Classics Illustrated #7: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Classics Illustrated Graphic Novels) Hardcover – January 19, 2010

Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of horror and the human heart is translated to graphic novel format in this Classics Illustrated edition of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." John Snyder III adapted the story and provided the unique artwork.The story is narrated by London solicitor Mr. Utterson, who learns of an association between his client, the prominent doctor and scientist Henry Jekyll, and the disreputable Mr. Hyde. As Mr. Utterson becomes aware of Hyde's violent and even criminal activity, he presses Dr. Jekyll for an explanation, one that Jekyll is unwilling to provide. The brutal murder of Sir Danvers Carew in a London street will bring the matter to a crisis, but Utterson is unprepared for the awful truth and the haunting conclusion of the story..."Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" has inspired any number of adaptations for the stage, television, the movies, and even superhero comics. This Classics Illustrated edition is a chance to get back to the original story, still thrilling over a century after its first publication in 1886. Synder's almost cubist artwork may take some getting used to, and his arrangement of dialogue panels can be difficult to follow. Nevertheless, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is highly recommended as an entertaining read and a good introduction to Stevenson's stories.

Even though I had read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde more than 60 years ago, I decided to reread this Great Illustrated Classic, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson edition. The interesting thing about this particular book is how it approaches the subject of the personality conflict in people between good and evil. Most people desire to be productive, honest, ethical and good citizens. However, there are those who are devious, cruel, dishonest and even psychopathic.The movie Mr. Brooks staring Kevin Costner, is a recent example of a psychopathic businessman who is respected in his profession but hides his passion to murder people. This is not to say that every person has a desire to commit murder as part of their personality. Nevertheless, there is present in many people a constant conflict between doing what is right and ethical in their life and what is wrong and dishonest. This book presents the topic in a unique way.Robert Louis Stevenson approached this subject by experimenting with a drug he designed to bring out his Alter Ego, Mr. Hyde. This is an excellent edition because it also has numerous good illustrations to make reading this book more meaningful.In conclusion, if you desire to be an educated and informed person, this is one of the many classics you should consider reading.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Haiku Moments: How to read, write and enjoy haiku)

Bought these for my nephew who is young and loves comic books, manga & graphic novels. He's very pleased with them and I've also enjoyed reading them with him.

When I got this from the library and saw the cover, then flipped through the pages the art made me pause and go "Whoa!". I didn't even want to read it at that point and I love this classic RLS novella. The art is very modern and immediately made me think Picasso, with all the strange angles and weird unrecognisable geometric shapes. It's also very colourful, but in a dark way with mostly blues and reds. So, I kinda got myself over the idea of reading a Victorian story with such outrageous art and proceeded to read. It did not take me long before I was emerged in the story and by the end had become used to the art style. The textual adaptation of the story itself is very well done. It opens with the girl getting trampled in the street and proceeds chronologically not letting us into the secret of Jekyll & Hyde until the end, and is even divided into the same chapter headings as the original. A great introduction to the story and certainly a different visual way to experience it than I had ever done so before. Browsing through the book now that I've read it, I do appreciate the art much more than on first impression! A unique adaptation.

Young adult dyslexics are, by and large, smart, sophisticated, and interested students who want to enjoy literature. During and after their training, reading literature is essential to their needs. This particular graphic novel, Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, held the interest of the young man for whom I purchased it. Mine, too. The essential vocabulary and dialogue was challenging, but very doable because of the narration and the speech "balloons" that accompany graphic novels. The drawings were enjoyed by the student, but had to be studied by me in order to sometimes determine just what I was looking at. The only drawback, I might add. With 50 years separating my student and me, I was the one disadvantaged by the "modern" look to the drawings. He had no problems. Very enjoyable; led to interesting discussions on the good vs evil in all of us. Not the first graphic novel we've done together and not the last. Want to fill in the gap of some of the classic works that you've never gotten to or have long ago forgotten? Try the graphic novels.