Seen Over the Ether: Review of Marvel Comic Version of Pride and Prejudice

Inquiring readers,

I must admit I have not ordered or read Pride and Prejudice #1 from Marvel Comics. I simply am not that interested. But some of our readers have evinced a curiosity.

Comic Book Bin offers a well considered review that confirms my suspicions. Here are a few observations:

The Wizard of Oz is getting eight issues to faithfully adapt L. Frank Baum’s children’s classic, but Pride and Prejudice only gets five. So everything feels very fast, cramming so much into these twenty-three pages. Transitions across a lot of time and space happen without any warning or direction, giving a very muddled feel to the whole book as well.

This link will allow you to view a sneak peak of several pages. To my way of thinking the art work is too modern and overblown, and not at all reminiscent of the regency period. As for the cover, here's what the reviewer said:

As for the art, I really did not like it, the cover especially was simply a terrible idea. The cover attempts to look like an old-fashioned version of an issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, but with the language of a modern day issue. As you can see on the left, phrases like “Bingleys Bring Bling to Britain” grace the cover and the whole thing makes the book feel as cheap as one of those magazines.

As you can see from this image, even Mary Bennet has been turned into a babe 21st Century Style. And what's with the vampira lipstick?

• Click here to read the full review on Comic Book Bin.

• Here's a review from CBR that is also not enamored with Nancy Butler's interpretation.

• Comics Bulletin also has a discussion and a few additional pages for you to view.

Think I'll take a pass. Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

PRIDE & PREJUDICE Now Available from Marvel Comics

Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice is a comic book! Now available for a limited time, you can purchase all five (5) issues of Marvel’s comic adaptation online and shipped right to your door!

Here's the scoop from Marvel:

Marvel is proud to announce two-time Rita Award-Winner Nancy Butler and fan-favorite Hugo Petras faithful adaptation of the whimsical tale of Lizzy Bennet and her loveable-if-eccentric family, as they navigate through tricky British social circles. All orders must be placed by March 9th, 2009.

Faithfully adapted from the adored Jane Austen classic the whimsical tale of Lizzy Bennet and her loveable-if-eccentric family, as they navigate through tricky British social circles. Will Lizzy's father manage to marry off her five daughters, despite his wife's incessant nagging? And will Lizzy's beautiful sister Jane marry the handsome, wealthy Mr. Bingley, or will his brooding friend Mr. Darcy stand between their happiness?

A note from the writer/adapter Nancy Butler:


This is one of Marvel's first attempts to woo a mostly female readership, and if all goes well, you might be looking forward to more romance-driven Marvel Illustrated books. The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Sheik, Jane Eyre, The Curse of Capistrano (Zorro) and Phantom of the Opera have all been discussed as possibilities. And, of course, other books in the Austen canon, as well. So if you'd like to see more romantic classics done as illustrated comics, please give Pride and Prejudice a try.

It sounds like fun. Hey, doesn’t the Lizzy Bennet on the cover look like a certain actress? We have our opinion, but want to hear yours. Here’s one hint. She was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal her in 2005.

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose