Review: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath

The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath [1997]

by H.P Lovecraft and Jason Thompson

Mock Man Press

24 pages

[This review is for the first issue of a 5-part limited series] Taking the full text of the original novella by H.P. Lovecraft, artist Jason Thompson undertakes an ambitious task in creating a visual representation of the classic, complex story of Randolph Carter's adventure into the dream world.

At first glance, the comic seems like a kids' comic book, as the cover and internal images seem simplistic and cartoonish; but a deeper look reveals Lovecraft's complex, poetic prose in a narrative that is difficult to follow at times for some adults. The artwork itself is by no means simple; it speaks to a young audience because some of the characters are "beginning artist" renderings - particularly the main character as depicted in the dream lands - but the backgrounds offer complex lines and intricate landscapes [Dreamscapes?].

It should be noted that other characters are rendered more like realistic people, in a sense, and Randolph Carter's appearance is very similar to H.P. Lovecraft's when Carter is outside of the dream world.

The work can be a bit jarring, to say the least, because the artwork has perhaps too much detail. All of the pages are jam-packed with lines, often overwhelming the reader with seemingly convoluted images; but it lends itself to the complexity and vastness of the Dreamscape, and makes for a feel of the engrossed nature of the characters in this grandiose world.

The creatures are well done for the most part, as are some of the horrors that Carter experiences. Cats and buildings are adequately drawn, and the entirety of the work is in black-and white.

Thompson takes some liberty in adding dialogue (which is not present in the original work), and it adds a new dimension that takes the reader deeper into the story, as more than just a casual observer listening to a narrated tale.

It takes the story into a world very similar to that of Neil Gaiman's superb "The Sandman" as adapted in audiobook form. However, to fit most of the original text onto the page, the artist takes the dialogue into the gutters between the panels, which adds to the chaotic nature of the aesthetic.

The comic is in a strange format as well, measuring an unconventional 7 1/2 x 11" - not the standard modern comic book size, nor the prestige format, or even silver- or golden-age size. So it is difficult to find a bag and board that will fit the comic to help preserve it in pristine shape.

The limited series is compiled in a hardcover graphic novel with other short stories, and I will do a review for that version at a future time. This version, however, receives a 4 out of 5, simply because of the format and the overwhelmingly busy pages.

You can find the hardcover graphic novel on Amazon.com and Mockman.com for $24.99 [Mockman's website offers a combo pack that includes the hardcover GN and posters of maps of the dream world for $49.99], or individual issues on eBay - these tend to go for about $25-$30 each, and there are 5 in total.