Harlequin Valentine - Hardcover

Gaiman, Neil

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1840234113 ISBN 13: 9781840234114

Publisher: Titan Books Ltd, 2002

Synopsis

In this modern hardcover retelling of a classic commedia dell' arte legend of tomfoolery and hopeless, fawning love, creators Neil Gaiman (Sandman) and John Bolton (Manbat) update the relation 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.

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: Titan Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1840234113
• ISBN 13: 9781840234114
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Bolton John