PART OF YOUR WORLD

A graphic adaptation of an entry from the popular Twisted Tale series that reimagines Disney fairy tales.

Basing her work on Braswell’s 2018 novel of the same name that remixes “The Little Mermaid,” Strohm presents readers with a cinematic, full-color graphic novel that ponders what might have happened if mermaid Ariel had never defeated the nefarious sea witch Ursula. Rather than having a fairy-tale wedding to Prince Eric, Ariel is made to serve her undersea home, Atlantica, as its queen after her father, King Triton, bargains himself away to save her. When Ursula, now living on land as Eric’s wife, Vanessa, puts his kingdom at risk with her evil aspirations, he and Ariel must find a way to expose her and put an end to her conniving machinations. This graphic interpretation is captivating in its own right: Fans of the classic Disney film should be delighted with the highly recognizable characters and the visually stylish format culminating in a happily-ever-after. Panels burst to life with bright action sequences working in concert with evocative facial close-ups, keeping the pages flying with swooning eyes and a race to beat the clock as Ursula’s powers grow. As this closely follows the Disney original, expect some chauvinism and fatness signaling evil. Main characters read White.

Great fun for aficionados of the film.