War Of The Worlds [Paperback]

Stephen Stern (Author), Arne Starr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 21, 2005

One of the most influential science-fiction novels ever written, H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds is brought to cinematic life in this graphic novel. A modernized adaptation told from the viewpoint of a small group of New Yorkers, it will resonate with today's readers, just as the original galvanized its audience over a century ago. Written by Stephen Stern, writer/creator of the cult comic-book, Zen Intergalactic Ninja, and illustrated by Arne Starr, longtime Star Trek artist for DC Comics, with a cover by legendary artist Frank Brunner.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Just in time for the release of Spielberg's movie adaptation, this graphic novel updates H.G. Wells's familiar story of alien invasion and sets it in modern-day New York, adding such details as the face-like formation on Mars photographed by the Viking Orbiter. Hero Geoff Wills is a reporter with a pregnant wife who goes into labor at just the wrong moment. He and a ragged group of civilians face the deadly invading Martian tripods, fighting to survive as the military fails to protect them. This adaptation retains the most identifiable elements of the original, but loses all the power of the classic story. Stern and Starr's version tries to convey the horror of a war on humanity, but moments of human interest continually lose out to simplistic action. Stern is aware of the repercussions of setting an apocalyptic story in today's New York, but a throwaway line about the 9/11 attacks comes across as flippant. The attempt at vivid Saturday morning action is often undermined by the sometimes clumsy b&w art. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up–Teens who pick up this book and think that they are getting Wells's original classic will be sorely mistaken. While this adaptation gives nods to both that novel and the panic-inducing radio drama, it is clearly set in the present with references to the face on Mars (photographed in 1976), the Hubble Telescope, and 9/11. For readers who are coming in with no preconceived notions, it could be an enjoyable story. A science reporter is covering the story of the Martian invasion while his pregnant wife and his brother try to escape imminent danger. Some characters are introduced so quickly that readers won't feel connected enough to care about what happens to them. Others are introduced mysteriously, including a group of people who have been living underground for more than a decade, and then dropped. Some of the dialogue is clunky and awkward, especially when characters are providing exposition. The black-and-white illustrations vary from good to innovative (the backgrounds derived from photographs are often striking). Anyone who goes to the movies, of course, can accept the idea of a modern retelling. More disappointing, however, is the watering down of the original story to the extent that it loses its power and its ability to entrance its readers.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Best Sellers Illustrated (May 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976475502
• ISBN-13: 978-0976475507
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,546,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Reads Like a MOVIE!, June 22, 2005

By 

IraH "Ira Harold" (SoCal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War Of The Worlds (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this graphic novel, which is as cinematic a book as any I've read. The pages almost turn themselves! I've read quite a few manga books, and War of the Worlds shared an uncluttered writing style with the best of them. It reads like the storyboard for a movie, very exciting and with a good deal of humor and insight into the human condition. The characters are exceptionally well-drawn and the dialogue is spot-on. The story has a real New York feel, like the newsvendor saying, "First terroritsts, now freakin' ETs!" Ya gotta love it. The action never stops, and yet this adaptation retains enough of the Wells book to satisfy someone like myself who is familiar with it, having read it twice, once in school many years ago, and more recently, when I read that there was a movie coming out. I just read the above review from Publisher's Weekly, and all I can say is, they "just don't get it." I for one look forward to more books from this company.

5.0 out of 5 stars A COOL CONTEMPORARY RETELLING, June 20, 2005

By 

Louis L. (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War Of The Worlds (Paperback)

I read this graphic novel straight through, in about an hour and twenty minutes. It's very cool and contemporary, with a gritty New York feel. Example: the owner of a pizzeria who says, "Any Martian comes into my restaurant, he's gonna get a taste of the shotgun I keep behind the counter." I was very impressed with the clever way in which it updated the Wells original, making it very relevant to today and a bit edgy, including a reference to 9/11 which really hit home. There are several deft touches, such as the explanation of how the aliens are indeed MARTIANS (and not generic aliens, as they apparently are in the Spielberg film). This is an exciting, nonstop read whose style of graphic storytelling reminded me of 'Road to Perdition'. I recommend it highly.