Manga Classics Stories of Edgar Allan Poe

I've never read the Manga Classics series before, but I always enjoy a good Poe adaptation, so I jumped at the chance to check this out. I'll refrain from reviewing the stories themselves, since it's Poe, and you probably already know if you like his work or not. (But if you don't know, Fall of the House of Usher is always a strong recommend from me.)

This book is a collection of some of his most famous works (Telltale Heart, The Raven, Cask of Amontillado, Masque of Red Death, and Fall of the House of Usher), each illustrated by a different artist. Style varies across the board, although all of the pieces have been adapted very faithfully. Telltale Heart leans into heavy use of blacks, making the nighttime sequences feel very ominous. The Raven is appropriately dreamlike in nature, with some really cool angles in the layout. Cask of Amontillado's characters are highly expressive, especially as the story goes on. Masque of Red Death is probably what most people think of when you say "manga style," with more use of tones and delicate lines that fit right in with the decadent atmosphere of the story. Fall of the House of Usher has some heavy and sometimes messy inks that really nail the gothic feeling of the story, and remind me quite a bit of a lot of the novel->comic books I used to read as a kid. A handful of character design sketches and layout thumbnails are also included, which are always a treat for art fans.

Overall, this book feels like a really great introduction to some of Poe's most famous works, with very accessible and moody art across the board.

Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for a review copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.