Mini Review: Dracula (Dover Graphic Novel Classics) by John Green

Title: Dracula (Dover Graphic Novel Classics)
Author: John Green, Bram Stoker
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: November 19th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Dover Publications

Description via Goodreads:

Readers will be spellbound by this graphic novel version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. The granddaddy of all the modern vampire stories, the immortal tale unfolds in a gripping journey into the past that recounts a Victorian-era struggle against ancient evil. Original illustrations add an extra allure to this easy-to-read edition.

This Dover Graphic Novel Classic offers readers ages 8 and up an exciting introduction to a time-honored tale. Expertly abridged and packed with dramatic illustrations, this version offers a streamlined narrative that retains all of the storytelling essentials.

★★

This book was so disappointing. I had high hopes for it. I love Dracula, in fact it's my favorite book. I also love graphic novels/adaptations. So I thought that bringing them both together was a recipe for success. Sadly, that wasn't the case at all.

What bothered me most was the artwork. I have absolutely no issue with a graphic novel being done in black and white, especially when it lends itself to the theme, which it does here with the classic horror story. My issue here was with wasted space- way, way too much of it. There was too much white empty space to the point it was distracting, and not to mention wasteful of paper.

And as for the story? Well, it left a lot to be desired. The panels were fragmented and disjointed. If I weren't so familiar with the plot of the classic story already, I feel that I would have been left frustrated and confused by what was happening. Don't read this unless you already know the story, would be my general advice.

It gets two stars because I love Dracula, but little else.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dover Publications for my copy in exchange for my honest review.