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Frank Beddor’s Looking Glass Wars alternate Alice in Wonderland world is brought into gloriously beautiful and hauntingly ugly life by the brilliance of Ben Templesmith.

In this Wonderland, Alyss is a princess, destined to be queen. But her wicked aunt, Red, will have none of it – in an act of indescribable brutality, Red attacks the queen’s palace, killing anyone and everyone she can find. But the quick thinking of the queen’s best bodyguard, Hatter Madigan, the princess is saved as the two of them dive through a portal that takes them to the real world – only they are separated. Alyss’s tale is the subject of Beddor’s first book, The Looking Glass Wars. What happens to Hatter M is the subject of this graphic novel.

In the real world, the beauty of wonderland is nowhere to be found, except in the faint glow of those with extraordinary powers of imagination. Hatter M follows these glows like breadcrumbs, desperately seeking out any trace of Princess Alyss.

But he isn’t the only one looking for her. Red, determined to wipe out any threat that could keep her from ruling Wonderland is on the hunt for Alyss too. With her pet kitty (and his sharp claws and big grin), they follow the glow so that they can tear Alyss limb from limb.

In this graphic novel, we travel through the depths and depravities of dark imaginative powers, supernatural assassins, and a myriad of creatures and peoples unnatural. It’s an exciting ride, whether you’re a fan of Beddor’s books or new to the universe.

Templesmith’s body of work speaks for itself. 30 Days of Night was a revolution in style, and this is no less. The art is utterly, utterly lovely, and the glow which is so important to the story is a tangible thing.  The newly released paperback edition comes with the same lovely extras tucked away in the back – extra art, fun bits and “facts” about Beddor’s world.

Top notch storytelling, art by one of the industry’s finest – this is about as good as it gets. Read, marvel, enjoy.

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