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geekwayne's review
3.0
'The Phantom of the Opera' with adaptation and art by Varga Tomi is based on the classic novel by Gaston Leroux.
In a famous opera house, a creature lives and preys on the owners. He takes a young singer under his wing and uses his power to help her career. In turn, he becomes obsessed with her and she learns his terrible secret.
This is a pretty decent adaptation of the story. It is a bit wordy in places, but nothing feels unnecessary. Unfortunately, I felt a bit let down by the art.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from A Wave Blue World, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
In a famous opera house, a creature lives and preys on the owners. He takes a young singer under his wing and uses his power to help her career. In turn, he becomes obsessed with her and she learns his terrible secret.
This is a pretty decent adaptation of the story. It is a bit wordy in places, but nothing feels unnecessary. Unfortunately, I felt a bit let down by the art.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from A Wave Blue World, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
arthurian's review
3.0
It is a graphic novel adaptation that's pretty true to the novel so fans coming directly from the musical adaptation might be a bit surprised.
The illustrations match the tone of the story well and save for a few details I didn't like, I'm quite glad with this faithful graphic novel.
The illustrations match the tone of the story well and save for a few details I didn't like, I'm quite glad with this faithful graphic novel.
alongreader's review
4.0
I've seen Phantom a few times. I've read the book, but it was many years ago, so I'm more familiar with the show. I've seen reviews saying this was hard to understand, but I thought it was mostly alright. I'm a little confused about Raoul and Phillipe; brothers? Friends? But apart from that I followed what was going on. It probably helped that I'm familiar with the show so I knew the plot.
The art is amazing, all gothic spires and dark, dramatic shadows. Some of the print was difficult to make out, but that wouldn't happen in a book version. The characters were different enough that I always knew who everyone was, and Erik was fantastically drawn. It was easy to see how he was so alone.
This is a brilliant adaptation and I think it'll work well as an introduction to this wonderful story. Really well done.
The art is amazing, all gothic spires and dark, dramatic shadows. Some of the print was difficult to make out, but that wouldn't happen in a book version. The characters were different enough that I always knew who everyone was, and Erik was fantastically drawn. It was easy to see how he was so alone.
This is a brilliant adaptation and I think it'll work well as an introduction to this wonderful story. Really well done.
ashahidian's review
An adaptation of the classical 'Phantom of the Opera' which I've only seen the movie and now know is different from the book. It's hard to reduce such a story to so few pages, so I did wish it would have been longer. I liked the art style, the colours used and the expressions on the characters, the palpable tension. Really, it should have been a longer book.
malhag's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Very good art. But unfortunately it was very hard to understand the story. I have only seen the movie before, but still there were many parts of the story in the book that I had a hard time understanding.
alandd's review
5.0
Aunque no fui un amante de la novela original cuando la leí, casi hace un año, entiendo bien por qué es un clásico y por qué impactó en su momento. Cuando leí la sinopsis de este libro pensé que se trataría de un recuento, pero en realidad es una adaptación religiosamente fiel al material original y con un arte que te hechiza desde la primera página.
Reseña completa (Oct-18): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2020/10/comic-phantom-of-opera-graphic-novel.html
Although I wasn't a lover of the original novel when I read it, almost a year ago, I understand well why it's a classic and why it made an impact at the time. When I read the synopsis of this book I thought it would be a retelling, but in reality it is a religiously faithful adaptation to the original material and with an art that enchants you from the first page.
Full review (Oct-18): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2020/10/comic-phantom-of-opera-graphic-novel.html
Reseña completa (Oct-18): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2020/10/comic-phantom-of-opera-graphic-novel.html
Although I wasn't a lover of the original novel when I read it, almost a year ago, I understand well why it's a classic and why it made an impact at the time. When I read the synopsis of this book I thought it would be a retelling, but in reality it is a religiously faithful adaptation to the original material and with an art that enchants you from the first page.
Full review (Oct-18): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2020/10/comic-phantom-of-opera-graphic-novel.html
ellelainey's review
2.0
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
The Phantom of the Opera, by Varga Tomi
★★☆☆☆
128 Pages
Sadly, this adaptation just didn't work for me. I ended up DNF'ing it, due to the grainy artwork, the small, often blurry, text that made it hard to read, and the long-winded storytelling. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and confused.
Copy received through Netgalley
~
The Phantom of the Opera, by Varga Tomi
★★☆☆☆
128 Pages
Sadly, this adaptation just didn't work for me. I ended up DNF'ing it, due to the grainy artwork, the small, often blurry, text that made it hard to read, and the long-winded storytelling. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and confused.
jennifermreads's review
5.0
He lives beneath the opera house, demands a monthly stipend, and box 5 MUST be kept available for his use. His identity is a secret; he has not been seen. Until he sees Christine Daae, hears the promise in her voice. He will train her … for a price. And is that price too steep if it comes at the cost of her childhood friend and love Raoul?
I have to confess I have not read the original novel. I seriously need to. I have seen the theatrical production five (or six?) times. I’m completely enchanted with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s creation and so wish I had got to see Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford perform it live. I get goosebumps every time I hear the opening organ notes of Phantom of the Opera. Just writing about those goosebumps and I pulled up Sarah Brightman & Antonio Banderas rendition to listen to as I write this review. I have a Phantom mask signed by Franc D’Ambrosio. I inhaled the novel Phantom that (in my mind) magnificently details how the Phantom became the Phantom. Yes, I need to read the original novel. Soon.
So, taking into account my all-consuming love for the theatrical version, I opened this graphic adaptation with hesitation. Would it hold up to my high regard for the imagery of the play? Would I get those goosebumps and all the feels? Yes … and yes. The page featuring the fallen chandelier made me gasp. The Phantom’s disfigurement and ugliness (both in features & personality) was captured perfectly. The scenes between Raoul and Christine made me yearn for the success of their love. The wedding dress? Oh. My. God.
Initially, some of the artwork gave me pause. In some images, like those bonus panels at the end, Varga Tomi has Christine’s face looking young and gorgeous. But some of the panels within the story, her face just doesn’t “feel right.” It almost takes on a bit of the Phantom-creepiness. On a second pass, I realized that the images that disturbed me were when she was deep under the Phantom’s spell. And this just wowed me further. Talk about using the medium to help convey the full story.
Maybe I’m biased…maybe I’m not. I thought this was a wonderful adaptation. And I think this adaptation is going to be the thing that finally pushes me to read a translation of the original story.
I have to confess I have not read the original novel. I seriously need to. I have seen the theatrical production five (or six?) times. I’m completely enchanted with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s creation and so wish I had got to see Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford perform it live. I get goosebumps every time I hear the opening organ notes of Phantom of the Opera. Just writing about those goosebumps and I pulled up Sarah Brightman & Antonio Banderas rendition to listen to as I write this review. I have a Phantom mask signed by Franc D’Ambrosio. I inhaled the novel Phantom that (in my mind) magnificently details how the Phantom became the Phantom. Yes, I need to read the original novel. Soon.
So, taking into account my all-consuming love for the theatrical version, I opened this graphic adaptation with hesitation. Would it hold up to my high regard for the imagery of the play? Would I get those goosebumps and all the feels? Yes … and yes. The page featuring the fallen chandelier made me gasp. The Phantom’s disfigurement and ugliness (both in features & personality) was captured perfectly. The scenes between Raoul and Christine made me yearn for the success of their love. The wedding dress? Oh. My. God.
Initially, some of the artwork gave me pause. In some images, like those bonus panels at the end, Varga Tomi has Christine’s face looking young and gorgeous. But some of the panels within the story, her face just doesn’t “feel right.” It almost takes on a bit of the Phantom-creepiness. On a second pass, I realized that the images that disturbed me were when she was deep under the Phantom’s spell. And this just wowed me further. Talk about using the medium to help convey the full story.
Maybe I’m biased…maybe I’m not. I thought this was a wonderful adaptation. And I think this adaptation is going to be the thing that finally pushes me to read a translation of the original story.
saramarie08's review
4.0
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
In a successful opera house in France, Christine Daaé enjoys her first experience as a Prima Donna. She has always been an understudy, or a silent dancer, but something about her singing has changed recently. The transformation sparks the curiosity of one of the opera’s benefactors, Monsieur Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. He visits the starlet backstages but finds not everything is on the up and up. Through following Christine and many clandestine meetings over many weeks, he discovers a mysterious entity has been visiting her dressing room, claiming to be the Angel of Music, and training Christine’s voice. Christine, at first, believed her departed father had sent the Angel to her, but she discovers, to her horror, that the Angel is in fact the Opera Ghost, a figure of legend who has been wreaking havoc and placing demands on the Opera staff for quite a while. Raoul is determined to save Christine from Erik, the Opera Ghost, but he’ll have to overcome some great obstacles in order to do so.
This is a pretty faithful adaptation, but a little brief at times. Some of the best one liners made famous by the musical were also included. The phantom’s true face is creepy like it’s supposed to be, and covers his entire face as it does in the book, rather than one half as popularized by the musical. The illustrations of the phantom are sufficiently creepy; his presence is haunting in every scene, including the ones where he is masked up and concealing himself. Madame Geary and her daughter are almost non-existent in this adaptation, which might be good for musical lovers who think Meg is useless.
The illustrations are a little rough in that most of the characters have very masculine features, including the women. The ballet dancers are not all thin ladies, which seems more a design error than a choice.
there is quite a bit of violence in this story, including murder, and very dark themes. This would be best suited for high school audiences.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12
In a successful opera house in France, Christine Daaé enjoys her first experience as a Prima Donna. She has always been an understudy, or a silent dancer, but something about her singing has changed recently. The transformation sparks the curiosity of one of the opera’s benefactors, Monsieur Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. He visits the starlet backstages but finds not everything is on the up and up. Through following Christine and many clandestine meetings over many weeks, he discovers a mysterious entity has been visiting her dressing room, claiming to be the Angel of Music, and training Christine’s voice. Christine, at first, believed her departed father had sent the Angel to her, but she discovers, to her horror, that the Angel is in fact the Opera Ghost, a figure of legend who has been wreaking havoc and placing demands on the Opera staff for quite a while. Raoul is determined to save Christine from Erik, the Opera Ghost, but he’ll have to overcome some great obstacles in order to do so.
This is a pretty faithful adaptation, but a little brief at times. Some of the best one liners made famous by the musical were also included. The phantom’s true face is creepy like it’s supposed to be, and covers his entire face as it does in the book, rather than one half as popularized by the musical. The illustrations of the phantom are sufficiently creepy; his presence is haunting in every scene, including the ones where he is masked up and concealing himself. Madame Geary and her daughter are almost non-existent in this adaptation, which might be good for musical lovers who think Meg is useless.
The illustrations are a little rough in that most of the characters have very masculine features, including the women. The ballet dancers are not all thin ladies, which seems more a design error than a choice.
there is quite a bit of violence in this story, including murder, and very dark themes. This would be best suited for high school audiences.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12