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Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer #2
Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater
More lies! More vampires! More... puppets! Pinocchio is back, but now he has to share the vampire-killing stage with his wooden siblings. The stakes are raised in this sequel to the acclaimed 2009 graphic novel, as Pinocchio unravels the mystery of the undead menace and his own shadowy background. But will turmoil within the band of slayers spoil their efforts as they battle the bloodsuckers across Italy and even at sea in this darkly funny take on the classic character?
166 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2010
About the author
Van Jensen
169 books64 followersVan Jensen was born and raised in the farm country of Western Nebraska where he wrote and drew stories as soon as he could hold a pencil. He became a newspaper crime reporter, then a magazine editor, and eventually an author of comic books and graphic novels. He has written some of the world’s biggest characters, including James Bond and The Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern Corps for DC Comics. He also has co-created acclaimed series including Two Dead from Simon & Schuster/Gallery 13 (with National Book Award-winning artist Nate Powell), Cryptocracy from Dark Horse (with Pete Woods), and Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer from Top Shelf/IDW (with Dusty Higgins).
Jensen is known for creating fiction that combines mind-bending genre concepts with deeply emotional, character-centered stories that have earned praise from fans and critics alike. His work can be thrilling, hilarious or terrifying, but it is always heartfelt.
In 2016, Jensen was named a Comic Book Ambassador by the U.S. State Department. In that role, he has traveled internationally to work with students and refugees, teaching them to share their stories through the medium of comics. In 2018, he created a comic book biography for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. In 2019, he was awarded a grant from the Atlanta BeltLine to create “Up Hill” with artist Joshua Ray Stephens, a comic book public art installation that reimagined the myth of Sisyphus as a Looney Tunes cartoon.
He lives in Atlanta with his family.
Jensen is known for creating fiction that combines mind-bending genre concepts with deeply emotional, character-centered stories that have earned praise from fans and critics alike. His work can be thrilling, hilarious or terrifying, but it is always heartfelt.
In 2016, Jensen was named a Comic Book Ambassador by the U.S. State Department. In that role, he has traveled internationally to work with students and refugees, teaching them to share their stories through the medium of comics. In 2018, he created a comic book biography for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. In 2019, he was awarded a grant from the Atlanta BeltLine to create “Up Hill” with artist Joshua Ray Stephens, a comic book public art installation that reimagined the myth of Sisyphus as a Looney Tunes cartoon.
He lives in Atlanta with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 21, 2014
Introduction:
After I had finished reading “Pinocchio Vampire Slayer,” I was so interested in the premise of this graphic novel that I just had to pick up the second volume to this series and man was “Pinocchio Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater” even better than the first volume!
What is this story about?
After the tragic events of the first volume where Pinocchio accidentally kills Gepetto, who was turned into a vampire at that point, Pinocchio along with the Blue Fairy, Master Cherry who has been turned into a vampire at this point and Carlotta, continue to slay vampires. Meanwhile, Pinocchio meets up with a group of puppets who he had met up with when he first met Fire Eater and they help Pinocchio fight off the vampires. Unfortunately, later on Master Cherry’s vampirism starts overtaking him and he tries to kill Pinocchio and Pinocchio is forced to kill Cherry. This act then enrages the Blue Fairy and she ends up turning Pinocchio back into a real boy, which ends up killing herself. Even though Pinocchio now has time to spend with Carlotta, his love interest, he is powerless against the vampire threat without the use of his nose as a stake.
Can Pinocchio still defeat the vampires as a real boy?
What I loved about this story:
Van Jensen’s writing: Van Jensen’s writing is as usual highly creative and witty to read as Pinocchio’s adventures as a vampire slayer continues and I must say that this volume is just as action packed and emotional as the first volume! I loved the way that Van Jensen continues to develop Pinocchio’s character as we can see just how much Gepetto’s death has affected Pinocchio and why slaying vampires is so personal to him. I also loved the scenes where Pinocchio tries to have a relationship with Carlotta after he turns into a real boy since we are able to see a much softer side to Pinocchio’s personality and it was great seeing Pinocchio be happy during his life since we rarely see that side of him in the first volume. I also loved the fact that Van Jensen focused more on the character development of each character as I actually felt the pain and sorrow that Pinocchio had felt when the vampires had taken away most of his family and also his hostility towards Master Cherry being a vampire now, despite the fact that the Blue Fairy found a way to control his vampire nature. I also loved the fact that Van Jensen introduced the other puppets that Pinocchio had met when he had met Fire Eater as it brings in so much familiarity with the original source material and he manages to tie those characters into this story neatly by having them defeat the vampires like Pinocchio!
Dusty Higgins’ artwork: Dusty Higgins’ artwork truly fits with the dark and gritty mood of this story, while containing the comedic touches to the story whenever the characters are making witty comments about the situations they are in. I also loved the way that Dusty Higgins drew the vampires as they truly do look frightening and they really bring in the terrifying nature of the situation that Pinocchio is in!
What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:
The only thing that annoyed me a bit in this graphic novel was that the artwork was sometimes hard to understand as the characters’ actions looked a bit too scratchy and blurry and it was a bit hard to see what kind of actions they are doing throughout this graphic novel such as whether or not they are actually slashing the vampires on certain parts of their bodies.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, “Pinocchio Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater” is an even more fantastic follow up to the first volume and I am definitely ready to check out the third volume of this series!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
August 13, 2012
Be careful what you wish for!
The Blue Fairy has turned Pinocchio into a REAL boy. Now his nose is made of cartilage and flesh, and it's totally useless for killing vampires. Luckily, P.'s puppet pals are also in the slaying business. And business is certainly booming. In between their own unique interpretations of Shakespearean classics, the puppet troupe is constantly fighting thirsty bloodsuckers.
The humor is amped up a bit in this book. My favorite bit? One of the puppets declares, "Well, these vampires aren't going to kill themselves!" Then one vampire proceeds to accidentally do just that.
Priceless.
The Blue Fairy has turned Pinocchio into a REAL boy. Now his nose is made of cartilage and flesh, and it's totally useless for killing vampires. Luckily, P.'s puppet pals are also in the slaying business. And business is certainly booming. In between their own unique interpretations of Shakespearean classics, the puppet troupe is constantly fighting thirsty bloodsuckers.
The humor is amped up a bit in this book. My favorite bit? One of the puppets declares, "Well, these vampires aren't going to kill themselves!" Then one vampire proceeds to accidentally do just that.
Priceless.
April 25, 2020
Farklı bir bakış açısı sunan Pinokyo vampir avcısına devam ediyorum. İkinci ciltte yol macerasına giren öykü, Pinokyo ve arkadaşlarının macerasına dönüyor. Fakat burada bazı değişmeler mevcut... Kitabı henüz okumayanlar için tat kaçırmayalım :)
March 31, 2012
Review brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell
I am not really a graphic novel type of girl. Truthfully, I never actually read a graphic novel. Pinocchio Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater was my first real introduction into the world of graphic novels, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
The cover alone is AWESOME and draws your attention instantly. Pinocchio graces the cover holding a skull with smoke emanating from the top in his hand, skulls laid at his feet, and the Great Puppet Theater behind him. Pinocchio is painted in black and white, looking like evil’s worse nightmare, while his wooden brothers and sisters are painted in a sinister red looking just as threatening as Pinocchio.
Pinocchio is a thug! He’s double-oh-seven in wood style. He chases after vampires to rid the world of their cursed kind. The only way the vampires can die is with the wood Pinocchio and his brothers and sisters from the Puppet Theater are made from. Pinocchio doesn’t miss a beat. He kicks butt! Harlequin, Columbina, Isabella, Flavio, and Il Capitano make up the Great Puppet Theater. They are loyal, funny, and are ready to defend each other till death. Il Capitano and Flavio cracked me up with their constant bickering to win Isabella’s heart. Pinocchio sarcasm was PERFECT! I kept wanting to high five him. Carlotta, the Fairy, Cricket, and Master Cherry (who is a vampire himself) round up the crazy, wonderfully entertaining cast in Pinocchio Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater.
Not only are vampires evil, human eating monsters (the way they are supposed to be portrayed!) but there are also a band of amusing and battle ready pirates who agree to help Pinocchio in his quest. A love story is thrown in between Pinocchio and Carlotta which is subtle enough to show how the two feel for each other but not distract from the main purpose of the story.
The story is told through black and white drawings. The sketches seem simple but are intricate. The images are created in a wood cut style mixed with human touches.
Higgins and Jensen work wonderfully together. The story is told as if only one mind had created the story instead of two. Jensen’s dialogue and storytelling through the characters was great, he hit the sarcastic notes in just the right moment. Higgins depictions are awesome, they just draw (no-pun intended) you in and make you want to know what the hell is going on.
The only bad thing is the story ends on a cliff hanger when you really want to know what’s going to happen next! I look EXCITEDLY forward to reading the next installment and can’t wait to see what Jensen and Higgins come up with next! High five guys! (P.S. Can you guys add more color in the next one!)
http://openbooksociety.com/article/bo...
I am not really a graphic novel type of girl. Truthfully, I never actually read a graphic novel. Pinocchio Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater was my first real introduction into the world of graphic novels, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
The cover alone is AWESOME and draws your attention instantly. Pinocchio graces the cover holding a skull with smoke emanating from the top in his hand, skulls laid at his feet, and the Great Puppet Theater behind him. Pinocchio is painted in black and white, looking like evil’s worse nightmare, while his wooden brothers and sisters are painted in a sinister red looking just as threatening as Pinocchio.
Pinocchio is a thug! He’s double-oh-seven in wood style. He chases after vampires to rid the world of their cursed kind. The only way the vampires can die is with the wood Pinocchio and his brothers and sisters from the Puppet Theater are made from. Pinocchio doesn’t miss a beat. He kicks butt! Harlequin, Columbina, Isabella, Flavio, and Il Capitano make up the Great Puppet Theater. They are loyal, funny, and are ready to defend each other till death. Il Capitano and Flavio cracked me up with their constant bickering to win Isabella’s heart. Pinocchio sarcasm was PERFECT! I kept wanting to high five him. Carlotta, the Fairy, Cricket, and Master Cherry (who is a vampire himself) round up the crazy, wonderfully entertaining cast in Pinocchio Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater.
Not only are vampires evil, human eating monsters (the way they are supposed to be portrayed!) but there are also a band of amusing and battle ready pirates who agree to help Pinocchio in his quest. A love story is thrown in between Pinocchio and Carlotta which is subtle enough to show how the two feel for each other but not distract from the main purpose of the story.
The story is told through black and white drawings. The sketches seem simple but are intricate. The images are created in a wood cut style mixed with human touches.
Higgins and Jensen work wonderfully together. The story is told as if only one mind had created the story instead of two. Jensen’s dialogue and storytelling through the characters was great, he hit the sarcastic notes in just the right moment. Higgins depictions are awesome, they just draw (no-pun intended) you in and make you want to know what the hell is going on.
The only bad thing is the story ends on a cliff hanger when you really want to know what’s going to happen next! I look EXCITEDLY forward to reading the next installment and can’t wait to see what Jensen and Higgins come up with next! High five guys! (P.S. Can you guys add more color in the next one!)
http://openbooksociety.com/article/bo...
Read
December 10, 2010In the Great Puppet Theater, the puppets have no strings, and it’s the same for Pinocchio. We all know about Pinocchio. He was created by Geppetto, who loved him as a real boy. Pinocchio got into quite a bit of trouble, including being swallowed by a giant dog fish, but his biggest adventure came later, when he ran into his first vampires. Geppetto died at the hands of the vampires, and Pinocchio is determined to kill them all. With the help of the Blue Fairy, Carlotta, Master Cherry and the other puppets, Pinocchio sets out on his mission of ridding the world of vampires.
Master Cherry is a vampire that Geppetto tried to kill, who killed Geppeto instead. With the help of the Blue Fairy’s magic, he cannot harm Pinocchio or his friends and helps them find the covens. The puppets have discovered that they are made of wood with some very special properties. Not only do they not need strings, but they can kill the vampires. What they don’t know is that the Cat and the Fox are in league with the vampires, and they want Pinocchio dead. Pinocchio has been very upset since the death of Geppetto. Pinocchio blames Master Cherry and continues to distrust him. Pinocchio’s hostility toward Cherry infuriates the Blue Fairy, and in a long-awaited showdown between the two the Fairy gets so angry that she casts the last spell she has in her, turning Pinocchio into a real boy. While attempting to console Pinocchio, Carlotta is kidnapped by the Cat and the Fox. Can Pinocchio save Carlotta and kill the vampires now that he is a real boy? This is a fun take on the Pinocchio folk tale. While not for young children, the story is well-written and will appeal to adult fans of the comic horror genre. It encompasses the drama of a vampire tale with the humor of the original story. The artwork by Dusty Higgins is very good. He is able to visually set the comic book Pinocchio apart from the Disney animated movie, while the story by Van Jensen seamlessly picks up where Disney left off. Recommended. Contains: violence Reviewed by: Colleen Wanglund
Master Cherry is a vampire that Geppetto tried to kill, who killed Geppeto instead. With the help of the Blue Fairy’s magic, he cannot harm Pinocchio or his friends and helps them find the covens. The puppets have discovered that they are made of wood with some very special properties. Not only do they not need strings, but they can kill the vampires. What they don’t know is that the Cat and the Fox are in league with the vampires, and they want Pinocchio dead. Pinocchio has been very upset since the death of Geppetto. Pinocchio blames Master Cherry and continues to distrust him. Pinocchio’s hostility toward Cherry infuriates the Blue Fairy, and in a long-awaited showdown between the two the Fairy gets so angry that she casts the last spell she has in her, turning Pinocchio into a real boy. While attempting to console Pinocchio, Carlotta is kidnapped by the Cat and the Fox. Can Pinocchio save Carlotta and kill the vampires now that he is a real boy? This is a fun take on the Pinocchio folk tale. While not for young children, the story is well-written and will appeal to adult fans of the comic horror genre. It encompasses the drama of a vampire tale with the humor of the original story. The artwork by Dusty Higgins is very good. He is able to visually set the comic book Pinocchio apart from the Disney animated movie, while the story by Van Jensen seamlessly picks up where Disney left off. Recommended. Contains: violence Reviewed by: Colleen Wanglund
February 17, 2012
I booktalked the first book in this series in the winter of 2011, so I had to read the sequel. In a lot of ways the novelty has worn off. Pinocchio's still crisscrossing the world killing vampires, and this time he meets a crew of magically mobile freestanding "puppets" who are also hunting the vampiric. There's a girl, there's a problematic father figure, there are some !! moments. I still really love the illustration style (go Dusty Higgins!).
Maybe because it's been way over a year since I read the last one, I didn't really connect with what exactly is going on, who some of the crossover secondary characters, etc. And the teens I've talked to who were screaming for it were kinda let down after they got it.
So yeah. Not surprisingly awesome, but not bad.
Maybe because it's been way over a year since I read the last one, I didn't really connect with what exactly is going on, who some of the crossover secondary characters, etc. And the teens I've talked to who were screaming for it were kinda let down after they got it.
So yeah. Not surprisingly awesome, but not bad.
March 15, 2011
I enjoyed it as much as the first one. I did like that the first book could stand alone, but this one clearly needs a third part to end the story. No problem with that, just now I want to know the ending. Oh, cliffhangers.
May 10, 2018
The awesome just keeps on going.
The only artistic change is that the lines are a teeny bit smoother, and they're using actual grey for light shadows instead of using tiny black dots to trick your eye into seeing grey. That's it, that's all that changed between book one and book 2.
We get a similar sort of recap of the story thus far, but in this case it's told through the puppet theatre. It's cute but super short, like maybe 2 pages, and it'sooooo silly, I love it. I love the silly moments. I love that the characters themselves are ridiculous, like yeah they're saving people, but they're not professionals exactly, they're just trying to make it work.
We get to meet a ton more puppets, Pinocchio knows them [he met them in the original story, by that I mean the fairytale of Pinocchio]. Cherry is a vampire now. The blue fairy is running outta magic! There's VAMPIRATES [that's a totally different book series]. The gang is getting in WAY over their tiny puppet heads!!
I ain't telling you nothing else, you go read it and have fun. Join me on this adventure.
The only artistic change is that the lines are a teeny bit smoother, and they're using actual grey for light shadows instead of using tiny black dots to trick your eye into seeing grey. That's it, that's all that changed between book one and book 2.
We get a similar sort of recap of the story thus far, but in this case it's told through the puppet theatre. It's cute but super short, like maybe 2 pages, and it'sooooo silly, I love it. I love the silly moments. I love that the characters themselves are ridiculous, like yeah they're saving people, but they're not professionals exactly, they're just trying to make it work.
We get to meet a ton more puppets, Pinocchio knows them [he met them in the original story, by that I mean the fairytale of Pinocchio]. Cherry is a vampire now. The blue fairy is running outta magic! There's VAMPIRATES [that's a totally different book series]. The gang is getting in WAY over their tiny puppet heads!!
I ain't telling you nothing else, you go read it and have fun. Join me on this adventure.
Read
November 14, 2019been 6 years since i read the first book so i was a bit lost at the start and had trouble remembering who was who. took forever to get my hands on this but managed to find a almost new copy from an online thrist store and got it to the uk all for less than £5!
Been having trouble this past ear focusing on reading, but a cuppa tea, rainymood.com and i was ready to dive into this adventure...wasn't epecting to finish it in one session but i knew if i put it down my mind wouldn't shut up wondering what happened next.
Been having trouble this past ear focusing on reading, but a cuppa tea, rainymood.com and i was ready to dive into this adventure...wasn't epecting to finish it in one session but i knew if i put it down my mind wouldn't shut up wondering what happened next.
August 12, 2019
I read this one without reading book one, and so far was a little lost. The band of magic puppets who back Pinocchio were all distinctly drawn; but since there were so many, i spent a lot of time flipping back to their introduction to help me connect names and faces.
May 26, 2020
I think I had high hopes for this read because at the end I felt let down. I found the writing choppy and, at times, felt like a middle school assignment. The art work flowed with the story and that was a good thing. Overall, it’s a great premise but not something that hooked me.
October 24, 2020
Pinocchio is still hunting vampires and eager to reunite with his friends.
October 25, 2020
Arada çerezlik gitsin diye okunacak bir çizgi roman.
October 12, 2012
I saw this graphic novel at the library and almost laughed. Of all the classics/horror mash ups, I had to admit Pinocchio made the most sense. He’s wood, for one and he’s a natural liar so all he has to do is break off his nose and stake away. I didn’t realize until I got to the very end that this was book two. I guess that’s why Carlotta, his human would-be girlfriend, startled me with her appearance and why it felt like Master Cherry and Fairy seemed like they were part of a bigger back story. I just thought we dropped into the story line in media res.
After the death and undead rise of Geppetto, whom Pinocchio dusted, the wooden boy has been hunting down and destroying the monsters who took his father from him. He’s searching for the master vampire to put an end to all of the vampires in one fell swoop. Aiding him is Fairy (presumably his fairy godmother who is now very old and dying), Master Cherry and the ghost of Cricket.
Carlotta is searching for Pinocchio and runs across his brothers in wood (I’m not making that up, it’s on the cover.) He’s left her behind to keep her safe (ah yes, the classic trope of ‘I’m leaving you so you’ll be safe’). She runs into the Great Puppet Theater, a whole cast of wooden puppets who are more than willing to stake a few vampires because their leader was turned.
Both groups come together but tensions are high. Master Cherry has become a vampire (some time before this volume) and Fairy’s spell on him keeping him on their side is failing. Still, both Cherry and Fairy are very worried about Pinocchio who has turned his grief into rage. They fear the loss of Geppetto might turn Pinocchio dark. Also, Fairy knows she’s dying and might have just enough left in her for one last spell: given Pinocchio his wish to be a real boy.
However, being human at this junction would hamper his vampire slaying abilities and when Carlotta is kidnapped by Cat and Fox leading to a chase across the high seas, Pinocchio might just be helpless to save her and even himself and the other puppets.
This could have gone one of two ways: 1. you just ruined a childhood favorite 2. Hey, this was fun. Luckily it was number two. This was a lot of fun and it actually worked as a mash up. The art is occasionally odd looking and a little cartoony but I’m sure it’s meant to (this is what happens when you have a steady diet of manga, all other art looks weird after a while). I do really like a couple of the Pinocchio panels in relief where you see either a fierce or pained look as he’s growing himself a new stake. The story is well thought out and executed. I’ll have to see if they have the first volume and the third.
After the death and undead rise of Geppetto, whom Pinocchio dusted, the wooden boy has been hunting down and destroying the monsters who took his father from him. He’s searching for the master vampire to put an end to all of the vampires in one fell swoop. Aiding him is Fairy (presumably his fairy godmother who is now very old and dying), Master Cherry and the ghost of Cricket.
Carlotta is searching for Pinocchio and runs across his brothers in wood (I’m not making that up, it’s on the cover.) He’s left her behind to keep her safe (ah yes, the classic trope of ‘I’m leaving you so you’ll be safe’). She runs into the Great Puppet Theater, a whole cast of wooden puppets who are more than willing to stake a few vampires because their leader was turned.
Both groups come together but tensions are high. Master Cherry has become a vampire (some time before this volume) and Fairy’s spell on him keeping him on their side is failing. Still, both Cherry and Fairy are very worried about Pinocchio who has turned his grief into rage. They fear the loss of Geppetto might turn Pinocchio dark. Also, Fairy knows she’s dying and might have just enough left in her for one last spell: given Pinocchio his wish to be a real boy.
However, being human at this junction would hamper his vampire slaying abilities and when Carlotta is kidnapped by Cat and Fox leading to a chase across the high seas, Pinocchio might just be helpless to save her and even himself and the other puppets.
This could have gone one of two ways: 1. you just ruined a childhood favorite 2. Hey, this was fun. Luckily it was number two. This was a lot of fun and it actually worked as a mash up. The art is occasionally odd looking and a little cartoony but I’m sure it’s meant to (this is what happens when you have a steady diet of manga, all other art looks weird after a while). I do really like a couple of the Pinocchio panels in relief where you see either a fierce or pained look as he’s growing himself a new stake. The story is well thought out and executed. I’ll have to see if they have the first volume and the third.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2015
The action and adventure continues as Pinocchio tries to assauge his grief at losing his father Gepetto to vampirism…and his own complicity in slaying him. This comic book ably shows Pinocchio’s grief and how it twists his actions as he continues on his rampage against vampires. It has roused the ire of the vampiric community and puts everybody around him in danger.
Not that all is gloom and doom. The story deftly mixes comedy and romance with tragedy and thrills, especially when a bunch of agile performers enters the tale. New (or rather old) friends are introduced as Pinocchio teams up with the puppet theater, a bunch of living marionettes like himself. People who are familiar with Collodi’s creation will remember these performing puppets and the way they greeted Pinocchio as a brother. The creators of Pinocchio Vampire Slayer cleave closely to Collodi’s original work even when the rules he set down for them makes no real sense. (The puppets are made of wood and yet they need food and rest like flesh-and-blood creatures. Go figure.)
However, they are as committed to Pinocchio’s quest to destroying vampires as he is after bloodsuckers attack the puppet troupe and kill Master Fire-Eater, their owner, and other puppets. The story leaps back and forth between flashback and present and races along steadily as all involved continue fighting the undead. These puppets are capable fighters and the sense of cameraderie they share with Pinocchio enliven the story considerably. They’re also joined by Carlotta, a village girl whose friendship with Pinocchio deepens into something more. She’s sweet but tart and can fight too when needed.
Pinocchio’s adventures continue even after he gains what seems to be his dearest wish. The book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the reader eager to read more. I’m sure the deft skills of Messrs. Jensen and Higgins will prove more than up to the challenge.
Not that all is gloom and doom. The story deftly mixes comedy and romance with tragedy and thrills, especially when a bunch of agile performers enters the tale. New (or rather old) friends are introduced as Pinocchio teams up with the puppet theater, a bunch of living marionettes like himself. People who are familiar with Collodi’s creation will remember these performing puppets and the way they greeted Pinocchio as a brother. The creators of Pinocchio Vampire Slayer cleave closely to Collodi’s original work even when the rules he set down for them makes no real sense. (The puppets are made of wood and yet they need food and rest like flesh-and-blood creatures. Go figure.)
However, they are as committed to Pinocchio’s quest to destroying vampires as he is after bloodsuckers attack the puppet troupe and kill Master Fire-Eater, their owner, and other puppets. The story leaps back and forth between flashback and present and races along steadily as all involved continue fighting the undead. These puppets are capable fighters and the sense of cameraderie they share with Pinocchio enliven the story considerably. They’re also joined by Carlotta, a village girl whose friendship with Pinocchio deepens into something more. She’s sweet but tart and can fight too when needed.
Pinocchio’s adventures continue even after he gains what seems to be his dearest wish. The book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the reader eager to read more. I’m sure the deft skills of Messrs. Jensen and Higgins will prove more than up to the challenge.
December 10, 2010
I picked up the first Pinocchio Vampire Slayer book thinking it would simply be a goofy use of a classic character in an unlikely type of story. After reading Van Jensen's introduction to the book, I put it down and picked Carlo Collodi's original novel Pinocchio. Jensen's intro made it clear that he had a great reverence for the character and for Collodi's original work. After reading Collodi's novel, I was sure that Jensen's use of the character wasn't the least bit unlikely nor inappropriate. All of the animated and movie versions have been seriously watered down. Jensen's work was an enjoyable fantasy-horror tale with just the right amount of humor the honors and builds upon the novel that inspired it.
With this second book, Jensen tops himself. This is a truly great fantasy-horror story that even further explores ideas from Collodi's novel, and even raises logical questions that the original author didn't seem concerned about. The story takes some truly unexpected twists and turns and leaves the reader wanting for more (in a good way). I look forward to Book Three.
With this second book, Jensen tops himself. This is a truly great fantasy-horror story that even further explores ideas from Collodi's novel, and even raises logical questions that the original author didn't seem concerned about. The story takes some truly unexpected twists and turns and leaves the reader wanting for more (in a good way). I look forward to Book Three.
February 20, 2012
These are great books. As graphic novels often are, they are far too short but I still love them. There’s a ton of action and the length is quite nice. They are a little violent but it’s quick and hidden in the black and white frames.
I love the creative allowance the authors have taken. The concept of Pinocchio as a vampire slayer is perfect, his growing nose makes for a ready stake. However, things change when Pinocchio is made into a real boy. Now he’s having to learn how to fight all over again and can’t rely on having his nose at the ready. This, also, opens up the opportunity for romance.
Teens and adults will love this retelling of the fairy tale. I understand that vampire slaying tales are popping up all over the place as well as re-imagined tales that bring so many more stories into the horror genre. I think this is the best I have read. I would love to see these as movies but they’d have to be done as cartoons which would alter the feeling.
Oh well, guess I will have to settle for waiting for book number three.
I love the creative allowance the authors have taken. The concept of Pinocchio as a vampire slayer is perfect, his growing nose makes for a ready stake. However, things change when Pinocchio is made into a real boy. Now he’s having to learn how to fight all over again and can’t rely on having his nose at the ready. This, also, opens up the opportunity for romance.
Teens and adults will love this retelling of the fairy tale. I understand that vampire slaying tales are popping up all over the place as well as re-imagined tales that bring so many more stories into the horror genre. I think this is the best I have read. I would love to see these as movies but they’d have to be done as cartoons which would alter the feeling.
Oh well, guess I will have to settle for waiting for book number three.
January 16, 2013
I'd hoped the first one held more; turns out it did. I just didn't find out until I bought "Ooh, is that the Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer sequel?" at a comic shop and it turned out to be volume 4. Oops! Thankfully, they had the other three, so here we are!
Overall, I didn't think this was nearly as enchanting as the original. I'll blame it on sequelitis and suddenly dropping a cast of characters on us who we barely get to know before half of them die. Also, given that Pinocchio gets real-boyed halfway through, suddenly the charming premise means precisely nothing. Also, he whines a lot and yes, the modern dialogue was hard to get used to again.
But by the time of the final action sequence, I was thoroughly engrossed. It helps that it involved vampire pirates. Also, the art style remains spot-on for the tale being told. And then it ends on a cliffhanger. I'm glad these are quick reads, and I plan to get through them all this week!
Overall, I didn't think this was nearly as enchanting as the original. I'll blame it on sequelitis and suddenly dropping a cast of characters on us who we barely get to know before half of them die. Also, given that Pinocchio gets real-boyed halfway through, suddenly the charming premise means precisely nothing. Also, he whines a lot and yes, the modern dialogue was hard to get used to again.
But by the time of the final action sequence, I was thoroughly engrossed. It helps that it involved vampire pirates. Also, the art style remains spot-on for the tale being told. And then it ends on a cliffhanger. I'm glad these are quick reads, and I plan to get through them all this week!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2016
Well I have waited forever for this one and actually read the Carlo Collodi's original story in the meantime. I did a lot of thinking after reading this volume and decided that I liked it. In this book, Pinocchio is joined in the vampire hunting by the Great Puppet Theater, which includes 6 other magical puppets and his friend Carlotta from the previous book. They are joined by the undead almost vampire Master Cherry, the decrepit Blue Fairy and the Ghost Cricket. The story has many twists and turns, but the ending was rather sudden, giving way for a third volume. I give it 3 1/2 stars.
January 6, 2011
I love the premise of this graphic novel - OF COURSE Pinocchio is a vampire slayer! He has an endless supply of stakes at his disposal! This book continues the re-imagined story, with Pinocchio meeting up with his "brothers" and "sisters" (fellow sentient puppets) and continuing on his vampire-slaying quest. It's full of laughs, great art, and even a little romance. The cliffhanger ending makes me really eager to read the next book.
August 12, 2014
I think the first part was better, but this one did not disappoint! Joined by his marionette friends (met in the original story), they form a band hunting vampires together. Plot twists abound, but the romantic interludes I found unnecessary (perhaps the puppet love triangle was for comic relief, but Pinocchio provides enough comedy himself!) The cliffhanger ending is much more exciting, and I can't wait to pick up the last parts to see how he gets out of that pickle!
June 23, 2011
I didn't like this one quite as much as the first one, because the first was based around a ridiculous premise and it was awesome because that premise was so ridiculous. This one tried to take the plot further and I suppose it succeeded, but it downplayed the ridiculousness which had been its greatest virtue in the last one.
August 14, 2011
Not as good as the first. Also, Pinocchio's hair changed when he became a real boy. He was much cuter as a puppet. And the nose thing was really all he had going for him. I'm not sure I'll read the next one ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2013
Aaah! Cliffhanger! Other than that though, an excellent, emotional, exciting follow-up to Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer. By all rights, it should just be a fun, goofy concept, but Higgins and Jensen went and made it good, too.
December 8, 2010
Yes! Not quite as good as the first, but still pretty darn good. I do miss the nose.
November 8, 2010
Some of the artwork was difficult to read online, and I occasionally forgot the secondary characters names. I thought it was a fun story, and a very quick read.
December 4, 2010
This was pretty good. I actually liked it more than the first one. More humor in here that was lacking before.
September 1, 2011
Loved the "Merchant of Venice" scene. Oh but the cliffhanger ending...Now I have to wait for the next one!
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