Wendy Pini spent decades creating a fantasy world of filled with elves. So when she took a break from Elfquest, she decided walk down the darker side of the street with an erotic, sci-fi retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's Masque of the Red Death. Inspired by yaoi manga and intrigued by the creative possibilities of webcomics, Pini has been releasing animated, full color episodes of Masque weekly on Go! Comi's website since July 2007.
Now these first episodes are collected in a full-color graphic novel. This first volume introduces readers to Anton Prosper, the "prince" of the story, his lover Steffan Kabala and the tangled web of friendships and rivalries that will eventually lead them to their doom. Check out my review of Wendy Pini's Masque of the Red Death Volume 1 and catch up with this exotic, erotic remake of Poe's macabre short story.
It's as good a time as any to get up to speed with this story, since Pini has begun the second act of Masque on Go Comi's website, complete with an eye-popping masquerade ball that "Prince" Prosper's guests won't soon forget. Check out the latest episodes -- it's free and definitely worth a look. You can also get a peek at Pini's illustrations for Masque in this preview gallery.
Have you had a chance to read Masque? What do you think? You can add your review of this book (and any other review that's up on this site) and share your take on your favorite (and not so favorite) manga with other readers.
Image credit: © Wendy Pini
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