GRAPHIC CLASSICS: MARK TWAIN

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.

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.

IN THE CLASSROOM THIS WEEK

DC, Dark Horse and Marvel make up the comics this week – two titles specifically designed for young children and one for those a tad older. A friend of The Graphic Classroom pointed us to a really interesting, over-sized graphic novel adaptation of a piece of traditional children's literature. You will just have to wait for the details until I get my copy.

If you missed it, be sure to check out the article published yesterday, where a man named Uncle O asks The Graphic Classroom to help him locate and purchase some comic literature as a birthday present for his 7-year-old nephew. We love it when people write it and ask questions.

On to the list for this week:

1. Marvel Adventures: Iron Man #10
2. Teen Titans Go! #52
3. Usagi Yojimbo #108

READER’S LETTERS: FINDING GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR NEPHEW WITH HYPERACTIVITY

A reader sent us an email this week. His email was reprinted with permission.

Where can I buy some of the comics you write about? I have a 7 year-old nephew who is so hyper he's on drugs twice a day. He is really bright but his mom (my sister) has a reading disability and I'd love to start leveraging some of your expertise to get the two of them some good reading material. His birthday is next week.

Sincerely,
Uncle O

Dear Uncle O,

I’d be glad to help you out. Your nephew is not alone. Many children struggle to read. This can be very true for children who are “hyper” or possibly have ADHD. Comics can be a great way to help those young children develop good reading habits before their struggles turn into a disgust for reading.


WHERE TO BUY COMICS
You can buy comics and graphic novels from various places. We recommend that you find a local comic book store and develop a relationship with the staff members who are responsible for comic ordering. Comic book stores sell more than comics and not all staff members may be well versed in them. You may have to shop around until you find the right comic book store for you, one that will remember your needs and make frequent recommendations.

In my case, I am very reliant on my comic book guy. He makes recommendations for me (and his others customers) all the time. He knows our reading habits and helps us pick the right titles. He makes my comic buying experience great.

Diamond Comic Distributor’s offers a Comic Shop Locator service. However, the only comic shops listed are ones who pay an advertising fee. So there may very well be other shops in your area. My shop is one of the best but is not listed on the site.

You can also purchase comics and graphic novels from bricks-and-mortar and online bookstores. Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Borders all carry comic literature. Some have a section for graphic novels. Some have special graphic novel sections within the children’s literature section as well. Typically, the traditional, pamphlet-style comics are located, not near the graphic novels, but near the magazines and newspapers.


MY RECOMMENDATIONS
Uncle O asked for recommendations for his 7-year-old nephew. Following are a few titles that came to mind for young kids. Some of the titles have been reviewed by The Graphic Classroom, but others have not. Use your own judgment. Be sure to check back with us and let us know how it went.

1. The Batman Strikes
2. Franklin Richards: Boy Genious
3. Lions, Tigers and Bears
4. Marvel Adventures (any titles)
5. Patrick the Wolf Boy
6. Robot Dreams
7. Tiny Titans (new title)
8. Tiny Tyrant

We appreciate questions, comments and feedback from our readers. Please feel free to contact us. If you give your permission, we will also publish your questions or comments so that other readers can benefit as well. Thanks for sharing.

PRESS RELEASE: A-TEAM ACTION HERO BREAKS INTO WORLD OF COMICS

Mr. T, the mohawk muscleman of the 1980’s, makes his graphic novel debut aptly named “Mr. T.”

Says the T-Man: “There’s my long-time fans, but there’s also a new generation because of A-Team reruns, my cartoon show reruns, and the renewed interest in Rocky III following the recent sequel. That’s humbling, and this graphic novel is my method of reaching them all. I’m so proud of all my life’s work, but to see myself in this book feels extra special.”

The story centers around Mr. T as a bodyguard – the world’s greatest bodyguard – who must defend his clients against the evils of the world.

Author Christopher Bunting adds: “We’ve seen comebacks happen over and over again in the entertainment industry, whether it's John Travolta, the Spice Girls, or fictitious characters such as Indiana Jones or Rambo. Now it’s Mr. T’s time.”

Mr. T, Executive Editor of the title, adds: “I’ve always strived to be a good role model to children and adults alike. I can’t think of a better way to do that than by encouraging people to read! What would I say to anyone who doesn’t read my graphic novel? I pity the fool!”

Mr. T: Limited Advance Edition can be ordered direct from publisher Mohawk Media for the exclusive price of $39 including delivery. Alternatively, from April 2008, it will be available through bookstores worldwide, including online, by quoting its 13-digit ISBN: 9780955680403.

IN THE CLASSROOM THIS WEEK

Easter is coming and in anticipation, I have started to collect some books to stuff in my daughter’s basket instead of candy. She loves books and considers them a wonderful gift. She loves candy too, but she will get plenty of that at school. Some of what you see listed here is actually for her including: BETTY & VERONICA and DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. However, I will eventually take a look and report what I find in those books at THE GRAPHIC CLASSROOM. DIARY is actually a comic/prose hybrid and is well known in children’s literary circles. If it turns out to be good, I will want a copy for the classroom.

I’m sorry to see the WONDER GIRL series end. We need more female protagonists and my daughter really enjoyed this title. GREAT EXPECTATIONS was one of my favorite stories that I read in school. After we read it, we watched the movie, which really helped me to understand it. I was a struggling reader. So, I am excited about this book. I also stumbled upon PRIDE OF BAGHDAD, which looks very interesting.

For my birthday, my wife and daughter bought WONDER WOMAN: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE AMAZON PRINCESS. They were thinking of my classroom, of course, and how children who read comics may want to do some research on their favorite characters. What a great resource to have in a classroom.

Here is the list of comics that came into the classroom this week:

1. Betty & Veronica
2. Classics Illustrated: Great Expectations
3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
4. Marvel Adventures: Avengers #21
5. Pride of Baghdad
6. Thor #4
7. Wonder Girl #6 (of 6)
8. Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess
9. Usagi Yojimbo #106, #109

GLISTER: VOLUME 2

AUTHOR ILLUSTRATOR: Andi Watson
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
GENRE: Fantasy

FORMAT: Trade paperback
VOLUME: 2
COLOR: Black and white
ISBN-13: 978-1-58240-884-2


STORY SYNOPSIS
Glister Butterworth and her dad live in the ramshackle, and magical castle known as Chilblain Hall. When the village enters a competition and the Hall is frowned upon, the Hall takes umbrage. So the building pulls up roots, so to speak, and runs away.

Glister and her father find a new place to live – a nicer place – but it simply will not due. Draft free and quaint, it is not home. Fortunately for Glister, the ghost writer of the house sends her letters and eventually Glister persuades Chilblain Hall to return, but not before making some concessions.


STORY REVIEW
This is a cute story about a girl and her eccentric life. The world around Glister is peculiar to say the least, but she is used to all things strange. It makes no difference to her, although the mail carrier is none too happy about the goings-on. Watson manages to put together a very British comic about a girl, her house, a troll and the world, and somehow it all makes sense and fits together well. GLISTER is amazingly quaint and low-key. There are no battles, no great journeys, no heroic archetypes, just a girl and her quiet life, but I like it that way.


ART REVIEW
Waston’s art is as quaint as his writing and is also representative of his meandering style. Color would have made the comic better.

Page 1

Page 2

Page 10

AGE RECOMMENDATION
My Rating: All ages
Publisher’s Rating: All ages

Young kids will struggle with Glister because of the British language, but there is nothing offensive or problematic about Glister that would hinder it being available to children.


IN THE CLASSROOM
Besides the fact that it will take children some time to get used to the language, GLISTER is a study of a more slow-paced, meandering style of story telling than the traditional super hero comic. For those children who are looking for something a bit different, this may be just the thing. If a teacher were to teach about personification, then GLISTER would be great. Chilblain Hall definitely takes on human characteristics, but it does so without dialogue, which is interesting, but the Hall is still a character.


OTHER INFORMATION
GLISTER Volumes 1 and 3 are also available.


MY RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended
GLISTER is different. It is not traditional fantasy. It’s not traditional in many ways, which is why I recommend it for the classroom. GLISTER fills a void that other comics leave wide open.

MARVEL ILLUSTRATED: TREASURE ISLAND

Issue #1

Issue #2

Issue #3

Issue #4

Issue #5

Issue #6

ORIGINAL AUTHOR: Robert Louis Stevenson
ADAPTED BY: Roy Thomas
PENCILS: Mario Gully
INKS: Pat Davidson
COLORS: Chris Sotomayor
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics
GENRE: Traditional literature in comic format

FORMAT: Comic
PAGES: 32 pages each
COLOR: Full color


STORY SYNOPSIS
From the Marvel website:

Issue #1
In this first issue, a scurvy pirate named Billy Bones jealously guards a mysterious treasure chest, hiding it at the inn owned by the father of young Jim Hawkins. In pursuit of the chest is the most ruthless band of pirates ever to strap on a cutlass, and when Billy Bones dies, all that stands between the pirate crew and the coveted treasure is poor Jim! This is a classic tale that has thrilled generations of readers, taken in by the allure of the sea – as only Stevenson could present it!

Issue #2
With a treasure map in hand, young Jim Hawkins sets out to find buried treasure – as a cabin boy! But en route, Jim learns – to his horror – that the crew of the ship is comprised of former allies of Flint…the very man whose treasure they seek! And these brigands are planning to take the treasure – and murder anyone who gets in their way.

Issue #3
Realizing that he shares lodging on the ship Hispaniola with mutineers, young Jim Hawkins makes his escape to shore and plunges deep into the island. Elsewhere, the mutineers battle the loyal sailors to the death! When Jim rejoins his shipmates, the head of the mutineers, Long John Silver offers a ceasefire in exchange for the map showing where the buried treasure is located. And if Jim and company don’t accept, they may be marooned – or worse.

Issue #4
While the mutineers are ashore on Treasure Island, young Jim Hawkins climbs aboard the near-deserted ship, the Hispaniola … but there is one last mutineer who has stowed aboard the vessel and stalks Jim with a very long, very sharp knife.

Issue #5
Back on the island young Jim Hawkins is captured by the pirates who’ve taken over the stockade. Worse, Jim’s life may be worthless to them now that they have the map, which will take them directly to the treasure! It will take every resource the young man has to keep a cutlass from cutting him in two. It’s the penultimate chapter in this seafaring saga of skullduggery. Don’t miss it.

Issue #6
The seafaring saga comes to a stunning conclusion! Young Jim Hawkins is now a prisoner of the vicious pirates lead by the treacherous Long John Silver. Silver demands Hawkins take his scurvy crew to the treasure buried on the island or his life is forfeit! We bring a close to this great adventure that has thrilled generations of readers since its debut.


REVIEW
This is the first Marvel Illustrated title that I have read. It is seamless, clean and really engages the imagination. From my perspective, it did exactly what it is supposed to do, or what I think it is supposed to do: It makes me want to read the original text.

Obviously it is a condensed story, as it is told in only six issues. The Marvel version tells the tale quickly and focuses on the action. The details in the art are outstanding and the backdrop really creates a rich environment. Case in point: the wrinkles on the characters and the iconic pirate, rum song. Here are some samples of the interior art:

AGE RECOMMENDATION
My Rating: Ages 13 and older
Publisher’s Recommended Age: T+ (Ages 13 and older)

Yes it is bloody and scary, but it is also interesting and is considerably better literature than most of the sanitized literature curriculum in many schools. This story could be read by those younger than 13, but the teacher needs to take care and be prepared to defend the decision, which I think could the right decision, depending on the classroom and the surrounding culture.


BE AWARE
It goes without saying that this is a classic pirate tale. It swashes and buckles and bleeds. The characters drink and a good portion of the story takes place in a tavern.


IN THE CLASSROOM
The comic adaptation gave life to what kids, teens and some adults might see as a boring old “classic” and made it accessible and interesting. That is not to say that the interest should stop there, and I do not think that it does. For the struggling reader or those who find the traditional novel a chore, they can read the comic adaptation and make sense of the story, which makes reading the novel easier to understand and more entertaining. For many, the comic adaptation will demonstrate that the classics are not boring old texts that adults like and kids hate, but that old books are still relevant.


OTHER INFORMATION
This is not the only classic title being adapted to comics by Marvel. Some are already available in hardback and new titles are being published:

THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
THE ILLIAD
PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY
MOBY DICK

TREASURE ISLAND is also available from Marvel’s new Digital Comics online subscription service.


MY RECOMMENDATION:
Highly Recommended
This comic is done well and deserves a place in the school system. Kids will love reading it and I think it will help students approach classic novels with an open mind.