Renfield: A Tale of Madness

Rating:
Summary: A good campanion volume to the classic.
Review: 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.

However, in shifting the focus of the story so greatly toward Renfield, it distorts the other characters---most notably Van Helsing---significantly. In places, it also veers more from the originally written events than I think was necessary, so I can give it only four stars. This disappoints me a bit, because the potential for a five-star book was there.

Read this, yes, but as a companion volume only, NOT as a substitute for Dracula, which I encourage you to read first.

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating look at a man descending into madness
Review: I was quite surprised by this book. I thought it would be just another Dracula story but the Count is hardly in it at all. But don't be mistaken, he is still a principle player. The story covers the patient Renfield as an inmate at the insane asylum. The writer gives a lot of information and reasons why Renfield catches flies and its not just to eat them. 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. The art was very good and I for one, was glad it wasn't gory. It told a lot more by being sublte. A very good book that would make a fascinating movie. hello, Hollywood? Are you listening?