Adapted by Alan Grant & Cam Kennedy (Waverley Books)
ISBN: 978-1-902407-44-9 (TPB)
Way back in 2004 as part of the celebrations for Edinburgh’s selection as the first UNESCO City of Literature, Scots comics veterans Alan Grant & Cam Kennedy were invited to convert a brace of classic tales by Robert Louis Stevenson to publishing’s hottest medium…
The second appeared in 2008 with a bare minimum of abridgement or adulteration by Grant and galvanically brought to life through the stunning art of the inimitable Kennedy with colours and letters provided by Jamie Grant: all seamlessly collaborating to perfectly picture one of the most infamous and groundbreaking tales of terror in the annals of storytelling.
The timeless tale opens as lawyer Mr. Utterson becomes intrigued by the ‘Story of the Door’ as related by walking companion Richard Enfield. That worthy describes how, after remonstrating with a bestial, shrivelled homunculus of a man who was thrashing a street child, he discovered a possible – although unlikely and unwelcome – connection to a mutual friend of superlative honour and worthiness. However, what connection a depraved creature such as Edward Hyde might have with benevolent and brilliant Dr. Henry Jekyll was beyond either man’s conception. Blackmail, perhaps…
A multi-layered and convoluted chain of events unfolds at a beguiling pace as the pair undertake a systematic ‘Search for Mr. Hyde’, even consulting the scientist’s great mentor Dr. Lanyon before unexpectedly encountering the despicable decadent himself, sneaking into Jekyll’s home through the means of his own key. Eventually, Utterson is compelled to ask the suspected extortion victim himself but ‘Dr. Jekyll was Quite at Ease’ and even extracted a promise that the concerned lawyer would ensure that Hyde got his legal due should untoward circumstances warrant…
Events overtake everyone involved once details of ‘The Carew Murder Case’ become a public sensation and Hyde is actively pursued for killing a prominent politician in fit of unprovoked fury. Long-shrouded secrets begin to emerge after the ‘Incident of the Letter’ as Jekyll assures his distraught. apprehensive friends that Hyde will be seen no more, but this forces Utterson to conclude that Henry is completely under the thumb of the desperate fugitive…
‘The Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon’ precipitates further speculation as the failing sage gives the inquisitors a letter to be opened upon his (apparently imminent) demise, prompting Enfield and Utterson to immediate action and reluctant intervention on ‘The Last Night’ an incident which reveals the shocking truth of the entire affair. With the tragedy complete, all that remains is to discover the reasons and causes which are provided by the aforementioned letter containing ‘Henry Jekyll’s Full Statement of the Case’…
Chances are high that nobody reading this is unaware of the general events of this much retold tale but the moody, evocative, dynamic and suspenseful reiteration here is a sheer pictorial triumph, adding freshness to familiarity, and emerging as not simply a distillation, adjunct or accommodation but actually a classic of the form that works as well in comics terms as the original literary ones.
Still readily available so don’t miss the chance to revel in the power of transformation…
Adapted text © 2008 Alan Grant. Illustrations © 2008 Cam Kennedy. All rights reserved.