[In the following essay, Levine remarks on the revival of the Classics Illustrated series.]

"Classics Illustrated"…. For millions, the name conjures up the midnight hours they spent reading by flashlight under the bedcovers. For others, the comic book versions of such titles as Moby Dick and David Copperfield symbolize the only way they survived English lit. In February, Berkley, First Publishing and Classics Media Group will revive the once-popular series with all-new full-color art and text in a perfect-bound graphic novel format, priced at $3.75 per book.

In this unusual joint venture, Berkley will distribute the titles to the bookstores and deal with publicity, promotion and advertising. First Publishing will handle editing, production and distribution to specialist comic book outlets, while Classics Media Group manages audio, video, TV and film rights. Classics Illustrated was previously published from 1941 to 1972; in its heyday, the series sold 25 million copies a week. (Berkley et al. plan more modest, though yet unannounced, first printings.) Why revive a format that lost steam 17 years ago?

"There's a disturbing degree of illiteracy in America today … and we think that Classics Illustrated is a very smart way to get people reading again," says First publisher Rick Obadiah.

In order to ensure that the series reflects the original novels, writers and publishers are working with various literacy organizations, two of which—the Chicago chapter of Volunteers for Literacy and Associated Reading Services—have given the project their stamp of approval. To critics who say that the series will discourage people from reading the originals, Obadiah counters, "These are in no way meant as substitutes for the novels themselves; we hope they'll be used as introductions, and encourage readers to seek out the originals."

Obadiah feels that the range of potential readers is greater than it was during the series' previous incarnation. "The average comic book readers are not 10 years old anymore; they're in their high teens. And we estimate the readers of our comics and graphic novels are even older, probably in their mid-20s. In Europe and Japan, many adults read comics. We feel we'll appeal to a very wide spectrum."

Two years ago, the three companies bought the Classics Illustrated property from Frawley Enterprises. But it was First that initially became aware of the potential for graphic novels back in 1984 when it published the Beowulf legend in that format. Obadiah talked a very hesitant Waldenbooks into taking the title and it subsequently went on the chain's bestseller list. Soon after that, the publisher released graphic novels based on L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz, which were also successful. Berkley took on bookstore distribution of the company's graphic novels three years ago, and is now experimenting with distribution of First comic books as well.

Classics Illustrated will be launched in February with Great Expectations, Through the Looking Glass, Moby Dick and The Raven. Hamlet and The Scarlet Letter will be released in March, and The Count of Monte Cristo and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in April. One new title a month will follow thereafter. If these prove successful, titles from the Classics Junior line may also be issued.

The writers and artists who are working on the series have varied backgrounds, bringing experience from children's books, advertising, adult and juvenile comics, etc., to Classics Illustrated. Writers include Charles Dixon, Steven Grant and Stefan Petrucha; among the participating artists are Gerald Forton, Tristan Schane and Dan Spiegle. Rick Geary, Bill Sienkiewicz and Gahan Wilson will be both writing and illustrating.

Berkley plans to promote the books with a publicity campaign aimed at both the educational buyer and the regular consumer. Publicity director Donna Gould says that the company hopes to get mainstream review attention: "We're going to let the media know that Classics Illustrated is back in a very big way."