Written by Darren Aronofsky Adapted by Kent Williams Art and cover by Williams This fall, Darren Aronofsky - the acclaimed director behind such critically acclaimed films as Pi and Requiem for a Dream - releases The Fountain, his most ambitious movie yet. Now, in time for the film's greatly anticipated debut, is the softcover edition of last year's sought-after THE FOUNTAIN graphic novel, which earned artist Kent Williams (Blood: A Tale, Havok/Wolverine: Meltdown) an Eisner Award nomination for Best Painter. An odyssey about one man's thousand-year struggle to save the woman he loves, The Fountain follows Thomas as he feverishly travels through three distinct eras: as a 16th century conquistador battling a fierce Mayan army, as a present-day scientist searching for a cure for his wife's mortal disease and as a future explorer seeking to uncover the secrets of a dying star. The Fountain graphic novel is a sister-project to the film, which is released by Warner Bros. Pictures and Regency Enterprises and stars Tony-Award-winner Hugh Jackman (The Boy from Oz, X-Men) and Oscar-winner Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener, The Mummy). Using the same story as its seed but stretched instead upon the limitless canvas of the comics medium, the graphic novel provides an insider's accompaniment to the movie, providing perhaps the ultimate "director's cut." On sale October 4 - 8.625" x 11.625" - 176 pg, FC, $19.99 US - MATURE READERS
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
When his plans for the ambitious, millennia--spanning fantasy film The Fountain were derailed, Pi and Requiem for a Dream directorAronofsky recast the story as a graphic novel, and although the movie was subsequently revived (starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz; it's due out later this year), the comics version stayed on track. Its three parallel stories, set in sixteenth-century Central America, the present day, and the distant future, respectively, depict the same man as a conquistador, a scientist, and an interplanetary explorer, always trying to prevent the death of the woman he desperately loves. Aronofsky's epic boldly blends mysticism and science, which coalesce in the hero's discovery of the mythical Tree of Life. Williams' lush, painted artwork, stylistically and narratologically reminiscent of Sandman illustrator Dave McKean's work, perfectly matches the script's passion and challenging abstruseness. Not simply an adaptation of the movie--the screenplay that is its basis being significantly altered when the film project was revived--the lavish, oversize graphic novel ought to be fascinating to compare with the released movie. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"THE FOUNTAIN is shaping up to be one of the most original and profound films of 2005, and a major step in the career of one of our most unusual young filmmakers." - Ain't It Cool News "A powerful fable about love and addiction..." - New York Post "The most chilling fix of genius in years..." - RTE Interactive"
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By N. Maranto
Format:Hardcover
I'm a big fan of Aronofsky's films and have been following the production of "The Fountain" since the beginning. I'm sure the endless delays will have been forth it after reading Kent Williams' comic adaptation of the script though.
I don't want to give anything away, because that would take away the joy of discovery. I'll simply say that it's a powerfully written, and exceedingly psychedelic story about love, death, and eternal life.
The art is wonderful. Broad water color looking strokes over sketches combined with at least two other styles of illustration. Very fitting for the story. Each section has its own visual continuity that can suddenly shift to reflect the mood. It's really quite an achievement. I paid well over what amazon is charging and I don't feel ripped off at all. It really is great.
If you have any love of good, powerful, character/idea driven science fiction I suggest you give this a shot. Yes, it's a graphic novel. Even if you're not versed in the particular vernacular of reading comics you'll still find much to love here. Something about the panel layout makes it feel more like a movie than any book I've read before. Go forth! Buy!
I don't want to give anything away, because that would take away the joy of discovery. I'll simply say that it's a powerfully written, and exceedingly psychedelic story about love, death, and eternal life.
The art is wonderful. Broad water color looking strokes over sketches combined with at least two other styles of illustration. Very fitting for the story. Each section has its own visual continuity that can suddenly shift to reflect the mood. It's really quite an achievement. I paid well over what amazon is charging and I don't feel ripped off at all. It really is great.
If you have any love of good, powerful, character/idea driven science fiction I suggest you give this a shot. Yes, it's a graphic novel. Even if you're not versed in the particular vernacular of reading comics you'll still find much to love here. Something about the panel layout makes it feel more like a movie than any book I've read before. Go forth! Buy!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Before buying this, I took the risk of finding out whether I would receive the photo book or the actual graphic novel. It turns out, thank God, that I received the graphic novel. (For those who are interested, it is pretty much perfect and just as intriguing and multi faceted as the movie.)
I just wanted to point something out. Some reviews have said that when they bought this item, they received the coffee table photography book (which I plan on buying due to the overwhelmingly good reviews). Be careful when buying this. Make sure this is the cover you see in the cart and not the one of the photography book.
As for a formal review of the graphic novel itself, that will come this weekend when I read it over for the second time.
I hope this was a little useful to all future buyers.
I just wanted to point something out. Some reviews have said that when they bought this item, they received the coffee table photography book (which I plan on buying due to the overwhelmingly good reviews). Be careful when buying this. Make sure this is the cover you see in the cart and not the one of the photography book.
As for a formal review of the graphic novel itself, that will come this weekend when I read it over for the second time.
I hope this was a little useful to all future buyers.
24 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
With the upcoming film version of The Fountain coming out soon, which is written and directed by Aronofsky, I decided to check out the graphic novel version, which has received enormous praise. Boasting a story by acclaimed writer/director Darren Aronofsky and artwork by Kent Williams, The Fountain tells the story of a man whose love knows no bounds, not even time.
Taking place across three different time periods (Spain and the New World in the 1500s, America in the present, and in a space-worthy pod in the distant future), Thomas Verde will do anything to save the love of his life Izzy. Drawing on ideas from the book of Genesis, Tom searches for the mythic Tree of Life in order to grant immortality to himself and Izzy, but when the tree begins to die, he must travel to a dying star in order to rejuvenate it.
While the story is simple to explain, it is a little confusing to read in the book. I should probably read it over again, just in case, though. A second reading is probably required.
The artwork is very distinctive, and, for the most part, very beautiful. The art from the past and the future is breathtaking, however, in my opinion, the stuff used for the story in the present is a little bland. It is fairly colorless compared to the brilliance of the 1500 storyline.
While the book wasn't everything I was expecting, it was still very good, and, now more than ever, I am eagerly awaiting the movie.
Taking place across three different time periods (Spain and the New World in the 1500s, America in the present, and in a space-worthy pod in the distant future), Thomas Verde will do anything to save the love of his life Izzy. Drawing on ideas from the book of Genesis, Tom searches for the mythic Tree of Life in order to grant immortality to himself and Izzy, but when the tree begins to die, he must travel to a dying star in order to rejuvenate it.
While the story is simple to explain, it is a little confusing to read in the book. I should probably read it over again, just in case, though. A second reading is probably required.
The artwork is very distinctive, and, for the most part, very beautiful. The art from the past and the future is breathtaking, however, in my opinion, the stuff used for the story in the present is a little bland. It is fairly colorless compared to the brilliance of the 1500 storyline.
While the book wasn't everything I was expecting, it was still very good, and, now more than ever, I am eagerly awaiting the movie.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Truly an awesome story and quite simply amazing artwork. I am very happy to have bought it. Its philosophical and the author leaves some things up to the reader to interpret. Very nice indeed
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By P. Virgin
Format:Hardcover
I first read through the story, and simply scratched my head and said "Well, that was a good read." There was no more to it than that- I simply enjoyed the time I had just spent with the story, which spans centuries as though they were minutes, and nothing more. I was done with the story.
But the story wasn't done with me.
The ancient New World. . . the modern day, swathed in blues and oranges and other colors. . . the future, abstract and an amazing sight, with ghosts and dying stars abound; all these images stuck with me, haunting my waking eyes. Kent Williams has painted a dream, and the story sticks with you like a pleasant dream with echoes of pain in it as well. And in many instances, the images are works of art- the splash pages near the end, or the cover art are what proves it for me.
As far as the story goes, Aronofsky has written a beautiful and revelatory story about life and love and death itself. Many of these facets are not immediately apparent on the first reading, but with subsequent readings it becomes more and more apparent; there are so many levels working here that it takes time to process them all.
While the price of the book may discourage some, and the mere fact that this is a "graphic novel" by definition, if you are considering buying this then please give it a chance. After the first go around, you may not be immediately impressed. But give it a night or two, and I promise you that the story will resonate within you, thus justifying you purchase.
Deserves the 5 stars easily.
But the story wasn't done with me.
The ancient New World. . . the modern day, swathed in blues and oranges and other colors. . . the future, abstract and an amazing sight, with ghosts and dying stars abound; all these images stuck with me, haunting my waking eyes. Kent Williams has painted a dream, and the story sticks with you like a pleasant dream with echoes of pain in it as well. And in many instances, the images are works of art- the splash pages near the end, or the cover art are what proves it for me.
As far as the story goes, Aronofsky has written a beautiful and revelatory story about life and love and death itself. Many of these facets are not immediately apparent on the first reading, but with subsequent readings it becomes more and more apparent; there are so many levels working here that it takes time to process them all.
While the price of the book may discourage some, and the mere fact that this is a "graphic novel" by definition, if you are considering buying this then please give it a chance. After the first go around, you may not be immediately impressed. But give it a night or two, and I promise you that the story will resonate within you, thus justifying you purchase.
Deserves the 5 stars easily.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing drawings and a very nice book.
If you like the movie and are into art or drawing, you should consider buying it. My girlfriend loved it. So did I.
Published 3 months ago by Yngve Frřystad
2.0 out of 5 stars
So-so comic book. ugly faces
I purchase this comic book after i see "the fountain" movie ( many times).
Movie is great, a masterpiece. Read more
Movie is great, a masterpiece. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Janis Ciemgalis
4.0 out of 5 stars
Actually 4.5 stars: Visuals aren't your usual comic-book style
[To those who are worried about getting the photo book instead of the graphic novel: no worries. As long as you order from this page--the cover being Tommy with the tree tattooed... Read more
Published on May 8, 2011 by Itsoutthere
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting
A little different than the movie, but that is a good thing. The art style is very nice, and the story is what I expected. I wanted to keep reading it.
Published on February 17, 2011 by Adam Woodard
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love without the Sap
Most run of the mill love stories are fruity lame half attempts at conveying a true story. The Fountain is not run of the mill and it rewards an audience with an open mind and the... Read more
Published on April 10, 2010 by J. D. Estrada
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome supplement to the movie.
I watched the movie about 8 months ago and by the end of it I had no idea what happened. I gave it another couple months and I watched it again. It all clicked! Read more
Published on August 8, 2008 by C. Wells
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tries to do too much in too little space.
Darren Aronofsky, The Fountain (Vertigo, 2005)
The long and somewhat tortouous story of the making of The Fountain is about as interesting as the movie itself. Read more
The long and somewhat tortouous story of the making of The Fountain is about as interesting as the movie itself. Read more
Published on April 29, 2008 by Robert P. Beveridge
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best
This is one of the best books I ever bought
If you really understood the movie you'll love the graphic novel
If you really understood the movie you'll love the graphic novel
Published on January 14, 2008 by B. Reske
5.0 out of 5 stars
A amazing book for an amazing movie!
The book itself is a very beautiful book, very well made and wonderfully illustrated. Fans of the movie should definitely buy this book. Read more
Published on October 31, 2007 by C. Winter
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Artistic Centerpiece for Any Coffee Table
...But of course, I don't have a coffee table. Or a regular table. Anyhow, being a poor college student, I had to have this after seeing The Fountain the first time, and much more... Read more
Published on September 22, 2007 by Brandon Burroughs
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