Classics Illustrated: War of the Worlds

CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED was an American company that, if not the first, then certainly the most famous international publisher to adapt works of literature into the comic book format.

The company existed from the 30s through to the early 70s with countless translations of the books made globally. Though heavily condensed, the adaptations featured the work of many well-respected artists, and the original comics are still highly sought by collectors and fans.

Back in the early 90s, First Comics bought the license to produce new works using the title. The books were larger, generally lasting around 48 pages with side bindings to cater for the fledgling graphic novel market. Unfortunately, that company had over-expanded itself and folded.

More recently, Jack Lake Productions Inc started republishing the original Classics Illustrated, and over here in the UK; Classic Comic Store Ltd has been established to bring them to the British public's attention.

Many companies, all over the world, now realise the advantages of turning novels into comic books, the best example I can think of being Classical Comics, based in the UK; who obviously put a lot of time and effort into producing works that are faithful to the original stories and so combine excitement and scholarly pursuits in an admirable way.

What Classics Illustrated still has to offer modern audiences may not be as immediately apparent: certainly fans of artwork by the likes of George Evans will want to buy the titles, but those numbers are unlikely to keep a company in business, where they will succeed is as primers to not only the real books but more extensive modern adaptations by the likes of Classical Comics.

The fact that Classics Illustrated titles have newsstand distribution via Comag and are generally inexpensive should be of benefit, also that they have side-bindings like real books so won't be displaced on shelves like regular comics. Ultimately it will be down to how the individual titles appeal to their young modern audience.

Over the next few days, we'll be looking at a few of their titles.

Classics Illustrated No. 1:
The War of the Worlds
by H.G. Wells

Interesting this one. A very famous tale, but known much more for its radio and film adaptations than its original novel. Those adaptations made it contemporary to the times they were made, whereas, this comic book version, while abridging the story, generally establishes it as taking place in the late 19th century or thereabouts as Wells intended it; with a quaint take on the setting of a Britain as viewed by an American artist.

Lou Cameron apparently did a number of works for Classic Illustrated. I've also read before that a number of his other strips for long-lost American comic book companies were reprinted, or syndicated in UK published anthologies, and while that was over 40 years ago, AC Comics in America has reprinted some of his work in their own books over more recent years.

Cameron's art is loose, very slightly cartoony, strong on movement and he had a penchant for foreshortening that when drawn as the barrel of a gun or even just a pointed finger aimed at the reader creates a nicely intense feel that works well in drama and horror, which The War of the Worlds essentially is; alongside the obvious metaphors for humanity's common greed, social injustice, and the unknown alien or foreigner in our midst.

As stated, a brisk story as delivered by Cameron with a script by Harry Miller. The cover should attract young lads, but I'm not so sure about the interiors; as I've said, Cameron's art doesn't go in for excessive detail, and kids probably tend to prefer more action less personality, and opt for film versions, but for those who do, and probably more so for the younger ones, they'll find the tale is lightly told yet gets its theme and message across, and may entice them to check out the real book.

For more about Classic Illustrated titles from Classic Comic Store Ltd visit: www.classicsillustrated.co.uk