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A review by thunderdone
H.P. Lovecraft's The Shadow Over Innsmouth by Gou Tanabe
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I was really hopeful going into this graphic novel. It did nothing but fall short of my expectations. One of the great pleasures of a graphic novel is drawing contrast between words and images. While I won't write out a full Scott McCloud citation for the different ways which images and words can interact, or the different ways which time can pass between panels, I will bring up that there are ways that you can make images and words interact that isn't just illustrating the words. Especially when it comes to adaptations of print publications, I find this to be particularly important. In an adaptation, you have the grace to change things or omit things. In comics, a medium that thrives off of a fervent speed, choosing what to keep in and what to leave behind to keep up a frenetic pace is of the utmost importance. Actions were often indiscernable, due to the nature of the paneling and shading. I think especially with an author as notorious as H.P. Lovecraft, as an artist you have a responsibility to draw greater contrasts through images with the text while considering what he originally wrote with modern sensibility. Overall, I was incredibly disappointed by this and hope to never encounter it again. May other adaptations actually prove to have better character design and panel layouts than this.
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Suicide