Review: The Happy Prince: Oscar Wilde’s Fairy Tale by TpCat
on July 29th, 2010
The Happy Prince: Oscar Wilde’s Fairy Tale
TpCat
sepia tone, 32pp
Reviewed by Selina Lock
Having read the original short story by Wilde after reading this comic adaptation, it seems to be a fairly faithful adaptation, apart from making all the characters anthropomorphic. The use of cute animals makes the tale even more poignant, and contrasts well with the reality of the poverty being portrayed. For those unfamiliar with the story, it revolves around a statue of The Happy Prince, who really weeps to see the suffering of those around him, and enlists the help of a swallow to spread a little joy and salvation.
The main reason I picked up the book was the gorgeous artwork. TpCat excels at adorable animals, using a sepia pencil technique that adds to the softness of the creatures. She also adds interesting touches to the comic, such as comments by background characters about wanting an iPhone, and an amusing guide to rodents at the back of the book. Overall, a lovely, fun and moving adaptation.
This review originally appeared in Prism; the newsletter of the British Fantasy Society.
