All You Need Is Kill

by Nick Mamatas (Adapted By), Hiroshi Sakurazaka

When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally--the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death? Now a major motion picture starring Tom Cruise!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Science Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Japan, Manga

96 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2014

About the author

Nick Mamatas is the author of the Lovecraftian Beat road novel Move Under Ground, which was nominated for both the Bram Stoker and International Horror Guild awards, the Civil War ghost story Northern Gothic, also a Stoker nominee, the suburban nighmare novel Under My Roof, and over thirty short stories and hundreds of articles (some of which were collected in 3000 Miles Per Hour in Every Direction at Once). His work has appeared in Razor, Village Voice, Spex, Clamor, In These Times, Polyphony, several Disinformation and Ben Bella Books anthologies, and the books Corpse Blossoms, Poe's Lighthouse, Before & After: Stories from New York, and Short and Sweet.

Nick's forthcoming works include the collection You Might Sleep... (November 2008) and Haunted Legends, an anthology with Ellen Datlow (Tor Books 2009).

A native New Yorker, Nick now lives in the California Bay Area.

Reviews

[James DeSantis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow...do yourself a favor and read the much better novel. Even better go and watch the movie, Edge of Tomorrow. SO much better than this. This was badly drawn, badly paced, badly written. Not worth your time. Wasted mine.

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The graphic novel adaptation of All You Need is Kill depends much on the notion that those who will be reading it are the people who have either read the novel or saw the movie Edge of Tomorrow. As a stand-alone graphic novel, someone without any prior knowledge about the movie or the novel will find the comics confusing. Many of the important elements are not clearly explained.

On the other hand, those who have read the novel or watched the movie will feel like they have to recall many things from the novel/movie. Everything is rushed and less epic than what should have been. That is disappointing since the very reason we have bought this one is to appreciate the story in another medium and not to experience a mediocre version of it.

The artwork is a little less than good. The mimics are not as formidable as they should have been and the protagonists look like generic foot soldiers. Even the fight scenes are boring.

Watch the movie, read the novel, skip this one.

[Michael Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calling this a graphic novel is adaptation of the original All You Need Is Kill is not quite right. To me at least it felt more like a trailer for the novel in comic form (maybe a brand new medium). You are given the bare minimum amount of exposition for the plot to be mostly understandable and lots of disjointed action, seemingly out of context snippets of dialogue and narration.

Outside of a few odd moments (Rita addressing the reader while explaining her backstory, the action figures from "the movie" and Kenji outright telling the reader to go read the novel) it was thoroughly enjoyable and it made me want to go read the original novel (which I got at the same time so I feel less cheated than I would if I got this on it's own).

[Bill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full of meh. The aliens are abysmally designed. The pacing is terrible and the page layouts would be confusing if there were anything going on on the page that you needed to understand, which there isn't. Read the book, watch the movie, avoid the obvious movie related cash grab that this slim graphic novel represents. The best thing about it was that it didn't take very long to read.

[Theresa Marsala · Rating 2 out of 5]

Watch the movie "Edge of Tomorrow" OR read the original book "All You Need Is Kill" to get the full greatness of this story because this graphic novel doesn't do it justice. Confusing panel layout, mediocre art, and "just the facts ma'am" version of the story makes it feel like you were heavily drinking while reading this since you kinda, sorta have an idea what's going on but feel like you missed something along the way. (And the part where Rita talks to the reader in a fourth wall break is super lazy). I gave it 2 stars because I love the original book so much that it pained me to give it 1 star, but skip it & spend the 15 min you would've been reading this on watching the movie instead.

[Dorin Lazăr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A groundhog day with killing stuff. Awesome. The only thing that's bad about it is that it's too short :D

Second reading. I guess the issue I have with it is that the beginning is way too condensed, and also the mimics (the main enemy) are a bit too... undefined, I guess? But it really feels like the story is rushed, perhaps a few more pages would've been enough to explain better the enemy. But it's still cool.

[Sharon Powers · Rating 2 out of 5]

A graphic novel is, in form, a bound book with material similar to full novels. They can be hardcover or card stock and include topics of fiction and non-fiction, or even such things as anthologies or collections.

The graphic novel is distinguished from comics or comic books even though the bulk of the material consists of art work. Comic books are printed on inexpensive bulk paper and graphic novels are printed on much higher quality of paper. Some are truly beautiful with glossy pages and beautiful illustrations. Moreover, comics contain advertising whereas graphic novels do not. Also, graphic novels invariably contain a story line that has a beginning, middle, and end; comic books tend to be episodic in nature. Comic books are much, much, shorter than graphic novels (some graphic novels I've seen approach 150 pages--an average seems to be around 100 pages.

I mention these attributes to graphic novels because some purported-to-be graphic novels are nothing more than a few comics put together with a card stock cover. It is so disappointing when a title is described and billed as a graphic novel and you spend your money expecting to get a graphic novel, but end up with a glorified comic book. Now, let's take a look at All You Need Is Kill, Graphic Novel to see how it stands up under scrutiny.

All You Need Is Kill, Graphic Novel has 96 pages--more than a comic book, so it does fit into the size of a graphic novel. The cover is card stock. Again, not something a comic book usually has, so good, so far.

The only advertising I saw was on the last page--the author advertising his own original novel, All You Need Is Kill (and one other novel by him); so that's very good. The cover art and the illustrations inside, by Lee Ferguson, are beautifully rendered and colored and the art is on glossy paper that is, indeed, beautiful to look at. Additionally, its dimensions are 10.2 x 6.9 x 0.2 inches, weighs 4.8 oz. (shipping), and it is in the English Language [ISBN-10: 142156081X; ISBN-13: 978-1421560816].

The story is adapted by Nick Mamatas, and it is clear that the story is adapted from All You Need Is Kill (the novel). Remembering that it is a graphic novel, we know that not everything can be included from a full size book--this one (including the "After- ward") is 269 pages; distilling the book down to 96 pages of art, it seems that the requirement of having a complete story arc is met. And, while the adaptor does a good job selecting what to include in the graphic novel and includes all of the critical story elements, the dialog and scene descriptions fall far short of what I consider good. To me, it just looks as if they rushed this graphic novel into production too fast to get it right. Disappointing.

It is terrible that this brand new book is already falling apart! At the spine, the whole spine seems to be starting to come loose as well as the individual pages. I LOVE my books and I have gently read the book and handled it, only to see this happen. I really don't like it that some publishers permit shoddy craftsmanship like this. This is factored into my review of the book.


Technically, all the elements appear to be met to consider this a graphic novel. I did love the beautiful art, the cover, and the story line, but thought that the execution of the dialog and scene descriptions were far below what I'd consider to be good. Moreover, I've only read the book once and opened it a second time to take pictures. It is disappointing that the book is already falling apart.

What had started out as a 5 star graphic novel has dropped to 2.5 but I round off the number, because of these failings. My advice is to skip the graphic novel and go straight for the novel. Save your $8.75--I'm sorry I bought it. I can't show it here, but my book is falling apart; the pages coming out and the binding loosening from the book. I'm very unhappy with it.

[Vikas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned about this graphic novel/book while reading review for the upcoming Tom Cruise movie 'Edge of Tomorrow', I must say that the producers surely picked a nice book to make a movie.

Basically aliens have attacked earth and almost finished the human race and our hero dies while trying to fight them but he wakes up again to fight the aliens and dying again. so on and so forth.

Its a very nice graphic novel and everyone should read it, I finished it in one single session after all its only about 96 pages of awesomeness.

I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.

[Nicole Bunge · Rating 2 out of 5]

For better or worse, this is based on the light novel by Hiroshi Sakaurazaka, and it comes off as a Cliff Notes version of the novel - which is a 'light novel' (so think YA) which has also been translated and reissued by Viz under their Haika Soru label. Even the art is rushed, with backgrounds being flat colors - not actual settings - most of the time, so the whole thing feels hollow, no depth to the world it takes place in.

It's not a bad introduction, and I haven't seen the movie adaptation, but it felt like there was a lot missing.

[kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even a Coles Notes has more info than this does. While its an adaptation it doesn't even scratch the surface of the original novel. This version feels superficial it doesn't get into what made the book so good. Many important scenes were cut out and we barely know anything about the characters (also what is with Rita breaking fourth wall? Where did that even come from).

The only good thing about these flaws is that I could finish reading it soon and move on to something better.

[Neil Hepworth · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a hot mess. I'm just gonna echo everyone else's sentiments because they're spot on: terrible art style, terrible adaptation of the writing, horribly confusing layout, and waste of the last 45 minutes.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kill.
Now you don't have to read this book which is third or fourth generation copy of the original light novel. It's OK, but I will keep looking for the Japanese version.

[Zedsdead · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's a surprisingly good Tom Cruise movie called Edge of Tomorrow about a couple of human heroes fighting off an alien invasion. I thought it was based on this graphic novel. Turns out the graphic novel--like the movie--is based on this book. Wish I'd figured that out before.

This book is bad. The best thing I can say about it is that it's extremely short. But it's short because most of the plot is missing. Half the panels appear to be unconnected to the scene. The art goes all pixelly from time to time. Maybe there was a problem with the printer.

There was exactly one good moment: the female warrior hero and her female armorer are goggling over the ridiculously busty, scantily-clad action-figure versions of themselves. A male officer interrupts and the armorer departs claiming that she has to run some Bechdel tests. [spit-take]

[Paul Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this three star because having read the original novel....and really liked it...this seemed to leave out way more than should have been to understand what was really going on. It isnt too bad but pales in comparison to the novel.

Side note Hollywood has found a way to F this up as well making a movie out of it called Edge of Tomorrow changing the title of even the book and starring a 50 year old Tome cruise as young raw 18 year old raw recruit Keiji...screw Hollywood and Tom Cruise.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The graphic novel adaptation of a graphic novel? Okay. An interesting story but this adaptation leaves a lot of unanswered questions and was sometimes hard to follow. This book certainly doesn't inspire me to watch the movie based from it but perhaps one day I wil read the story that started it all.

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might have liked this more if I hadn't read the novel first, but since I did I found this to be quite rushed. I also didn't find the art all that great either. If you want a truly enjoyable experience with this story, go with the novel.

[Michael Loring · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good graphic novel, albeit you have to of read the original novel to get it. I recommend this to everyone who has read the novel!

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, nice try.

Sorry though, you're compared to Yoshitoshi ABe and Takeshi Obata here..

[Ria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just OK - the art wasn't great and I think the film did a better job with the narrative. Will have to try the novel instead.

[Artur Coelho · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quando comecei a olhar com atenção para a FC japonesa publicada pela Haikasoru All You Need Is Kill despertou-me a atenção. Belíssima peça de FC militarista, estava escrita numa linguagem tão clara que poderia dar um excelente filme. Não devo ter sido o único a pensar nisso. Esta história que pode ser descrita como um Groundhog Day com invasões alienígenas está prestes a estrear no grande ecrã, com os efeitos especiais da praxe e canastrão a rigor para atrair multidões às salas. Vai ter a trajectória previsível destes filmes, com um momento de explosão na ribalta, avalanche de merchandising e rápida queda no esquecimento, porque de hollywood não se espera cuidado ou criatividade e já se sabe que uma história destas vai acabar tão simplificada que talvez pouco mais dela reste do que o conceito elementar.

Antes do filme, a graphic novel, e esperemos francamente que o filme seja melhor que isto. A adaptação é medíocre, com um argumento do tipo "ok, vamos lá despachar isto que paga as contas e ter tempo para fazer outras coisas" e qualidade gráfica a condizer. Não é um trabalho incompetente, é um trabalho apressado para capitalizar no volúvel interesse gerado.

[Nuno Almeida · Rating 2 out of 5]

É impossível evitar comparações entre esta graphic novel e a adaptação a manga, sobretudo porque os triunfos da última são os maiores erros da primeira. Enquanto a manga levou o seu tempo, contando a história inteira ao longo de 15 capítulos mais tarde reunidos em dois volumes, este comic resume tudo em menos de 100 páginas, condensando personagens e situações, atropelando-se na sua pressa de contar a história.

Enquanto a manga traduzia as palavras em imagens cuidadas, com representações fiéis das personagens e uma atenção ao detalhe de tudo quanto fosse mecânico a roçar o obsessivo, aqui temos algo que parece feito por um aluno de artes do primeiro ano. Os fatos são ridículos, mais próximos de uns power rangers que dos engenhos complexos descritos no livro, para não falar de machados mais apropriados a uma obra de fantasia que de ficção científica e com cabos tão finos que deveriam partir como palitos.

Não dou uma pontuação menor porque, por debaixo da desgraça que é o tratamento dado à obra de Sakurazaka, ela continua lá. Ou pelo menos algo que se lhe assemelhe.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, All You Need Is Kill, is one of my favorite SF novels of the last few years. So I had high hopes. (I have zero hope for the Tom Cruise film coming out soon.)

For the most part, they were met. The artwork is clean, and Nick got what I consider to be the crucial scenes onto the page. You can follow the story without having read the book, and if you have, the story has remained faithful.

As with other reviewers, I believe that this adaptation could've used another fifteen to twenty pages to really fill out the story, but somehow I doubt that was either the author or the adapter's fault, so I've only dinged it a star. Still solid, just not transcendent.

In summary, I'd recommend this for anyone who likes a good military s/f yarn, and as a gateway if you're trying to get a teenager to read. Lead with this, then if they want more info, offer them the novel.

[Dimitris · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Background: Have just watched Edge of Tomorrow but I have not read the novel.)

I suppose the above has its role in why I was so disappointed in the graphic novel which felt rushed and emotionless. The absence of any substantial character development is probably to be expected but still, almost shocking how bad this all works. It feels disjointed and unnecessary, heartless and bleak but not in a melancholic sense. The writing feels mechanical and stale, as if a good idea was written by a machine automatically reporting the weather or earthquake data. Yeah, that 's how little I could connect with the graphic novel. A shame, really.

[Greta is Erikasbuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can definitely see why my son would enjoy this.

He has read the novel but I have only seen the movie (The Edge of Tomorrow).

The graphic novel confused me at times but I was lucky that my son told me the differences between the book and the movie.

I wouldn't recommend reading this unless you have read the book or seen the movie. Even with me just seeing the movie I was confused so perhaps reading the book too will help.

The book seemed rush. My son told me it was like a really really cut down version of the novel. It took about 30 minutes to read. I'm sure if it was bigger than it would have made more sense.

[Michael Daaboul · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fast read that's written well. I wish there was more and disappointing that it's a small take on a much larger piece of work.

With that said, I still enjoyed my time reading through the action and found the artwork to be inventive for the most part.

Despite the negative reception it gets, understand what you're in for, and that is a fast, action filled take of the world in All You Need Is Kill.

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[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adapted from the Japanese manga/light novel. A man at war with huge, deadly aliens finds himself repeating a short section of his life over and over after being killed by one of the aliens. Interesting. I'm curious how it would've come across without knowing the story from the film adaptation. This was much faster, shorter, simpler, more straight forward. No bad - like a good SF short story. Reminded me of Ted Chiang, actually. I didn't love the art - it didn't get in the way or blur together but just isn't a style I particularly like. The coloring is really dark. I think I'd have liked this more as a normal manga - as it is the style looks very American (like 90s superhero comics).

[Ashleigh Mattern · Rating 2 out of 5]

I requested this book from the library on accident when I meant to get the novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, but since I had the graphic novel, I thought I'd read it anyway after finishing the novel. The book is definitely better. Sometimes graphic interpretations of novels can add a new layer to the story (like with Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep), but this is not one of those cases. I'm not sure you'd even be able to understand what was going on in this graphic novel if you hadn't read the Sakurazaka's book. The novel is short and gripping, so I would recommend that over this graphic version.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The graphic novel adaptation of Hiroshi Sakurazaka's All You Need Is Kill. Since I read the novel first, I was able to follow the graphic novel version, bu it was... challenging. Without the background, I think I would have seen no connection to Edge of Tomorrow, and had a really difficult time enjoying the GN.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. This is a decent bit of science fiction. I can't help but feel that the original novel is probably better. I haven't seen the recent Tom Cruise film based on the book either. So basically this guy keeps reliving the same loop of time over and over again. It eventually becomes clear what's happening and what he needs to do to break the cycle. It's ultimately a bit too much flashy and stylish for its own good. Substance is important too. It's a decent quick read, but not much else.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Luckily I've seen the movie The Edge of Tomorrow and read the other (MUCH BETTER) graphic novel of All You Need is Kill, so I had an inkling of what was going on. There was SO much left out of this version, that unless you've read the novel or the graphic novel, nothing would make sense (the movie is totally different). I was really disappointed. Important plot points were left out, characters were not well identified (or even named), and the whole thing just sucked. Not worth the time.