Title: Disney's Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, Volume 1
Author:
Jun Abe
Genre:
Graphic Novels, Manga, Fantasy, Media Tie-In
Series: Disney's Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
Vol 2 - US
A
few starting notes:
I
received a free digital review copy of this book via NetGalley.
NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair
and honest reviews.
OK, we have some stuff to get clear straight-off:
This manga is made up of two volumes (oddly enough, Vol 1 (US,) and Vol 2 (US,)) and is also available in a collected edition of both volumes (US - UK.)
From what I can make out, here in the UK (and probably a lot of other countries,) it's currently only available in the collected 2-volume edition (in English, anyway.)
I received a review copy of the first volume, so that's what I'm reviewing here.
This is a manga adaptation of the movie adaptation (UK - US) of the classic book (UK - US).
It reads right-to-left in traditional manga-style.
Right, we all got that? Great.
I received a review copy of the first volume, so that's what I'm reviewing here.
This is a manga adaptation of the movie adaptation (UK - US) of the classic book (UK - US).
It reads right-to-left in traditional manga-style.
Right, we all got that? Great.
Premise:
Alice Kingsley is a girl trapped in society's expectations. Then... then she sees the rabbit.
What follows is a trip to Underland, an adventure, a prophecy, and the chance to be 'the Right Alice;' prepare for impossible things.
Best
bits:
The combination of Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton, and a manga-style just works. Ok?
There's something about this which is just... right.
The character design is spot-on - not least in terms of The Hatter and the Red Queen.
The right level of detail is carried throughout - highly intricate in the places where it needs it, and less dense in the places that need a lighter touch.
The whole thing is deftly carried out with skill and a real love of the vivacity of the source material.
Basically, I loved it.
There's something about this which is just... right.
The character design is spot-on - not least in terms of The Hatter and the Red Queen.
The right level of detail is carried throughout - highly intricate in the places where it needs it, and less dense in the places that need a lighter touch.
The whole thing is deftly carried out with skill and a real love of the vivacity of the source material.
Basically, I loved it.
Not
so great bits:
In places, I felt like this was so true to the film, that I could quote some lines before I read them, and that did take a little of the sparkle out of things.
But this is a tie-in with the film, and you're going to expect an element of this at the least.
There's the odd drop of violence here and there, but nothing beyond what's in the film - if you know the film, you know what to expect, and it's fans of the film that're going to be the main audience here.
But this is a tie-in with the film, and you're going to expect an element of this at the least.
There's the odd drop of violence here and there, but nothing beyond what's in the film - if you know the film, you know what to expect, and it's fans of the film that're going to be the main audience here.
Verdict:
Alice fans rejoice!
The artwork is beautiful, and the combination of elements astounding.
Any Wonderland fan will love it.
The artwork is beautiful, and the combination of elements astounding.
Any Wonderland fan will love it.
Well this looks quite unique! I love when books are retold in different forms of writing :)
ReplyDeleteIt was like Alice-nerd-heaven to be honest :) and yeah, retellings rock :)
DeleteI haven't read much manga, but I can see an Alice in Wonderland one (especially based on the Tim Burton film) being very whimsical. Glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeletethe right blend of whimsical and creepy! :) And yes, yes I did XD
DeleteOh wow this certainly does sound unique! I mean, the way all of this is tied in and still managed to work so well? I'm very impressed and I am also curious now after this review!
ReplyDeleteI was uber-impressed when reading it - it rocked! :)
DeleteHooooow did I not know this was a thing??! I NEED THIS THING IMMEDIATELY!! I think Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is one of my favourite movies of ever and ajfdkslad I definitely need to read the bookish graphic novel version!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
Ha - GO! FIND THIS BOOK! I was uber-impressed by its awesomeness XD
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