Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Quick Text: The Graphic Novel - Paperback

by Sean Michael Wilson (Adapted by), Declan Shalvey (Illustrator), Jason Cardy (Illustrator)

No one knows for sure if Sweeney Todd actually existed, but this story, taken from a serialization in a Penny Dreadful from 1846, was the first official record of the terrible crimes committed by the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Gory? No! What's particularly good about this adaptation is that none of the horror is to be seen -- making this a truly wonderful version of a brilliant book.

This story first appeared in serialized form in 1800s London and gripped the nation. Although there is no explicit record of these events taking place, there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that Todd existed and that he was the world's worst mass-murderer.

A gruesome tale, portrayed with a certain Victorian "twee-ness" that borders on the comical.

This edition presents the entire story with simplified US English, ideal for ELL students, reluctant readers, or for students who want a quick understanding of the play before tackling the full text. Artwork and page numbers are identical to the Original Text edition, enabling differentiation in the classroom.

Back Jacket

From his barber shop in Fleet Street, Sweeney Todd murders selected customers to steal their money and valuables. Some suspect he is up to no good, but no one knows how he actually kills his victims. How does he dispose of the bodies? And what is his connection with Mrs. Lovett who runs a popular pie shop nearby? Will Colonel Jeffery discover what happened to his friend Mr. Thornhill after he visited Todd for a shave? And will the heartbroken Johanna Oakley ever find out what happened to her beloved Mark Ingestrie? Perhaps Todd's shop boy Tobias Ragg will uncover the barber's dark secrets...

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a tale that has become part of London folklore. Adapted into fast-paced English from the serialized story The String of Pearls, published in weekly installments in The People's Periodical from November 1846 to March 1847, this graphic novel breathes new life into the legendary barber who "polished 'em off."

Author Biography

Sean Michael Wilson has adapted other books in the Classical Comics series including A Christmas Carol and Wuthering Heights. Declan Shalvey is now a high-demand comic book artist, working on 28 Days Later as well as some Marvel titles. Kat Nicholson and Jason Cardy have colored a number of titles within the Classical Comics range. A Midsummer Night's Dream was their first fully illustrated work. Clive Bryant is the founder of Classical Comics and has served as Editor in Chief for the entire series.