This was cool to read. I loved the original book but to see it drawn out was quite intriguing. ( )

This was cool to read. I loved the original book but to see it drawn out was quite intriguing. ( )

Marvel Comics has a new series of hardcover graphic novel adaptations of some classic books. Being a fan of Robert Louis Stevenson I picked up Treasure Island. The story is adapted by Roy Thomas, a heavy-weight in the comics world (Conan, X-Men, The Avengers, Fantastic Four, etc..) and line drawings by Mario Gully. Overall I found it a slick professional production and loyal to the original plot. There is no original Stevenson writing, it's been modernized in a sort of stereotypical stilted 19th century speak. The drawings are over the top, everyone looks like a professional body builder with freakish muscles and build, even old man castaway Ben Gunn is muscle bound. When they talk their jaws hang down to their chest, it's sort of over-done and doesn't make sense within a 19th century context. I really had a "kick" watching pirates fight like ninjas with over the head round-house kicks. All good stuff for kids, basically what this is made for. Still it was fun to re-visit Treasure Island again, the plot really is almost perfect. Probably my biggest complaint is I didn't like the artists interpretation of the characters.

--Review by Stephen Balbach, via CoolReading (c) 2008 cc-by-nd ( )