1/15/2022 Graphic Novel Suggestion: The Last Unicorn

Sasha Wallace
Jan 15, 2022
3 min read

Graphic Novel

Title: The Last Unicorn

Author: Peter S. Beagle

Illustrators: Renae De Liz & Ray Dillon

Recommended for: Grade 7 & up

Basic plot: When a unicorn discovers she’s probably the last of her kind, she embarks on a mission to defy the odds. On the road, she befriends Schmendrick the Magician, undergoes a physical metamorphosis, crosses into evil King Haggard’s dominion, & may end up having to face off against the Red Bull – the monster responsible for her species’ near-extinction.

Why I love it: Dragons may be more anthologized, but unicorns are undoubtedly the most beloved of storybook beings. Throughout history, they’ve been depicted in tapestries & fairy tales as a sort of dignified, celestial sentinel.

They’re absolutely everywhere nowadays – on vinyl wall decals, on cakes, on college logos, on lawns as inflatables, on clothing & even office supplies – yet they are still elusive & enthralling. I think the biggest conundrum of the unicorn is how somehow, this creature with a giant, could-be-fatal-if-it-stabs-you horn is so unthreatening.

Anyone who has read the book this is based on, or watched the 1982 film (and yes, America did the soundtrack!), will love this adaptation. Not only is the artwork absolutely sumptuous, but the story has been abridged by the author himself, so all the meaty, important parts are still there & lovingly rendered. It is a fantasy as treacherous as it is romantic, as stirring as it is heartbreaking. It really explores the idea of loneliness, of a singularity so intense you’d risk your life to break it. I found the friendships moving, the humor corny-good, the action jam-packed & the ending satisfying.

Where can you find it? This one is actually pretty collectible & can be hard to come by, since IDW only made a finite amount. A copy on Amazon, AbeBooks, or eBay can run you anywhere from $82 to $500, & it isn’t available on Thriftbooks at all. However! I included it here because many libraries, including those in Seminole County, have eBook copies available via OverDrive. Additionally, you can buy the content as six different volumes through Barnes & Noble’s Nook app, ranging from 99¢ to $1.99 each. I have also had luck finding hard copies through several Barnes & Noble stores in the graphic novel section, so it doesn’t hurt to contact your local branch & see.

*A note about the content – I’d rate this the same as Neil Gaiman’s Stardust. Though there is nothing explicitly inappropriate, there may be an instance of very minor profanity & there is one scene where a young woman is clothed only in her hair (though the hair covers everything of interest & is tastefully done in the same vein as Ariel in The Little Mermaid). There is nothing crude or untoward, but if you wouldn’t show your kids the Stardust film, you shouldn’t have them read this graphic novel, since there are similarities. Also, the Red Bull may terrify some kids, though King Haggard is what really got under my skin*

Extension activity: I like the idea of asking kids what they would do if they were rumored to be the last human on Earth. This can become a really thought-provoking journal entry. It also may prove stimulating to ask your child to hypothesize about the origins of the unicorn legend in general. When was the very first occurrence of this mythical creature? They can either research this or create their own explanatory narrative.

For a wildlife activity, have your child make a chart of animals that share the same physical characteristic(s) of the unicorn, such as narwhals or Indian rhinos.

Additionally, it’s a great time to review the tenets of the Hero’s Journey, especially if your student is in high school where they’re likely exposed to mythology on a semi-regular basis. Something similar to this worksheet (with pronouns changed to “her” to fit our protagonist) should suffice:

Speaking of mythology, consider pairing this reading with a review of the birth of Pegasus. How is Pegasus’ travels with Bellerophon similar to Lady Amalthea’s with Schmendrick? I suggest using the picture book Pegasus by Marianna Mayer & K.Y. Craft as a reference, seen below (cheapest available, used on Amazon at $3.38):

If you really want to set a mystical mood, listen to Silvio Rodriguez’s “Mi Unicornio Azul” while you’re on the task. It’s a gorgeous Spanish-language song about a lost unicorn that will get you in the lullaby feels.

As a reward for quality work, make some unicorn pretzels!