REVIEWS
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And so, Chalmers and Marrs have come up with a magical realist take on the story, one that resonates with echoes of Angela Carter, Daphne du Maurier and even Bram Stoker. One, too, that is political, progressive and yet suitable for both children and adults thanks to the clarity of its storytelling and the almost tactile appeal of Marrs’ artwork
— THE HERALD MAGAZINEA stunning adaptation… Every page of the work is beautiful and dreamlike, rich in atmosphere for what is tantamount to a horror story.
— FOREWORD REVIEWSMetaphrog’s illustrations glow with fluorescent intensity, and the saturated imagery conveys murderous suspense.
— PUBLISHERS WEEKLYMetaphrog offers a pastel-hewn modern take on the venerable tale that is delightfully offbeat and thrilling, with an actively heroic lead and unexpected magical menaces.
— LIBRARY JOURNALIn a book of berry-bright colours, predominantly luminous deep pink and blue, the images of heroic Eve and Tom the goat boy stand out, weighty and rich, as though they might feel braided to the touch.
— THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT, Imogen Russell WilliamsThis graphic novelisation of the Bluebeard story is wonderfully realised. The illustrations are beautifully drawn… Unlike some versions of the tale, this one has a satisfying feminist twist too.
— BookTrust, a ‘New Children’s Books We Love June 2020’Reminiscent of classic children’s books.
— ICv2
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Profound, moving
— SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL ★ STARRED REVIEW[A] graceful, lyrical adaptation…an eye-catching addition to graphic novel and fairy tale collections.
— BOOKLISTAn arresting graphic novel in which the mermaid’s painful transformation and fate are preserved, but handled with a gentle, numinous assurance that won’t overwhelm younger readers. Roaring Twenties styling, jewel-bright turquoise waters and a beguiling sense of wonder permeate this radiant little book.
— The Guardian Review Children’s roundup, Imogen Russell WilliamsThe lushest thing they’ve done… reinvents the tale as a swimmy, gorgeous version of beauty and despair.
— Teddy Jamieson in The Sunday Herald Interview FeatureA haunting story, magical and tinged with sadness, beautifully illustrated and lovingly retold in graphic novel form by the ever-brilliant Metaphrog.
— Bryan and Mary Talbot, Costa Book Award winnersA glorious retelling of one my favourite stories. Beautiful pictures, and the text is true to Hans Christian Andersen’s original tale. Well done, Metaphrog!
— Best-selling author Vivian FrenchThe macabre and sorrowful nature of old fairy tales has an enduring appeal. Metaphrog’s lovely illustration of the classic tale features deep, jewel-like hues and all the underwater magic you could hope for.
— BookTrustIn Metaphrog’s Little Mermaid we have a glorious, beautiful, touching, warm, sad and yet inspiring version… this is pure comics enchantment for both young and for the adult… Buy it for your children, your nephews and nieces, read it with them, then after they go to sleep, read it again yourself, because it is too lovely for just the kids.
— Forbidden Planet Blog
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Hope, joy, and pain intermingle in these dark, alluring stories, which may leave readers thinking of Andersen as a precursor to modern horror.
— Publishers WeeklyA darkly pensive read, perfect for chilly fall evenings.
— Kirkus ReviewsThree timeless stories receive visually beautiful and cogent treatment in this comics collection… Though the simplicity of line and verbal content are both elegant and accessible, the combination of fairly unhappy endings and pleasant yet wooden expressions cultivates an eerie, vaguely unsettling atmosphere. A worthwhile addition to collections of graphic adaptations of classic works.
— BooklistThe illustrations in the novel are creative and well done, bringing a more modern style to the original tale.
— The Guardian Children’s BooksI wonder sometimes if the limpid clarity and childlike (but never childish) simplicity of Sandra Marrs’s artwork rather fools people about the dark depths of Metraphrog’s work. Marrs and partner John Chalmers can mix light and shade adroitly as this collection of fairy tales suggests. It’s full of eerie violence and Dickensian sentimentality and it has a potent kick to it. Perfect Christmas reading.
— Teddy Jamieson, Graphic Content, The Herald, a notable graphic novel of 2015
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A sweet, sad fable, beautifully rendered by the Glasgow-based duo of John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs…the story they tell, a gentle fantasy, has an easy tone and a deceptive depth that will appeal to both adults and children.
— The Sunday HeraldMetaphrog have produced three books about the most adorable character…
— Julie Burchill in The GuardianMetaphrog’s deep story will have readers contemplating its images and events long after they’ve reached the final page.
— Publishers WeeklyAn indispensable bedside book, to plunge into as in a dream.
— LibérationThese days we’re bombarded with animations or graphic novels that claim to amuse kids while offering a metanarrative to please adults. But few actually fulfil these promises as effectively as this Scottish duo’s hand-painted book.
— Art ReviewFranco-Scottish duo Metaphrog use simple designs and storytelling techniques to make the reader think about the role imagination has for the “average Joe” making his way through the daily grind. Metaphrog give their work the feel of a great children’s book. Louis himself is cut from the same cloth as Charlie Brown and Jimmy Corrigan…
— The Comics Journal
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Beginning a new story from the surreal yet unnervingly real world of Martin Nitram.” So states the fine print on Strange Weather Lately’s back cover. Surreal/real; Martin/Nitram. Mirrored images. This tale, or act, rather, deals with shifting weather patterns in the human condition. Suspicion. Depression. Frustration. Confusion.Loss of identity and self-worth. The simple conversation that can inexplicably bring forth suppressed memory. Fear. Loss of control. Mystery. It’s all here, flowing effortlessly back and forth between the dozen characters that inhabit this moving, brooding twenty-one page black and white chapter. I don’t know where this story is heading, but I’m glad I’m along for the ride […] It’s a play within a play, real emotions at conflict with acting sensibility, high drama on the outskirts of affairs of the heart. Strange weather, indeed, but I feel it’s only the calm before the storm […] this comic lingers with you long after you set it down, and bears several rereadings.
— Comic Effect