A Series of Unfortunate Events dipped in melodrama is the best way I can describe it. This book, created in connect with the Evelyn, Evelyn stage show, tells the tragic history of the conjoined twins who headline the show. One of those, I have no idea where this came from but it's cool in a weird way. ( )

Based on the album releases in 2010, Evelyn Evelyn tells the sad story of conjoined twins Evelyn and Evelyn Neville who lose both of their parents on the night of their birth and end up in a very questionably operated circus where they befriend the world’s only conjoined twin elephant. Most of the text of the book is borrowed from the spoken word tracks on the Evelyn Evelyn album. While the songs are generally bright and cute, the tone of the spoken word tracks and therefore this book is significantly different. The book is meant to be darkly humorous, but doesn’t follow through on that premise. While I usually enjoy dark humor (and consider myself a fan of the creators), I couldn’t help but feel that much of the twins’ story was sensationalist for sensationalism’s sake. That said, Neil Gaiman’s afterword is lovely and helps put everything in context. Cynthia Von Buhler’s artwork is the highlight of the book. For more of her work, I recommend But Who Will Bell the Cats? ( )

Evelyn Evelyn is unlike anything I've ever experienced before. Although it’s labeled a graphic novel, it really reads more like a dark picture book. There is one large panel on every two page spread, and the story is told more in pictures than in words. As I said, it's unlike anything I've experienced. There is a gruesome charm to this book, and it drew me in to its pages without even trying.

The illustrations border on disturbing, and are definitely macabre. Fans of this will adore Cynthia Von Buhler's work. There isn't a single page that has a happy vibe about it. Then again, Evelyn and Evelyn don't exactly have the happiest story, so it's very fitting. As time passes in the book, there are illustrated pages that mark what year it currently is. These were my favorite! I loved the shout outs to the things that happened in each of these years.

This book focuses on the life of Evelyn and Evelyn, two Siamese twin sisters who share three legs, two arms, two hearts, three lungs and a single liver. No, it's not a children's book and it's not your average story either. The two sisters find a lot of pain and suffering in their life time, starting with the death of their mother during child birth. Unforeseen circumstances keep causing them to have unhappy experiences. Poor girls. The writing style is clipped and to the point, with only one or two sentences on each page. It makes the story even more dark and mysterious.

Overall this was an intriguing read that drew me in with it's dark charms. My one gripe was that there simply wasn't enough! By the time I finished, all I wanted was more. Evelyn Evelyn isn't going to be for everyone. It's dark tones will likely turn a lot of people off. However if you enjoy tales of woe and misadventure, this is for you. I know I loved it.
( )

Strange and sad... and yet, enjoyable. ( )

Title: Evelyn Evelyn
Author: Amanda Palmer; Jason Webley
Pages: 144
Pub: Dark Horse Comics
Genre: Comics, Fiction
Etc:

The Short of It

Illustrated story of musical Siamese twins.

The Long of It

Conjoined twins were born in the 80’s in a small town in the middle of nowhere, USA. The mother dies at birth and the doctor who delivered them is mortified by their unique connection. So, he does the first thing that any small town doctor would do – find a powerful tool that will rip them apart. No worries though, they miraculous get saved and their journey in life continues until the meet Amanda Palmer and ason Webley on MySpace who decide to produce them.

The Thoughts about It

Un-freakin-believable! YOU ALL! I totally heart Dark Horse Comics. So far this is a two for two win on what they publish. But Evelyn Evelyn? Really? Ah-MAY-zing. And AMANDA – freakin- PALMER? Is there anyone else cooler? I truly don’t think so.

Now here’s the thing, I am not going to give anything else other than the summary that I – er – summarized above BUT I do want to tell you that I did some research about the Evelyn Evelyn tale and lordy it is SO meta. Sure, sure, Amanda and Jason deny being Evelyn Evelyn and I most absurdly believe them in this alternate universe. Because, you know, E & E ? They’re an entity of their own.

Quickly close the window of this review and run – RUN – to the nearest book buying plaza and pick this zinger up. And anything else you see Dark Horse comics publishing. I know I will.

And for your viewing pleasure if you need to wait on the purchase. (*nudge* uh, why?) watch some E&E talent.

*off humming elephant elephant* ( )