Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Ghosts #3
Writer: Michael Walsh
Artist: Michael Walsh
Letters: Jim Campbell
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts has been a good anthology series exploring different ghost stories, and by choosing some of the more obscure ghosts from various different cultures has led to some interesting stories, all of which have the feel of classic folktales and work well in their own right. Each issue has been written and drawn by the same person which is quite an achievement, with this third issue being written and drawn by Michael Walsh. Each issue has had a distinctive art style yet they all feel quite at home being part of the same anthology, as the reader opens the page and see’s the storyteller and his dog, and settles down to hear their latest tale.
This tale explores the legend of the Bean Sidhe, from Irish folklore. But really the story is about Brendan, a little boy, and the naivety and innocence of youth. The Bean Sidhe is just a means to explore this. Just like the previous tales in this anthology it works well as a complete tale and is an entertaining read. It’s a challenge to tell a successful short story, and Walsh manages it hear. He manages to introduce the story, the stakes, and then give it a satisfying conclusion.
Walsh’s art is perfect for the story he’s telling, he manages to make the Bean Sidhe suitably monstrous, and brings other ghostly beings to life with ease. But it’s the vulnerability and youthful ignorance of Brendan which really stand out in the story. The pity on his grandmothers face as she tries to explain some of lifes harshest lessons to him. The creepiness of the dark wood at night.
Then there’s the colours that Walsh employs to further add to the atmosphere of the story. The whole comic is drenched in a creepy, ominous horror which is perfectly in keeping with the story being told.
The story and the art come together to tell a satisfactory tale. Another great addition to The Storyteller anthology, the nature of the tales meaning the reader can dip in and out of the stories as they choose. Having each tale written and drawn by the same person has been a nice touch. This story, and anthology series as a whole, will appeal to fans of ghost stories, especially as the stories are never typical and manage to evoke a chill down the readers spine.
Artist: Michael Walsh
Letters: Jim Campbell
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts has been a good anthology series exploring different ghost stories, and by choosing some of the more obscure ghosts from various different cultures has led to some interesting stories, all of which have the feel of classic folktales and work well in their own right. Each issue has been written and drawn by the same person which is quite an achievement, with this third issue being written and drawn by Michael Walsh. Each issue has had a distinctive art style yet they all feel quite at home being part of the same anthology, as the reader opens the page and see’s the storyteller and his dog, and settles down to hear their latest tale.
This tale explores the legend of the Bean Sidhe, from Irish folklore. But really the story is about Brendan, a little boy, and the naivety and innocence of youth. The Bean Sidhe is just a means to explore this. Just like the previous tales in this anthology it works well as a complete tale and is an entertaining read. It’s a challenge to tell a successful short story, and Walsh manages it hear. He manages to introduce the story, the stakes, and then give it a satisfying conclusion.
Walsh’s art is perfect for the story he’s telling, he manages to make the Bean Sidhe suitably monstrous, and brings other ghostly beings to life with ease. But it’s the vulnerability and youthful ignorance of Brendan which really stand out in the story. The pity on his grandmothers face as she tries to explain some of lifes harshest lessons to him. The creepiness of the dark wood at night.
Then there’s the colours that Walsh employs to further add to the atmosphere of the story. The whole comic is drenched in a creepy, ominous horror which is perfectly in keeping with the story being told.
The story and the art come together to tell a satisfactory tale. Another great addition to The Storyteller anthology, the nature of the tales meaning the reader can dip in and out of the stories as they choose. Having each tale written and drawn by the same person has been a nice touch. This story, and anthology series as a whole, will appeal to fans of ghost stories, especially as the stories are never typical and manage to evoke a chill down the readers spine.
A Look Inside
