Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Original Text - (Classical Comics: Original Text) by Clive Bryant (Paperback)

About the Book

No one knows for sure if Sweeney Todd actually existed, but this story, taken from a serialization in a Penny Dreadful from 1846, was the first official record of the terrible crimes committed by the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Gory? No! What's particularly good about this adaptation is that none of the horror is to be seen -- making this a truly wonderful version of a brilliant book.
This story first appeared in serialized form in 1800s London and gripped the nation. Although there is no explicit record of these events taking place, there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that Todd existed and that he was the world's worst mass-murderer.
A gruesome tale, portrayed with a certain Victorian "twee-ness" that borders on the comical.
Featuring beautiful engaging artwork, the book features the entire novel, unabridged (in the original British English), as well as an illustrated Character List (Dramatis Personae), 156 pages of story artwork, and fascinating support material - all beautifully presented in color.
An alternative text edition with simplified U.S. dialogue is available enabling differentiation in the classroom.

Book Synopsis

No one knows for sure if Sweeney Todd actually existed, but this story, taken from a serialization in a Penny Dreadful from 1846, was the first official record of the terrible crimes committed by the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Gory? No! What's particularly good about this adaptation is that none of the horror is to be seen -- making this a truly wonderful version of a brilliant book.

This story first appeared in serialized form in 1800s London and gripped the nation. Although there is no explicit record of these events taking place, there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that Todd existed and that he was the world's worst mass-murderer.

A gruesome tale, portrayed with a certain Victorian "twee-ness" that borders on the comical.

Featuring beautiful engaging artwork, the book features the entire novel, unabridged (in the original British English), as well as an illustrated Character List (Dramatis Personae), 156 pages of story artwork, and fascinating support material - all beautifully presented in color.

An alternative text edition with simplified U.S. dialogue is available enabling differentiation in the classroom.

From the Back Cover

From his barber shop in Fleet Street, Sweeney Todd murders selected customers to steal their money and valuables. Some suspect he is up to no good, but no one knows how he actually kills his victims. How does he dispose of the bodies? And what is his connection with Mrs. Lovett who runs a popular pie shop nearby? Will Colonel Jeffery discover what happened to his friend Mr. Thornhill after he visited Todd for a shave? And will the heartbroken Johanna Oakley ever find out what happened to her beloved Mark Ingestrie? Perhaps Todd's shop boy Tobias Ragg will uncover the barber's dark secrets...

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a tale that has become part of London folklore. Adapted from the original serialized story The String of Pearls, published in weekly installments in The People's Periodical from November 1846 to March 1847, this graphic novel breathes new life into the legendary barber who "polished 'em off."

Review Quotes

*Frankenstein: The Graphic Novel: Quick Text. ISBN 978-1-906332-50-1.
*Frankenstein: The Graphic Novel: Original Text. ISBN 978-1-906332-49-5.
illus. by Declan Shalvey.

While remaining true to the spirit of Shelley's famous work, this adaptation allows readers to have it their way, savoring this horror classic with either the "Original Text," or the "Quick Text," a simplified abridgement. More than a straightforward retelling, this edition invites readers to explore important social issues such as alienation, the consequences and ethics of scientific studies, as well as the nature of creation and destruction. Rich and lustrous artwork remains the same in both versions. Bucolic mountainsides and charming villages are rendered in a classical European painting style. In stark contrast, horrific elements are depicted with grotesque angular figures in monochromatic tones. Excellent lettering enhances the narrative without distracting from the images. An especially nice feature is the use of boldface to highlight key words and phrases. A table of contents, based on the original three-volume edition, helps readers follow the story's progression. Back matter includes a biography of Shelley, a description of the novel's origin and history, and a clear description of comic-page creation for this remarkable edition. Reluctant readers who start with the "Quick Text" will probably be enticed to try the "Original Text" and continue to explore this exquisite rendition of a gothic classic.

--Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
School Library Journal, May 2009

About the Author

Sean Michael Wilson has adapted other books in the Classical Comics series including A Christmas Carol and Wuthering Heights. Declan Shalvey is now a high-demand comic book artist, working on 28 Days Later as well as some Marvel titles. Kat Nicholson and Jason Cardy have colored a number of titles within the Classical Comics range. A Midsummer Night's Dream was their first fully illustrated work. Clive Bryant is the founder of Classical Comics and has served as Editor in Chief for the entire series.