The phantom of the opera The graphic novel

The latest of several graphic adaptations of the Gothic melodrama captures the glamor of the 19th-century Paris Opera but stumbles on the human story. As in Gaston Leroux's novel, young singer Christine Daaé is entranced by the mysterious "Opera ghost" who takes her under his tutelage. Those who interfere with the Phantom's plans for his protégé, including her suitor Raoul, face deadly retaliation. Tomi lavishes attention on the period setting and costumes. The opera house becomes a character, full of glittering décor, eerie catacombs, and crowds of extras. The Phantom, drawn in gruesome detail that owes a debt to classic horror cartoonists like Bernie Wrightson, is a terrifying treat to behold. But the other characters often appear awkward and saggy, and their story gets lost amid the spectacle. Chunks of plot, meanwhile, are covered in text at the beginning of each chapter rather than dramatized. Christine's dedication to her art, an element often lost in other adaptations, is the strongest thread. "There is some music that is so terrible that it consumes all those who approach it," the Phantom warns her, forcing her to choose between artistic greatness and humanity. Despite its flaws, this adaptation proves a faithful and attractive enough version that die-hard Phantom fans will likely pick it up. (Nov.)

The classic gothic romance gets its latest graphic novel treatment. This faithful adaption begins as Gaston Leroux's novel does. Young ballet dancers fret and gossip about seeing the fabled Opera Ghost. A stagehand is subsequently found hanging dead in the third-floor cellar. Above the tragedy, prima donna Christine Daaé brings the opera hall to a standing ovation as she debuts in the role of Margarita. Later, the Ghost appears in the flesh to threaten the opera's new management if they don't keep his box seat open and let Christine sing again. The managers ignore him. The Ghost's obsession with Christine only grows, and he seeks to possess her as his bride. Her childhood friend and love interest, Raoul, tries to intervene. More Stephen Gammell than Andrew Lloyd Webber, Hungarian artist Tomi casts an eerie light on the horror in this ghostly romance. The Ghost's glowing red eyes, a few times hidden in small background details, pierce through the fourth wall to gaze at the reader. The panels switch from rectangular to jagged and jarring, incorporating different color schemes and styles to distinguish memories (rendered in a bright, soft glow) from horrific sequences (rendered in chilling sepia tones). The cast, with the exception of "the Persian," presents White. The "Backstage Access" section shows original sketches and gallery art. A well-designed and engaging adaptation. (Graphic adaptation. 13-adult) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.