The Inventor: The Story of Tesla

by Rave Mehta, Erik Williams (Illustrator)

During a time when inventors were known as wizards and corporations considered kingdoms, emerged an extraordinary league of gentlemen who shaped the modern world with their minds, money, and machines. Thomas Edison, J.P. Morgan, and others stood at the helm of the ship as the perfect storm was approaching. At the eye of the storm stood Nikola TESLA, a mystic inventor whose genius bordered insanity as he blurred the lines between magic and science. The Inventor is the true story of how Nikola TESLA stood against the goliaths of industry and changed the world with nothing but his mind, passion, and vision for a better humanity. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Graphic Novels Comics, Historical Fiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mehta, Rave. The Inventor: The Story of Tesla. Arcana Studio, 2012.

This is a graphic novel biography of Nikola Tesla, an often-overlooked inventor whose genius has recently become popular. This book details Tesla's childhood, his work with Edison, as well as his eventual death. This book is a great way to get students interested in science, invention, or even biographies.

Recommended for: tweens, teens
Red Flags: none
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars

[Andrew Kiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it gave some information about Tesla and what he did and accomplished. Also it was in a fun sort of way because it was a graphic novel and he was somewhat competing with Einstein. It was a good book. Read it!!!!!

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am giving this only two stars because, I really didn't think it was that great. The book wasn't about something that I am totally interested in. I also didn't like the drawing like some of them were ok and some weren't so good. But I can't say anything all I can draw is a stick figure.

[Joni Zigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable new perspective on the history of powerful men of the times paired with beautiful artwork. I am compelled to read more about all of the players. This graphic novel helped me understand the genre a bit more! I’ve been working on learning the appeal that already draws so many of my students.

[Taco Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent just not the best I've seen from a graphic novel

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers enough of the basics for a more youthful audience (I suppose). Interesting style.

[Logan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably the only graphic novel I would not read again.

[Neil Franz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tesla my lodi!

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find Tesla to be a fascinating historical character. But, every time I try to find a book about him, I'm left with a dry and/or hefty tome which takes too long to read, or is too difficult to understand.

So, that's part of why I was so interested in reading a graphic novel about him. I thought it would be a nice little intro to Tesla's life before I moved on to bigger and more detailed books.

This was absolutely wonderful. I found this at a grade school book-fair, but I found it to be more appropriate for high school level readers. And as a college graduate, I still found it to be wonderfully interesting.

If you're interested in Tesla, then this is a great place to start. (Or just a fun read for an already committed fan).

[Austin Phadoungsyavong · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think all right with this book history because start born thunder then grow up make smart kid and idea machine but some have vision like math or future make no sense.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book at the school's book fair to supplement my graphic novels library. Tesla isn't much covered by history so I thought he'd be a nice addition.

Tesla was a strange man, a true genius. I think this graphic biography portrays this beautifully.

This is a weird book. The art is wonderful but I had a difficult time following it. It may be because of my own lack of skills in reading graphic novels. I'm curious how my students will react.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick review to flesh out better later. An all right attempt at introducing a historical topic to kids. The storytelling is rather flat, and it would be a more effective educational tool to have informational sources easily referenced. The art style is a bit weird for the material, a mix of vector illustrations and photo modifications.

[Glory · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting biography, that paints Tesla as a kinder, more vulnerable man than is strictly truth. Still, when in doubt, print the legend!

[Kitty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh... Drunk history is much easier to look at and is a lot more entertaining. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gOR9...

[Stephen Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the artist had done his own art consistently instead of passing off digitally altered photos as his own art (randomly, then constantly) this would've been a much better book.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this! Tesla's awesome! misunderstood in his own time :(

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone needs to know about Tesla. What better way to get my students interested than this cool, albeit wordy, graphic novel.

[Angie Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my reading challenge, this counts as a graphic novel.

[Irene B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some liberties taken in the interpretation, but good graphics. I bought a copy for myself and give it as gifts. Hard to find.

[Paul Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent graphic novel bringing the life story and amazing accomplishments of Tesla to readers. Highly recommended.

[Kim Bahr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read about a man with so many ideas and so little recognition. Science teachers would love this book!

[SA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good! Kind of a weird spot between biography and comic universe nonsense.