Dante's Inferno

by Kevin Jackson, Kevin Jackson

Hunt Emerson, the dazzlingly talented cartoonist, tackles the biggest literary name of them Dante. Emerson's Inferno delights on many as an ingenious translation of classic verse; an effortlessly readable introduction to a complex poem; a delicious crib for anxious Dante students; and as a warm tribute from the master of one art form to the grand master of another. Hunt's cartoon is followed by Kevin Jackson's essay on Dante. Wildly clever and witty, but essentially reverent, it is a wonderful treat for anyone who already loves Dante.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Classics, Fiction, Poetry, Graphic Novels Comics, Humor

88 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

Kevin Jackson's childhood ambition was to be a vampire but instead he became the last living polymath. His colossal expertise ranged from Seneca to Sugababes, with a special interest in the occult, Ruskin, take-away food, Dante's Inferno and the moose. He was the author of numerous books on numerous subjects, including Fast: Feasting on the Streets of London (Portobello 2006), and reviewed regularly for the Sunday Times.
From: http://portobellobooks.com/3014/Kevin...

Kevin Jackson was an English writer, broadcaster and filmmaker.

He was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. After teaching in the English Department of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, he joined the BBC, first as a producer in radio and then as a director of short documentaries for television. In 1987 he was recruited to the Arts pages of The Independent. He was a freelance writer from the early 1990s and was a regular contributor to BBC radio discussion programmes.

Jackson often collaborated on projects in various media: with, among others, the film-maker Kevin Macdonald, with the cartoonist Hunt Emerson, with the musician and composer Colin Minchin (with whom he wrote lyrics for the rock opera Bite); and with the songwriter Peter Blegvad.

Jackson appears, under his own name, as a semi-fictional character in Iain Sinclair's account of a pedestrian journey around the M25, London Orbital.

Adapted from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this - just the right balance of humor and original context...map really helped me 'see' the rings for the first time. This is the type of GN that really helps out when you read the original text. Would really like to see more classics get this treatment; a wonderfully effective reimagining of this classic of world literature.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Goodreads Giveaway Book

Simply brilliant.

I loved everything about this one. It combines witty dialogue with hilarious cartoons, and even stays amazingly close to the original. Kevin Jackson's addition at the end of the book is also wonderful- it answers just about any questions one might have while reading the book with just the right amount of sarcastic additives.

Simply put, Hunt Emerson's version of Dante's Inferno rocks major socks.

[Miles Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first thing that have read by Hunt Emerson - but it won't be the last. Having never read Dante's inferno- I'm unable to say how faithful an adaptation this is. However it is a most enjoyable romp and I very much enjoyed reading it. Even though it is based on a poem from the 13th Century there are 21st century references -visual jokes for comic book lovers (Minnie the Minx is one of the Harpies) and Political jokes (Mrs. Thatcher appears as the Furies) and so on. I'm sure Dante would have approved. [return] The afterword by Kevin Jackson is most useful in that it gives a crib on some of the events and characters, but I must say that the comic itself actually doesn't need this and is enjoyable in its own right- even if the reader (like me) knows nothing of Dante or his times. Mr Jackson hopes that the reader will be encouraged to go and read the original. I certainly am.

[Mark taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book form the local library, just before England went into Lockdown, so it took longer foe me to read this.

The plot tells the story of Dante going through hell on the journey to meat the love of his life

This is a comic book version of Dante’s inferno, like most people I have heard of Dante’s Inferno, but have never read it. As an introduction to the poem this book was well worth a read, as well as making me want to read the full version.

[Gary Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone who likes classics. The structure and some word choices might make it harder to understand, but looking up YouTube reviews helped me grasp stuff that would've otherwise went over my head. It's probably the darkest thing I read up until my junior year of college but still beautiful somehow. You can really appreciate the detail that went into describing each circle of hell and I think that is what makes this book timeless.

[Rullsenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new graphic novel version of Dante's Inferno is ribald, gross, and often horrifying. And very, VERY funny it is too. You really get the sense of satire - unsubtle, political - with which Dante was infusing his text. The symbolism is hilariously banged over our heads; the religious themes are articulated with fire and torture (how apt for hell). [return][return]Accompanied by an intelligent essay guide to the original text and themes (by Kevin Jackson) that gently ticks off illustrator/author Hunt Emerson for his modern foibles - the drawn curvaceousness of the dead Beatrice, complete with gratuitous "PWOOAR" - the book as whole acts as both a wonderful primer for Dante novices and an entertaining revisioning of the most famous part of Dante's Divine Comedy.[return][return]Of course, it is only a couple of years ago that Seymour Chwast's Dante's Divine Comedy" came out in English. Hunt Ermerson's take is far more grotesque and perhaps all the enjoyable for it. Plus you have to love his desire to re-use his cartooning skills of Margaret Thatcher (Canto IX)[return][return]Where Chwast had a spare 1930s feel to his drawings - all detective fiction bowler hats and bow-ties (in homage to Dorothy L Sayer's English translation perhaps), Emerson uses a more MAD comic style to his imagery. The drawing is denser, more detailed and more vivid. Whereas readers wanted to gently colour in the open shapes and figures of Chwast's text to create a Keith Haring-esque pattern, colouring Emerson's version would probably make you crazy. Looking at the full-colour cover is enough burnt flesh and grumpy multi-coloured demons for one life-time! Chwast's is beautiful, elegant and creepy; Emerson's is ghoulishly funny.[return][return]Some readers will inevitably miss certain detail and nuance from the original Dante Alighieri text, and Emerson and Jackson sensibly avoid some of the more problematic elements (Jackson makes a wise point regarding Canto XXVIII). Nevertheless, the book captures far more than I thought possible of the original's purpose, message, and tone. What it lacks in subtlety it more than makes up for in capturing a modern audience for what remains a complex and demanding text.[return][return]And you don't chuckle at the meta- bits of page 70 (where Virgil speaks to the readers out of the frame and totally baffles poor Dante - "There's stuff going on here that I don't get...") then you truly have a heart of stone for humourous takes on classic texts.[return][return]Finally, if you want to really blow your mind, read it whilst listening to Andreas Ammer and FM Einheit's "Radio Inferno" (complete with John Peel as the narrator). Truly bonkers. Well done to Emerson and Jackson.

[Miguel Munoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and reading about the different types of levels in hell. the graphics were also good they help you understand what the book is talking about. this book is really good even if its a few centuries old. by reading this book has made me think t read the other books that are part of the divine comedy, purgatory and paradiso. this book in my opinion was good and interesting I liked how it dragged you in the book and had you hooked with Dantes situations. and they did a really nice job on describing each level of the book.

[Andrew May · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review at forteana-blog.blogspot.com/2012/12/dantes-divine-comic-book.html

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An irreverent and surprisingly faithful adaptation that is almost as densely packed with imagery as the original.

Received via Goodreads.

[Nick Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunt Emerson’s fun and funny adaptation of Dante as filtered through the lens of MAD. Simultaneously a serious and irreverent take on the most vivid account ever of the Underworld.

I only wish that it were longer in page length, and larger in page size.

[Anthony Rizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely don't let this be your first exposure to Dante and the Inferno, but for those who have read or studied it, this was a fun and self-aware ride. Virgil's cynicism was greatly appreciated throughout!

[Dominik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, when I started reading this book it didn't seem like I'd enjoy it very much. The humor seemed overly crude (especially that "PHWOOAAAR" running gag) and the whole thing more concerned with getting a cheap laugh than actually telling the story.

As I read further, however, I found this to be quite engaging, with plenty of interesting tidbits about the source material. So, overall, this is a pretty great introduction to Dante's Inferno you can get through in an hour or so.

(Received via Goodreads Giveaway)

[Jarrod Scarbrough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently won this book through Goodreads Giveaways. It took me a while to get around to reading it, but once I did, I enjoyed it and flew right through the story! The artwork was so much fun, and the author had a very clever way of telling Dante's Inferno! So glad I had the chance to read this. It reminded me that I need to read more graphic novels.

[Gothica Noctua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emerson has produced a clever and beautifully drawn comic strip adaptation of Dante's "Inferno". Both the images and text make the original poem accessible to readers, and those with knowledge of the original work will appreciate the humorous spin. Kevin Jackson also provides detailed and fascinating notes about Dante's life, the original poem, and Emerson's adaptation. Recommended.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book through the GoodReads First Reads program.

Wonderful drawings!!! Reminds me of MAD magazine, I loved it. Took me no time at all to read, more's the pity, but definitely one you can enjoy again and again!!!

[Vichy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunt Emerson has given us the cutest and funniest way to approach Hell!

Kevin Jackson has completed this offer with his precious notes and comments!

[Brian O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining retelling of a classic. The dark cartoony drawings by Hunt Emerson (along with an impossible number of groan-worthy puns) lean towards a humorous, but no less grisly, version of the story. Highly recommended.

[Timo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Onpas tämä kerrassaan kaunis sarjakuva. Paljon Emerson saanut piirrettyä kuviin yksityiskohtia ja huumoria. Samaa huumoria on myös kirjoitettuna mukaan vaikka aika uskollisena Dantelle pysytäänkin.
Ihq.

[Joss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun as ever from Hunt! Now I'd better read the real thing: I've got a copy somewhere...

[Damien Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunt Emerson's adaption is very funny and very adult. I read Dante's Inferno in its original form but I needed some inspiration for my next project and this is a perfect adaption to a classic.

[Kenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine described the Inferno as a "self-insert biblical fan-fiction," and I think that's perfect.

[Jefferson R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, while being written a while ago, was great! I Had a really hard time getting through it, but I eventually made it! It is also surprisingly dark and gruesome towards the end. The way that hell was imagened made sense, other then the older sins. Some of them I didn't even know what they were. This book was written in verse and so... that was a bonus.. Not really.
Anyways, if you like classics, and painful reads... this book is for you???
I don't know man!
Hapy reading! Toodles!

[SpaceBear · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly am not sure who this book is for, children being introduced to classic literature, but why would children care about Dante's Inferno? Or adults seeking a summary of a classic, but then why the kiddie jokes? The book is drawn in the style of British 'Beano' comics, and the humor matches them; slightly cheeky but not overly deep, the way a 14 year old jokes about farts (indeed, there are many fart jokes in this book, far more I'm sure than Dante Alighieri would have approved).

[Arimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaikki lähikirjaston itsenäiset sarjakuvaromaanit 15/~120

Hunt Emersonin versio Danten Infernosta on 2010-luvun alusta, mutta edustaa tyyliltään vanhempaa eurooppalaista huumorisarjakuvaa. Pierut ja pervoilut siis jylläävät.

Kirja saattaisi toimia paremmin, jos alkuperäinen aineisto olisi valmiiksi tuttua. Omassa genressään kuitenkin toimiva teos, ja osa vitseistä oli erityisen hauskoja.

[Anu Korpinen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tähtiä 3 miinus. Petyin melkoisesti kun tässä ei käytettykään tekstinä alkuperäistä runoa kuten Vanhan mermiehen tarinassa. Ihan luettavas silti, pieruhuumori alkoi puolen välin jälkeen hiukan puuduttamaan.

[James Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not familiar with the original poem but this is accessible and brings the story and concepts to the wider audience. Recommended reading if you are planning on tackling the original or a translation. A fascinating read.

[Ben Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

PHWOOAR!!

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This...grew on me. Retellings of classics can go a number of ways, with varying degrees of success (though, of course, definitions of success might vary...). The ones that grate most for me are the ones that try to adopt the tone of the classic but can't quite hack it, or the ones that stray too far but call it close; the ones that work best for me either are loose adaptations (and know they're loose) or stick pretty closely to the original but with one or two significant, intentional deviations.

This falls in the last category. Think Dante with none of the poetry and a lot more snark -- which is to say that the plot is basically the same but the tone is, well, comic-book-y.

The book would probably get a higher rating from me if it were a style of comic art that clicked with me -- it's not bad, it's just not my thing. I can forgive a lot of the ick factor for having been in the original (and for being discussed in more depth towards the end of the book), though I really would have liked to see just a little more depth to Beatrice than (paraphrasing) 'dude, she's stacked!' But in any case, even if the artwork's not my thing, the entire thing is pretty complex and funny, and I'd imagine it'll go over well with the school-age crowd.

I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.

[Michael Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

The latest in Hunt Emerson's cartoon retellings of classic works of literature, though the first I have read. Emerson professes his debt to MAD magazine in his author bio and the influence is obvious. His artistic style gifts the nightmare vision of Hell a suitably manic freneticism. On occasions, as when Dante and Virgil descend into the Pit, it even achieves an impressive grandiosity.

Each set of panels could be a separate cartoon drawn straight from a magazine, though the gags are of varying quality. The depiction of the Harpies as a group of delusional Margaret Thatchers seems to yearn for a time of happier political certainties. The feeling of being dated in its style extends through the piece and it's hard not to feel that Emerson really misses the Eighties.

The narrative and parody never quite fuse, but as an accessible precise of the original it works. Those most familiar with the text will get the most out of the subversion, but for the uninitiated Kevin Jackson's commentary offers an excellent crib. If you know the Inferno, are studying it or just want enough knowledge to keep with the literary conversation, you'll find a couple of friends in Emerson and Jackson.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.

Emerson's style was more comedic than I expected from a retelling of Dante's Inferno. Instead of being horrified by the punishments dealt out, I was surprised to see somewhat crude (Mad Magazine style) jokes made. That said, this was a great concept. It's a great way to hopefully nudge some readers into picking up the original.