Recent Reads: Wonderland by Tommy Kovac

Wonderland by Tommy Kovac 

Publisher: Disney Press
Publication Date:  January 1, 2008

 

Format: Hardback
Source: Borrowed from the library.

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Among the numerous curiosities that have gone unexplained in the classic tale Alice in Wonderland, perhaps the most perplexing might be who, exactly, is the "Maryann" that the White Rabbit mistakes Alice for at the beginning of the story? Lewis Carroll first made us ponder this and, years later, Walt Disney again made viewers wonder who Maryann might be in his classic feature length film based on Carroll's book.

Now, the amazingly talented folks at SLG Publishing, through a licensing deal with Disney, have finally answered this age-old question. In their beautifully executed comic book series Wonderland, readers experience Alice's fantastic world as they've never seen it before. Writer Tommy Kovac's Wonderland is missing Alice herself, but it's still populated by the other characters that make the world such a curiously exciting place. The Queen of Hearts is present, barking orders to lop off people's heads, as is the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the rest of Wonderland's beloved cast. And there are some new faces, too, including the book's main protagonist, the mysterious Maryann herself. All are beautifully illustrated by Wonderland's artist, Sonny Liew.

The graphic novel will collect the six issues that comprised the Wonderland comic series in a beautiful, collectible, jacketed hardcover edition.

Review: 

This was such a fun take on the classic Alice in Wonderland story. We finally meet Maryann, the white rabbit's maid/helper that he mistakes Alice for when she is in his home. 

Wonderland follows Maryann after the 'monster' Alice has been in Wonderland. The Queen is still looking to chop Alice's head off by Maryann us just trying to keep things clean and in an accident makes the Queen more angry. 

The art of this graphic novel was fun, whimsical, and colorful adding to the overall wonderfland feel and I really liked learning who Maryann was. She was a strong and brave character that knew what she wanted although she didn't realize that she could have it for herself. I also liked that Alice does not appear at all in the graphic novel, she is mentioned throughout but Maryann takes the lead. 

Like Wonderland is supposed to be, it is all weird and silly. Cheshire cat is there being as non-helpful as ever and causing problems adding to the comical nature of graphic novel. That being said, because it is a bit wacky, it was confusing some times but that is part of the wonderland whimsical appeal. 

If you are looking for a fun semi- retelling/ follow up to Alice in Wonderland this was very entertaining and a quick read.