Jim Henson's The Storyteller (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
Archaia has a reputation for lushly-produced high-quality all-ages books, and their works based on the Jim Henson properties are especially noteworthy. This collection takes one of the less high-concept series from the man's oeuvre, reviving an old anthology show of folk tales and myths from around the world told by an enigmatic being and his talking canine companion.Some of the stories were familiar, if only by name(Puss in Boots, for example, which has much more of a romantic element than I'd previously been aware of) while others were tantalizingly new (the story of the frog who became an emperor is unforgettable for its gleeful abandonment of any logical progression). Most of the writing captures the magical, lightly sardonic voice of a seasoned storyteller, and there's a wide range of art styles to keep things interesting. Tom Fowler's work on Old Fire Dragaman is perhaps the most stunning, but I enjoyed seeing new work from some favorite creators like Katie Cook and David Petersen. This is a great collection to pass along to a younger fan in your family, or to pull down for inspiration on a rainy day. As the Storyteller himself would agree, the power of stories is a strange and wondrous thing. Of late, I have been reading a lot of fairy tales and retelling. You would think that so much of it can cause an overdose of sorts but here I am recommending yet another absolutely amazing book for all the readers of comics and graphic novels. This one is as good as they come. A sort of companion to the well loved TV series, the graphic novel takes the readers through a new set of fairy tales drawn by some of the best illustrators / story tellers out there!The stories are beautifully illustrated and they look vibrant. I read an e-galley. but I can imagine how each panel must feel when held in the form of a physical copy. The stories are varied in their themes and they’ll keep you entertained, horrified and surprised with their ingenuity. Some stories might faintly remind you of a familiar fairy tale but for the larger part, they are fresh. The storyteller and his dog are a reminder of the tradition of story telling that is lost on our generation and brings back fond memories.This book is a keeper. Especially if you love fairy tales!
What do You think about Jim Henson's The Storyteller (2013)?
I actually didn't read it, I accidentally clicked on it, but it is on my reading list :)
—renee
Love this anthology! The art styles are so distinctive, each well-done but so different.
—Mike
I enjoyed the mix of myths in the show, and it's nice that they are continuing.
—RajunCajun1
