The Man in the Iron Mask

by Roy Thomas (Adapter), Hugo Petrus (Illustrator)

Alexandre Dumas' brilliant follow-up to The Three Musketeers, brought to vivid life as only Roy Thomas and Hugo Petrus can Deep inside the French prison known as the Bastille resides prisoner number 12, Philippe... who is none other than the twin brother of King Louis XIV. He was incarcerated to prevent him from setting off a civil war in his quest for the kingship itself. But there are forces who will work tirelessly to free this man in the iron mask - and put Philippe on the throne Collects Marvel Illustrated: The Man in the Iron Mask #1-6.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction

152 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2008

About the author

Roy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.

Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.

Reviews

[Brittany]

This graphic novel is an adaptation of the book The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexander Dumas, which tells the tale about King Louis XIV and about his twin brother, Philippe, who was in the Bastille for ten years to prevent a war he might set off. This book was very enjoyable, even though I never actually read the novel itself (which I'm going to do real soon when I get a chance) and if you read the original novel or seen the movie starring Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio, then you know what happens in this book: The Three Musketeers are no more and living each other's lives.

Aramis has a scheme to put the twin brother of King Louis XIV on the throne and it worked-until it failed, thanks to Surintendant M. Forquet, wouldn't agree to anything this stupid, really. Philippe, the King's twin, was forced to wear an iron mask over his face forever to hide his face, so no one will know who he truly is. Then Aramis and Porthos fled to Belle-Isle, where D'Artagnan found them and Porthos died, leaving Aramis to flee by boat, hoping to reach Spain.

Athos, who wasn't in all this mess, was mourning his son Raoul, who was in Africa on a military mission. Raoul hoped to find death is Africa because of his love for the King's mistress, Louise de la Valliere. In a dream, Athos dreams of his son dying, waking up to call his name, but when he found out he's dead, he died in the bed.

Then four years later, D'Artagnan and Aramis reunite during a war between France and Spain, but then D'Artagan died in battle, leaving Aramis alive.

This was a really good book and I enjoyed reading this.

[Melydely]

I read the novel, and to be honest, it kinda freaked me out. So when I saw THIS book on a shelf, I picked it up because I wondered what movie goes on in an artist's head when they read this story.

And it scared the poop out of me. I'll be honest, it really did. The images were so well drawn, the scary parts in the story became more vivid in my head. I think I'll have nightmares tonight. This is why:

The three muskateers are back for another adventure! So there's this strange, unfortunate man who's face is locked forevermore in an iron mask. Why? It has something to do with a deep dark secret about Louis XIV of France...something to do with a...____ _______?! Ohmigosh! It's exilirating, and with these images, it'll keep you onto the edge of your seat until the end!

If Alexandre Dumas was still alive, I'd love to meet him. I'm also dying to meet Roy Thomas who wrote such an amazing adaptation!

[Fizzgig76]

Reprints Marvel Illustrated: The Man in the Iron Mask #1-6. Aramis plots against the king and pulls Porthos into his plans while d'Artagnan is forced to enforce Louis XIV's leadership. The Man in the Iron Mask is just a portion of a bigger novel and is a convoluted story. The Marvel Illustrated does a good job at trying to make sense of what is going on, but it still seems very compressed. The novel and the adaptation are rather depressing, and it is sad to see the interesting characters at the end of their lives.

[Mariam .M]

it's okay I guess.I didn't really like any one but I did hate Louis and Fouqet. my favorite Line was when porthos said "without having breakfast?!" in a way that shows how he almost had a heart attack.To me the bad ending was the more realistic one so that is my favorite but it is all about preference really.

[S]

I die a little every time I see The Vicomte with this title :/ I had forgotten how much Aramis fraks things up D: #feelings Monte Cristo would make an excellent graphic novel. Just putting it out there Marvel ;)

[Jim]

great adaptation. the art is near perfect as is the writing.just didn't like the story much.

[Jamie Moore]

3.5

[Scott]

awsome

[Marion]

Too rushed. Didn't do the story justice. Great artwork.

[Dan Vine]

A lame effort that manages to be simplistic and hard to follow at the same time

[James]

Well done adaptation of the classic novel.

[James Traxler]

Artwork is nice.
Storyline comes across a bit confusing. Not sure why.
Bit unsatisfying, for some reason.
Think I'll read the original Dumas...

[Beary Into Books]

Rating 4

Good story along with good illustrations.