By now you have either seen the Sweeney Todd stage musical, the film version, or both, but have you read the book? Oxford University Press has released “the classic tale that became a legend,” the entire original 18 stories that made Sweeney Todd who he is today. No, I’m not talking about Johnny Depp, Depp is just a small part of one of horrors longest legends, one that has come so far it has made appearances on Broadway, the big screen, and even had a nod in Kevin Smith’s comedy Jersey Girl.

Making his first appearance in the “penny bloods” of the 1800’s, Sweeney has been slashing throats for as long as Dracula has been draining them. Even if you have never seen the film or musical, it is still likely you have heard or know something about the tale of Todd. If not, the cliff notes version is he is a barber who slits the necks of his customers before letting his next door neighbor turn them into meat pies. Sounds simple, but most of the best horror stories are, and Sweeney Todd’s story has been told for over a hundred years.

While I normally skip introductions in books, the introduction in this one proves to be one of the more interesting parts, taking you through the history of the original Sweeney Todd printings all the way back to when it first appeared as the serial called The String of Pearls: A Romance. This is the perfect book for fans, collectors, and even people hearing about Sweeney Todd for the first time. If you have never seen the musical or movie why not read the original first? We have all been guilty of reading the book or renting the original film before a movie adaptation or remake is made; now finally you can do the same with Sweeney Todd.

If you hurry up and do so before Tim Burton’s film hits DVD, you can sound cool when people ask you if have seen it by replying; “No but I have read the original book.” It may help you score a few brownie points with easily impressed goth girls who worship Burton and Depp.