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8: The Untold Story
The graphic novel adaptation of the cult-hit story "8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf," published as one of three stories in "TaleSpins" by Michael Mullin. When their 8th roommate starts acting weird, the seven dwarves nickname him "Creepy" and banish him to the cottage basement. From there he affects the Snow White story we all THOUGHT we knew.
60 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2014
298 people want to read
About the author
Michael Mullin
39 books138 followersFictional worlds can teach us so much about the one we live in. The experiences you bring back from the escape are what give stories their value. That's why you read, and that's why I read – and write.
My author career began with a twisted fairytale retelling about the unknown 8th dwarf which turned into a trilogy of such tales. Over the years I've received book awards and industry recognition for which I'm very grateful. I'm currently working on a business plan for an educational company that uses the fairytale trilogy, TaleSpins, as curriculum to teach things like empathy and anti-bullying.
I've written marketing materials for the merch divisions of Disney, DreamWorks, 20th Century Fox, and Universal, but I gave all that up because I was tired of selling people junk that was just going to end up in a landfill. Before I was a writer, I was a preschool teacher and college professor, two positions I found disconcertingly similar.
I live in Pasadena, CA with my wonderful wife Dani and our ridiculously cool dog Finn. Our twins, Sophie and Max are finishing up their college careers. I couldn’t be more proud and amazed. Even though I've been in California since 1996, all my sports allegiances remain in my native New England.
My author career began with a twisted fairytale retelling about the unknown 8th dwarf which turned into a trilogy of such tales. Over the years I've received book awards and industry recognition for which I'm very grateful. I'm currently working on a business plan for an educational company that uses the fairytale trilogy, TaleSpins, as curriculum to teach things like empathy and anti-bullying.
I've written marketing materials for the merch divisions of Disney, DreamWorks, 20th Century Fox, and Universal, but I gave all that up because I was tired of selling people junk that was just going to end up in a landfill. Before I was a writer, I was a preschool teacher and college professor, two positions I found disconcertingly similar.
I live in Pasadena, CA with my wonderful wife Dani and our ridiculously cool dog Finn. Our twins, Sophie and Max are finishing up their college careers. I couldn’t be more proud and amazed. Even though I've been in California since 1996, all my sports allegiances remain in my native New England.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 26, 2014
As far as graphic novels go, this one was okay. A cool idea for a story; I really enjoyed the concept. Full disclaimer, I have not read the poem that this graphic novel was based on so I may not have a fair opinion of the piece. But on the whole, I felt there wasn't much to the story. It tells of the existence of an 8th dwarf and how he helped to save Snow White from the Queen. That's really all there is to it. You don't see what happened to Creepy after Snow White is kissed by the Prince (besides that he continues to live in the basement) and you don't get too much background on him other than he started being creepy so no one liked him. I would have liked to see more character development. He was a pretty superficial character and while I wanted to be sympathetic with him, he didn't interest me enough to really get involved in his life story.
The graphic novel also includes some entertaining fake ads and articles, which are interesting, but do nothing to further the story very much, so they just seemed like an attempt to add length to a graphic novel that wasn't long enough. So overall I think this work was okay.
Having said that I do plan on reading the poem from which this is based so my opinion of it may change.
**UPDATE**
I have now read TaleSpins and can confidently say that this story works much better in verse than it does in the form of a graphic novel. I think the poetry aspect added an important dimension to the story that was lacking in the graphic novel. Although it was cool to put pictures to the words, I don't think there was enough of a story to make a successful graphic novel.
The graphic novel also includes some entertaining fake ads and articles, which are interesting, but do nothing to further the story very much, so they just seemed like an attempt to add length to a graphic novel that wasn't long enough. So overall I think this work was okay.
Having said that I do plan on reading the poem from which this is based so my opinion of it may change.
**UPDATE**
I have now read TaleSpins and can confidently say that this story works much better in verse than it does in the form of a graphic novel. I think the poetry aspect added an important dimension to the story that was lacking in the graphic novel. Although it was cool to put pictures to the words, I don't think there was enough of a story to make a successful graphic novel.
January 9, 2017
4.5 stars
I first encountered the story of the 8th dwarf when I reviewed TaleSpins for a book tour. Out of the three stories in that set, the "8th Dwarf" was my favorite. So when I learned that there was a comic version of the story, I knew that I had to get it. After two years of purchasing it, I finally got to read it and I highly enjoyed it!
Unlike the original story, this was not told in verse. It was told in a comic book style with the speech bubbles and graphics. It still contained its dark humor and quirkiness.
What I enjoyed the most were the extras that the book contained. Between the pages, excerpts from made-up articles and advertisements were inserted. These were quite entertaining to read, especially the magazine ones. The use of puns, symbolism, and analogies made the extras very creative.
The illustrations were also well done. I do wish that they were in color, but the drawings were cute. They were in black and white with excellent use of shading and highlighting. I like how the 8th dwarf, Creepy, was modeled after Marilyn Manson and Professor Snape. It was a perfect way to portray his character for he contrasted the other seven dwarfs drastically.
Overall, I am glad that I finally read this comic version of a fun story. The illustrations were great and the humor was spot on.
I first encountered the story of the 8th dwarf when I reviewed TaleSpins for a book tour. Out of the three stories in that set, the "8th Dwarf" was my favorite. So when I learned that there was a comic version of the story, I knew that I had to get it. After two years of purchasing it, I finally got to read it and I highly enjoyed it!
Unlike the original story, this was not told in verse. It was told in a comic book style with the speech bubbles and graphics. It still contained its dark humor and quirkiness.
What I enjoyed the most were the extras that the book contained. Between the pages, excerpts from made-up articles and advertisements were inserted. These were quite entertaining to read, especially the magazine ones. The use of puns, symbolism, and analogies made the extras very creative.
The illustrations were also well done. I do wish that they were in color, but the drawings were cute. They were in black and white with excellent use of shading and highlighting. I like how the 8th dwarf, Creepy, was modeled after Marilyn Manson and Professor Snape. It was a perfect way to portray his character for he contrasted the other seven dwarfs drastically.
Overall, I am glad that I finally read this comic version of a fun story. The illustrations were great and the humor was spot on.
August 18, 2014
Such a great twist on the Snow White story! According to this author there were 8 dwarves not 7. The 8th dwarf was named Creepy because he was so different from the other 7 dwarves. Creepy is strange because he likes to be alone and cranky in temperament so much that the the 7 dwarves lock him in the basement. One day as the 7 dwarves go off to work, a stranger bursts into the cottage. Creepy becomes involved with Snow White in ways you would not guess. Will Snow White get her prince or not?
This is a very entertaining tale. Also included in this graphic novel, you will get to see some original ads. The prose is smooth as silk. It is definitely a twisted tale but oh so much fun to read!
This is a very entertaining tale. Also included in this graphic novel, you will get to see some original ads. The prose is smooth as silk. It is definitely a twisted tale but oh so much fun to read!
July 3, 2014
Re-tellings of classic fairy tales have been popular for a while now. While this graphic novel doesn't break new ground with the concept--this time it's a re-imagining of the Snow White story, including the unknown 8th dwarf that lives in the basement--it is enjoyable to read, and has a fun cartoon style to the drawings. I expected this to be far more "creepy" (which is also the 8th dwarf's nickname) but it did make me laugh at times and would make a very cute short film if ever put to screen.
May 27, 2014
I have read this poem so many times I think I have it memorized. Creative, funny and perfect for all ages. I have read it to middle school students, peers and even my parents! This story poem is a perfect example of creativity in word play, imagination and classic tale reinterpretation. I love this book!
June 30, 2014
I loved the illustrations in this graphic novel the ads added a little something extra. Very cute idea. The story was good my only complaint is I think the ending needed a little something. All in all though I loved it. I would recommend it to fans of fairy tales and graphic novels alike. :)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews