ShareThis"Good news for students," writes David Seidman, publicist of Papercutz, a publisher primarily aimed at tween-age readers. "'Classics Illustrated' returns after a 10-year hiatus -- just in time for the new semester!"That is good news, but I don't think it's only of interest to students. "Classics Illustrated" has a long history of sales that go far beyond kids looking for a short cut on a book report, and this high-quality relaunch, in an age where readers have embraced the longer graphic-novel format, promises to reach even further.Visionary publisher Albert Kanter, a Russian emigre who wanted to bring great literature to the great unwashed, created "Classics Illustrated." From 1941 to 1971, Kanter published 169 issues of "Classics Illustrated," 76 issues of "Classics Illustrated Junior" (adapting popular fairy tales) and a few dozen issues of other, similar lines. While exact sales numbers are impossible to determine, the "Standard Catalog of Comic Books, 4th Edition" describes "Comics Illustrated" as "an amazingly popular move. Most of the 169 comics in this series were reprinted numerous times, with 23rd printings being relatively common."In 1990-91, First Comics picked up the brand for 27 new adaptations by Kyle Baker, Rick Geary, Bill Sienkiewicz, Gahan Wilson and other top-shelf artists. After First went bust, Acclaim Comics published 38 issues of "Classics Illustrated Study Guides" in 1997-98. It reprinted stories from the original run, adding analytical essays, author biographies, character sketches and study questions.Which brings us to Papercutz, publisher of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew comics. The new "Classics Illustrated" line features abridged versions, much like the original series (although longer, and with much better artwork). "Classics Illustrated Deluxe" will devote three to five times as many pages, for more expansive adaptations.The first issue of each line is out, and Papercutz is certainly putting its best foot forward."Classics Illustrated" No. 1 (hardcover only, $9.95) presents Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations," adapted by Geary. Geary may be familiar to many readers as the writer/artist of the extraordinary Treasury of Victorian Murder series from NBM, graphic novels that combine meticulous research, expressive faux-woodcut artwork and taut storytelling. He brings the same riveting style to Dickens' saga of the orphan Pip, the shallow Estella and the mysterious Mrs. Haversham. This adaptation was originally published in the 1990 run by First Comics. It will be followed soon by another Geary effort from First, H.G. Wells' "The Invisible Man.""Classics Illustrated Deluxe" No. 1 ($13.95 in paperback, $17.95 in hardcover) brings us Kenneth Grahame's "The Wind in the Willows," adapted by France's Michel Plessix. Originally presented in four oversize hardbacks by NBM from 1997 to 2001, Plessix's gorgeous aquarelle artwork (a transparent watercolor with precise lines) suffers a bit from reduction to 6-1/2 by 9 inches. But his tremendous storytelling skill is undiminished: Mr. Toad and company come to life in a heart-stoppingly beautiful ride through a fantasy world loved by children worldwide. Coming up in "Deluxe" No. 2: four "Tales of the Brothers Grimm" by various European artists.Today's "Classics Illustrated" has a leg up on the originals, which were printed cheaply, limited to 64 pages and often not illustrated well. Papercutz, with First's library at its disposal and a roster of talented European and American artists on tap, promises comics adaptations that any sort of reader can enjoy. After all, why should students have all the fun?Speaking of NBM, that publisher has a collection worth noting."Boneyard," by writer/artist Richard Moore, is a comic-book series that's difficult to pigeonhole. It's something of a black comedy, about an ordinary schlub who inherits a graveyard full of archetypal but benign (and often funny) monsters. It also has a charming, star-crossed love story between the shy schlub and a petite female vampire.One way to describe it, though, is as a book I've really enjoyed. I use the past tense, because the series is going on hiatus with its 27th issue.That makes the trade-paperback collections by NBM all the more welcome. "Boneyard in Color Vol. 3" (the series is B&W, as was a previous TPB run) collects issues Nos. 9-11, which involve complications with the Queen of Vampires and the most fearsome foe of all, the IRS. High jinks, and somehow a swimsuit calendar, ensue.(Contact Andrew A. Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal at capncomics(at)aol.com or visit www.captaincomics.us.)
Revived 'Classics' illustrate new interest in quality
Paying taxes unites us. It also divides us. People can pay five and even six times more in state and local taxes than other folks in similar circumstances making similar incomes.
Who's got your number?
In one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft, crooks are stealing tax refunds by swiping personal information and using it to trick the Internal Revenue Service.
