An unsung hero of literature is celebrated in comic form in Mathew Klickstein and Rick Geary’s Daisy Goes to the Moon. Daisy is lured to adventure by a “rokitship” as she decides to go to the moon with a man named Mr. Z. They encounter many-eyed monsters, time travelers with TVs, her duplicate, a “troobador,” and more delights and vexations.
Daisy Ashford was an English writer who had her big break at the very early age of 9 years old when her novel The Young Visiters was published. Her work got the attention of Peter Pan creator J. M. Barrie who went out of his way to champion her writing. Though she has a relatively small library of work, she has retained a cult following as an unsung hero of women’s literature. Her work led to author Matthew Klickstein writing a novella inspired by one of her earliest titles co-written with her parents which has now been adapted into a comic format with renowned cartoonist Rick Geary (Heavy Metal, National Lampoon).
This graphic novel serves as a unique tribute to Ashford’s stories with both Klickstein and Geary leaning heavily into the quirks of her writing. Klickstein in particular lovingly replicates her unique style of spelling that was in her first books. Similarly, the structure of the comic isn’t what you would call conventional – especially when it comes to storytelling. Scenes change abruptly and there are frequent non-sequiturs that really capture the vibe of a child’s writing style.
Despite the premise, Geary doesn’t go for a straight-up picture book experience. This is still a comic book at its core and Geary never loses sight of this. His sequential style is very deliberate and proves to be a perfect fit for Klickstein’s tribute to Ashford’s style. Geary’s art in general also evokes the tone and sense of wonder found in her works. The characters along with their designs are highly imaginative and will remind readers of classic children’s works from the likes of Lewis Carol and L. Frank Baum.
This is a fitting tribute to Daisy Ashford’s legacy and a fun comic to boot. Definitely one for those who appreciate literary history and a great example of how a more juvenile style can thrive in the comic format.
Daisy Goes to the Moon is out now from Fantagraphics (9798875000546, h/b, £18.99)
Or support your local bookstore.
Want regular updates and weekly reviews on the latest in graphic novels and manga? Follow us on Twitter @turnaroundcomix.
