Reviewed by Diana Lopez for Readers' Favorite
Brian James Gage presents a captivating adaptation of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. He uses the graphic novel format, setting it in 1820 in Sleepy Hollow, New York. The place, known for its ghost stories, offers a special scene where music and voices are said to be heard in the air. We meet Ichabod Crane, a professor who falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. He dreams of the fortune he could make by marrying Katrina. But he must face competition from Brom Bones, a strong young man. During a party, among the telling of ghost stories, Brom mentions seeing the Headless Horseman. But it is Ichabod who encounters this terrifying specter.
Washington Irving is known for his touch of horror in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but Brian James Gage takes this classic to another level. I loved the aesthetic he uses. His art is the result of meticulous work with attention to detail. The images are fantastic, with mystical atmospheres, the play of light and shadow, and impressive realism. The character designs are unique. I particularly loved the Headless Horseman because he is presented in different ways, always terrifying and imposing. The characters are expressive, and you can feel the terror in Ichabod's gaze and the defiance in Brom's posture. The narrative also excels by integrating dialogues in a natural way that perfectly complements the images. The plot unfolds beautifully at a pace that, without losing fluidity, maintains tension and intrigue.