Harper, Benjamin. The Tell-Tale Heart.

Harper, Benjamin.  The Tell-Tale Heart.   Capstone/Stone Arch  2013  72p  ISBN 978-1-4342-3023-2        series: Edgar Allen Poe Graphic Novels  elem/ms   Hardback  E-BNS     Graphic novel

A care provider plots to murder the man to whom he owes his livelihood due to the man’s “evil eye.”   After the deed is done, his guilt and/or lunacy overtake him.     In this reproduction of the famous short story by Poe, a writer and an illustrator have collaborated to produce an abridged version in graphic format that is chilling, fast-paced and clear.  Both needy readers and readers who learn best with visual support will delight in being able to follow the story and experience the terror of the original.  The illustrations are bold.  The irony of that statement lies in the fact that the colors are limited to blues and sepias, but instead of using mute tones, the illustrator uses the colors to emphasize the crazed eyes of the murderer as well as his apathetic eyes when he willingly invites the police officers in to survey the crime area.   The varied use of onomatopoeia throughout adds dramatic effect to the story.  The visual effects act in conjunction with the text, and the craziness and terror that Poe hoped to evoke when he created his murderer and victim are sublime. 

This series brings Poe to the masses, and teachers will find many uses for the graphic short story.  It could easily be read next to the original to support the compare/contrast aspect of instruction of nonfiction texts.   It could also be used to bring the genre of horror to a younger audience thanks to its easy-to-comprehend text.  The book provides biographical data on Poe, a glossary and a list of questions for the educator or reader to ponder.  All in all, this book is a stellar example of what can be done when the goal is clear, the writer and illustrator are talented and the original story is a masterpiece.  Edgar Allen Poe Graphic Novels contains four of Poe’s masterpieces, all done in the graphic novel style.  The abridged version of each tells the story in a format that is user-friendly, true to Poe’s originals, and  highly visually dramatic.      This book will greatly add to the horror section of both an elementary and middle-school library.    

Summary: A care provider plots to murder the man to whom he owes his livelihood due to the man’s “evil eye.”   After the deed is done, his guilt and/or lunacy overtake him.   In this reproduction of the famous short story by Poe, a writer and an illustrator have collaborated to produce an abridged version in graphic format that is chilling, fast-paced and clear. 

Horror, Graphic novels                                      --Martha Squaresky