Harlequin Valentine (3rd Printing) - Hardcover

Gaiman, Neil

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 156971620X ISBN 13: 9781569716205

Publisher: Dark Horse, 2009

Synopsis

In this modern hardcover retelling of a classic commedia dell'arte legend of tomfoolery and hopeless, fawning love, creators Neil Gaiman (The Sandman, the Newbery Medal-winning The Graveyard Book) and John Bolton (Evil Dead) update the relationship of Harlequin and Columbine. A buffoon burdened with a brimming heart, Harlequin chases his sensible, oblivious Columbine around the city streets, having given his heart freely. Consumed with love, the impulsive clown sees his heart dragged about town, with a charming surprise to bend the tale in a modern direction. Gaiman's writing is poetic and as heartfelt as the subject matter. Bolton's art, a combination of digitally enhanced photorealism and dynamic painting, provides sensational depth with bright characters over fittingly muted backgrounds. Those who have spent Valentine's Day alone are aware that the cold February holiday can be hard to swallow. Gaiman and Bolton want you to know that all it takes is a steak knife, a fork, and a bottle of quality ketchup!

About this title

Review:

It's a rare storyteller that can create a story that is light and airy, yet utterly absorbing. It's therefore doubly fortunate, then, that Harlequin Valentine has two such storytellers: Neil Gaiman and John Bolton.

Harlequin Valentine is a short update of the Commedia dell'arte legend of Harlequin and Columbine, giving the tale a contemporary setting while sacrificing none of its original magic, whimsy and romance. Having giving his heart freely, the lovestruck prankster Harlequin pursues his Columbine through her city, before the story gets a modern twist which wraps it up neatly. Gaiman's writing is relaxed and unforced as always, allowing the story to unfold at its own natural pace, and drawing the reader along all the while. Bolton's painted artwork, meanwhile, strikes just the right balance between fantasy and photo-realism, matching the dynamic of Gaiman's words. Harlequin Valentine is a short story, certainly, but it's no less affecting for it. --Robert Burrow

About the Author:

NEIL GAIMAN is the most critically acclaimed graphic novel writer of today. His work includes the successful Sandman graphic novel series the BBC series, Neverwhere, and the novels Stardust and American Gods.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dark Horse
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 156971620X
• ISBN 13: 9781569716205
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40