Scott's Take: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling Art by Jim Kay and Neil Packer

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling features the art of Jim Kay and Neil Packer. All previous four other volumes feature Jim Kay only artist. However, in this book, he is sharing the artwork with Neil Packer as Jim Kay is stepping down due to mental health concerns. If the series is continued, there is a good chance that it won’t be as visually consistent as it has been in the past due to the absence of Jim Kay.

The story is the same as the novel so Harry is dealing with the Ministry trying to take over Hogwarts and refusing to acknowledge that Voldemort is back. 

Nothing is different book wise as far as I can tell. The art is excellent and highlights the visual differences between the movie version and the book version. Since the art depicts the book version, characters are not as attractive as their Hollywood version counterparts. Hagrid is more giant like and ugly while Severeus Snape is less of a pretty boy than the movies depicted him. Some parts are depicted more whimsically than the realistic style the movies preferred to go with. 

There is a lot of illustrations for this type of book. While I would prefer more, I always want more illustrations in this series. I highly enjoyed seeing how scenes in the novel are visualized here in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Illustrated Edition. I am hoping that the continue with the next book. I also hope that Jim Kay is able to get the help he needs.

 

My reading copy came from the Vickery Park Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2023