Over the years, we’ve seen innumerable seminal and iconic novels get retold in the form of graphic novels. Let’s take a look at some of the best examples!
Nowadays, we often talk about incredible comic book adaptations, especially when it comes to movies and TV shows. But there’s seldom much praise for when beloved novels are given the graphic novel treatment. There’s tons of examples of times stories have been weaved into amazing graphic novels. In this list, we run you through 8 of the very best.
8. Dune
Frank Herbert’s Dune is among the most illustrious science-fiction novels ever written. What’s more, the seminal work has had a recent resurgence thanks to Denis Villeneuve’s blockbuster movies. With the gluttony of Dune content out there, you simply can’t miss Kevin J. Anderson’s fantastic graphic novel adaptation.
It covers the story mostly without compromise (so it’s perfect for newcomers), while being all wrapped up in some glorious artwork!
Buy the Dune graphic novel on Amazon here.
7. 1984
George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four is among my absolute favourite novels of all-time. So naturally, I was super excited to pick up the graphic novel edition. How would it adapt and visualise the dystopian world that’s presented by Orwell in the original novel? Extremely well, as it turns out.
Through its breathtaking, often surreal imagery, adapter and artist Fido Nesti brings the story of Winston Smith to life. Bringing this timeless classic to the comics medium was always going to be tough, but Nesti does it with ease.
You can buy George Orwell’s 1984: The Graphic Novel on Amazon here.
6. A Game of Thrones/A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is easily one of the most popular fantasy franchises in the world today. The series has been adapted into television, games, and also comics. The latter of which are particularly good. Despite being a graphic novel, the A Game of Thrones adaptation (and subsequent sequels_ from Daniel Abraham don’t heavily compromise on content; given how dense the original novels are. Plus, the art is pretty glorious, too!
There’s also adaptations of Martin’s spinoff series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, perfect reading to prepare for the upcoming TV series. We’ve covered these graphic novels in more detail here.
You can start reading the A Game of Thrones graphic novel on Amazon here, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Vol. 1, The Hedge Knight, here.
5. The Handmaid’s Tale
Chances are, you’re probably very familiar with the immense popularity of The Handmaid’s Tale. The 1985 dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood is immensely popular. Its success culminated in a beloved TV adaptation, which premiered back in 2017. However, one adaptation you’ve probably never heard of is the graphic novel version, gorgeously realised by artist Renée Nault.
If you’re unaware of the story of The Handmaid’s Tale, it takes place in a time when environmental disasters and declining birthrates have ultimately led to a Second American Civil War. In this new society, fertile women (known as Handmaids), are forced to birth children for the elite rulers they serve. It’s a deeply disturbing and harrowing vision of the future.
You can buy The Handmaid’s Tale graphic novel on Amazon here.
4. Lord of the Flies
Before Lost, before Yellowjackets, there was Lord of the Flies. Written by William Golding, the novel follows a group of kids who find themselves stranded on an island following a plane crash. Sound familiar? Well, the concept has been around for decades, but Golding’s seminal novel certainly popularised it. The story is poignant, still relevant, and haunting.
Adapted for the comics medium by
You can buy the Lord of the Flies graphic novel on Amazon here.
3. The Road
Cormac McCarthy’s The Road is a simple story, masterfully told. The tale is set in a post-apocalyptic United States, after a cataclysmic event has wiped out most of humanity. We follow a father and his son set out on a long road towards the sea, and the various things they encounter along the way. The novel is uniquely written, too, using a simplified, broken down version of English. Broken text for a broken world.
While you may recognise The Road from its 2009 movie adaptation starring Viggo Mortensen, another brilliant adaptation of the graphic novel edition illustrated by
You can buy The Road graphic novel on Amazon here.
2. The Graphic Shakespeare
The works of Shakespeare aren’t exactly easy reading. I mean, not like many other seminal works on this list. Some people find that the stories (while amazing), are often hard to visualise when read directly off the page. That’s where The Graphic Shakespeare comes in. The comic retains the original text (Old-English and all), put really helps add context through its illustrations.
The graphic novel by Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
If you’re one of those who wants to get into Shakespeare but you can’t quite grasp the original texts, or you can’t get to a play, this is a fantastic option.
You can buy The Graphic Shakespeare on Amazon here.
1. The Hobbit
The Hobbit comic is just as you’d imagine… a version of the story adapted for the comics medium. But what I love most is that it tries to stay as unabridged as possible, whilst also giving readers some absolutely gorgeous illustrations. It adds a whole new perspective and side to the story that you simply can’t get from the original novel. And it uses direct quotes and descriptions from the source material too, making it a word-heavy comic. If you read this and not the original, you wouldn’t really be missing out on anything.
I actually find that I love The Hobbit graphic novel more than the original book. I’ve read it through more times than I can count. The illustrations by David Wenzel are absolutely exquisite, and seamlessly bring to life Tolkien’s vision.
You can buy The Hobbit graphic novel on Amazon here.
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