Big Tall Wish

Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone

by Mark Kneece

Bolie Jackson, a washed-up boxer, is about to be knocked down and counted out. Suddenly he finds that he has swapped places and is now standing over his knocked-out opponent. Henry, a young neighbour with magical powers just made the tallest wish he could come up with - for Bolie to win the match. But will Bolie accept this wish?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fiction, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Fantasy, Teen

68 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Mark Kneece has written stories for numerous comics, including Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight. He helped found the sequential art department at the Savannah College of Art and Design and teaches comics writing as a professor of sequential art. He lives in Savannah, Georgia.

Reviews

[The Inked Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Erikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only TZ story to feature a Black cast, this one has such a deep commentary on childhood, wishes, and even the civil rights era, it's no wonder it is in the pantheon of greats. The idea of a little boy losing his faith in the magic of childhood due to the exposure to pain in his young life is so meaningful and well-done. I love the quote "Maybe there is magic. Maybe there are wishes, too. There's just not enough people around to believe. Everybody's got too many scars." The time period shift on this one didnt bother me, as neither boxing nor the societal situation for Black people has changed much, the latter unfortunately. This was very good.

[Aegelis Aegelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choice Between Gifted Success and Earned Failure

Aging boxer Jackson had been given a way to escape shame courtesy of a child's wish. Life lessons run deep while the drama of a boxing match of a lifetime unfolds. In true Twilight Zone fashion, possibilities are explored as reality bends, but what course is chosen would have to be read to be believed. Bittersweet ending paints a picture of humanity's heart and soul we can lift our chin and smile upon.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loves this series

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good adaptation of a racially inclusive episode! Everybody's got hopes and dreams, but for some people, hope just ain't strong enough.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fast but fun read it defs gives you those Twilight Zone vibes! Kind of a sadish story but good over all!

[Mateus Braz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bolie sofria de um mal que aflige muitas pessoas. A dificuldade de acreditar em milagres."

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

Who doesn't like a dark and twisted tale? The Twilight Zone franchise has the market cornered on twisted stories. And now readers can experience THE TWILIGHT ZONE in graphic novel form.

In THE BIG TALL WISH, a has-been boxer, Bolie Jackson, is determined to make a comeback. He is scheduled to fight that night. A young neighbor boy wishes Bolie well and promises to make a wish to keep him from getting hurt.

Before the fight begins, Bolie finds himself with a broken hand when his anger at his agent overtakes him. But Bolie refuses to give up and has his trainer tape his hand even tighter. But it's not enough to keep Bolie from getting beaten and knocked out. When Bolie comes to, the world has been altered and he's standing as the winner.

Anyone who knows The Twilight Zone understands that there can never be a happy ending. Bolie doesn't leave a good thing alone. When he questions how he came to be the winner, the wish that Henry made starts to unravel.

THE BIG TALL WISH is just one of a variety of THE TWILIGHT ZONE stories that have been captured in graphic clarity. The story has been adapted from the original script that aired on television in the 1960s. THE BIG TALL WISH is told with the dark colors that made the show that much creepier. The only way that this story would've been darker was if the illustrator had kept to the traditional black-and-white coloring that The Twilight Zone was known for.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended for gr. 6-12. Graphic novel version of an episode of the original Twilight Zone series. Can a young boy's wish change the outcome of a boxing match? The author’s note indicated that he attempted to stay close to the original visual impact of the television series. It seems to be well-drawn, and the story has an unexpected and thought-provoking ending. (cue spooky Twilight Zone music) Recommended for MS and HS graphic novel collections.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember this story, and it honestly did better on television than as a graphic novel. Good opportunities for talking and acting, but not for this format.

Also, the binding on these books is poor. Picked up several and the binding glue separated the cover from the book.

[BCPL Youth Services Librarian]

link to book in BCPL's catalog

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very respectful of the original tv series. Good comic book adaptation (illustrations, pacing, dialogue, story selection, etc.).

[Tayon]

I think this book was ok. In all respect it could have been way better. I mean i did not like it one bit. I just read it to have something to read. I never understood Twilight books, only the shows.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally aired in April of 1960, as part of the CBS television Twilight Zone series...
Do you believe in a little magic?

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline on this one was a little thin.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Didn't really seem to have that Twilight Zone twist that I remembered.

[Alsjem · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story made me a little sad. I suppose magic is only real to the very young?