Gaston Leroux, Paul & Gaëtan Brizzi
Abrams ComicArts
6 April 2027
160
eBook - PDF
Graphic Novel
ARC via NetGalley
Following graphic novel adaptations of Dante’s Inferno and Don Quixote, and timed with the upcoming film and anime adaptations of The Phantom of the Opera, comes an all-new graphic novel retelling by Paul and Gaëtan Brizzi, the legendary Disney animators who brought The Hunchback of Notre Dame to the silver screen
Perfectly timed for a revival of interest in The Phantom of the Opera, this graphic novel adaptation brings the story away from the stage and back to the page in the style of the lushly illustrated, dramatic graphic novel adaptations that the famed animator and author siblings Paul and Gaëtan Brizzi are known for.
The 1986 Andrew Lloyd Weber musical adaptation of the novel is a modern-day pop culture phenomenon, a production that is synonymous with musical theater with over 10,000 performances, it is the longest running Broadway musical of all time. The musical has also been adapted to the screen, with a 2004 film starring Gerard Butler and an upcoming remake is in the works.
This Brizzi brothers’ adaptation of the famous novel brings some of the visual magic behind Disney’s gothic masterpiece The Hunchback of Notre Dame to The Phantom of the Opera, making it a unique interpretation and a must-read graphic novel for fans of gothic horror, romance, animation, and musical theater.
The Phantom of the Opera is a story with which I am very familiar, having read the book, seen film adaptations and having plenty of experience with both the Lloyd-Webber and Yeston musical versions. I was therefore keen to see what a graphic interpretation would have to offer. To begin with, you can recognise immediately from the drawing style that this is the work of the people behind Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I didn't mind the look of the artwork, but at the same time, I wasn't captivated or blown away by it. The telling of the story was very basic, and interesting Raoul stood out as one of the most prominent characters in the narrative, rather than Erik or Christine. One thing I wished for was more emotional connection with the story. It just wasn't there. I read through, already knowing, of course, what was coming next, but I felt no interest. Perhaps some of that comes from being too familiar, but then I can still watch the musical versions again and again and feel connected to the characters. For fans this might just be another adaptation to check out, but I actually think it will work better for those knew to the story, as not having other versions in mind while reading this may perhaps make the story and characters here more interesting. In the end, I am giving it three stars. It's a pleasing enough rendering; it just didn't take my breath away.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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