The Amulet of Samarkand: A Bartimaeus Graphic Novel (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Amulet of Samarkand: A Bartimaeus Graphic Novel April Spisak Stroud, Jonathan . The Amulet of Samarkand: A Bartimaeus Graphic Novel; ad. by Jonathan Stroud and Andrew Donkin ; illus. by Lee Sullivan ; color by Nicolas Chapuis . Hyperion, 2010. 144p. Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-4231-1146-7 $19.99 Paper ed. ISBN 978-1-4231-1147-4 $9.99 R Gr. 6-8. In this graphic-novel adaptation of the first novel in the Bartimaeus series (The Amulet of Samarkand, BCCB 3/04), Nathaniel, a twelve-year-old who is not even experienced enough to be a true magician’s apprentice, gets in way over his head [End Page 300] when he summons the djinni Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus has had some 5,000 years to develop a collection of tricks to foil humans, plenty of splendidly entertaining irreverence, a major list of enemies, and a plan for vengeance on the man who shamed him. When Bartimaeus steals the Amulet of Samarkand, both djinni and the would-be boy wonder are suddenly thrown into a whirlwind of murder, intrigue, and power struggles. The text of this high-speed adventure stays in orderly speech bubbles and narration boxes, while the illustrations throw themselves into the high-spirited, fast-paced, fantastical world. The panels play with perspectives on size, emphasize the illusory nature of most humans’ feelings of control, and, through exaggeration and vivid coloration, highlight the various demons and the excitement, albeit often lethal, they bring to the drab human world. The visual cues and shorter length help to introduce these characters to a younger audience without losing the core of the story or the spirit of Nathaniel and Bartimaeus, both of whom are deeply memorable and intricately developed in the original series. While this adaptation was not, perhaps, entirely necessary, fans of the series will be unlikely to complain, graphic-novel fans may be intrigued enough to try the novels, and both groups will thoroughly enjoy seeing Bartimaeus in all his shape-shifting, lushly illustrated, full-on, sarcastic know-it-all glory. [End Page 301] Copyright © 2011 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois