Graphic novel Critical Essay | Graphic Narratives

Critical Essay by Beth Levine

SOURCE: "Berkley, First and CMG Join to Revive Classics Illustrated," in Publishers Weekly, Vol. 236, No. 20, November 24, 1989, p. 48.

[In the following essay, Levine remarks on the revival of the Classics Illustrated series.]

"Classics Illustrated"…. For millions, the name conjures up the midnight hours they spent reading by flashlight under the bedcovers. For others, the comic book versions of such titles as Moby Dick and David Copperfield symbolize the only way they survived English lit. In February, Berkley, First Publishing and Classics Media Group will revive the once-popular series with all-new full-color art and text in a perfect-bound graphic novel format, priced at $3.75 per book.

In this unusual joint venture, Berkley will distribute the titles to the bookstores and deal with publicity, promotion and advertising. First Publishing will handle editing, production and distribution to specialist comic book outlets, while Classics Media Group manages audio, video, TV...
(read more)