Graphic Classics, Volume 3: H.G. Wells

Graphic Classics #3

by Tom Pomplun (Editor), Antonella Caputo, Rod Lott

Graphic Classics: H.G. Wells is a completely revised second edition of the third volume in the Graphic Classics series. It features three new comics adaptations: "The Time Machine" by Antonella Caputo and Seth Frail, "The Invisible Man" by Rod Lott and Simon Gane, and "The Inexperienced Ghost" by Tom Pomplun and Rich Tommaso. Plus returning stories adapted by Dan O'Neill, Skip Williamson, Milton Knight, Brad Teare and Nick Miller, including the story of Orson Welles' 1938 radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds."

Genres: Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Comics, Classics

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2002

Reviews

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the 2nd edition being long out of print, Graphic Classics' latest release is an updated 3rd edition of this Wells edition and a splendid book it is indeed. Instead of a collection of short stories, this volume concentrates on longer pieces, mostly the novels and contains Wells' most famous works with a few bits of curiosities on the side. You can compare my reaction with my review of the 2nd edition which I thoroughly enjoyed, but this is certainly my preferred edition. Starting off with an adaptation of "The Time Machine" this is from the 2nd edition only has been completely re-illustrated by Kevin Atkinson in a mode of painting using a wide range of shades of grey to black. Very well done! Then "The Invisible Man" returns as does "The Inexperienced Ghost" (My favourite short story from the 2nd edition). Both of these re-read well for me and I enjoyed the second reading of the same material. Then came the coup de grace that I had been looking forward to with this edition, the new inclusion of "The Island of Dr. Moreau". I find this a creepy story and the author/illustrators did a fantastic job of bringing the original to graphic format. Finally the book ends with the entirely odd but awesomely illustrated "The Star". I totally enjoyed everything in this edition. I liked the concentration of fewer, longer pieces. While the material left out from the 2nd edition was good, I didn't miss anything as the best was kept. The new material is excellent. After all is said and done, even though I was well-pleased with "Dr. Moreau", my favourite was "The Time Machine". Caputo does an excellent retelling and Atkinson's new illustration is fantastic. One of my favourite volumes in the series.

On a side note, I now only have one more book from the back-list to read then I will have read this entire series! And I eagerly await June's release of Cat/Dog which will be something a little different for the series as a whole.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a mostly entertaining illustrated collection of HG Wells’ classic stories, presented by a variety of comics artists.

One line in “The Invisible Man” was especially memorable to me. After overhearing his tenant’s experiments to make a cat invisible, a landlord blusters:

“The laws of this country against vivisection are very severe—I might be liable! What is it you are doing in here?”

If only.

[Carol Littlejohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

H.G. Wells' books and stories are classics. However, they are a bit hard to read at times. Maybe it's the archaic, Victorian writing style. This graphic novel uses the complete stories ("The War of the Wars", "The Invisible Man" and others) and then adds comic-book illustrations to add spice to the story. Speaking as a librarian, I would recommend this one in every middle and high school library.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 3 out of 5]

The unentered 2005 second edition 9780974664839

4 "The Invisible Man"
44 "The Inexperienced Ghost"
58 "The Man Who Could Work Miracles"
68 "The Temptation of Harringway"
74 "The War of the Worlds: The Story of Orsen Welles' 1938 Radio Broadcast"
92 "Le Mari Terrible"
94 "The Man with a Nose"
97 "The Time Machine"
137 "The Star"

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. H.G. Wells has a way with words that moves the story along well and paints pictures in my mind. I really liked The Man with a Nose and the Man Who Could Work Miracles.

[Bonnie Fournier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not What I expected. This book has some stories which he wrote others are modified by others. Anyway it was entertaining.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a great fan of H.G. Wells having read a huge old tome entitled the "Complete Novels and Short Stories of ..." when I was a young teen. I've re-read various titles over the years but it's been some time since I read any of the novels so this was great fun to revisit two of them. This anthology starts and ends with nice long adaptations of novels, "The Invisible Man" and "The Time Machine" respectively. Both are very well done and since they are relatively short novels to begin with are perfect for graphic adaptation. A unique feature in the middle of the book was a representation of Orson Welles' radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds". This was an entertaining look at both H.G.'s story and a strange piece of history that makes me want to actually hear that broadcast for myself. The rest of the book is filled with several not so well known short stories that show another side of Wells' writing featuring the ghost and paranormal. I loved most of the art and as usual the artist matches the style of the story. My favourite of the lot was the two novels and my favourite of the short stories was "The Inexperienced Ghost" with lovely era-appropriate illustrations by Rich Tommaso. This is one of my favourites in the Graphic Classics series. This edition, unfortunately, is currently out of print, but according to the publisher's website a third edition is in the works for publication in Feb, 2014.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun way to get aquainted with H.G. Wells. I read a kid's version of the Time Machine growing up, but that's really all the exposure to the man that I've had.

Ranking books like this is especially difficult because there are eight different stories with an added diminsion for the vastly different art.

I'm not sure I can list a favorite from the book...

I'll add the I liked some of the trivia about Wells found in the back of the book, "... Their seminal influence in the field is challenged only by that of the French fantasist Jules Verne, who Wells claimed, 'can't write himself out of a paper sack.'"

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This gave me a newfound appreciation for The Time Machine. The art was creepy and heightened the impact of the contrast between the morlocks and the eloi. There was some seriously good commentary on comfort and pleasure versus being farmed.

But you're ok stopping after the first story. I won't think any less of you.