Graphic Novel - Les Miserables

 

Les Miserables - The Reunion

 

Acknowledgement  We would like to express my special thanks of gratitude gratitude to our teachers - Ms. Maulshree Sinha, Course Co-ordinator of Fashion Communication department and Mr. Amit Kumar, Assistant Porfessor of Fashion Communication department for providing us the knowledge of Publication Design as well as Mr. Ajeet Kumar and Ms. Apla Srivastava, Assistant Professors of o f Fashion Communication department, for providing us an immense grip on World’s Fashion Costume Culture. Four of them gave us the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on Les Misérables, which also helped us in doing a lot of research about the literature and the era. We did a thorough research on the fashion and the costumes which were recreated in the forms of theatres, films, paintings or any other resources.  As a result we decided to create a graphic novel, “Les Misérables - The Reunion”. Reunion”. The inspiration of illustrations and costumes costumes are mainly taken from the movie, Les Misérables, released in 2012.

3

 

Books (Adaptations and Sequels) 1872, Gavroche: The Gamin of Paris, translated and adapted by M. C. Pyle. 1922, The Story of “Les Misérables”, adapted by Isabel C. Fortey. 1935, Jean Val Jean, a condensed retelling by Solomon Cleaver. 1946, Les Misérables, adapted by Mabel Dodge Holmes, edited by Grace A. Benscoter. 1995, Cosette: The Sequel to Les Misérables by Laura Kalpakian, more a sequel to the musical than to Hugo’s H ugo’s novel. 1995, Les Misérables, adapted by Monica Kulling for the Bullseye Step Into Classics series. 2001, French author François Cérésa wrote two sequels, Cosette or o r the Time of Illusions and Marius or The Fugitive. Hugo’s descendants, including his great-great-grandson Pierre Hugo, wanted the novels banned, claiming that they breached the moral rights of the author and betrayed the “respect of the integrity” and “spirit” of Hugo’s original novel. 2013, The by Journey Javert, aa novel novel based by C.A. based onÉponine, the early published life of Javert. 2014, Barricades: A Little in Love SusanOf Fletcher, onShilton the early life of by Chicken House Ltd.

Comics  Western comics 1943: Classic Comics releases a comics adaptation with illustrations by Rolland H. Livingstone. 1961: Classic Comics releases a revision of the 1943 adaptation with illustrations by Norman Nodel. François Dermaut adapted the story into a comic book version for the magazine Djin.

Manga 2013: Serial manga adaptation by Takahiro Arai in Japan’s Monthly Shonen Sunday magazine. 2014: UDON Manga Classics manga adaptation. Art by SunNeko Lee and story adaptation by Crystal Silvermoon.

4

 

Prologue

Les Misérables, is a classic story of empathy, sympathy, redemption, love and hatred set in post-revolution France. Written by  Victor Hugo, Les Misérables follows the transformation of it’s main character from a criminal to an honest man and from a dedicated conservative to a compassionate fellow. Hugo, through his book, provides us the detailed look into ninteenth century France’s society and politics. Following the events of Les Misérables which revolved around tragedy, poverty, drama, suffrage and uprisings, this illustrated book features the characters in a humourous reunion with attention to their fashion.

5

 

On a sunday afternoon, the Thénadiers sit and ponder about their life, naturally as  we all do, and decide to try and be better people - ones who don’t steal, loot or trick people - which is quite a task, according to their history. However, they feel a change is necessary in their lifestyle to attract more guests and customers for their inn.

6

 

 While they’re at it, the Thenadiérs also decide to throw a dinner party for all the people they betrayed in the past so as to spread the word about their good intentions to everyone. They call on their daughter Eponiné and ask her to send invitations to everyone, inviting them over for dinner in a fortnight.

7

 

Eponiné sends the letters explaining to everyone her parents plans. Many of them respond straight away, as a free dinner was promised.

8

 

Maurius and Cosette are among the first ones to receive the letters. Marius tries to convince a very doubtful Cosette about attending the dinner party and mending her ties with the Thenadiérs even though it would never help her resolve her childhood abuse.

9

 

On the day of the event, many people show up with intrigue to see if the letters they received were right. They couldn’t fathom the fact that the Thenadiérs actually knew what the  word ‘apologize’ meant.

10

 

The Thenadiérs welcome all their guestsconsiders graciously.self Madame Thenadiér involvement to be more gracious than stealing from them as soon as they enter.

11

 

They promised themselves they  would stoppresented stealing but when an opopportunity itself, Monsieur Thenadiér couldn’t resist.

12

 

13

 

 When Maurius and Cosette come, the Thendaiérs decide to let the couple be, as they already have ruined their lives enough, and also because both Maurius and Cosette are well aware of their tricks.

14

 

Eponiné continues to stalk Maurius as soon as he arrives while her friends snicker behind her back about how she should find someone new to obsess over; and a new dress.

15

 

 Jean Valjean decides to go at the last minute since he couldn’t find anyone to go with, due to a lack of social life. He convinces Fantine’s ghost, his only friend, to accompany him. Though Fantine hates to be in the same presence as the Thenadiérs after all the things they did to her daughter, Cosette, she decides it is time to let bygones be bygones and take the higher road by haunting them.

16

 

 With a huge turn-up of people, the inn was in a full swing of celebration. Javert, who is on duty near the inn decides to go in to experience what fun looks and feels like,  while not crushed by overwhelming overwhelming feelings of killing oneself.

17

17  

Thenadiér panicks as soon as he sees a police officer enter his inn but soon realises Javert is too distracted by Jean Valjean, the only man he’s ever been after and doesn’t even care about all the crimes the Thenadiérs have committed throughout their lives.

18  

Finally, all the people assemble at the dining table and silently pray for the food to come faster so as to eat and get out of the awkward interactions where everyone kept apologizing to each other.

19

 

Les Miserables - The Reunion

21