Antonella Caputo and illustrated by Nick Miller
A Curious Pleasure Excursion
Adapted and illustrated by William L. Brown
Is he Living or Is He Dead?
Adapted and illustrated by Simon Gane
The Mysterious Stranger
Adapted and illustrated by Rick Geary
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER was great tale, heretofore unread by me, in which Twain shows his insight into the human condition. Writes Twain: “Only man inflicts pain for the pleasure of inflicting it, inspired by that moral sense of his.” This tale would surely be controversial for some students as it questions the human understanding of God and religion, but it is important to study as many great thinkers have asked the same questions. Not all of the stories are controversial.
As always, Twain has a snarky sense of humor and an uncanny ability to string words together. THE FACTS CONCERNING THE RECENT CARNIVAL OF CRIME IN CONNECTICUT was a fine example of his funny bone. A man, who happens to be illustrated to look like Twain, discovers that his conscience not only takes form, but can be destroyed. After that, the man is free to indulge his inner beast.
“I am a man without conscience! I could throttle you and never feel a pang! Fly! I killed thirty-eight persons during the first two weeks … I swindled a widow, and some orphans out of their last cow … I have also committed scores of crimes, and I have enjoyed my work. In conclusion, I wish to advertise that medical colleges would do well to examine the contents of my cellar … because I wish to clear out my stock and get ready for the Spring trade….” The clever part was the sign in his yard: “SALE!! Human bodies. Assorted tramps etc. Suitable for scientific research. Everything must go!!!”
His more famous story, THE CELEBRATED JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERAS COUNTY was another example of Twain’s wit and is kin to his novels, HUCK FINN and TOM SAWYER.
ADAPTATIONS BY: (see below)
ILLUSTRATORS: (see below)
PUBLISHER: Eureka Productions
GENRE: Traditional Literature
FORMAT: Trade paperback
VOLUME: 8
EDITION: Second
PAGES: 144
COLOR: Black and white
ISBN-10: 0-9787919-2-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-9787919-2-6
STORY SYNOPSIS & REVIEW
Eureka Productions presents a series of Mark Twain stories in graphic format. Edited by Tom Pomplun, these stories are a fantastic way to explore and experience traditional literature. This edition is revised with 38 new pages and offers nine different stories from the great American writer:
Advice to Little Girls
Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
Tom Sawyer Abroad
Adapted by Tom Pomplun and illustrated by George Sellas
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Adapted and illustrated by Kevin Atkinson
A Dog’s Tale
Adapted and illustrated by Lance Tooks
Advice to Little Girls
Illustrated by Florence Cestac, Kirsten Ulve, Shary Flenniken, Toni Pawlowsky, Mary Fleener, Annie Owens and Lesley Reppeteaux.
The Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in Connecticut
Adapted by Antonella Caputo and illustrated by Nick Miller
A Curious Pleasure Excursion
Adapted and illustrated by William L. Brown
Is he Living or Is He Dead?
Adapted and illustrated by Simon Gane
The Mysterious Stranger
Adapted and illustrated by Rick Geary
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER was great tale, heretofore unread by me, in which Twain shows his insight into the human condition. Writes Twain: “Only man inflicts pain for the pleasure of inflicting it, inspired by that moral sense of his.” This tale would surely be controversial for some students as it questions the human understanding of God and religion, but it is important to study as many great thinkers have asked the same questions. Not all of the stories are controversial.
As always, Twain has a snarky sense of humor and an uncanny ability to string words together. THE FACTS CONCERNING THE RECENT CARNIVAL OF CRIME IN CONNECTICUT was a fine example of his funny bone. A man, who happens to be illustrated to look like Twain, discovers that his conscience not only takes form, but can be destroyed. After that, the man is free to indulge his inner beast.
“I am a man without conscience! I could throttle you and never feel a pang! Fly! I killed thirty-eight persons during the first two weeks … I swindled a widow, and some orphans out of their last cow … I have also committed scores of crimes, and I have enjoyed my work. In conclusion, I wish to advertise that medical colleges would do well to examine the contents of my cellar … because I wish to clear out my stock and get ready for the Spring trade….” The clever part was the sign in his yard: “SALE!! Human bodies. Assorted tramps etc. Suitable for scientific research. Everything must go!!!”
His more famous story, THE CELEBRATED JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERAS COUNTY was another example of Twain’s wit and is kin to his novels, HUCK FINN and TOM SAWYER.
Art from JUMPING FROG.AGE RECOMMENDATION
My Rating: Ages 12 and older
Publisher’s Rating: Ages 12 and older
While fine for sixth graders, Twain’s works are better suited for the high school student.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Twain’s wit and wisdom is the perfect thing for the thinking and questioning classroom. Twain’s stories work on many levels, which allows for a diverse reading audience. There are heavy implications in his writing, yet the stories are not bound solely through the philosopher’s lens. This is, in my opinion, the best of the GRAPHIC CLASSICS yet.
OTHER INFORMATION
There are several other titles in the series including: Bram Stoker, Robert Louis Stevenson, O. Henry, Rafael Sabatini, Edgar Allen Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, H.G. Wells, H. P. Lovecraft, Jack London, and Ambrose Bierce.
Eureka Productions is releasing a series of tales for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 08. It will showcase the works of Poe, Lord Dunsany, Conan Doyle, and Mary Shelley. Be sure to pick up the free volume and check out the series. You will want more.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
Highly Recommended
Twain is, in my opinion, the greatest American writer and his storytelling prowess is beautifully adapted with this series. What better piece of traditional literature to have in graphic novel format? If any piece of comic literature is suited for the high school literature class, this is it.
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