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Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer #1
Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer Vol. 1
Everyone's favorite wooden puppet may not be a real boy… but he just might be a real hero. When bloodthirsty monsters invade Pinocchio's hometown and kill his father Geppetto, Pinocchio discovers a new benefit to his magical nose: telling lies produces a never-ending supply of wooden stakes to combat the vampire hordes! Will Pinocchio be able to defeat these horrors, avenge his father, and save his friends? The critically acclaimed series begins here, as Van Jensen (Green Lantern Corps) and Dusty Higgins (Knights of the Living Dead) craft an addictive twist on the classic fairy tale.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2009
8 people are currently reading
1470 people want to read
About the author
Van Jensen
173 books93 followersVan Jensen is the acclaimed author of the award-winning GODFALL trilogy (Grand Central). The sci-fi/thriller genre mashup series is in development for TV with Academy Award winner Ron Howard attached to direct and Jensen serving as executive producer.
Jensen was born and raised in the farm country of Western Nebraska where he wrote and drew stories as soon as he could hold a pencil. He became a newspaper crime reporter, then a magazine editor, and eventually an author of comic books and graphic novels. He has written some of the world’s biggest characters, including James Bond, Godzilla, and The Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern for DC Comics. His original graphic novels include ARCA (IDW), Two Dead (Simon & Schuster/Gallery 13), Two Dead (Dark Horse), and Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer (Top Shelf/IDW).
He also writes and produces for film and TV.
Jensen was born and raised in the farm country of Western Nebraska where he wrote and drew stories as soon as he could hold a pencil. He became a newspaper crime reporter, then a magazine editor, and eventually an author of comic books and graphic novels. He has written some of the world’s biggest characters, including James Bond, Godzilla, and The Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern for DC Comics. His original graphic novels include ARCA (IDW), Two Dead (Simon & Schuster/Gallery 13), Two Dead (Dark Horse), and Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer (Top Shelf/IDW).
He also writes and produces for film and TV.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
June 12, 2012
One of the best things about my job is when my boss wants me to read and write a review about a certain book that I never intended to read but thoroughly enjoyed. (Let me tell you, I have read some stiiiiiinkers!!) Anyways, I was minding my own business, surfing the web and reading anything besides the stack of papers and documents sitting next to me, when my boss ambled over and set PINOCCHIO: VAMPIRE SLAYER on my keyboard. (He has a problem with subtly.) I looked up from the screen and broke my intense concentration of reading about Josh Beckett’s (GO RED SOX!!) latest introduction of baseball to temple and gazed at the cover of the graphic novel.
Now my first thought was: “What the heck is this?” We have all seen the Pride and Prejudice mash-up—come to think of it, any classic you can think of has some zombie or vampire or monster or android or whatever thrown into the story these days—and I wasn’t too sure why he was giving this to me.
“Will you read this?” he said. “My daughter wants to read this and I want to make sure it’s appropriate for her.” (His daughter is eight…I will reserve any judgment. You decide.)
“Sure. When do you want a review?” I asked.
“Can you have it to me in an hour or so?” he asked.
SIDE NOTE: When I become the boss of some place, I will NEVER NEVER NEVER do this type of BS to any of my employees.
I smiled. “You bet.” (Under my breath I said some other things.)
So, I opened the book and read the very amusing introduction and explanation of why this story came to be and the hilarious apology the creators (Van Jensen and Dusty Higgins) implored to the ghost of Carlo Collodi, the original genius behind the story of Pinocchio. Instantly I knew this was going to be fun.
The story takes up where the original ended. But little does the tiny hamlet of Nasolungo know, vampires haunt their streets. Enter the first vampire. He seeks prey, but not adults, only children. When he thinks he has found a victim, he is surprised to find not a “real” boy but Pinocchio dressed in peasant garb. When the vampire says, in disgust, that Pinocchio is not a real boy, Pinocchio replies, “But I am,” well, we all know what happens when Pinocchio lies—his nose grows. But it is no ordinary nose. No, it has become a deadly vampiric weapon, namely a stake. Pinocchio breaks off his nose and plunges it into the vampire’s heart, thus ending the life of this nefarious creature.
Okay, so I was laughing so hard during this time that one of the patrons using our computers asked me to be quiet. (Where did everyone’s humor go?) I read on…
So here’s the deal: Pinocchio’s father was actually killed by vampires and he is enacting his revenge. Jiminy Cricket is back…as a ghost. They try to warn the town; no one listens. Pinocchio and his gang of vampire slayers capture a vampire but it is killed before it can talk. (There is something about blood tasting sweet during this time.) Without giving too many details (I hate sanctioning my review to the realm of spoilerdom), let me say this novel is a romp that is equal to all before it, and will be able to stand next to the ones still to come. The one-liners alone make this a fun read.
(Oh, I forgot to mention…sequels!!!)
Best Lines: “I’m Pinocchio…and I kill monsters.”
“I am the walrus…See how they run.”
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (But not for eight year old girls.)
Now my first thought was: “What the heck is this?” We have all seen the Pride and Prejudice mash-up—come to think of it, any classic you can think of has some zombie or vampire or monster or android or whatever thrown into the story these days—and I wasn’t too sure why he was giving this to me.
“Will you read this?” he said. “My daughter wants to read this and I want to make sure it’s appropriate for her.” (His daughter is eight…I will reserve any judgment. You decide.)
“Sure. When do you want a review?” I asked.
“Can you have it to me in an hour or so?” he asked.
SIDE NOTE: When I become the boss of some place, I will NEVER NEVER NEVER do this type of BS to any of my employees.
I smiled. “You bet.” (Under my breath I said some other things.)
So, I opened the book and read the very amusing introduction and explanation of why this story came to be and the hilarious apology the creators (Van Jensen and Dusty Higgins) implored to the ghost of Carlo Collodi, the original genius behind the story of Pinocchio. Instantly I knew this was going to be fun.
The story takes up where the original ended. But little does the tiny hamlet of Nasolungo know, vampires haunt their streets. Enter the first vampire. He seeks prey, but not adults, only children. When he thinks he has found a victim, he is surprised to find not a “real” boy but Pinocchio dressed in peasant garb. When the vampire says, in disgust, that Pinocchio is not a real boy, Pinocchio replies, “But I am,” well, we all know what happens when Pinocchio lies—his nose grows. But it is no ordinary nose. No, it has become a deadly vampiric weapon, namely a stake. Pinocchio breaks off his nose and plunges it into the vampire’s heart, thus ending the life of this nefarious creature.
Okay, so I was laughing so hard during this time that one of the patrons using our computers asked me to be quiet. (Where did everyone’s humor go?) I read on…
So here’s the deal: Pinocchio’s father was actually killed by vampires and he is enacting his revenge. Jiminy Cricket is back…as a ghost. They try to warn the town; no one listens. Pinocchio and his gang of vampire slayers capture a vampire but it is killed before it can talk. (There is something about blood tasting sweet during this time.) Without giving too many details (I hate sanctioning my review to the realm of spoilerdom), let me say this novel is a romp that is equal to all before it, and will be able to stand next to the ones still to come. The one-liners alone make this a fun read.
(Oh, I forgot to mention…sequels!!!)
Best Lines: “I’m Pinocchio…and I kill monsters.”
“I am the walrus…See how they run.”
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (But not for eight year old girls.)
September 25, 2014
I soured on vampires before vampires were cool, back in the early '90s. But how could I resist picking this up? The premise is amazing, even if you're not a vampire-phile.
The art is wonderful, with a razor-edged Disney feel. The characters were good, but I didn't find myself too vested in any of them. Pinocchio himself has a lot of potential, though, and I'd like to see what is done with him in future volumes. There is a touch of post-modern angst throughout, which could be milked to good effect. What happens when he hits puberty, I wonder? Do I really want to know? In all seriousness, I found Pinocchio to be clever in this work, and I mean that without condemnation. He is an intelligent dark hero, using his lies and the truth to his best advantage. I appreciated this aspect of the book best of all.
My biggest problem with this book had to be the ending. The plot was good throughout, a little rushed here and there, as I've come to expect with most graphic novels, but the ending. Hopefully "Empire Strikes Back" doesn't spoil it too much for you . . .
So if you're really into vampires and puppets and feel like you're in a forgiving mood, or at least one that will allow you to enjoy a derivative plot thread, go for it. If not, I'm not gonna lie to you, you probably won't like it.
There, see? My nose didn't grow at all.
The art is wonderful, with a razor-edged Disney feel. The characters were good, but I didn't find myself too vested in any of them. Pinocchio himself has a lot of potential, though, and I'd like to see what is done with him in future volumes. There is a touch of post-modern angst throughout, which could be milked to good effect. What happens when he hits puberty, I wonder? Do I really want to know? In all seriousness, I found Pinocchio to be clever in this work, and I mean that without condemnation. He is an intelligent dark hero, using his lies and the truth to his best advantage. I appreciated this aspect of the book best of all.
My biggest problem with this book had to be the ending. The plot was good throughout, a little rushed here and there, as I've come to expect with most graphic novels, but the ending. Hopefully "Empire Strikes Back" doesn't spoil it too much for you . . .
So if you're really into vampires and puppets and feel like you're in a forgiving mood, or at least one that will allow you to enjoy a derivative plot thread, go for it. If not, I'm not gonna lie to you, you probably won't like it.
There, see? My nose didn't grow at all.
June 27, 2015
Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer. Seriously? Is this trend still going – fairy tale characters turned “dark”? Even Jane Austen’s been infected with zombies and a historical figure like Abraham Lincoln has been reimagined as a vampire hunter! Shrek, Fables, Manifest Destiny, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Snow White and the Huntsman, Red Riding Hood, Grimm, Wicked, and a zillion other movies/TV shows/books have done this idea to death. Guys: let it die!
What’s next: Old Mother Hubbard pulling on a Vampirella-type outfit and chasing Dracula? Goldie’s Angels: The Three Bears? Is Tom Thumb going to be re-cast as a booze-sodden noir detective tasked with solving the murder of crack-addicted Humpty Dumpty?
So here’s the bottom of the barrel (but don’t think they’ll stop scraping!): Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer. He tells a lie, his wooden nose grows, he snaps it off – instant stake. He stabby the vampire and poof! Vampire go! Repeat ad nauseam.
What’s the story? With a million dollar idea like the process described above, who needs a story? Just keep showing Pinocchio staking vampires with his broken-off nose over and over! Characters? Didn’t you hear what he does: he tells a lie, his nose grows, etc. – who needs characters or anything worthwhile?! Seeing him repeatedly do that is genius enough!
This book is so stupid, the villains at one point try hanging Pinocchio. Dangling a wooden puppet with rope - isn’t that a marionette? What were they hoping to snap – the neck bones he doesn’t have? Crush the windpipe and lungs he doesn’t have? Idiots!
The nonsense continues: how does Pinocchio rush into a burning building but not go up in flames himself? He’s made of wood!! Also, how does his nose know to stop growing when he’s told a lie? Is it proportional to how big a lie it is? If you tell multiple lies, does it grow further each time? If he tells the truth, does it retract? Ah, who cares! Let’s just say “the wizard did it” and hide under a pile of coats instead!
There are also some shockingly lame “jokes” about Gepetto abusing Pinocchio and being sent to jail and Pinocchio swatting Jiminy Cricket because he’s a talking bug that spooked him so now Jiminy’s a ghost. My sides. They’re. Splitting. Oh but Gepetto forgives Pinocchio for having him sent to jail for abusing a child puppet and we’re supposed to believe they have a very close relationship so the ending is “emotional”. Also: there are laws in this world about touching puppets inappropriately. Van Jensen: you are suck.
I actually didn’t mind Dusty Higgins’ art but “didn’t mind” is hardly a glowing rec!
Amazingly, there are more books in this series – yes, this crap is a series! Well, in that case look out for my forthcoming cash-grab, I mean passion project: The Three Little Pigs vs The Old Lady Who Lives in a Shoe: Dawn of Fairyland Garbage. I can imagine the movie now - the Old Lady in a robot suit with glowing eyes: “Do you squeal? You will – ALL THE WAY HOME!” Directed by Hack Snyder.
What’s next: Old Mother Hubbard pulling on a Vampirella-type outfit and chasing Dracula? Goldie’s Angels: The Three Bears? Is Tom Thumb going to be re-cast as a booze-sodden noir detective tasked with solving the murder of crack-addicted Humpty Dumpty?
So here’s the bottom of the barrel (but don’t think they’ll stop scraping!): Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer. He tells a lie, his wooden nose grows, he snaps it off – instant stake. He stabby the vampire and poof! Vampire go! Repeat ad nauseam.
What’s the story? With a million dollar idea like the process described above, who needs a story? Just keep showing Pinocchio staking vampires with his broken-off nose over and over! Characters? Didn’t you hear what he does: he tells a lie, his nose grows, etc. – who needs characters or anything worthwhile?! Seeing him repeatedly do that is genius enough!
This book is so stupid, the villains at one point try hanging Pinocchio. Dangling a wooden puppet with rope - isn’t that a marionette? What were they hoping to snap – the neck bones he doesn’t have? Crush the windpipe and lungs he doesn’t have? Idiots!
The nonsense continues: how does Pinocchio rush into a burning building but not go up in flames himself? He’s made of wood!! Also, how does his nose know to stop growing when he’s told a lie? Is it proportional to how big a lie it is? If you tell multiple lies, does it grow further each time? If he tells the truth, does it retract? Ah, who cares! Let’s just say “the wizard did it” and hide under a pile of coats instead!
There are also some shockingly lame “jokes” about Gepetto abusing Pinocchio and being sent to jail and Pinocchio swatting Jiminy Cricket because he’s a talking bug that spooked him so now Jiminy’s a ghost. My sides. They’re. Splitting. Oh but Gepetto forgives Pinocchio for having him sent to jail for abusing a child puppet and we’re supposed to believe they have a very close relationship so the ending is “emotional”. Also: there are laws in this world about touching puppets inappropriately. Van Jensen: you are suck.
I actually didn’t mind Dusty Higgins’ art but “didn’t mind” is hardly a glowing rec!
Amazingly, there are more books in this series – yes, this crap is a series! Well, in that case look out for my forthcoming cash-grab, I mean passion project: The Three Little Pigs vs The Old Lady Who Lives in a Shoe: Dawn of Fairyland Garbage. I can imagine the movie now - the Old Lady in a robot suit with glowing eyes: “Do you squeal? You will – ALL THE WAY HOME!” Directed by Hack Snyder.
November 15, 2014
Introduction:
Alright, so when I was browsing through my library looking for some good fairy tale books to read, I stumbled upon this unknown graphic novel series called “Pinocchio Vampire Slayer.” Now, when I saw the title, I was thinking to myself: “Cool, Vampire Slayers and Fairy Tale characters; two of my most favorite subjects in the entire world!” So, I just had to check this graphic novel out and man was I so surprised by the interesting premise of this graphic novel!
What is this story about?
After the events of the original “Pinocchio” story, a group of vampires suddenly invade the city of Nasolungo and ended up murdering Geppetto before Pinocchio’s very eyes. This horrific act causes Pinocchio to become a ruthless vampire slayer as he uses his own nose to stake the vampires. With the help of the cricket, Master Cherry the Carpenter and a much older Blue Fairy, Pinocchio makes his way through the vampires while discovering a deep dark secret about the vampires’ true motives in their murdering sprees.
What I loved about this story:
Van Jensen’s writing: Now, I will admit that when I first heard about this title, I was thinking to myself about how they would be able to pull off a story about taking one of the world’s most beloved fairy tale characters and transforming them into a vampire slayer. Well, Van Jensen has proven that he can make a story about a wooden puppet becoming a vampire slayer work out in an extremely intriguing way! I loved the way that Van Jensen wrote Pinocchio as a tough as nails older boy than as an innocent yet naïve little boy he was in the previous story (well, to be fair, the “Pinocchio” in the original story was actually much more sadistic as a character than the Disney version had led you to believe). To me, it felt natural for Pinocchio to become a bit more ruthless in this story because of what happened to Geppetto and Van Jensen really did a great job at setting up Pinocchio’s character progression in this story while letting the readers know about how Geppetto’s death really affected Pinocchio. I also liked the fact that we get Master Cherry the Carpenter in this story as he slays vampires just like Pinocchio and he seems to have a relationship with Pinocchio that is similar to the relationship between Giles and Buffy from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (as in Pinocchio does treat Master Cherry like a father figure after the death of Geppetto). It was also interesting in seeing certain characters from the original story return in different roles such as the Cricket being mainly a ghost like character in this story, the Blue Fairy being much older and the Fox and the Cat, who take on a much creepier role in this story, which I will not reveal what kind of identities they actually have in this story!
Dusty Higgins’ artwork: Dusty Higgins’ artwork brilliantly combines both the humorous and frightening mood of the story as the characters do look a bit cartoonish at times, but the artwork also brings out the horror that the vampires bring to the story by having them look so menacing for the most part. I also loved the way that Dusty Higgins drew Pinocchio as he looked a bit like John Constantine as in terms of clothing style.
What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:
The reason why I gave this graphic novel a four star rating was because I felt that they did not develop the secondary characters very well in this story. Since we have already read many stories about Pinocchio, we pretty much already know about his background history and the creators of this graphic novel did a great job of explaining the story of the original “Pinocchio” at the beginning of this novel. However, we do not know much about Master Cherry, the Blue Fairy or the Cricket in this novel and I would have loved to know more about these characters and how they know about the vampires invading the city. I also felt that this graphic novel was a bit too short as in it did not explain enough about how the vampires invaded the city in the first place and I would have liked to see more from this story. Also, there were times where Dusty Higgins’ artwork was a bit too scratchy to look at and it was hard for me to understand what was going on in some of the fighting scenes.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, “Pinocchio Vampire Slayer” is a pretty creative story that really set the bar for placing a well-known fairy tale character in a situation that they normally would not be set in and turn it into something fun and horrific for the readers! I definitely cannot wait for the next few volumes of this series to come out!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
August 9, 2012
I know celebrity vampire slaying is all the rage now, but Pinocchio? Seriously?
Turns out, when it comes to vanquishing the undead, he's a natural! He just breaks off his wooden nose, and VOILA - INSTANT STAKE!
Illustrated in a frenetic black & white style that varies from childlike, almost stick-figure drawings to a lovely old world woodcut look, this book briefly covers the original Pinocchio tale, and then just goes to town from there.
Purists will, I'm sure, not be happy to see yet another classic messed with, but I enjoyed seeing the little wooden head leaping around, spouting lies to make his nose grow, and then kicking vampire butt.
I smell a film coming, but I doubt it will be made by Disney.
Turns out, when it comes to vanquishing the undead, he's a natural! He just breaks off his wooden nose, and VOILA - INSTANT STAKE!
Illustrated in a frenetic black & white style that varies from childlike, almost stick-figure drawings to a lovely old world woodcut look, this book briefly covers the original Pinocchio tale, and then just goes to town from there.
Purists will, I'm sure, not be happy to see yet another classic messed with, but I enjoyed seeing the little wooden head leaping around, spouting lies to make his nose grow, and then kicking vampire butt.
I smell a film coming, but I doubt it will be made by Disney.
July 18, 2020
Çok iyi yerlere gidebilecek bir konu bilerek adeta sallapati işlenmiş. Daha ismi ve alt başlığı okuyunca "Çok iyi fikir!" diyorsunuz ve metne, çizimlere girince üzülüyorsunuz. Temel pinokyo hikayesi sadece asi bir çocuk, burnunu kırıp her yere saplayan bir özneye dönüşüyor. Nefis konsept bence es geçilmiş, sanki, boş vakitte oluşturulmuş sığlığa indirgenmiş. Pinokyo'nun ve onun doğal (tahta) gücü harcanmış. Bence tabi...
July 13, 2016
Flix'in Don Kişot'undan beri okuduğum en "farklı" şeydi. Ki bunu iyi anlamda söylüyorum. Gerçi iki kitabın arasındaki benzerlikler ikisinin de siyah-beyaz olması ve bir roman kahramanını konu almasıyla sınırlı. Pinokyo'nun mizahi yanları daha sınırlı, hikâyesi daha karamsar ve karanlık masalsı.
Ünlü masalın nasıl sona erdiğini, Pinokyo'nun gerçek bir çocuğa dönüşüp babası Gepetto'yla sonsuza dek mutlu mesut yaşadığını hepimiz biliriz. Ama meğerse işin aslı hiç de öyle değilmiş, çünkü çizgi romanın senaristinin de hemen ilk sayfalarda belirttiği üzere masalın orijinali öyle bitmiyormuş aslında. Evet, Pinokyo babasıyla mutlu mesut yaşamaya yaşıyor ama hiçbir zaman gerçek bir çocuğa dönüşmüyormuş aslında.
Çizgi roman da Disney'in ünlü animasyon filmini değil, masalın gerçek yazarı Carlo Calodi'nin hikâyesini temel alıyor ve tam da onun bittiği yerden başlıyor. Tek bir farkla... Köyü vampirler basıyor. Yetmiyor, herkesi tek tek avlıyorlar. Yetmiyor, Gepetto'yu öldürüyorlar. Tahtadan bir çocuk olan Pinokyo ise kanını ememedikleri tek kişi. Ve yalan söylediğinde uzayan burnu en ölümcül düşmanları.
Pinokyo'nun bir yalan uydurup burnunu uzatması, ardından onu kırıp bir kazık niyetine vampirlerin kalbine saklaması gerçekten de çok hoş düşünülmüş. Masaldaki karakterler (yaşlı Mavi Peri, ihtiyar marangoz Cherry, cırcırböceği) de çok başarılı bir şekilde çarpıtılıp yedirilmiş hikâyeye.
Tek şikayetim olayların biraz fazla hızlı gelişmesi ve konunun sonlara doğru biraz klişe bir yöne doğru kayması. Yine de sonraki iki ciltte neler olacağını şimdiden hevesle bekliyorum. Farklı bir şey arayanlara şiddetle tavsiye olunur.
Ünlü masalın nasıl sona erdiğini, Pinokyo'nun gerçek bir çocuğa dönüşüp babası Gepetto'yla sonsuza dek mutlu mesut yaşadığını hepimiz biliriz. Ama meğerse işin aslı hiç de öyle değilmiş, çünkü çizgi romanın senaristinin de hemen ilk sayfalarda belirttiği üzere masalın orijinali öyle bitmiyormuş aslında. Evet, Pinokyo babasıyla mutlu mesut yaşamaya yaşıyor ama hiçbir zaman gerçek bir çocuğa dönüşmüyormuş aslında.
Çizgi roman da Disney'in ünlü animasyon filmini değil, masalın gerçek yazarı Carlo Calodi'nin hikâyesini temel alıyor ve tam da onun bittiği yerden başlıyor. Tek bir farkla... Köyü vampirler basıyor. Yetmiyor, herkesi tek tek avlıyorlar. Yetmiyor, Gepetto'yu öldürüyorlar. Tahtadan bir çocuk olan Pinokyo ise kanını ememedikleri tek kişi. Ve yalan söylediğinde uzayan burnu en ölümcül düşmanları.
Pinokyo'nun bir yalan uydurup burnunu uzatması, ardından onu kırıp bir kazık niyetine vampirlerin kalbine saklaması gerçekten de çok hoş düşünülmüş. Masaldaki karakterler (yaşlı Mavi Peri, ihtiyar marangoz Cherry, cırcırböceği) de çok başarılı bir şekilde çarpıtılıp yedirilmiş hikâyeye.
Tek şikayetim olayların biraz fazla hızlı gelişmesi ve konunun sonlara doğru biraz klişe bir yöne doğru kayması. Yine de sonraki iki ciltte neler olacağını şimdiden hevesle bekliyorum. Farklı bir şey arayanlara şiddetle tavsiye olunur.
January 1, 2011
Pinocchio is all grown up (well, sort of,) and has found honest work, and a never-ending supply of... wait for it... vampire killing stakes. Oh, I guess you got that part from the title and cover art?
So the hook is obvious, Pinocchio, the wooden boy of the original story, finds his purpose in life when he accidentally discovers that his nose is a danger to bloodsucking fiends who have moved into his village.
The art is bold and starkly drawn, not usually my favorite artistic style, but it just works so well here. The dialogue is noir-sparse. The best part is the redux of the original story as the intro to the piece, it had me laughing. Scenes with Fox and Cat, and the Four Rabbits were also great, but all too short, which is really my only complaint.
So the hook is obvious, Pinocchio, the wooden boy of the original story, finds his purpose in life when he accidentally discovers that his nose is a danger to bloodsucking fiends who have moved into his village.
The art is bold and starkly drawn, not usually my favorite artistic style, but it just works so well here. The dialogue is noir-sparse. The best part is the redux of the original story as the intro to the piece, it had me laughing. Scenes with Fox and Cat, and the Four Rabbits were also great, but all too short, which is really my only complaint.
May 21, 2016
Odlicna ideja, lep art i..... to je to.
Nazalost prica ima previse rupa i puno nelogicnosti u akcijama da bi nas stvarno uvukla u svet na neko duze vreme. Nije nista jako lose i imam nameru da procitam sledeci deo ali sam opet dosta razocaran.
Ali Pinokio je postao badass tako da i to je nesto.
Nazalost prica ima previse rupa i puno nelogicnosti u akcijama da bi nas stvarno uvukla u svet na neko duze vreme. Nije nista jako lose i imam nameru da procitam sledeci deo ali sam opet dosta razocaran.
Ali Pinokio je postao badass tako da i to je nesto.
August 5, 2010
First thing I thought when I saw this comic: wooden puppet meets vampires - oh no. I knew the nose had to be the stake the first I heard it, but even then, it still sounded hilarious. Yet, Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer has both a humorous element and tragic element to it that made it cursedly appealing. It relies much on the original tale of Pinocchio (i.e. not the Disney version), with dark, pointed humor as sharp as Pinocchio's nose (no pun intended).
Pinocchio's journey has him protecting his village and friends from an invasion of vampires, particularly since they'd seen to Geppetto's demise (hearing that blurb in the beginning of the story was enough to make me say - aww.) After that Pinocchio abandons much of his restraint to battle against the demons that killed his father. Odd enough I did find it cute when he ended up lying and had to break off his nose, only to use it to fight a minute later. The artwork is decent, though I wish it had a bit more polish to it. Still, it was a quick, entertaining read, and I enjoyed it for what it offered. I heard that there are other installations in the series, so I'll look forward to seeing what happens from here on out.
Overall score: 3.5/5
Pinocchio's journey has him protecting his village and friends from an invasion of vampires, particularly since they'd seen to Geppetto's demise (hearing that blurb in the beginning of the story was enough to make me say - aww.) After that Pinocchio abandons much of his restraint to battle against the demons that killed his father. Odd enough I did find it cute when he ended up lying and had to break off his nose, only to use it to fight a minute later. The artwork is decent, though I wish it had a bit more polish to it. Still, it was a quick, entertaining read, and I enjoyed it for what it offered. I heard that there are other installations in the series, so I'll look forward to seeing what happens from here on out.
Overall score: 3.5/5
June 22, 2016
3,5*
devamını çok merak ediyöm.
devamını çok merak ediyöm.
April 21, 2014
Let’s face it. The current literary market is so glutted with novels about vampires and the people who kill them that the walking undead have gotten to be a deadly bore. Tween romances, perky blonde cheerleaders with stakes, vampire diaries, geeks pretending to be vamps—enough already!
Therefore, when I saw this book I didn’t have high hopes for it and nearly passed by it in favor of more substantial fare. But the idea of a little wooden boy attacking and killing vampires was…intriguing. What better to kill vampires than something that couldn’t be easily killed and whose very body could be a weapon?
Taking off from the original story by Collodi, Mr. Jensen has crafted something utterly different, a vampire tale with wit, determination, revenge, grim resolve and puppetry. Heh. This graphic manga manages to treat vampires as if they were utterly new and the illustrations by Dusty Higgins do justice both to its dark subject and the original tale. With sharp angles, looming shadows and stark drawings, Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer managed to overcome even my deep skepticism. It ends with a joke and the promise of more wooden mayhem to come and I, for one, am looking forward to it.
Therefore, when I saw this book I didn’t have high hopes for it and nearly passed by it in favor of more substantial fare. But the idea of a little wooden boy attacking and killing vampires was…intriguing. What better to kill vampires than something that couldn’t be easily killed and whose very body could be a weapon?
Taking off from the original story by Collodi, Mr. Jensen has crafted something utterly different, a vampire tale with wit, determination, revenge, grim resolve and puppetry. Heh. This graphic manga manages to treat vampires as if they were utterly new and the illustrations by Dusty Higgins do justice both to its dark subject and the original tale. With sharp angles, looming shadows and stark drawings, Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer managed to overcome even my deep skepticism. It ends with a joke and the promise of more wooden mayhem to come and I, for one, am looking forward to it.
January 27, 2015
Despite being a quick read I was bored. This just didn't work for me. There was absolutely nothing creative about it, nothing unique. The story goes exactly where you think it will just by looking at the title. Not only did this have an overly predictable plot, but it was also visually boring. I found the art style unattractive and often difficult to decipher.
June 29, 2010
The recap in the beginning of the book had me cracking up, then the actual story kind of mellowed. I enjoyed it mostly, but then felt like it rushed to the ending, I now know that there is a part 2 coming out, but I think the book worked fine as a book on its own if they had left more time for the ending. Good, quick, fun read for a car ride though.
August 8, 2015
This book was so weird, but in a good way. The only drawback for me was the art. It was a little too simplistic, or maybe not clear enough. I'm not sure how to describe it. I would recommend this if you are looking for something a little bit different.
October 1, 2018
Nope, not the book for me. For one, I had a hard time following the story as it jumped all around . I liked some of the illustrations, but the chunky ones, made everything look unrealistic and too cartoonish for me. I liked the details in the other ones. And then there was Pinocchio's nose, the just of that, I don't want to get started on that one.
I think the book had potential and that's why I picked it up at the library but for me, it went way off the deep end, and well....... it just kept going. For others, I'm sure they'll like what it has to offer. The cover is amazing
I think the book had potential and that's why I picked it up at the library but for me, it went way off the deep end, and well....... it just kept going. For others, I'm sure they'll like what it has to offer. The cover is amazing
July 8, 2022
Sometimes charming and occasionally hilarious with a great plot twist near the end, this graphic novel uses the Pinocchio characters from the original book (not the Disney movie) in an adventure that begins soon after the original book ends (except Pinocchio is still a puppet..... otherwise how could he have a steady supply of vampire-killing pointed wooden stakes every time he tells a lie......).
In order to fully appreciate the cleverness of this work, it helps if you read the original Pinocchio book first, but if you're lazy there is a funny, cartoonish summary in the beginning of the Graphic novel.
In order to fully appreciate the cleverness of this work, it helps if you read the original Pinocchio book first, but if you're lazy there is a funny, cartoonish summary in the beginning of the Graphic novel.
May 6, 2018
OMGAWD....this is not the pinnochio I wanted, but the one I deserved..like Disney with a dark side? lol half the time I didn't even know what I was reading, I just know that I liked it. I also know that I'll never look at that little puppet the same way again. 😂
January 20, 2023
Hilarious
August 21, 2020
This is the best “what happened next” fairy tale adaption I have ever had the joy of reading.
4.5
I am so into this comic. I gotta go find the rest of the series.
4.5
I am so into this comic. I gotta go find the rest of the series.
December 22, 2020
Very interesting take on a classic.
August 24, 2018
Once you get past the ridiculous premise it's quite good.
September 17, 2014
I dare you to look me in the eye and tell me you wouldn't pick this up if you stumbled upon it. Come on, Pinocchio as a vampire slayer? You know you'd be intrigued! Well, whether you agree with me or not, the fact remains that I was definitely drawn in by the idea. I'm a sucker for a good retelling, especially in graphic novel format. Did it deliver? In some ways yes, in others no. Read on my friends, I'll lay it all out for you.
As with any good graphic novel review, I'll start with the illustrations. In this first volume, Pinocchio's story is told in very exaggerated and stylized panels. The characters border on cartoonish, which I honestly didn't like at first. However, as I read on, they slowly grew on me. I came to love Pinocchio's jaunty little hair style paired with his dark facial expressions. As witty one-liners came flying out of his wooden mouth, I fell more and more in love with the way he was drawn. It actually fits the character quite well. Which brings me to where I'm on the fence regarding this graphic novel, and that's the story line. While there's a lot to love between these pages, I still feel like something was missing.
Starting with the good, this is definitely an original story. It takes Pinocchio's story and blends it into something decidedly dark and funny at the same time. I can't deny I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that Pinocchio's stakes came from his ever-growing nose. One lie, and you have a stake! How cool is that? Of course, this allows for a ton of hilarious dialogue between characters too. I couldn't help but crack up laughing when Pinocchio stabbed a vampire in the heart with his stake while wise-cracking "Looks like you have a bloody nose!" at the same time. Be still, my wit loving heart!
So what was it that didn't click with me? First off, the story itself is a little sparse. The witty dialogue could only save this so much. I wanted more substance, and more understanding of how Pinocchio actually came to be. It's possible that there's more in the next volumes, but I honestly felt a little lost. I saw some of the characters from the original story, but everything was buried under vampire hunting. My other issue was that, because there isn't a lot of substance, I didn't really feel invested in these characters. There were moments while reading where I felt like I should be sad, or angry, but I just wasn't feeling it. Other than laughing, I didn't feel much else.
I think this series has definite potential. I've heard from other readers that it progresses rather well through the next volumes, and that the illustrations actually change too. That makes me curious to check out more. So, while this wasn't my favorite read this month, I think I'll stick with it and give the next volume a shot! After all, I can't deny I want to see where things go. Pick this up if you're looking for a funny and interesting graphic novel. Pinocchio and his vampire killing ways just might steal your heart.
As with any good graphic novel review, I'll start with the illustrations. In this first volume, Pinocchio's story is told in very exaggerated and stylized panels. The characters border on cartoonish, which I honestly didn't like at first. However, as I read on, they slowly grew on me. I came to love Pinocchio's jaunty little hair style paired with his dark facial expressions. As witty one-liners came flying out of his wooden mouth, I fell more and more in love with the way he was drawn. It actually fits the character quite well. Which brings me to where I'm on the fence regarding this graphic novel, and that's the story line. While there's a lot to love between these pages, I still feel like something was missing.
Starting with the good, this is definitely an original story. It takes Pinocchio's story and blends it into something decidedly dark and funny at the same time. I can't deny I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that Pinocchio's stakes came from his ever-growing nose. One lie, and you have a stake! How cool is that? Of course, this allows for a ton of hilarious dialogue between characters too. I couldn't help but crack up laughing when Pinocchio stabbed a vampire in the heart with his stake while wise-cracking "Looks like you have a bloody nose!" at the same time. Be still, my wit loving heart!
So what was it that didn't click with me? First off, the story itself is a little sparse. The witty dialogue could only save this so much. I wanted more substance, and more understanding of how Pinocchio actually came to be. It's possible that there's more in the next volumes, but I honestly felt a little lost. I saw some of the characters from the original story, but everything was buried under vampire hunting. My other issue was that, because there isn't a lot of substance, I didn't really feel invested in these characters. There were moments while reading where I felt like I should be sad, or angry, but I just wasn't feeling it. Other than laughing, I didn't feel much else.
I think this series has definite potential. I've heard from other readers that it progresses rather well through the next volumes, and that the illustrations actually change too. That makes me curious to check out more. So, while this wasn't my favorite read this month, I think I'll stick with it and give the next volume a shot! After all, I can't deny I want to see where things go. Pick this up if you're looking for a funny and interesting graphic novel. Pinocchio and his vampire killing ways just might steal your heart.
November 5, 2011
GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 5, 2015
I'm writing this review while currently balancing a stack full of books on my knees cuz that's the way we do things.
This was surprisingly delightful in the way that a bit of vanilla ice cream makes a fairly burned squashed brownie quite delicious. Having never read the original Pinocchio (though am now absolutely convinced I must based on the quick summary in the beginning of this gn-which kind of has nothing to do with the Disney version CHILDHOOD LIED TO), I found this tale charming, if a little predictable and more than a little reminiscent of many many action films.
But I really loved the one liners. And the fact that he stakes people with his nose (Yes Cynthia, I was terribly excited to find that out). I mean c'mon, how perfect is THAT?
So yeah. Totally reading the sequel now.
and there go the books...
March 5, 2016
It's a good concept, I mean Pinocchio has a continual supply of stakes what with his nose and the lies... but it just falls flat. The writing goes to Star Wars at the end and the "I am the Walrus" joke is so lame as to be groan worthy. The main problem I had was the illustration style. It wanted to be Mike Mignola, and so wasn't. At times it was kind of woodcut, and that made sense. But seriously, what was with the overuse of halftones? It greyed out the comic and made the panels hard to look at. Should have been black and white only with a red accent color.
June 20, 2018
I bought this book as I love the mashups of the classics with a modern horror twist. I was surprised to find the book written in a manga type of style which I have never dipped into before. I am pleased that I did and I found the artwork fantastic and the story very gripping, in some parts surprisingly emotional and very funny use of language!
I recommend to anyone who enjoys the classic/horror mashups!
I recommend to anyone who enjoys the classic/horror mashups!
November 4, 2014
A very weird twist on a classic.
He still has the same qualities about telling a lie, while also killing vampires.
I wasn't expecting much with this graphic novel. Because things have been so overplayed with horror remakes of classics. This one is a different. Its funny and doesnt seem to take itself too serious.
He still has the same qualities about telling a lie, while also killing vampires.
I wasn't expecting much with this graphic novel. Because things have been so overplayed with horror remakes of classics. This one is a different. Its funny and doesnt seem to take itself too serious.
March 30, 2015
OMG! This is one of those times when I gasp and say, "Why didn't I think of that??!!" Because it's GENIUS! Pinocchio slaying vampires with his wooden stake of a NOSE?!?!?! Get outta town! It's fantastically funny, fabulously drawn, creatively and cleverly told... I need more!
I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants!
I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants!
December 11, 2009
Great graphic novel from Van Jensen and Dusty Higgins. Who would've thought of combining Pinocchio and Vampires...not I! I think what I loved most about this book is the humor as well as the fact that when he lied, he could break off his nose and use it as a stake.
C'mon, who can resist that!
C'mon, who can resist that!
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