28 March 2013

The Artful Readers Club for March

The Walking Dead Compendium One by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard {and some other folks}
Charlie Adlard recently admitted in an interview that he often makes up his characters on the page. A fact which can cause any serious character designer to bow in admiration. As you can see the likeness of the graphic novel with the AMC show is very close. 

Tweet Review: A long, arduous display of how a few people can entertain the masses.

Since I am reading and watching The Walking Dead simultaneously, I am constantly comparing the two. Fans of the television series will be pleased to know that the graphic novel is just as interesting, if not more so.

The details are very different in the first 48 issues of the graphic novel, for example, Carl is a lot younger and has a playmate Sophie..whose fate in the television series is quite astonishing. There are endless differences, but the overall storyline remains consistent in both versions which is; what happens to people during a zombie apocalypse?

If I were to choose between the two, I'd choose the graphic novel. In a black and white picture book, a horror story is less horror and more comedy. Although, the television show is often very funny with how gross it can be, but the pages are just pages and my brain is never startled.

I've been reading comic books for a number of years, but have had a hard time finding work that I really like. One of my main issues is that the images are just 'too much' and now that I have studied comic book art I realize why. Most American comics are made with several artists and my eyes find it confusing to read. So one of the compelling features of The Walking Dead is Charlie Adlard's art. He has been drawing the series for 7 years with writer Robert Kirkman. Adlard's style is expressive and clear and combined with Kirkman's knack for strong character development it's no wonder the series caught the attention of a filmmaker (the AMC series was developed by director of The Shawshank Redemption Frank Darabont).

This story reminds me of one of my all time favorite graphic novels called Uzamaki by Junji Ito. It's Japanese horror manga and what I find so interesting about it is that it's actually comedy. And that is how I see The Walking Dead. It's so outrageous that it ends up being funny. There is no thinking, "Oh that's not realistic..." because it not, none of it is, it's pure imagination which is at the heart of brilliant stories.




20 comments:

  1. I love your art, Kelly. It is very graffiti-like and I have "a thing" for graffiti. Love it. Not sure I'd like the graphic novel, though. However, If I try one, this'll be the one!!

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  3. Wonderful Art! Love all the layers! ♥
    I prefer books without images and let my fantasy go wild to make a picture of what's happening. Just my little quirk! :)

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  4. I, too, love them both, and appreciate you point out that they are both as entertaining. For we know that isn't always the case. For instance, I enjoy the first 9 or so books of the Anita Blake series, but the graphic novels not so much.

    Awesome "Dead Inside" sign ;-)

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  5. Your art is visually captivating. I too like the graffiti style and the colouring.

    Janet xx

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  6. great collage, and I'm glad to read a thumbs up for the graphic novels as I've recently ordered the first three. I have a rule that I read the book before I watch the film/tv show, so I need to read these before I am allowed to watch the programme :)

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  7. Oh dear, I'm feeling like a real 'party-pooper' - so many magic/zombie books that I am not able to give a really appreciative comment to. I do apologise. I enjoy the reviews, and the artwork - and as someone else has said your picture is like graffiti, which I love. But it's good that the other 99.9 percent of the ARC members have something in the style that they like to read. Exploring the range of reading is what the ARC is about after all.

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  8. Great art, I have never been a fan of comics, there's just not enough in them lol but the novels are a good bridge between comics and full books.

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  9. "Don't open" lol.....and yet you just know some idiot is going to do just that :D Having only watched the tv series I am intrigued by the graphic books...my youngest reads manga style books and wants to watch the walking dead, so I think this could be a cool compromise :D XXX

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    1. Hi Gina! Thank you for your comment...just to let you know the Walking Dead graphic novel has explicit sexual material. Also, it is way more violent than the TV show. It is just drawings, but that can be pretty intense for a little one. For one thing, Michonne really tortures the Gov., and I mean REALLY tortures him. It's pretty gross. I wouldn't recommend the graphic novel for anyone younger than 21.

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  10. I have a confession to make.I don't watch The Walking Dead nor have I ever read a single graphic novel. Or did I? Do comic books count? But I read those Uncle Scrooge and similar ones. :)

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  11. Great graphic art, the way the duo tones blend together across the page looks good.
    I have never got into comic/graphic books but appreciate the artwork that is used in them.
    Good to read your review.

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  12. I am well impressed you read that in a month! I got it for my birthday last year and am still reading through it. Like you I do love it and often sit and copy the zombies into my journal or sketchbook.

    Love the art you created from it - put side by side like that the likenesses are remarkable.

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  13. Not my genre but a great comprehensive review. Your artwork is super too.
    Jen x

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  14. Great artwork. This book is in my pile to read (but not part of ARC) - my husband is about to start the second compendium and is enjoying the novels immensely. We love the TV series and I'm constantly asking him "did that happen in the book?" so I should get on and read it for myself really!

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  15. Love your review Kelly... probably not a book I would normally choose to read... but after hearing your thoughts will be adding it to my wish list... your artwork is amazing... just love what you created...

    Jenny ♥

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  16. I found your review really interesting because I never read this type of thing, maybe I should broaden my horizons a bit! Your artwork is great x

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  17. I have never read anything like this but enjoy the TV series so might have to give it a try. Wonder if it translates as an ebook nywhere?

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  18. This is the good thing about this challenge. I am getting reviews on stuff I would b=never read, therefore broadening my horizons. It's interesting to see what else is out there. I haven't seen the TV series either but I like your review and loved your drawing :) Dxx

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