The Hardy Boys Vol #1 - The Ocean of Osyria Papercutz (NBM) Writer: Scott Lobdell Artist: Lea Hernandez Based on the work of Franklin W. Dixon
This graphic novel reprints the first issue of the new joint Venture by Simon & Schuster and the NBM imprint as they adapt the classic novel series into comics with a Manga touch. Lobdell updates much of the story from old novels. Here the brothers must clear the name of a friend caught auctioning on a rare stolen Middle Eastern artifact. They escape the secret services, and travel the world to prove best friend Chet Morton’s innocence.
While the adaptation is fine and the plot is well structured, I doubt that kids of this generation will find enjoyment in reading this series. Kids are not idiots and simplifying stories for them like in this tale will not fool them. The Hardy boys are truly wholesome kids. Most kids will find them boring. They are nearly identical and perfect. They get along well with friends, parents and girls. How many kids relate to that?
Hernandez is a professional American Manga artist. Here, she does a standard and clean job, illustrating the novel. The smaller Manga graphic novel suits her artwork better than the original full comic book page format with which the series started. Much of the blame about the blandness about the Hardy Boys is due to their near resemblance. By the end of the novel, I still don’t know which one is Frank and which one is Joe.
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