Please enjoy this excerpt from the forthcoming graphic novel adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes, written by Ray Bradbury and drawn by Ron Wimberly, out July 19th from Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux.
In this classic tale Cooger and Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show howls into Green Town, Illinois, at three in the morning a week before Halloween. Under its carnival tents is a mirror maze that steals wishes; a carousel that promises eternal life, in exchange for your soul; the Dust Witch, who unerringly foresees your death; and Mr. Dark, the Illustrated Man, who has lived for centuries off the misery of others. Only two boys, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, recognize the dark magic at work and have a plan to stop this ancient evil—that is, if it doesn’t kill them first.
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While I love the story, I just have to say that this artwork doesn’t quite catch me.
Especially the cover.
Anyone notice the typo in the 1st paragraph: “schoool” I don’t think it is deliberate.
This is flat-out fabulous! The artwork is simplified to the edge of perfection in direct story-telling. The compositions and design, the greys, blacks, whites draw me through it “like the cat sucks in the baby’s breath.” (yes, that’s how they say it in the film….screenplay by Ray Bradbury.)
Ron Wimberly’s work gets right to the core, leading from panel to panel and incorporating Bradbury’s poetry just right.
Can’t wait for the full story in July. SO. VERY. GLAD it’s not over-produced with flashy comic color and PhotoShop airbrush junk. This is real and so very enjoyable.
Way to go, Ron!
Bought this day it came out and finished it right away. I really like the way the “Illustrated man” was… illustrated… Also the blind witch character was really interesting, oh and the carousel, that was freaky too. Overall the book was fantastic, but especially liked how the characters were portrayed. Must read. I will have to say the cover text could have been better, but the jacked eye ball and “Scream” like boy on the cover summarize the story well.