When I asked for an interlibrary loan of Fairy Tale Comics: Classic Tales Told by Extraordinary Cartoonists edited by Chris Duffy, I hadn’t realized that this almost 20 story collection was out of print. So, you might have to get it via your local library or a pre-loved site.
But that does not take away from the fun of the book. Each story can be updated, is quick, could have humor and are odd fairy tales. Some you will know and others will be new. You’ll see Hansel and Gretel, the Boy Who Painted Cats, Rumplestilsen and a porridge story that has been adapted over the years. And there will be stories that combine elements that are familiar, but are also fresh like “The Small Tooth Dog.” Each of the authors and illustrators will be some old friends and some new ones, too. You’ll know Raina Telgemeier’s story without seeing their name by their signature style; and Brett Helquist by theirs. Others I was not familiar with, but knew the look. Classic, old school, Mad Magazine goofy of the 1970s and 1980s and some contemporary looks as well.
Sometimes these tales are not for the younger readers or listeners, therefore, please know your audience, as they can be a bit edgy. Nothing was totally “horrific” but these are fairy tales and based on The Grimm Brothers and Charles Perrault (among others) so we do see witches in flaming boots, witches getting kicked in the sit-upon into fires, and some snarky and sassy attitudes coming from our characters.
