Graphics

Self Made Hero in the UK continues to produce some very interesting books of short stories by H.P. Lovecraft in graphic format.  I recently finished the second volume of The Lovecraft Anthology, which contains pictorial treatments of nine of Lovecraft’s short stories. 

Whereas the first volume contained versions of some of his most famous tales, (The Call of Cthulhu, The Dunwich Horror, and the Colour Out of Space, among others) the second volume features less familiar stories, (with the exceptions being Pickman’s Model and From Beyond).  However, the quality of the artwork is certainly equal to the first book, and respect for the integrity of the originals is apparent throughout each adaptation.  Dan Lockwood is the editor of both volumes.

Volume 2 of The Lovecraft Anthology shows off the work of a different set of artists, and the variety of styles and techniques used is impressive.  I especially liked the angular and geometric style of The Temple, (Adrian Salmon) and the clever use of darkness and light in The Nameless City (Attila Futaki).   The last story in the volume, The Statement of Randolph Carter, is somewhat tongue in cheek, and just fun to read.  But all of the stories are well done and effective.

Hopefully we will see these artists and those who wrote the adaptations in subsequent volumes of The Lovecraft Anthology. I for one would enjoy seeing graphic versions of At the Mountains of Madness, The Whisperer in Darkness, and The Shadow Out of Time, among others.

As I remarked in an earlier post, if you are already familiar with the stories selected for the two volumes of The Lovecraft Anthology, the graphic renderings will enhance your enjoyment of them.  If you are new to Lovecraft’s work, this is an entertaining way to introduce yourself to them.  (But read the originals, too!) 

http://www.selfmadehero.com/