By Philip Pullman

Art by Fred Fordham

David Fickling Books, out now

From the pages of The Phoenix comic comes a new hero – John Blake…

While the world waits for Philip Pullman’s return to the Dark Materials universe with his new novel out later this year, it’s well worth seeking out this graphic novel penned by Pullman, in which he adapts his fast-paced storytelling style for a different medium. This isn’t a story he’s penned that someone else has reworked for comics – this is his own take on a style that he grew up with.

And it’s terrific fun. There are agents of Her Majesty’s Secret Service, treasures, characters from some very unlikely places – and time travel… plus, of course, a villain that you love to hate. The story is told pretty much entirely through dialogue and art, with Fred Fordham’s use of the page layout working well with Pullman’s sometimes eclectic style – there are places where it really does feel as if these are beautifully created storyboards for a movie.

Hopefully this is just the first of many adventures for John and those around him – although you have to suspect Pullman may have some other calls on his time!

Verdict: A rip roaring adventure tale. 8/10

Paul Simpson