By Wesley Messer — Let’s call this the case of I’m woefully unfamiliar with the book this comic is based on. Yet, I always find it interesting to see comics based off of novels come to life. Comics and novels are two completely different languages storytelling-wise. Coming into Sleeping Beauties, I know of Stephen King and Owen King from the get-go, so that helps. The concept of this story — a sleeping sickness that only affects women — also intrigues me. So, overall this is a new experience for me in reviewing something like this. I’m excited to say that this experience was a rewarding one, so please join me on my journey through the realm of Sleeping Beauties. 

I fully admit with Sleeping Beauties, it was interesting to figure out quite how to approach writing about this book. First off, writer Rio Youers did well in my opinion making this a fun comic. At some points, it felt clunky, especially in the opening few pages, as the flow was coming together. Yet by the end, I was engrossed in this as a comic. I mean it’s an addicting tale. The level of intrigue as to what is happening with the illness, who is this woman killing people and so on…it’s slowly developing the cast but I do find the pacing of this first issue works for me. 

What definitely helps this is the amazing art on this comic. Oh my goodness, this is a phenomenal crew. This adaptation goes from solid to awesome thanks to the crew here. Allison Sampson is just a powerhouse of capturing the world of Sleeping Beauties. The book is able to capture the dark fantasy surrounding the realistic grit of this world. It’s tough and brutal while soft and dreamlike depending on the situation. It’s emotive and terrifying, keeping you flipping through the pages and making you wonder what Sampson will conjure up next for this adaptation. 

Yet the coup de grace to accentuate the fantastic work of Allison Sampson is some amazing coloring and lettering. Triona Tree Farrell’s colors are glorious and dark for this tale. They fit the atmosphere perfectly putting you in the mood for the dark tale ahead. The only light in this story is the webbing around the Sleeping Beauties, the only truly bright color of this comic yet it is the one to fear. Then when you see the lettering of Christa Miesner it works well. It’s pulpy and violent, with an energetic sizzle of bold and sometimes sketchy lettering to immerse you into the world. 

I love it when I’m pleasantly surprised by a comic. Sleeping Beauties is one such surprise. It’s not something that I would have normally gravitated towards but I’m glad I gave it a shot. If you’re big into the book of Sleeping Beauties, you’re likely going to love the comic adaptation of it. Now if you know next to nothing on it like me, I could see you having a good time with it too. I can easily say give this a read.

Overall: It starts out clunky but once it gets going this adaptation is a lot of fun to behold. With an art team perfectly suited for the material, this comic is well worth your time. 8.5/10

Sleeping Beauties #1 - REVIEW

Sleeping Beauties #1: Based on the Novel by Stephen King and Owen King
Writer/Adapted By: Rio Youers
Artist: Allison Sampson
Colorist: Triona Tree Farrell
Design and Lettering: Christa Miesner
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
A strange sleeping sickness, known as Aurora, has fallen over the world, and strangest of all, it only affects women. In the small town of Dooling, a mysterious woman has walked out of the woods; she calls herself Eve and leaves a trail of carnage behind her. More mysterious: she’s the only woman not falling asleep.Release Release Date: June 24, 2020
Buy It Digitally: Via comiXology

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Wesley Messer