Moby Dick

Rating:
Summary: Bad drawings ruin a great story
Review: There are better childrens' illustrated versions of Mody-Dick out there. It is obvious that Eisner did no research on whales on whaling. Sperm whales with visible teeth in their upper jaws? Harpoons being thrown with one hand instead of two? Whaleboats that are shaped more like bathtubs instead of the sharp-ended craft of reality? Eisner has trashed a great story with his cartoonish incompetence.

Rating:
Summary: The Grand Master of Comics takes on a classic.
Review: With his adaptation of Moby Dick, Will Eisner seems to be reaching out to younger readers, but anyone who appreciates a great story and wonderful art should enjoy it.

The adaptation is brief, so Eisner boils the story down to the bare bones- Man vs. Nature. Eisner's art is (as usual) amazing. Since his work is usually published in black-and-white, the painted color is a real treat. The climactic battle between Ahab and the White Whale is stunning.

If this beautiful book makes someone want to try Melville's classic novel, then so much the better.