Acclaimed Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, renowned A Series of Unfortunate Events author, Lemony Snicket, and award-winning colorist Dave Stewart have an exciting upcoming project. The trio collaborated with Beehive Books to produce an illustrated and annotated edition of Carlo Collodi’s classic novel Pinocchio.

Pinocchio: The Illuminated Edition will arrive on August 27 from Beehive Books’ Illuminated Editions imprint, a line of book art editions of literary classics, reimagining literary masterworks with all-new covers and illustrations. The publisher’s description for its upcoming Pinocchio book reads, “Mignola and Snicket have invented a new way to read this beloved Italian fable. Covered with coffee stains and ink blots, Snickett’s notes are more than text annotations -—they’re missives from the brink of literary agony and ecstasy, and in their strange conceit they walk us through the wilds of Collodi’s fabulous tale, and reintroduce us to its odd, wonderful music.”

Pinocchio: The Illuminated Edition provides commentary by Snicket, which takes the reader and novelist on a first experience of the Pinocchio novel. “For many years I have been curious to see if I, too, will join the tradition of readers completely transformed into lunatics from a reading of Pinocchio,” Snicket wrote. “And although Carlo Collodi died long ago, I like to think that somewhere, somehow, he is interested in seeing what I might have to say as I read this book and likely lose my mind. Perhaps you are too,’ the writer added. “This is not just a new edition of Collodi’s classic—it’s both a celebration of a classic work of children’s literature and a strange Borgesian experiment,” added Beehive Books Editor Josh O’Neil.

Collodi’s legendary fantasy novel Pinocchio debuted in 1883 and is universally considered a canonical piece of children’s literature that continues to impact global culture. The book has since been translated into 260 languages worldwide, inspiring several other fictional works. Pinocchio has received several popular adaptations in various media, with Pinocchio: The Illuminated Edition now on the horizon.

Mignola co-wrote the screenplay for the next big film in the franchise he created. Directed by co-writer Brian Taylor, Hellboy: The Crooked Man stars Jack Kesy as the titular character alongside Adeline Rudolph, Martin Bassindale, Jefferson White, Joseph Marcell, Leah McNamara, and Hannah Margetson. The movie has completed filming and will premiere later this year.

The upcoming Hellboy movie‘s synopsis reads, “This film brings a chilling tale of survival against the forces of darkness. Set in the 1950s, rookie BPRD agent Bobbie Jo Song finds herself in a dire situation when tasked with delivering a spider to the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. She must enlist the help of Hellboy to confront the malevolent Crooked Man, who has returned to Earth to harvest souls for the devil.”

Mike Mignola and Lemony Snicket’s Pinocchio: The Illuminated Edition will arrive on August 27, 2024.

Source: Beehive Books