The magical plot point allows the first deviation but it’s the emphasis on the context of the love, one not marred by those materialistic themes but instead much more romantic led and more human love story where sacrifices are made in the pursuit of love and for love's sake. To me, it makes sense that the beauty of this portrayed sacrifice works as a great catalyst for a sweeter conclusion than observations on lack of logic and materialism in some love. This story is something just much more wholesome, for a story featuring bird sacrifice than its source. Jem Milton's adaptation uses a lovely dollop of magic fantasy to set up a pivot in the plot which tweaks a few themes and turns this story into a more love idealist tale. For the sake of the review and my own ignorance I searched it up to get a better sense of what this adaption was offering, so from my newly acquired standpoint, here's how I saw it. So on first read, I was treated to a really enjoyable romantic love story of happily ever afters through an appreciation of love. Thanks to Jem though my first taste came in this comic. It’s just not something I’d be actively looking for and can’t imagine would organically cross my path. Furthermore, if it wasn’t for Jem Milton I probably never would. Ok so secret time, I’ve never read any Oscar Wilde. Jem Milton's colour palette is one of homeliness hitting all the notes you’d expect throughout with flashes of brilliance in things like the yellow scarf and every panel and page of the Nightingales final song. The pair just embodied a college of magic aesthetics. Theirs is one of a ragtag, less fanciful costume with a distinctive yellow scarf which I really enjoyed especially in contrast to the daughter and her fairytale period type style. The lamenting lover and their love interest in the daughter carry a very interesting style. Jem handles the human characters with just as much artistry.

Jem's plant and animal studies add something extra, he delivers a more naturalistic style to these and still breathes personality to those characters, which for me really emphasises the fairytale air this comic emits. My personal favourite being the full page devoted to the pink stage of the rose development and the depiction of passion and its central image of the inverted lovers - so very impactful. Those centred around the Nightingales final song in particular being shining moments for the art on offer. They have a style that has a really comforting feeling that is wonderfully suited to its substance, indeed the very first page took me to a Studio Ghibli sponsored RHS flower garden, are there are really beautiful pages and panels that follow.

Jem Milton delivers a style of anime, fairytale fantasy.

The nightingale oscar wilde