A twisted take on a classic tale, Alice in Murderland has emerged as a fascinating addition to the ever-growing landscape of manga and webcomics. This series, by PitchBlackKitKat, offers a dark and intriguing spin on Lewis Carroll’s beloved Alice in Wonderland, blending the whimsical with the macabre. It’s a far cry from the tea parties and curious encounters of the original, diving into a world of mystery, murder, and madness.
A Modern Alice in a Dark Wonderland
The story of A is for Alice, as it appears on WEBTOON CANVAS, begins in the present day, where Alice is not simply stumbling into Wonderland, but rather actively investigating the murder of her parents. Her pursuit of answers leads her to her father’s Looking Glass, which serves as a portal to a dark and twisted version of Wonderland.
This isn’t the whimsical, colorful Wonderland most are familiar with. Instead, PitchBlackKitKat crafts a bleak and visually striking world. The artist employs clean line art with a weathered texture and desaturated colors, contributing to an overall tone of unease and foreboding. This stylistic approach perfectly complements the dark narrative, making the series a visually unique experience.
Blending Genres: Murder Mystery Meets Fantasy
One of the most compelling aspects of A is for Alice is its successful fusion of genres. It’s not just a fantasy story; it’s also a gripping murder mystery. As Alice navigates the treacherous paths of this distorted Wonderland, she grapples not only with fantastical elements, but also with the puzzle of her parents’ death. This blend of genres creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers hooked, eager to uncover the truth alongside Alice.
The series is not afraid to diverge from the familiar tropes of Alice in Wonderland. While elements of the original story are present, they are re-imagined and re-contextualized within the framework of a murder investigation. Characters, such as humanized counterparts of the animal inhabitants of Wonderland, are creatively designed, giving the series its own unique identity.
Manga’s Murderous Alice: Alice in Murderland by Kaori Yuki
The WEBTOON series isn’t the only Alice-inspired work with a dark twist. The manga Alice in Murderland by Kaori Yuki, offers a different but equally disturbing take on the source material. Serialized from 2014 to 2018, this series presents a twisted family dynamic within an Alice in Wonderland-esque setting.
A Deadly Family Game
Alice in Murderland manga introduces Stella and her adopted siblings, who are forced to participate in a deadly game. Their mother, Olga, orchestrates a gruesome competition in which the children must kill each other to determine who will inherit the family’s wealth and status. This sets the stage for a bloody battle royale that reinterprets the classic characters and settings of Wonderland.
The series is known for its intense action, plot twists, and “political intrigue”, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The characters’ development becomes more apparent as the story progresses, allowing readers to appreciate their unique traits and motivations within this deadly family drama.
Gothic Violence and Sadistic Twists
Kaori Yuki’s manga is characterized by its gothic violence and sadistic twists. It’s not a gentle, whimsical journey down the rabbit hole, but rather a descent into a world of cruelty and betrayal. The art style, like the webcomic, enhances the overall dark tone, immersing the reader in a disturbing yet captivating experience.
The manga also delves into the psychological aspects of the characters, exploring how they cope with the violence they endure and inflict. Stella’s alternate personality, “Bloody Alice,” emerges during fights, showcasing the inner turmoil and trauma within the characters.
A Comparison of Two Twisted Tales
Both A is for Alice and Alice in Murderland share a common thread: a dark reimagining of the Alice in Wonderland universe. However, each series approaches this theme differently.
The WEBTOON series, A is for Alice, focuses on a modern-day mystery with fantastical elements, following Alice’s investigation into her parents’ murder. It is a blend of genres, providing a more suspenseful and detective-like experience.
The manga, on the other hand, emphasizes a twisted family dynamic and a brutal battle royale. It leans heavily into gothic violence and psychological horror, presenting a more aggressive and disturbing narrative.
Different Platforms, Different Styles
The platform on which these stories are presented also influences their style and accessibility. The WEBTOON series utilizes a vertical scroll format, making it suitable for mobile reading. Its artistic style is sleek and modern, appealing to a contemporary audience. The manga, with its traditional panel layout, carries the visual flair of its genre, utilizing elaborate character designs and dynamic action sequences.
Other ‘Alice’ Adaptations: A Growing Trend
These two series aren’t alone in exploring the darker side of Alice in Wonderland. The trend of re-interpreting the classic story with horror and psychological elements has been growing, particularly in video games and films.
Video Games: From Madness to Mayhem
Video games like American McGee’s Alice and its sequel, Alice: Madness Returns, have significantly contributed to this trend. These games present a psychological horror take on Wonderland, depicting Alice as a traumatized character battling her inner demons in a distorted and terrifying world.
The games’ dark and grotesque visuals, combined with their challenging gameplay, offer a unique and unsettling experience. The “Wonderland” in these games is far from the cheerful realm depicted in the Disney adaptation; instead, it’s a nightmarish landscape reflecting Alice’s fractured psyche.
Film: Murder and Mayhem
On the film front, 2010’s Alice in Murderland offers another perspective, though one that has received largely negative reviews. This low-budget horror film revolves around a group of sorority sisters having an Alice in Wonderland-themed party, which is then disrupted by a masked killer dressed as the Jabberwocky. This film leans into slasher horror tropes, further exploring the darker possibilities of Alice in Wonderland.
Conclusion: A Darker Alice for a Modern Audience
From manga to webcomics, and video games to film, the Alice in Wonderland universe continues to be a source of inspiration for creators looking to explore darker themes. A is for Alice and Alice in Murderland represent compelling examples of this trend. They offer new perspectives on a well-known story, blending elements of horror, mystery, and psychological drama. As the public domain expands, and more creative interpretations are released, we can expect to see the character of Alice continue to evolve and surprise.
These stories demonstrate the enduring appeal of Alice in Wonderland while highlighting the versatility of the source material. By embracing darker interpretations, creators are breathing new life into this classic tale and captivating a modern audience hungry for innovative and unsettling narratives. Whether it’s a murder mystery, a twisted family drama, or a psychological horror, the world of Alice in Wonderland proves to have much more depth and darkness than we might have initially imagined.
