Growing up as a kid, taking the time to read all of Treasure Island seemed like a huge drag – all those pages and no pictures, and I hadn’t discovered Cliff Notes quite yet. Marvel is hoping to ignite the passion for classic literature among the young’uns by releasing Marvel Illustrated a series of classical stories adapted to comic form.
The list includes Last of the Mohicans, Treasure Island, and the Man in the Iron Mask. Each of the tales will be told over six issues.
Dang I wish I had these growing up!
Take the jump for the descriptions of each story and the cover image for each.
Beginning with May’s Marvel Illustrated: The Last Of The Mohicans, featuring the lush art of Marvel newcomer Steve Kurth and Denis Medri, James Fennimore Cooper’s 1826 novel is considered by many to be one of the great American novels. Exploring one of the most crucial periods in United States history, The Last Of The Mohicans explores the tensions between British colonists and the dwindling Native American population, all in the wild wilderness of the “New World.” Each issue will also feature special backup tales about series protagonist Hawkeye, an American who remains the mold for the definition of the word “hero.”
June sees the release of Marvel Illustrated: Treasure Island, with art by Mario Gully, featuring Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of high-adventure on the great seas and buried treasure. Pirate Billy Bones hid his treasure with a man whose time has passed and now that man’s young son, Jim Hawkins, is the sole protector of the fortune. Unfortunately for Jim, Bones’ pirate crew wants the treasure for themselves and they’ll go through the young boy to get it! Don’t miss out on the series that first taught us that X marks the spot, that treasure is buries on tropical islands and showed us why we need talking parrots on our shoulders!
In July, Marvel Illustrated: The Man In The Iron Mask makes its debut, adapting the classic story by noted French author Alexander Dumas with art by Hugo Petrus! Continuing the adventures of the Three Musketeers, while also telling a stand alone story, The Man In The Iron Mask has been considered a seminal adventure tale since its publication in 1847 and features political nuances that still resonate to this day. King Louis XIV rules France, dragging the once great nation down in a quest to satisfy his own avarice. The best hope for France lies inside the prison known as the Bastille, where prisoner number 12 lies with an iron mask covering his face…for he is Philippe, twin brother of Louis! Imprisoned by his own brother to prevent Phillipe from vying for the throne, the would-be-heir dreams of the day when he can restore dignity to the French monarchy and if a band of rogue heroes have their way, that day will come sooner than later!
