Dark Horse Comics is serving up another adaptation of the works of Edgar Allan Poe by Richard Corben. The last time Corben did an adaptation of Poe, it was a two part mini for The Fall of The House of Usher. It was haunting, unsettling, and incredibly well drawn. The Raven and the Red Death is another fine example of this Eisner Hall of Fame member’s storytelling mastery. This time, instead of two issues for 1 story, it’s a 32 page One-shot filled up with two stories!
The Raven, a horror tale that is infamous, is slightly changed in voice by Corben. The narrative turns from self-recited poem into a third person witness of madness through sequential art. You’ll instantly be familiar with the story by Edgar Allan Poe, and then find new depths that only Richard Corben could plumb for you.
The Red Death is told through color and narrative. The art is terrific but it is the colors that bring you, the reader, on the journey to a faraway kingdom. Those familiar with Corben will know of Mag the Hag, she walks the reader through the story and out the other end. The reveal of the Red Death had even Mag turning away. If you’re a fan of horror, Edgar Allen Poe, or Richard Corben, you’ll be turning back to the front to re-read this terrifically short, but incredibly rich One-shot available Wednesday.
Writer: Richard Corben
Artist: Richard Corben
Cover Artist: Richard Corben
Genre: Horror
Publication Date: October 30, 2013
Price: $3.99
Preview Images courtesy of Dark Horse Comics
If you have any feedback or opinions on the preview, remember to post in the comments or send me a tweet @MarkAvo.