Delphine
Horror Gothic Modern Fairy Tale Retelling Mystery Noir Graphic Novel Indie Comics
Richard Sala’s 2012 Fantagraphics hardcover “Delphine” re-imagines the Snow White fairy tale as a brooding, modern-age mystery—perfect for collectors who crave gothic atmosphere in a durable, shelf-worthy package. Sala’s trademark high-contrast inks and candy-bright colors cloak a noir-paced hunt through an unnamed American town where the missing princess is no passive ingénue and the “wicked” forces are far more unsettling than stepmothers. The result is a stand-alone graphic novel that reads like a lost Universal horror script storyboarded by Edward Gorey: every shadowy hallway, deserted motel, and roadside diner drips with menace, yet the pages turn with the addictive speed of a pulp thriller.
What makes this edition special is its scarcity in hardcover; most readers encountered “Delphine” only in paperback, so the sewn-binding, matte-laminated boards issued by Fantagraphics remain a collector’s prize. The 8½" × 11" page size showcases Sala’s widescreen panels and intricate background jokes—hidden skulls, vintage adverts, graffiti—details that shrink on smaller printings. As a self-contained, one-volume story, it also satisfies completists who don’t want to chase single issues or cross-over events; you can slip it between “Coraline” and “Criminal” on the shelf and still have a satisfying evening’s read.
Condition notes are honest: light cover scuffs keep the price reasonable while the interior remains crisp and unmarked—ideal for both readers who will actually crack it open and investors who want a copy that presents beautifully in Mylar. Pair this with Sala’s “The Chuckling Whatsit” or Emily Carroll’s “Through the Woods” for a modern gothic trilogy, or gift it to anyone who loved the dark retellings in DC’s “Fables” but wanted something rawer and indie. With Snow White still a pop-culture juggernaut, owning the grim, glamorous “Delphine” is a savvy way to stay ahead of the curve before the next screen adaptation sparks another buying frenzy.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.
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