Crikey!

[birdsofshore]

There's going to be a Harry Potter prequel play. A proper one, in the West End, with JKR co-producing and stuff. About the 'previously untold story of Harry Potter’s early years as an orphan and outcast’.

(sob, so no Draco, then.... OR WILL THERE BE??)

A little bit more info here if you don't mind the - yeuch - Daily Mail, sorry.

I am tentatively excited about this! But, I don't know, something about it leaves me slightly nervous. I think it's the 'orphan and outcast' bit. I'm imagining Annie or something, with lots of feelgood songs. O_o Let's hope I will be proved SO WRONG.

However, I REALLY like the look of the new UK HP art by Jim Kay. I never liked the UK book covers in the slightest, and I am jealous of the US illustrations, which I admire. The new UK editions will be fully illustrated *glee*.



Oh, pretty! Fresh, lovely colours and Harry is very charming with his clear eyes and mussed hair. The style of this one reminds me of leochi, or is that just because it's watercolour?

Harry looks more sly and mischievous in the b/w drawing, however, I think this one is actually my favourite of the two:



Hogwarts looks utterly magical, but not in a cute and sparkly way. I would say it's gorgeously creepy with fairy-tale influences:



It's hard to draw many conclusions from these couple of pieces, but I'm hoping the illustrations are all going to have this slight edge to them.  Either way I'm very happy we are getting a whole lot of new art, and yes, it'll be tempting to buy an entire new set...

I really like the quote where Jim Kay says "the commission of a lifetime" brought "an explosion of delight, followed instantly by an implosion of brain-freezing terror". :DDDDD

I have a feeling we are in safe hands with this one. <3

Comments

[kitty_fic]

I agree! I like the HBP cover much better. Maybe it is just the way the artist drew him at different ages

[naadi.livejournal.com]

LOVE that teaser for the new art!! And the US paperback versions have new art for the covers that looks really nice! I'm wondering if it's worth getting a new set... lol I already have two. :P But I think these new UK versions may be the best yet! <3

[khalulu]

The picture of Hogwarts is very cool - especially where it looks like it's perched on trees. Somehow that reminds me of the Miyazaki movie of Howl's Moving Castle.

Harry's horrible childhood in the first book is presented in that sort of over the top way of fairy tales where you're not too worried because magic is going to come get him out of it, and he is a pretty resilient kid. It'll be interesting to see how it all goes….

[ashindk.livejournal.com]

The new illustrations are so pretty! I never really liked the original UK illustrations either. I have both the UK and the Danish versions of the books and I like the Danish illustrations much better than the original UK ones. But these new ones are beautiful.

A play about Harry's year as an 'orphan and outcast'? That sounds angsty! I'm not sure I can handle that as a mother of three children between age 1 and 11.

[daemoncas5.livejournal.com]

ickle harry is sooo adorable i want to snuggle him forever *o*

and hauntingly beautiful hogwarts...that just make me want to see animated version of harry potter yknow, with ghibli style/ avatar the last airbender style with their soft colours. i'm drooling just imagining it!

i wholeheartedly approve of this refreshing view from jim kay. wonder what he'd draw of draco and his aristocratic posturing :D

and the play! \o/ i do wish i could see it.

[birdsofshore]

Yay! New Potter things are always fun.

[birdsofshore]

I love the new US editions, too, so pretty!

Yes, I think unfortunately new sets may be necessary when they are packed full of illustrations. I wonder what the font will be?

[birdsofshore]

It is very Howl! The castle really looks alive, in a way I've never seen represented before, although JKR refers to it many times as having a consciousness.

[birdsofshore]

I know! I am very prone to being weepy about little Harry if something makes me FEEL it properly. I had a good cry when my youngest got to the age that Harry was when James and Lily died. It just really brought it home. My family thought I was nuts :DDD

I am not sure about the Danish illustrations from having a quick google - they are a bit too realistic for my taste, maybe?

[birdsofshore]

I can't wait to see what he does with Draco, and all of the Malfoys! I am genuinely excited to see all of his interpretations. I wonder if they will bring the new editions out slowly, one by one, or as a set?

They may film the play, if it's a success? Let's hope so.

[ashindk.livejournal.com]

You're right. I didn't like the later books as much.

[nenne.livejournal.com]

These are great! Awesome.

[birdsofshore]

I can't wait to see more. His work is so atmospheric! I wonder what he'll do with Ron and Hermione? I'd love to see them as young children in that lovely fresh watercolour style.

[nenne.livejournal.com]

That'd be great. *nods* If you find more, please share. :)

[mab.livejournal.com]

I found a thing and don't have your email address to send this link to you, so here it is:

Nicolas Cage Hairstyle Whiteboard

I am laughing my ass off at the fact that 1) this exists, and 2) that it's sold out and is being reprinted.

[birdsofshore]

That is truly wonderful. Of course it's sold out. Who would not buy it? :DDD

[patoo-tee.livejournal.com]

I really love the Sweddish covers. I love the brooding Harry in the Ootp Cover and I love Dd and Harry in the HbP cover. Sweddish Harry is more of my version of Harry that I see in the books.

[patoo-tee.livejournal.com]

I'm really excited about the play and the illustrated books. But will they be like graphic novels or are the illustrations just going to appear at the start of the chapters?

ITA I love the b/w drawing of Harry and the artist has captures his personality, however that is not how I pictured Harry. For some reason he reminds me of Dan Radcliffe, and to this day I can't picture Dan as Harry. I posted a comment before about the Sweddish covers, and I think that Harry is awesome. This is how I see Harry: http://sabenerica.deviantart.com/art/Chap-34-HPOOTP-The-Department-of-Mysteries-426654458

The boy the artist is modelling on Ron, is spot on I think. I love Hogwarts and I can't wait to see what else he has in store.


The play could be a hit or miss though. Is it going to be a kids play or a play for adults? But I am excited... I wonder if it will blow all those HarryPotter abuse fanfics sky high into oblivion, lol! But it makes me wonder if there was more to the Dursleys cruelty than is cartoonishly portrayed in the books... because well you'd have to wonder what JKR would've written if the books weren't intended for kids...