Poe: Stories and Poems

Having previously created rich graphic adaptations of The Odyssey, Beowulf, and several of Shakespeare's works, Hinds brings a handful of Poe's poems and short stories to grisly visual life. Focusing on seven of the writer's most famous pieces--including "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Raven," and "The Cask of Amontillado"--Hinds uses distinct visual styles to draw out the mood and tone for each. Full-page charcoal panels amplify an atmosphere of bleak despair in "The Raven," while screaming red display type ("thub dub thub dub") creates a growing sense of mania in "The Tell-Tale Heart." And although "The Pit and the Pendulum" opens in near-total darkness, the horrors of the captive's situation gradually becomes clearer as Hinds lets dim light in. In a neat detail, each story opens with a legend indicating recurring themes (death, fire, and scary sounds in "The Bells") so readers know what to expect; Hinds further reflects on and contextualizes each story in endnotes. Hinds doesn't sugarcoat the blood and gore in these stories and poems--each haunting sequence is rife with tension and dread. Ages 12-up. (Aug.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Hinds adds to his impressive -library of graphic novel adaptations with this collection of stories and poems...A spellbinding adaptation of one of America's most legendary authors. This volume can easily be worked into literature courses and is a fantastic way to introduce Poe to new readers.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Graphic-novel veteran Hinds turns his astute eye to Poe's best-known tales....Also included are historical notes about Poe and each vignette, making this volume equally valuable for classroom use or for independent reading. Befittingly dark, atmospheric, and evocative.
—Kirkus Reviews

Faithfully preserving the gothic tone of the original texts, from the macabre endpapers filled with symbols of death to the twisted anguished faces found throughout its pages, the author never shies away from the darkness found there, instead distilling Poe's fascination with madness, death, and terror into single haunting images...A welcome addition for fans of graphic horror.
—Booklist

In a neat detail, each story opens with a legend indicating recurring themes (death, fire, and scary sounds in "The Bells") so readers know what to expect; Hinds further reflects on and contextualizes each story in endnotes. Hinds doesn't sugarcoat the blood and gore in these stories and poems—each haunting sequence is rife with tension and dread.
—Publishers Weekly

As always, Hinds's adaptations lean heavily on the original language of the text with an eye toward accessibility for the modern reader and an understanding that the illustrations will carry a good portion of the narrative. Hinds's varied illustrations are a good match for Poe's atmospheric blend of horror and mystery.
—The Horn Book

This book makes a great introduction to Poe's work, and will be a great addition to any school library's graphic novel section.
—School Library Connection

Brilliant and terrifying, this collection shows in pictures much of what Poe revealed only through words.
—The Wall Street Journal