Artemis Fowl Graphic Novel Review
By Ben Hickey / Spinebreakers Crew
Graphic novels are often risky ventures. When classic works are interpreted, they often disappoint original fans by not diligently sticking by the original plot and losing the message of the story. Imagination is an important aspect of reading for many and cutting this out of the equation can have disastrous effects.
Artemis Fowl, the sci-fi fantasy phenomenon, has a worldwide fan base so this graphic novel was bound to attract attention. It covers the first in Eoin Colfer’s series in fairly quick time but does not cut corners on one single occasion. The exemplary artwork displays thought and devotion to the original, taking into account descriptions of characters and their personalities.
The real challenge, however, was to be Artemis himself. Such a quick-witted and sly individual, it would be testing indeed to convey this through thought bubbles and pictures. Thankfully, it is pulled off well with regular insights into the young boy’s mind throughout the graphic novel, outlining his brilliant, book selling persona. Subtlety is difficult to perfect in any form of art and to do it in a graphic novel, where colour is dominant, is an achievement.
Overall, the book is a success. Many fans of Artemis Fowl will have no doubt been sceptical about the adaptation, but the excitement and rush is not lost. The original novel is so speedy and clever that it would have been to easy for the plot to have been drowned in colour and art, but all the important factors stand out brilliantly. Clear, concise and captivating, the Artemis Fowl graphic novel begs only one further question – when is the next one due?