HokieGeek reviewed The Thrilling Adventure Hour by Tom Fowler
Review of 'The Thrilling Adventure Hour' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Great fun!
English language
Published Dec. 15, 2013
The Thrilling Adventure Hour
Manzabar reviewed The Thrilling Adventure Hour by Tom Fowler
Review of 'The Thrilling Adventure Hour' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Just as much fun as the podcast.
mothlight reviewed The Thrilling Adventure Hour by Tom Fowler
Review of 'The Thrilling Adventure Hour' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Each of the stories are ok and it is nice to see a visual version of the different stories. What this book really points out is how important the voices and acting are to the magic of The Thrilling Adventure Hour.
unsquare reviewed The Thrilling Adventure Hour by Tom Fowler
Review of 'The Thrilling Adventure Hour' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
The Thrilling Adventure Hour is a long-running stage-show and podcast with an old-fashioned radio-drama sensibility. Every episode features recurring characters and serial adventures acted out by actors and comedians in front of a live audience. Although some familiarity with the podcast is helpful – hearing Paul F. Tompkins’ voice in your head as you read can only improve your enjoyment – this graphic novel version of the show doesn’t require much familiarity with the source material. I’ve actually only listened to a handful of episodes, and none of them were recent.
Luckily, the show transitions well from stage to page. The writing is sharp, and the illustrations for each story are done by a different artist with a unique style. The book has a total of ten stories featuring the regular characters from the show. Each story takes its cues from common tropes of bygone radio dramas, then subverts them …
The Thrilling Adventure Hour is a long-running stage-show and podcast with an old-fashioned radio-drama sensibility. Every episode features recurring characters and serial adventures acted out by actors and comedians in front of a live audience. Although some familiarity with the podcast is helpful – hearing Paul F. Tompkins’ voice in your head as you read can only improve your enjoyment – this graphic novel version of the show doesn’t require much familiarity with the source material. I’ve actually only listened to a handful of episodes, and none of them were recent.
Luckily, the show transitions well from stage to page. The writing is sharp, and the illustrations for each story are done by a different artist with a unique style. The book has a total of ten stories featuring the regular characters from the show. Each story takes its cues from common tropes of bygone radio dramas, then subverts them with humor. That mix of nostalgia and comedy might wear thin if it wasn’t clear how much affection the writers have for their subjects. I’m sure it also helps that these characters and stories were honed over eight years of live performances.
My favorite of the bunch is easily the story of booze-hounds Frank and Sadie Doyle, who solve paranormal mysteries by accident while searching for their next drink with charming disregard for danger. However, I also thoroughly enjoyed Down in Moonshine Holler, with its cross of Preston Sturges and Shirley Jackson. My favorite joke was the Murdermen, though. Always in the mood for murder.
The best part about this collection is that it’s the perfect primer for someone who has never heard of the show. They can read and enjoy it, then dive in to the show’s archives in iTunes. I know I certainly will. I’m also hoping to get a chance to see the live show sometime soon now that I live in Los Angeles.
Review of 'The Thrilling Adventure Hour' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
So in origin The Thrilling Adventure Hour is a stage show that turned into a podcast that has now spawned this graphic novel. And the concept it simple enough. It's a pastiche of Olde Timey radio shows played pretty heavily for laughs.
There's a series of skits each with their own characters (though some overlap) and all playing on that radio serial vibe. Complete with phoney adverts that fit the time period.
Here in the graphic novel Acker and Blacker are trying to achieve the same thing. But without the voice cast, it's that much more difficult.
They're working from the same template though right down to the fake adverts. Though I think they may have gone a bit overboard with that particular joke.
How well this is going to work may depend on your familiarity with the original material. It probably helps if you at least have seen the …
So in origin The Thrilling Adventure Hour is a stage show that turned into a podcast that has now spawned this graphic novel. And the concept it simple enough. It's a pastiche of Olde Timey radio shows played pretty heavily for laughs.
There's a series of skits each with their own characters (though some overlap) and all playing on that radio serial vibe. Complete with phoney adverts that fit the time period.
Here in the graphic novel Acker and Blacker are trying to achieve the same thing. But without the voice cast, it's that much more difficult.
They're working from the same template though right down to the fake adverts. Though I think they may have gone a bit overboard with that particular joke.
How well this is going to work may depend on your familiarity with the original material. It probably helps if you at least have seen the Flash Gordon movie and have some idea of the style you're getting. The more familiar you are, the more you are likely to see that will appeal.
It's an anthology series so we get different characters, locations and time periods. We also get different artwork with each story which is jarring if you read them back to back.
But honestly you'd be better off not reading them that way. I noticed after a while it was all starting to feel a bit samey. Like retreads of the same joke again and again. Taking a break between strips helps a lot.
So if you're a fan of the show/podcast you should get your hands on this. If you are familiar with the source material, I think you'll enjoy it too. But pace yourself when reading.
