Graphic Novel

I would like to start by saying that I have enjoyed Butcher’s books for a number of years and I was surprised and amazed to find that he had recently started collaborating with Ardian Syaf to turn Harry Dresden into a graphic novel hero. This G.N. series is too new to have won any awards, but I’m sure that it will in the future.

‘The Gathering Storm’ starts by introducing us to both Harry Dresden - Wizard and Karrin Murphy - Cop. Murphy brings Dresden on a double murder that turns out to have been committed with magic. We follow Harry through the magical underbelly of Chicago as he meets with irate mobsters, a big-talking faery, a vampire Madame, and a big, ugly, slime green demon intent on destroying him with acid spit, all in the hope of solving a gruesome double murder.

‘The Gathering Storm’ is not what I would have expected from a graphic novel; it’s nowhere near being a hastily written comic that capitalizes on the popularity of the Dresden Files novels. Instead I was impressed with both the writing and the artwork. Both are done with care and absolutely capture the spirit of the original story, right down to correcting some ‘errors’ committed when the television series was released. (Karrin is not dark haired). Mark Powers has written an excellent adaptation of Butchers work, and Ardian Syaf has captured Butchers characters to a tee. The only problem I found was that on some pages the ‘panes’ were arranged in rather confusing formations that forced me as the reader to break my flow and search the page for the correct order. This was a minor annoyance and I suspect easily remedied with practice. All in all I have to say that this is an excellent graphic novel for young adults; it has enough blood and magic to please any teen, but not enough that parents might feel they need to object.

I like Harry Dresdan. I just don't like him in Graphic Novel form. The story is nice, the graphics so-so, but I just don't picture Harry as depicted in the comics. Still, I enjoyed seeing some of the magical creatures portrayed, including Toot-Toot, the fairy. ( )

I'm going to start by saying Jim Butcher has managed to write some of the funniest and most captivating Fantasy novels I have had the pleasure of reading. And when I heard Storm Front was to be adapted, I was beyond thrilled. It's great to see Jim's work in a new format. The art is lovely. And the adaptation is very true to the original work. Great for a fan or as an introduction. ( )

The artwork is amazing. The colors are so vivd and the characters look very life like and about the way Jim describes them in the books. This is a must read, must buy, must get for any Dresden fan. A faithful adaption of the first Dresden Files book Storm Front. ( )