The Probability Broach: The Graphic Novel (Paperback)

~ L. Neil Smith (Author), Scott Bieser (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This full-color graphic novel re-tells the story of police Lt. Win Bear, who while investigating the murder of a university physicist, gets blown "sideways in time" and finds himself in a technologically advanced, fabulously wealthy world where government is nearly extinct and everyone carries guns.

This provocative story was originally a prose novel published in 1980, now updated by Smith with 185 pages of eye-popping drawings by Bieser in a 192-page trade paperback volume.

About the Author

Three-time Prometheus Award-winner L. Neil Smith is the author of 23 books, including The American Zone, Forge of the Elders, Pallas, Tom Paine Maru, Hope (with Aaron Zelman), and his collection of articles and speeches, Lever Action.

Scott Bieser is a cartoonist and illustrator who spent more than a decade creating computer game graphics for Interplay Entertainment, then turned his efforts towards graphic novels in 2002. His first book, _A Drug War Carol_ (with Susan W. Wells) is also available from Amazon.Com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: BigHead Press (November 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974381411
• ISBN-13: 978-0974381411
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #722,952 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, scary, and I would love to move to the NAC..., September 23, 2005

By	P. RAULERSON "PR" (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This graphic novel did not reflect the visions I had in my head for these characters, it more than exceeded them! In fact, the whole graphic novel was a wonderful experience, and I sincerely hope they do more in the series.

The book presents a wild vision of a world where, for example, trying to collect income tax can get you shot - by the little old lady who lives next door. Subtle little things, like happy people who do not live in poverty, self repairing windows, and oh yeah - a realiable cure for cancer make the setting in this novel rather unique. I may not totally agree with all the thoughts in this novel, but you come away from it wishing you could make *our* world more like *theirs*. If the political philosophy does not get you thinking, I do not know what will!

Highly recommended!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I truly didn't expect it to turn out so well!, May 4, 2005

By	1gewehr "1gewehr" (Mid TN) - See all my reviews

The Probability Broach is one of my all-time favorite books. So, it was with some trepidation that I approached it's transformation into a 'graphic novel'. I mean, really! We all know that 'graphic novel' is publisher-speak for 'Long Comic Book'.

Well, I was totally blown away! Not only are the story, characters, and visualizations true to the original book, but the artwork truly enhances the product! Mssrs. Smith and Bieser have done themselves proud!

So, when can we expect to see 'Venus Belt' so rendered?!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bieser Helped Bring El Neil's Story to Life!, December 31, 2005

By	Jane Rhynn "Jane the Dervish" (CA) - See all my reviews

Scott Bieser has real talent and brought the story to life with his illustrations. He mixes colors well, too, and has a real imagination for fashions that I loved (though I suspect El Neil helped him on this). He even made the gun belts, holsters, sheaths, and the like fashionable. The inside is even better than the cover art that you can see here.

I loved how he really brought the story to life. A lot of things that the characters said were emphasized by the illustrations. And who can beat a chimpanzee (chimps are full, participating members of society in the anarchistic world) in classic Mexican dress, a red wig, and trying to sell Khmer Rouge to a detective from our world (or one like it)?

The illustrations aren't perfect. IMO, Lucy Kropotkin should be darker, as she's portrayed in The American Zone. And I thought the part of Dr. Thorens asking where Dr. Olsen (that is, Clarissa--btw, guys, you get to see her naked from the back in this) got her hair programmed was either unrealistic or downright catty. Dr. Thorens' hair was much fuller, curlier, and even "more blonde" if that's possible than Dr. Olsen's was.

But in spite of the nitpicking, I give this one five stars.