Jim Henson's The Storyteller - Nate Cosby

Title: Jim Henson's The Storyteller
Author: Nate Crosby
Publisher: Archaia Entertainment, 2011
Length: 112 pages
Genre: Children's/Young Adult/Adult; Graphic Novel
Started: February 4, 2012
Finished: February 4, 2012

Summary:
From the publisher's website:
The much-loved, live-action/puppet combination TV show is now a graphic novel series! Archaia and The Jim Henson Company are proud to present ALL-NEW tales of fantastic wonder and extraordinary myth, as told from the tongue of The Storyteller and his loyal canine companion! Witness worded wonderment from a cavalcade of craft creators, including Roger Langridge (The Muppet Show comic, Thor the Mighty Avenger), Marjorie Liu (Black Widow), Ron Marz (Green Lantern, Artifacts), Jeff Parker (Thor, Thunderbolts), Francesco Francavilla (Detective Comics), Chris Eliopoulos (Franklin Richards) and Janet Lee (Return of the Dapper Men). Plus: a never-before-seen story adapted from a screenplay by The Storyteller’s original author, Academy Award® winner Anthony Minghella (The English Patient).

Review:
When my husband and I first got Netflix in our house, one of the titles we came across was a Jim Henson series called The Storyteller from the late 80s that neither of us had ever seen before. We adored it, it's all little vignettes based on myths and legends acted out in live action with muppets. The Storyteller figure is an old man who sits by the fireplace and reads the stories out of books, all while his muppet dog interacts with him. It's wonderful in that it's appropriate for all ages, aside from the usual violence typical of fairy-tales. In this particular graphic novel, various artists illustrate 9 different stories: Old Nick & The Peddler, The Milkmaid & Her Pail, An Agreement Between Friends, Old Fire Dragaman, Puss in Boots, The Frog Who Became An Emperor, The Crane Wife, Momotaro The Peach Boy, and The Witch Baby (the bonus story). All the stories are wonderful, so any favourites I have are as a result of the artwork, and my absolute favourite is Puss in Boots illustrated by Marjorie Liu and Jennifer L. Meyer. The panels are done in gorgeous tones of light blue and silver and it just has a wonderful ethereal quality to it. The Japanese-inspired stories are also nicely illustrated in typical Japanese styles, which I always enjoy.

This is listed as 'volume 1', so I certainly hope there are more installments, I'll certainly be picking them up if they do make any more.

Recommendation:
An excellent all-ages graphic novel that would be at home in any classroom or home library. A must for anyone that likes old-fashioned storytelling.

Thoughts on the cover:
Nice illustration of The Storyteller and his dog, i like how the outlines are recessed into the cover so there's a textured feel to it. The gold and brown colour scheme is very classical too.