written by Roland Mann
illustrated by Naresh Kumar

At this point, it’s a blessing that we no longer need to make the argument that graphic novels deserve a place in schools and libraries, but if there are any lingering doubts that are still clinging to life out there, the Campfire Classics series should serve to allay them or, at the very least, undermine them.

With well over a dozen titles in the series, Campfire Classics visits a wide range from classic literature from works like Huckleberry Finn to less ubiquitous stories like The Prisoner of Zenda. Because each work is taken from a different dialect and abridged by a different author, the quality of the translation is not as consistent as it could be, but all of the titles I’ve read have been serviceable and easy to understand. Alice in Wonderland, for example, preserves the included dialogue perfectly, while others simplify the text for a wider audience. As expected, plots are simplified a bit and plenty of subtleties are wrung out of the final works, but when reading these as a kind of Cliff’s Notes, they serve a useful purpose.

These are also a solid way to introduce classic literature to kids, which can never be discounted. Ideally, a natural progression towards reading the originals is anticipated, though far from guaranteed.

The art is handled by many different individuals across the series also, and it’s functional art at best. No one is going to win any awards for innovation or even interpreting the human face accurately (granted, Harry Houdini had a very oddly shaped head anyhow), but the stories are still clear enough to read without becoming frustrated. All of these artists are based in India, so there are a few unusual cultural differences that come through the artwork. For example, I’m sure that it’s completely unintentional that the sound effect for money tumbling out of a pouch in Moby Dick is written in Hebrew-looking letters, though it’s still marginally offensive.

If you’re familiar with mid-’90s Marvel Comics or Rob Liefeld, and that era’s obsession for misguided visual detail, that will give you a good idea of what we’re dealing with here. Absolutely readable and even enjoyable, but far from perfect.

While these titles are designed especially for schools and libraries, I doubt they’d fare well in your average comic shop when there’s the option of Iron Man or The Incredible Hulk grimacing nearby. The materials are all completely appropriate, with the occasional blood splatter, and some of the books even include a few extra pages which throw in additional historical details. They’re a worthwhile addition to your educational collection—even if just to serve as examples of the merits of comics as teaching tools.

-- Collin David

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