Delphine
Dark Fantasy Gothic Horror Fairy-Tale Retelling Modern Age Indie Comics Neo-Noir Psychological Suspense
Richard Sala’s 2012 Fantagraphics hardcover “Delphine” re-imagines the Snow White fairy tale as a nocturnal, neon-lit road trip through an America that feels both familiar and deeply uncanny. Rendered in Sala’s trademark high-contrast inks—think German Expressionism meets 1980s Gothic romance—the book follows a naive college student who sets out to meet the mysterious girlfriend whose letters have lured him to her small town. What unfolds is a cascade of missing persons, roadside diners, and smiling strangers whose politeness masks sharp teeth, all building to a climax that honors the Grimm source while adding layers of modern dread. The oversized hardcover format showcases Sala’s detailed splashes and tight cross-hatching better than any previous edition, making each shadowy forest or decaying motel room feel cinematic.
Collectors prize this edition because it is the only North American hardcover printing of “Delphine,” and Fantagraphics’ generous trim size preserves the intended page-turn reveals. Unlike the softcover, the 2012 version uses heavier matte stock that deepens the blacks and keeps the reds startlingly vivid—perfect for a story whose palette is half darkness, half blood. Condition notes indicate only light cover scuffing; internally the pages are clean and unmarked, so the book presents beautifully on a shelf yet is still affordable for readers who actually want to handle it. Because Sala’s bibliography skews toward limited-run indie titles, finding a tight, unread copy of his signature modern-age reinterpretation of Snow White is increasingly difficult, especially in the Hardcover format.
For fans of Gothic comics, fairy-tale retellings, or stylish horror in the vein of “Coraline” and “Over the Garden Wall,” “Delphine” is a must-have curio that bridges classic folklore and contemporary suspense. Its scarcity in hardcover, coupled with Sala’s cult status, makes this 2012 Fantagraphics edition a smart acquisition for both horror aficionados and investors seeking key modern-age indies before prices climb further.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.
Buy Now