Colfer, Eoin and Donkin, Andrew. Artemis Fowl: the graphic novel. Illustrated by Giovanni Rigano and Paolo Lamanna. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2007. ISBN: 978-078684882-9
Author Websites: http://www.eoincolfer.com/ (Eoin Colfer), http://www.andrewdonkin.com/ (Andrew Donkin)
Illustrator Websites: http://riganogiovanni.blogspot.com/2008/11/artemis-fowl-graphic-novel-cybils-q.html (art by Giovanni Rigano), http://paololamanna.blogspot.com/ (color by Paolo Lamanna)
Media: Pen, Indian Ink, Colored Ink
Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 64) “Excuse me while I titter.” (p. 77) “bubbling cramps.” (p. 87) “Thwokk!” (p. 89) “Fboom!” (p. 94) “Bam Bam Bam!”
Use of Allusion: (p. 108) “fairies has cleaned their house or made them shoes.”
Use of Alliteration: (p. 69) “geck gack or ur grend gedds it!” (p. 80) “fairy flatulence”
Use of Sophisticated Language: (p. 80) “The same gaseous anomaly has also rendered Butler unconscious for a time.”
Special Notation: Graphic Novel
Annotation: Boy genius and criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl stars in a graphic novel retelling of the first book in the Artemis Fowl series. Artemis uses insider knowledge about fairies to help his ailing mother.
Personal Reaction: I held off on reading the graphic novel version of Artemis Fowl out of fear that it would spoil one of my favorite books and characters. No need to have worried . . . the graphic novel of Artemis Fowl is based on Colfer’s original storyline, but it is so succinct and dependent on the graphics that it feels like a new story. Although Artemis’ character is highly familiar in the graphic novel, other characters are less recognizable. It doesn’t matter, the graphic novel stands on its own as a fresh, funny, clever story with the same ever-appealing main character at the heart of it. There is plenty of humor: (p. 71) “Nice to see you Julius.” “That’s Commander Root to you.” “Commander now. I heard that. Clerical error was it?” Artemis is as smart as ever and still talks to himself, (p. 63), “Best sinister face. Evil, highly intelligent and determined. Don’t forget determined,” he mutters as he preps for a meeting. Artemis Fowl: the Graphic Novel is entertaining and clever and makes for a fun read after the original series or on its own.
