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Reviews
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Rating:
5 stars (out of 5 possible) "A
must have for any serious sequential graphic narrative (comics) fan."
Originally published by Caliber Comics as a limited series, this graphic
novel stands as one of indy press's seminal achievements. Image comics
should be praised for their reincarnation in this format.
Whether you're a comic fan, a horror buff, or just one who enjoys this
expanded format, you're in for a rare treat when you purchase this book.
It is the rarest of gems in the publishing world; a truly classic tale in
graphic format. Gary Reed's writing talent & creativity shine forth like a
beacon on a dark foggy night & Galen Showman's art makes a perfectly
balanced counterpoint that accents Reed's dark tale. Both are longstanding
veterans of the comic medium & it shows on every page.
Using Bram Stoker's classic novel DRACULA as a springboard, Reed takes an
underused, yet pivotal, character from Stoker's tale & fleshes out his
near skeletal use, turning him into a central character in his own right.
Without Renfield none of the events set down in Stoker's story would have
transpired. Here, Reed explores Renfield's motivations & their tragic
results to the doomed recipient of the nefarious Count's schemes. The
story meshes seamlessly with the original work, seeming to read between
the lines Stoker penned. Indeed, the original seems incomplete without
these additional chapters. Now the full tale is told. I had the great
fortune of reading it all.---Mr.
Render for Independent Propaganda
For full review
The madman philosopher who so briefly
haunts the pages of Bram Stoker's classic horror novel, Dracula,
comes to full life in this dark and chilling parallel tale of Dracula's
servant. Renfield, the mysterious and tragic bug-collecting character,
gets his own backstory thanks to the machinations of the gifted Gary Reed,
whose talent for the macabre rivals that of H. P. Lovercraft and whose
adept comic book storytelling matches that of Steve Niles.
Building from the scenes witnessed in
Dracula, this graphic novel creates an entire backdrop to
Renfield's character from his arrest in a park and his admission into the
Purfleet Asylum for the Insane to his final showdown with Dracula. Through
the tale, readers will develop a soft spot in their hearts for the
tortured soul as he battles with himself over his submission to Dracula.
As the other characters - such as Dr. Seward, Lucy and Mina - appear,
Renfield feels the impending appearance of his master and waits to receive
the great gift from him, but can the thoughtful Renfield fully understand
what Dracula is trying to teach him? Fans of Dracula will
find this a great addition to their perspective of the novel in the
tradition of Tad Williams' Caliban's Hour or Gregory
Maguire's Wicked.
---BookLoons.
for full review
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Too often in
comics, horror means gore and mayhem. Just because there are vampires and
zombies roaming around does not mean that you have a horror comic. Horror
should have real suspense. It should make you feel uncomfortable as you
read it. Most of all, it should scare you long after you put it down.
Renfield: A Tale of Madness does all of these things.
---Sean McGurr, Graphic Novel Journal
for full
review
RENFIELD sits alongside BAKER STREET as Reed’s best work in comics
and makes a very worthy return to print and bookshelves. Track it down.---Marc
Mason, Comics Waiting Room
A gothic jewel..."
Comics Buyers' Guide |
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For more
insights/interviews on Renfield:
Comics Wire - Interview with Gary Reed
Komikwerks- Interview with Galen Showman
Interview with Gary Reed- Jazma Online
The series uses the classic literary tradition of showing us the scenes we
didn't see in the novel (while working in parts of the original work, as
well). I always get a kick out of stories that try that trick, but more so
when it is done well. Luckily, it is done well in Renfield, and the result
is a creepy story that is still filled with a good deal of class.---Brian
Cronin, Comics Should be Good
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"Reed is a very
literary comics writer, one with a very sound base in much of the classic
literature that
inspired comics. That often helps give Reed's writing
a real feeling of depth and power.."
Jason Sacks, Silver Bullet
(for
full review)
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"Renfield
calls Dracula his master, but I must say that Gary Reed proves that he is
the master of storytelling and Renfield proves it!"
---Paul Dale Roberts, Jazma Online
for full review |
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"Most intelligent
graphic novel I've ever read."
Combo Magazine |
"One of the
best..."
Tomorrow's News
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"Highly
Recommended"
Comics America |
"I must
begin by crediting this book for achieving its primary goal, which was
of course to expand and further explain the character of Renfield. It
does so interestingly, and at times, admirably. It also demonstrates the
authors' knowledge of, and respect for, Stoker's masterpiece. Showman's
artwork is effective and almost perfectly appropriate." ---James
E. Pendergrass.
."Spotlight of the
Month"
Advance Comics "Recommended
Reading"
Comics Scoreboard |
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"...fascinating...."
David Peattie, freelance reviewer"As the story
unfolds, we see Renfield dealing with this prophecy that he has been
saddled with and the decisions he must make. I picked this up because I
read a review that someone wrote saying it was the most intelligent
graphic novel they had ever read. I would have to agree...maybe not the
most intelligent but certainly up there." --- Reader’s
Review
"...puts a new twist to the Dracula
mythos..."
Comics/Animation Newswire |
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