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Emma
Marvel continues its bestselling graphic novel adaptations of Jane Austen's classics!
Award-winning author Nancy Butler, adapter of Marvel's best-selling Adaptations, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE brings you another Jane Austen classic! Joined with the beautiful illustrations of JANET LEE, Butler brings to life Austen's most precocious heroine, Emma Woodhouse. Discover what has made this story so enduring, as its re-told in the Mighty Marvel manner!
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2011
19 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Butler
62 books71 followersNancy Butler also writes under her real name, Nancy J. Hajeski.
Nancy Butler has been an Anglophile since she was nineteen, when she traveled to England to see Carnaby Street. (“I blame it on the Beatles!”) Her frequent visits to an American friend living in London have furnished her with enough inspiration to keep writing Regencies well into the new millennium.
Butler resides in northern New Jersey with two cats, Aja and Puck, surrounded by her collection of artwork, funky antiques, and books. When she manages to get away from her computer, she can usually be found riding her quarter horse mare, Ginger, through the scenic wilds of Bergen County.
Butler is the 1998 Golden Leaf Award winner for Best First Novel.
Nancy Butler has been an Anglophile since she was nineteen, when she traveled to England to see Carnaby Street. (“I blame it on the Beatles!”) Her frequent visits to an American friend living in London have furnished her with enough inspiration to keep writing Regencies well into the new millennium.
Butler resides in northern New Jersey with two cats, Aja and Puck, surrounded by her collection of artwork, funky antiques, and books. When she manages to get away from her computer, she can usually be found riding her quarter horse mare, Ginger, through the scenic wilds of Bergen County.
Butler is the 1998 Golden Leaf Award winner for Best First Novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
February 1, 2021
I’ve never DNFed a comic but there is a first time for everything.
The story of Emma is my favorite!! I love it so much! But the reason I could not continue this was the artwork. It was just so bad! I first thought a first graded had drawn it. And when the art isn’t enjoyable and it looks sloppy, it’s so hard to keep reading it. It has nothing to do with the story but everything to do with the art.
The story of Emma is my favorite!! I love it so much! But the reason I could not continue this was the artwork. It was just so bad! I first thought a first graded had drawn it. And when the art isn’t enjoyable and it looks sloppy, it’s so hard to keep reading it. It has nothing to do with the story but everything to do with the art.
February 12, 2017
Emma the story is good, and this is less an adaptation than "putting the story into thought bubbles" so the plot works. The art is...bad. It's bad. Has the artist seen humans before? Unclear.
August 12, 2019
Most stories I read in comic format--whether regular monthly issues, graphic novels, manga, or any other format--have either action or humor, if not both. So, a comic book adaptation of a Jane Austen novel isn't what I usually read, but, I still thought I would enjoy it...
...but, I didn't. While the artwork was fun and well-done, the story did nothing for me. I think I'll stick to Marvel's original creations: superheroes and action stories.
...but, I didn't. While the artwork was fun and well-done, the story did nothing for me. I think I'll stick to Marvel's original creations: superheroes and action stories.
July 27, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up
Feeling lazy. Read Kim's review
I enjoyed this maybe a little more than she did. I liked how Butler used Austen's original words in the dialogue in places and then summarized the narration. I actually even liked the story and characters a little better because the condensed wordage made it easier to get through. Normally I spend all my time wincing at Emma's behavior and can't focus on the text. I also have the add that reading this e-book one panel at a time has pluses and minuses. The minus is that it's HUGE and took a long time to read. The plus is, I was able to look at one panel at a time and read the text more easily than in print.
The artwork was dreadful. I enjoyed the details of dress patterns, wallpaper, scenery- all were spot on but the faces were grotesque and hideous. Their heads are out of proportion to their bodies and eyes are popping out of their heads. Is this supposed to be comical? It's just a no.
If you struggle with the period language, try this adaptation, but ignore the illustrations!
Feeling lazy. Read Kim's review
I enjoyed this maybe a little more than she did. I liked how Butler used Austen's original words in the dialogue in places and then summarized the narration. I actually even liked the story and characters a little better because the condensed wordage made it easier to get through. Normally I spend all my time wincing at Emma's behavior and can't focus on the text. I also have the add that reading this e-book one panel at a time has pluses and minuses. The minus is that it's HUGE and took a long time to read. The plus is, I was able to look at one panel at a time and read the text more easily than in print.
The artwork was dreadful. I enjoyed the details of dress patterns, wallpaper, scenery- all were spot on but the faces were grotesque and hideous. Their heads are out of proportion to their bodies and eyes are popping out of their heads. Is this supposed to be comical? It's just a no.
If you struggle with the period language, try this adaptation, but ignore the illustrations!
December 11, 2012
Emma has always been one of my least favorite of the Austen books (by saying least favorite that implies it still IS a favorite), so I was surprised by how much I loved the graphic novel.
But in hindsight I shouldn't be - Janet K. Lee's beautiful artwork and adaptation perfectly capture all the ever important subtle/unspoken content.
Loved it! It almost made me prefer Mr. Knightly to Mr. Darcy. Almost, not quite...
Now I'm off to read the Northanger Abbey....
But in hindsight I shouldn't be - Janet K. Lee's beautiful artwork and adaptation perfectly capture all the ever important subtle/unspoken content.
Loved it! It almost made me prefer Mr. Knightly to Mr. Darcy. Almost, not quite...
Now I'm off to read the Northanger Abbey....
October 24, 2012
What do you get when you combine one of Jane Austen’s classic works with the minds behind Marvel Comics? Why, a graphic novel series of course. Nancy Butler has turned three of Austen’s works into graphic novel format thus far: Sense and Sensibility (which I’ve reviewed here), Pride and Prejudice, and now Emma. As the newest release, Emma intrigued me because I’ve already enjoyed one of Butler’s works, and figured that combining two of my great literary interests (Austen and to a lesser extent, graphic novels) would be a lot of fun. Butler tells the tale of Emma, Knightly, Jane Fairfax, and all of Austen’s other beloved characters with as much enthusiasm and truth as the original work. Adding a new dimension with the incorporation of the graphic novel format, Butler relays the tale of Emma and her belief that she is always correct in all things despite her limited worldview. It is not until the proposal of Mr. Knightly that brings her back to reality that she realizes how wrong she has been the entire time.
Being a graphic novel, obviously the most important part of keeping and capturing your audience would be the illustrations. With that being said, each of the three Austen graphic novels I’ve read have had a different illustrator so far. The illustrations in Pride and Prejudice led to very “porn-like” characters and didn’t match the original descriptions of the characters at all. Sense and Sensibility was much better, with tasteful illustrations that matched the time period. Emma, on the other hand, had very child-like illustrations that seemed out-of-place. It became difficult at times to discern characters due to similar illustrations. What I found interesting was the attention to detail spent on the wallpapers, designs on women’s dresses, and scenery, while so little was spent on making sure each character was distinguishable. Every character seemed to have similar facial structures and hair. On the other hand, the adaptation of the text was done quite well. Butler has done a great job making sure that the bulk of the story is told, and the important bits of dialogue make it over to the graphic novel adaptation. I’m sure a lot of people would think that Austen’s work would be diminished by being imported into a graphic novel format, but I think the illustrations can actually aid in telling the story. People that don’t have the time to pick up Austen’s novels and read them may find it easier to get that Austen “fix” by reading these graphic novel formats. In all, I enjoyed Butler’s adaptation of this timeless classic, as well at her other works in this format so far. Although the illustrations needed definite work, certain parts were done quite well. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1gi
Being a graphic novel, obviously the most important part of keeping and capturing your audience would be the illustrations. With that being said, each of the three Austen graphic novels I’ve read have had a different illustrator so far. The illustrations in Pride and Prejudice led to very “porn-like” characters and didn’t match the original descriptions of the characters at all. Sense and Sensibility was much better, with tasteful illustrations that matched the time period. Emma, on the other hand, had very child-like illustrations that seemed out-of-place. It became difficult at times to discern characters due to similar illustrations. What I found interesting was the attention to detail spent on the wallpapers, designs on women’s dresses, and scenery, while so little was spent on making sure each character was distinguishable. Every character seemed to have similar facial structures and hair. On the other hand, the adaptation of the text was done quite well. Butler has done a great job making sure that the bulk of the story is told, and the important bits of dialogue make it over to the graphic novel adaptation. I’m sure a lot of people would think that Austen’s work would be diminished by being imported into a graphic novel format, but I think the illustrations can actually aid in telling the story. People that don’t have the time to pick up Austen’s novels and read them may find it easier to get that Austen “fix” by reading these graphic novel formats. In all, I enjoyed Butler’s adaptation of this timeless classic, as well at her other works in this format so far. Although the illustrations needed definite work, certain parts were done quite well. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1gi
October 21, 2015
Ya conocía el trabajo de Nancy Butler que se encarga de la adaptación. Hay que decir que en ese sentido es impecable. Sin embargo no puedo decir lo mismo del diseño. Unos dibujos nada adecuados y que sobretodo me parecieron feos. Y muchas veces las expresiones que tenían los personajes o no cuadraban con lo que decían o tenían cara de estar asqueados, mosqueados o totalmente indiferentes.
December 17, 2017
I enjoyed the artwork in this adaptation. And I was glad to find a copy of this to add to my other Austen graphic novels.
June 1, 2020
I first should say that I have not yet read the original Jane Austen book which this adaptation is made from (though I did watch the YouTube series "Emma Approved" some years ago so I was familiar with the general arch of the story). While I can't say how faithful this adaptation is to the original, I was able to mostly follow the story. The only real problem I had was keeping track of all the characters. This may be easier in a longer novel, but maybe it would be just as much work to keep all the characters straight regardless of the format. One thing that did help was that each character had something distinctive in their appearance and that aided me in knowing who was speaking.
I was very pleased how many of the characters had both likable characteristics as well as moments that I felt frustrated with them. It made them feel more real to me.
On the art style, I really liked how it looked as if it had been hand colored by copic markers, which gave it a feel that I felt was better for a story set in the 1800s. And the use of thin versus thicker outlining was used to great effect in the comic as well.
I was very pleased how many of the characters had both likable characteristics as well as moments that I felt frustrated with them. It made them feel more real to me.
On the art style, I really liked how it looked as if it had been hand colored by copic markers, which gave it a feel that I felt was better for a story set in the 1800s. And the use of thin versus thicker outlining was used to great effect in the comic as well.
April 23, 2020
My friends who say this is their favorite will always have to fight me for Sense & Sensibility. What a silly group of snobby rich people! I still loved it, though ;)
September 1, 2020
Leí esta adaptación para un trabajo de la facultad, me pareció interesante. En cuanto a la traducción de la historia me resultó muy completa en cuanto a los hechos.
Pero en cuanto a los diálogos, se me hicieron muy pobres y, aunque al adaptar se deben hacer cambios por cuestiones de espacio/extensión, no me gustó la adaptación. Por otro lado no estoy muy convencida de la ilustración, solo puedo decir que no fue mi favorita.
Pero en cuanto a los diálogos, se me hicieron muy pobres y, aunque al adaptar se deben hacer cambios por cuestiones de espacio/extensión, no me gustó la adaptación. Por otro lado no estoy muy convencida de la ilustración, solo puedo decir que no fue mi favorita.
Read
November 3, 2017The Marvel Illustrated version of Jane Austen’s Emma collects the five comic book series by Nancy Butler and Janet Lee (illustrator) in a single hardcover volume. The graphic novel retells the classic novel in bright colors, which is what I would expect when depicting the lively Emma Woodhouse, from the start of her matchmaking exploits until the moment when she understands her own heart and realizes she’s made a mess of things.
Butler does a decent job condensing the novel into dialogue. She covers the main plot points, but the depth of the original novel is missing. Of course, that’s to be expected given the graphic novel format. However, I thought it was a unique and enjoyable retelling. I love the humor and the ridiculousness in Emma, so I found Lee’s caricatures amusing and thought the facial expressions were spot on. I especially loved the emotions she showed on Mr. Knightley’s face, the disapproving and the anguished looks, letting readers infer what’s on his mind.
This graphic novel would make a great addition to an Austenesque fan’s collection, especially if they love Emma as much as I do. It was fun to dip into my favorite novel for a couple of hours, giving me just enough of a taste to keep me satisfied until I re-read the original. It would also make a great introduction to the classic novel for younger readers.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
Butler does a decent job condensing the novel into dialogue. She covers the main plot points, but the depth of the original novel is missing. Of course, that’s to be expected given the graphic novel format. However, I thought it was a unique and enjoyable retelling. I love the humor and the ridiculousness in Emma, so I found Lee’s caricatures amusing and thought the facial expressions were spot on. I especially loved the emotions she showed on Mr. Knightley’s face, the disapproving and the anguished looks, letting readers infer what’s on his mind.
This graphic novel would make a great addition to an Austenesque fan’s collection, especially if they love Emma as much as I do. It was fun to dip into my favorite novel for a couple of hours, giving me just enough of a taste to keep me satisfied until I re-read the original. It would also make a great introduction to the classic novel for younger readers.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
May 11, 2015
This is a Marvell comics adaptation of a Jane Austen classic novel to a graphic novel format. I wasn't so thrilled with the illustrations this time. The Marvel "Pride and Prejudice" was a much lovelier adaptation. But this did have its moments. Fun if you have read the original some time ago and just want to refresh your memory. I had bought several editions of the comic book, but not the whole set. This is all five of the comic books combined into a hardback graphic novel. The cover art is better than what's inside.
June 17, 2019
Un de mes romans préférés, d'où les 4*, car cette adaptation respecte le récit et les dialogues de Jane Austen.
Mais les dessins ne m'ont pas toujours convaincue, avec des maladresses, des raccourcis étranges, des visages déformés (par l'émotion, peut-être ?).
Une bonne introduction pour des lecteurs qui n'auraient pas encore goûté à la délicieuse prose de Jane Austen, mais qui m'a laissée sur ma faim.
Mais les dessins ne m'ont pas toujours convaincue, avec des maladresses, des raccourcis étranges, des visages déformés (par l'émotion, peut-être ?).
Une bonne introduction pour des lecteurs qui n'auraient pas encore goûté à la délicieuse prose de Jane Austen, mais qui m'a laissée sur ma faim.
July 27, 2015
I'm going to preface this with the statement that I don't like Emma. I was really looking forward to reading this knowing that I don't like Emma, and maybe it will actually grow on me.
Well, I still don't like Emma, but I found the graphic novel format well done to the point where I found it helped with the story. If you hate Emma, like I do, this might be what you need to make it palatable.
Well, I still don't like Emma, but I found the graphic novel format well done to the point where I found it helped with the story. If you hate Emma, like I do, this might be what you need to make it palatable.
July 10, 2018
Solid 4 ⭐
Emma has been one of my favorite novel written by Jane Austen & it had been a couple of years since I re-read it so I took the opportunity of finding this adaptation to read it again. I love the art style. I don't know the technique but it's like using watercolor & it quite vivid. One more thing I like to compliment about the adaptation is the paneling (is this even the correct word?). I'd come to realize the importance of panel for every page in creating a compelling story-telling in graphic form and the paneling in this book is well done.
It could be 5 stars for me but there are a few instances that I thought Emma that I read was never this mean. She was ignorant, self centered & think highly of herself but she was never mean. On the other hand, I had always dislike Mr Churchill but reading him here, the emotion became stronger. He's definitely someone worth hating for! Some characters are drawn so similarly that I cant really distinguished between them. For example Emma and Harriet look similar except for Harriet's freckles and their hair color. When all the characters (women especially) got together in a few scenes, I got really confused.
Other than all that, I highly recommend the adaptation for any Janeite that love our dear Emma.
October 17, 2017
I'm not sure if it was the brisk pacing or the quirky art, but something made me love this adaptation of Emma. This is remarkable because Emma Woodhouse always drives me batty, yet here I found her tolerable- and even almost amusing at points. There was a sweetness and lightness in this pruned-down version of the story that meant I never reached the frustration level I did in the original novel, and I am thankful for that.
February 23, 2019
Dies ist meine Bewertung der Graphic Novel und nicht des Romans. Wie bei allen anderen GN ging es mir auch hier so, dass, hätte ich nicht den Roman gekannt, die GN die Atmosphäre nicht so gut hätte vermitteln können. Außerdem fand ich Zeichnungen recht eigenwillig. Doch ist die GN trotzdem eine gute Ergänzung zum Original.
May 17, 2018
I didn't like the art, I feel bad because I got autographed by the artist but yeah....not for this story.
Also, the best bits were highlighted but there were a few that would've helped really show how changed Emma became.
Also, the best bits were highlighted but there were a few that would've helped really show how changed Emma became.
April 19, 2025
The font was excruciating trying to read…very surprised that got past editors.
I did enjoy the art style, it was cute and stylized.
This was only of the few graphic novels Ive read, and I haven’t read the source material yet. (Just two of the films). But overall didn’t feel much about this.
I did enjoy the art style, it was cute and stylized.
This was only of the few graphic novels Ive read, and I haven’t read the source material yet. (Just two of the films). But overall didn’t feel much about this.
May 5, 2020
Please just read the wonderful novel instead !
And don't waste your time on this horribly lazy & ugly adaptation.
I don't like to hate but.. this tiresome comic just gave me headaches.
I know it's pears & apples but the movie Clueless, that's a great adaptation of Austen's classic !
And don't waste your time on this horribly lazy & ugly adaptation.
I don't like to hate but.. this tiresome comic just gave me headaches.
I know it's pears & apples but the movie Clueless, that's a great adaptation of Austen's classic !
December 2, 2024
I'ma be honest, I have almost no clue what they where talking Abt half the time and mostly skimmed
January 4, 2018
This has never been my favorite Austen and I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations in this one. That being said, it's still Austen and that means the dialogue is still on point.
December 30, 2024
As a Jane Austen fan, I was excited to explore Emma in graphic novel form, though it’s my least favourite of her novels. While the adaptation stays true to the original, I found the artwork underwhelming and not to my taste—simple and lacking the depth I hoped for. The characters felt flat, and I missed the nuanced expressions that make Austen’s work so engaging. That said, Butler’s writing remains faithful, and the humour and social commentary of the story still come through. It’s a fun, quick read for Austen and graphic novel fans, but not the most compelling adaptation if you’re looking for something more visually rich or emotionally resonant.
April 20, 2021
The story was fine, the art style was...more than a little creepy, if I’m being honest.
November 25, 2019
This art style just is not for me. I prefer more cartoony comics and this one I felt like was just not it. I don’t particularly like the story of Emma because I can barely tolerate Emma. I find her so fucking annoying BUT, it still is a classic! I chose to read this comic to up my goodreads goal lol!
October 8, 2016
¡Me encantó!
Debo decir que es una idea magnifica adaptar clasicos a versión de novela grafica, y en esta ocasión hicieron un genial trabajo. No puedo decir si es una fiel adaptación de la novela original, porque aún no la he leído (cosa que espero hacer pronto), pero me gustó muchísimo. La historia es sencilla y fluida sin ser tediosa. De pronto resaltaría el hecho de que el arte del cómic no es lo mejor, las ilustración pudieron haber sido más bellas, pero comprendo que no ha de ser fácil adaptar uno de los grandes clasicos de la literatura, que no esta escrito por cualquier autora sino nada más y nada menos que Austen.
En cuanto a la historia, es bastante sencilla, un drama común de la época, pero lo suficientemente interesante. Al principio tenemos a Emma con sus intentos de casamentera, cosa para la que no es muy buena, sin preocuparse por encontrar un amor propio; pero que a final de cuentas lo encuentra donde no creyó que podría hallarlo. Hablando de la protagonista, si bien no logre conectar del todo con Emma, había algo en su actitud decidida que me gustó mucho a final de cuentas. Algo que me frustro fue la enorme cantidad de personajes, me confundió bastante, pero no puedo culpar a la autora ya que es una historia que transcurre en un pueblo pequeño. Uno personaje, entre tantos que había, que me gusto mucho fue el Knightley, desde el principio me agrado.
En resúmen es una buena novela grafica y se merece las cuatro estrellas que le dí.
Debo decir que es una idea magnifica adaptar clasicos a versión de novela grafica, y en esta ocasión hicieron un genial trabajo. No puedo decir si es una fiel adaptación de la novela original, porque aún no la he leído (cosa que espero hacer pronto), pero me gustó muchísimo. La historia es sencilla y fluida sin ser tediosa. De pronto resaltaría el hecho de que el arte del cómic no es lo mejor, las ilustración pudieron haber sido más bellas, pero comprendo que no ha de ser fácil adaptar uno de los grandes clasicos de la literatura, que no esta escrito por cualquier autora sino nada más y nada menos que Austen.
En cuanto a la historia, es bastante sencilla, un drama común de la época, pero lo suficientemente interesante. Al principio tenemos a Emma con sus intentos de casamentera, cosa para la que no es muy buena, sin preocuparse por encontrar un amor propio; pero que a final de cuentas lo encuentra donde no creyó que podría hallarlo. Hablando de la protagonista, si bien no logre conectar del todo con Emma, había algo en su actitud decidida que me gustó mucho a final de cuentas. Algo que me frustro fue la enorme cantidad de personajes, me confundió bastante, pero no puedo culpar a la autora ya que es una historia que transcurre en un pueblo pequeño. Uno personaje, entre tantos que había, que me gusto mucho fue el Knightley, desde el principio me agrado.
En resúmen es una buena novela grafica y se merece las cuatro estrellas que le dí.
February 12, 2017
Emma is a long book, and Butler did a great job abridging the major plot points in these five issues, but nothing will ever beat Austen's original prose. The art is fanciful and I appreciate Lee's attention to Regency-specific detail.
March 11, 2013
A well-paced but not overly-condensed adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, this comic version is a fun read for anyone familiar with the story, and even for anyone who isn't (though it might be a little convoluted to the uninitiated). I loved the colorful, pattern-rich illustration, but at times some of the characters were too similar looking.
February 8, 2015
I love jane austen to be sure. But I was not very fond of emma. Though she learned the error of her ways. I just could not really relate with emma or much of the characters in the book. I don't know maybe I am just meant for that type of society. Though not liking emma to much will not stop me from contineing to like jane austen and her other works. She is still one of my favorite authors
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews