Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood
by Tony Lee
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Book Summary Information
Author: Tony LeeIllustrator: Sam Hart
Illustrator: Artur Fujita
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-09-22
ISBN: 0763644005
Number of pages: 160
Publisher: Candlewick
Book Reviews of Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood
Book Review: A Graphic Novel About Robin Hood
Summary: 3 Stars
Tying together bits and pieces from all kinds of different Robin Hood stories, OUTLAW is a graphic novel that provides an origin of the famous hero from the wealthy son of an Earl, Robin of Loxley to the man who steals from the rich to give to the poor, Robin the Hood. In Lee's interpretation of the legend, Robin has never had a very good relationship with his father. He is a witness to when his father makes a difficult decision that Robin believes is a terrible mistake. This event leads to a falling-out between the two. When Robin reaches adulthood he leaves everything behind to fight for King Richard in the Crusades and win Jerusalem back from infidel Muslims.
During the Crusades, Robin learns that his father has been murdered and he returns home seeking revenge. But, the people of Nottingham have had it hard during Robin's long absence. The sheriff is cruel and punishes the people he's supposed to be protecting. He uses his power and wealth to support the regent and steward, Prince John. Since King Richard is being held captive in Austria, John seeks the crown. However, Robin resolves to stop him and gathers the outlaws of Sherwood Forest into a small band of fighting, merry men to oppose the sheriff and John. Along the way, Robin falls in love with the widowed Maid Marian (this is the first time I recall Maid Marian being a widow) whose husband's death is tied to the death of Robin's own father.
Besides Robin, Marian, the Sheriff, and John other familiar characters from Robin Hood lore make appearances, including Little John, Friar Tuck, and Will Scarlet. Like Robin and Marian, they are true to the spirit of much of Robin Hood folklore, but have distinctive characteristics that Lee adds, making them more three-dimensional characters.
The overall story is entertaining enough, but I really didn't like the artwork. I realize that Robin is an outlaw and hides in the forest and all of that, but there was just way too much black in the illustrations. In every graphic novel there are shadows and such, but it seemed that if the illustrators of OUTLAW weren't sure what to color something, they just filled it in with black. This prevents readers from getting a full view of settings, expressions of people's faces, and sometimes important background details. This dark shading ends up distracting from the pacing, action, and plotting of the story.
Overall, OUTLAW is a good story. It has a solid mixture of adventure, humor, and romance. Probably is a book that older elementary students and middle school students will enjoy most.
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