Review: Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer Vol 1 TP

Consider this your sneak peak at Comic Stars #2! Here is my review of Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer Vol 1 TP that is part of our zine/anthology this year. If you are interested in a copy just track us down at HeroesCon, we should have some on us!

Leave your preconceptions at the door. All of them. This isn’t a gimmicky re-imagining of the Pinocchio story like those mash-up novels, nor is it like the “happily ever after” Disney animated feature. Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer is a well-told continuation of the original Carlo Collodi tale. Van Jensen and Dusty Higgins make this clear right away. Don’t skip over the forward or the summary of the original, it is essential to the basic framework of the story about to unfold. Familiar faces, like the Talking Cricket and the Blue Fairy, blend with new characters, like Master Cherry, seemlessly in this new world.

The premise is simple, Pinocchio (who is still a puppet) is charged with the task of hunting and killing vampires which are taking over and killing those he loves. This is made easier for him with a seemingly endless supply of wooden stake noses. This first volume sets up the larger, epic story that follows in Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater and Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer of Wood and Blood parts 1 and 2. There are hints at villains to come and prophecies to be fulfilled. You get a solid introduction, but the story doesn’t get bogged down with set-up. The action quickly escalates.

The premise is simple, Pinocchio (who is still a puppet) is charged with the task of hunting and killing vampires which are taking over and killing those he loves. This is made easier for him with a seemingly endless supply of wooden stake noses. This first volume sets up the larger, epic story that follows in Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater and Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer of Wood and Blood parts 1 and 2. There are hints at villains to come and prophecies to be fulfilled. You get a solid introduction, but the story doesn’t get bogged down with set-up. The action quickly escalates.

Reading this did inspire me to seek out the original. I found a retelling by Freya Littledale from Scholastic which does include the original illustrations of Attilio Mussino. In the beginning, Pinocchio comes across, at best, as a naive jerk. By the end he does redeem himself (I suppose), but by no means is Pinocchio a likeable character. Reading the original gives me a better appreciation for Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer and their characterization of Pinocchio. He is a well-rounded character who, despite his flaws, is witty, entertaining, and kind-hearted.

Jensen’s writing is sharp and quippy. I was really struck by how genuinely funny the book is. It is a thrilling, emotional roller coaster ride, but it is the humor that makes this book so enjoyable. The character interaction is natural and the character development is well paced. I love the way they play with the concept of Pinocchio’s nose growing as he tells a lie, even though sometimes he doesn’t know he is telling a lie until his own nose grows. The dialogue and characterization engage you as a reader and make you invested in the story.

The art helped strengthen the storytelling. The panel layouts and the sketchy black and white art helped keep the story at a steady pace. I enjoyed the intelligent use of different art styles. In particular, when Pinocchio is telling the Talking Cricket what happened to Geppetto the art is reminiscent of woodcut prints which lends itself perfectly to comparisons of fairy tale art. At times the Zip-A-Tone (or screentone) is a little distracting, but it isn’t used in the following volumes so the art work is clearer and easier to read.

Creator/Artist Dusty Higgins (http://dustyhiggins.com/) can also be seen on Knights of the Living Dead. Writer Van Jensen (http://vandotjensen.tumblr.com/) has two big upcoming projects: Snow White: Through a Glass, Darkly and Green Lantern Corps. If you liked Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer you should definitely check out their other work!