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HATTER M: MAD WITH WONDER
 SEND THIS TO A FRIEND!
Written by Frank Beddor & Liz Cavalier
Art by Sami Makkonen
Reviewed by Brian Hofacker
 Expanding from the re-imagined Wonderland mythos developed in Frank Beddor’s series of Looking Glass Wars novels, the graphic novel Hatter M: Mad with Wonder is the second comic book format spin-off to follow the unseen journey of Royal Bodyguard, Hatter Madigan, as he searches the Earth for Alyss, the lost Princess of Wonderland. This well-paced tale is ripe with intelligence, emotion and action; in addition, the story contains stirring hints to the details of The Looking Glass Wars (such as the Civil War in the realm of Wonderland, the use of Imagination as magic and the desires of the villainous Queen Redd Heart), that make “Mad with Wonder” as equally alluring to the newcomer to Beddor’s use of Wonderland as it is fulfilling to the veteran reader of The Looking Glass Wars.
Stepping into any expansion piece of media such Hatter M: Mad with Wonder often entails the stumbling over of certain textual hurdles; however, this high-quality graphic novel combines captivating and fluid visuals, an immediately affecting story and transgressive characterization to easily and expertly overcome the usual obstacles of transmedia resistance and the preconceived complications and trepidations felt upon the decision to invest in a new ongoing universe. As a jumping on point, expansion media has a tendency to feel burdensome under the weight of unknown context and characterization; however, “Mad with Wonder” succeeds by offering a story that works proficiently as a companion to Beddor’s Looking Glass Wars novels, as well as, and perhaps most importantly, an intriguing, unified and easily detectable adventure with a sufficient care for reader, character and continuity alike. In fact, it is the newcomer to Beddor’s universe that may receive the greatest page-after-page gratification from “Mad with Wonder,” for the graphic novel is a savory yet tantalizing taste of the dark adventure waiting in the ranks of The Looking Glass Wars and the first volume of Hatter M.
 Much of the impression of Hatter M must be credited to the transgressive characterization of Hatter Madigan. The initial form of the Royal Bodyguard is that of the typical anti-hero; however, as the story progresses, the reader becomes aware that Madigan’s drive is fueled with clear motives that are a good deal more powerful than the usual selfishness or stubbornness of the traditional absurd hero. Madigan shows a man driven solely to find his lost princess; however, time and again, the reader bears witness to an admirable man that is quite different than the becoming-clichéd, self-defined and independent traits of the archetypical man with no name. “Mad with Wonder” even alludes to this difference in heroic characteristics when Redd Heart declares to her henchmen, “You have your fist full of dollars… give me what is mine.” This allusion to Clint Eastwood’s quintessential man with no name certainly defines the difference between Madigan and the men that stand against him.
The development of Madigan seems to be based on the structure of a true hero: he is obscure, has a goal and although he is a sort of demi-god, he is killable; he is wounded and suffers from loneliness; what he seeks is more than a material goal, and he will undoubtedly be changed when his journey has ended. These heroic characteristics and efforts of Madigan ingenuously evoke from the reader a sense of importance and involvement in his journey, producing a true care for the Princess.
 Additionally, the characterization of Madigan works to make the Hatter M series into an adequately structured hero story. If the first Hatter M series is one of dispossession, as the bodyguard is thrust from the security of his world, than this second installment is one of recognition. Lines such as, “In searching for Alyss you must not lose yourself” begin to present a lesson for the protagonist. This, of course, would mean that a much anticipated third installment of Hatter M would give the hero a very interesting catharsis.
The formal presentation of “Mad with Wonder” is also very commendable and adds to the overall completion to the work as a whole. The painted cover by Tae Young Choi encapsulates the total impression of the book. The art by Sami Makkonen is properly emotive, fluid and well-paced, providing a flawless environment for the tale and time period. The back up material, too, is a valuable additive to the graphic novel with interesting information on the development of the story and the world of The Looking Glass Wars.
Overall, from the very beginning to the end “Mad with Wonder” emits a powerful and steadily increasing impression that remains long after book is closed… and at the center of that growing impression is the desire to know more of this mysterious and dangerous Wonderland.
For more information, visit: www.lookingglasswars.com or www.cardsoldierwars.com
About Brian Hofacker: When not driving his kickass El Camino and saving the world Brian works for Dynamic Forces and Dynamite Entertainment, conducting interviews and producing reviews of comic books. Brian also writes a weekly column, “What’s in Brian's Bin” for DF. If you would like to be interviewed or have product that you would like reviewed for Dynamic Forces, please contact Brian at brian@dynamicforces.com
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