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Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy: A Graphic Novel #1-2

Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A Graphic Novel

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The official graphic novel adaptation of Stieg Larsson's THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.

Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

This book combines materials that were separately published as Book 1 and Book 2.

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

41 people are currently reading
2749 people want to read

About the author

Denise Mina

110 books2,542 followers
Denise Mina was born in Glasgow in 1966. Because of her father's job as an Engineer, the family followed the north sea oil boom of the seventies around Europe
She left school at sixteen and did a number of poorly paid jobs, including working in a meat factory, as a bar maid, kitchen porter and cook.
Eventually she settled in auxiliary nursing for geriatric and terminal care patients.
At twenty one she passed exams, got into study Law at Glasgow University and went on to research a PhD thesis at Strathclyde University on the ascription of mental illness to female offenders, teaching criminology and criminal law in the mean time.
Misusing her grant she stayed at home and wrote a novel, 'Garnethill' when she was supposed to be studying instead.

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5 stars
8,709 (68%)
4 stars
3,019 (23%)
3 stars
737 (5%)
2 stars
144 (1%)
1 star
78 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Profile Image for Chad.
10.5k reviews1,061 followers
December 15, 2021
A very close adaptation of the book. Be warned, there are some extremely violent scenes of a sexual nature. I do think there were a few things that weren't completely clear in this adaptation. It does work better if you're read the book in the past. Leonardo Manco's art is really good. Just the right amount of gritty.

The basic plot is that a financial journalist who has been ruined by a vengeful billionaire is hired to solve a decades old murder.
Profile Image for Kitty G Books.
1,700 reviews2,969 followers
September 18, 2016
I'm giving this one a 3.5*s overall as I have already read the book before and I was gifted this a while back. The artwork fits with the style of the book, it's dark, gritty and filled with blood and shadows. I think it was certainly the style it needed to be for this kind of book, but saying that it's also not my personal favourite style of artwork. Lisbeth was a fantastic character and the way she was drawn I thought was truly spot on, some of the other characters weren't quite as good, but it was easy enough to tell them apart.

The story stuck pretty close to what the original book goes through (just abbreviated) and I actually found that I had forgotten a lot of the story so this was an excellent refresher for me. I loved being able to quickly read the storyline and to see the action on the page before me too as it was pretty intense at times and it did get my heart-beat going at the climax.

In terms of the content this is for sure an adult book and graphic novel and it's got a lot of blood, sex, rape and more. There is torture and there is sever ptsd from past horrible situations, it's not a particularly 'fun' read. That said I think if you don't mind all that it's an exhilarating story and has a lot going on which is exciting (although I'd recommend the book over the graphic novel for first time readers).

What I liked most about this adaptation was that, being adapted by a female, it dealt with the trauma of Lisbeth and the other women in Sweden really well and we got to see her pov in the right way which was great. 3.5*s overall.
Profile Image for Mirnes Alispahić.
Author 9 books113 followers
August 26, 2023
I liked Larsson's novel as well as both adaptation of it. Dark story and Nordic atmosphere were a perfect combination. This graphic novel is another adaption in a different media. Writing duties were given to Denis Mina, who is already experienced with comic book writing as well as crime novel writing, which makes her somewhat of a perfect person for the job. And she does good job adapting Larsson's novel, however due to the nature of the media, story lacks suspense of its original as well as movie adaptations.
Second issue is more concerning. Two artists were employed for drawing and as much colorists. While dark style of Leonardo Manco (Clive Barker's Hellraiser Vol. 1, 28 Days Later, Vol. 3: Hot Zone) fits perfectly, most of the graphic novel was drawn by Andrea Mutti, whose style is complete opposite of Manco's and looks comical when compared to his.
Due to these issues, it's a bit hard to get into it, but if you've read the book or seen movie adaptations, you won't be bothered by script. However, you might find drawing a bit disappointing.
Profile Image for Sid.
490 reviews3 followers
August 16, 2022
2/5 stars.
This is just not the story for me, to convoluted and violent. Also the medium didnt work for me in this case cause i had a hard time of recognising peoples faces and keeping track of you was who..
Profile Image for Bucletina.
567 reviews101 followers
February 28, 2015
Otra adaptación de una saga fabulosa, que termina siendo una completa decepción. Cabe admitir que este comic es bastante mejor que las películas (ambas, tanto la sueca como la yanki), pero sigue teniendo muchas fallas en su intento por llevar el enorme volumen a otro formato. La narrativa es confusa para quien no leyó el libro, no se entienden las secuencias ni cómo se engancha cada escena con la otra, ni por qué suceden algunas cosas, y el dibujante sólo se esmeró en hacer una buena Lisbeth. Es el único dibujo logrado, ahora todos los demás son exactamente iguales. Como un pinypon: le cambiás las pelucas y todas las caras son iguales. Y un detalle fundamental de "Los hombres que no amaban a las mujeres" es el final. Clave para lo que sucede en los otros dos libros. Aquí está modificado ligeramente, pero no tiene el enorme impacto que deja la versión original.
Un comic que, independientemente, es bastante mediocre. Simplificado innecesariamente.
Profile Image for Crazed8J8.
777 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2021
This is a great way to re-showcase the story. This graphic novel is true to the original novel and movie(s). I tend to gravitate toward super-hero type comics, so this was a rarity for me, but it was a worthwhile read. The artwork was decent throughout, as was the storytelling. I feel like this shorter version (shorter than the novel) did leave out some of the mystery and intrigue, but it still captured the aggression, the angst, and the fear from the original story.
All said, it was a good representation of the story, and was well enough adapted to be enjoyable! If you've not read the book or seen the movie, this is a great way to experience the story.
Profile Image for Molly.
99 reviews15 followers
August 5, 2020
Lisbeth Solander is my spirit animal.
Profile Image for Krystl Louwagie.
1,507 reviews13 followers
May 27, 2014
This story is always so good on so many levels. The thing that struck me most about this particular version was actually how accurately it seemed to portray women and their side. Especially Lisbeth and her experience of being sexually assaulted. And then I looked at who adapted this for a graphic novel, and it was a woman. Beautifully done, and I'm so glad to have a female behind the wheel of this one after the original was written by a man and both film versions have been directed by males. Not that all versions haven't been great, and Lisbeth has been great in every version as well, but it feels good for her to have a little bit more strong validation in this one. It felt more understanding and empowering than the other versions, and I can't wait for more of the series-I hope the rest are being made into graphic novels in the same way.
Also, the art was realistically, and beautifully done as well. The cover art is gorgeous-Lisbeth is muscular, fleshy (I know that sounds weird, but the way it's done looks so much like real skin I don't know how else to describe it!), and realistic. So much to love in this adaptation, and its great in it's own right, not just a copy of the book or movies, a great addition to the story.
Profile Image for JoLene.
559 reviews9 followers
April 15, 2018
3.5 stars rounding down

This was a quick refresher because I read the book several years ago. I just picked up the 2nd book in the series so I needed a reminder of some of the events. The artwork is a bit gritty at times, but so is the story. I think if you weren't familiar with the book or the movie, it might be a bit difficult to follow because there are a lot of characters. Due to the shortness of the format, you didn't get the detailed background of many of Vanger family members which is one of the reasons that the original book was such a hit --- it really pulled you into the drama.
Profile Image for McKenzie Richardson.
Author 68 books67 followers
February 17, 2015
Absolutely stunning artwork. I've have read the novel and seen the Swedish and American films, and this graphic novel adds an amazing new depth to the work. Some of the storylines were tweaked slightly and some of the dialogue was confusing to pick up on, but overall this was amazing. I was a little disappointed that Lisbeth was only highlighted during the major plot scenes and would have liked to see more of her role from the novel, but on the whole it was well done.
Profile Image for Bianca.
78 reviews2 followers
August 26, 2020
Watched the Swedish version of the film and reading the graphic novel just made me like it even more. Loved the novel but starting at around 200 pages, the story started rushing. It would cut awkwardly on key scenes, making it difficult to understand what was happening. But besides that, it's worth a read!
Profile Image for Lauren (WesterDrumlins).
117 reviews16 followers
June 28, 2021
I'll start this review by saying that I've never seen the films or read the books that this graphic novel is an adaptation of, so maybe I would have liked it more if I were familiar with the story beforehand.

This was so difficult to follow as the pacing was really slow in some points, then seemed to skip to months later without any 'three months later' subtitle, etc. Within the panels on a single page I also found it difficult to always keep track of what was happening, and many of the characters looked so similar that when a plot twist occurred, I had no clue who was involved. I also wasn't expecting it to be quite so graphic but I think that was my fault for not researching before reading. Essentially, I think graphic novels with excessive violence are just not for me.

Content warnings include:
Graphic rape and sexual assault/violence, incest, car accident.
Profile Image for Amalie .
786 reviews206 followers
March 25, 2022
Found this by chance so decided to read it. I feel that this graphic novelization format works well for the story. Of course, the plot is simplified, but most of the key storylines were well told. The artwork is a bit gritty at times, but so is the story.
Profile Image for Tomasz Kowalski.
261 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2023
5/5, jeden z lepszych komiksow jak do tej pory!

dla doroslych :-)

calkowicie oddany klimat ksiazki i w 100% obrazkowo oddane szczegoly!

swietna kreska i wierne dialogi
akcja od pierwszej ramki!

polecam !!!
Profile Image for Celtic.
263 reviews11 followers
May 5, 2018
It's a while now since I read the book but I think this adaptation does a good job of telling the story clearly without missing any of the essential details - very impressive given the relative length of each version - Denise Mina does a particularly good job, avoiding expository text and carrying the story with the dialogue, well supported by the artwork from Manco & Mutti. While the original Swedish title of the book 'Men Who Hate Women' doesn't feature, even as a subtitle, the chapter openings retain the message; setting out the grim statistics that remind us of the reality underlying this fiction.
Profile Image for Morgan Kail-Ackerman.
330 reviews5 followers
February 25, 2018
I love GWTDT and this was pretty good but not as good as the book. They took out a lot of the best parts and, although I love the feminism in this book, it was a little disturbing to see the rape scenes done visually. It’s already disturbing enough in the book when reading so visually it was very difficult to read. Overall pretty good but wouldn’t recommend. I probably won’t read the rest of them.
Profile Image for Mike Travis.
Author 6 books22 followers
July 23, 2018
I enjoyed the plot of the story and the characters were interesting. This story is challenging because there are so many names in the family. It gets very complicated, but it was a good mystery that unfolded.
Profile Image for Kristi.
496 reviews
December 27, 2018
My friend bought me this for my birthday. LOVED IT! The rape scene was graphically displayed as it read. I need to read the remaining ones though.
4 reviews
May 27, 2024

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by way of Stieg Larsson is a charming masterpiece that delves into the darkish underbelly of Swedish society with unflinching intensity. At its center, it is a gripping mystery mystery that continues readers on the edge of their seats from start to complete.

Larsson's meticulous attention to element shines via in his brilliant descriptions of characters and settings, painting a stark and gritty photograph of cutting-edge Sweden. The protagonist, Lisbeth Salander, is a complicated and enigmatic individual whose past and fierce intelligence make her each compelling and relatable.

The plot revolves round journalist Mikael Blomkvist's investigation into the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, a case that has remained unsolved for decades. As Blomkvist delves deeper into the mystery, he groups up with Salander, whose unprecedented hacking abilities and uncompromising determination show to be priceless property in unraveling the fact.

What units "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" apart is its exploration of subject matters along with corruption, misogyny, and the abuse of energy. Larsson pulls no punches in exposing the unpleasant realities of society, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths in conjunction with the characters.

The novel is expertly paced, with anxiety mounting regularly as the research progresses and new revelations come to mild. The twists and turns maintain readers guessing till the very end, and the resolution is each satisfying and idea-frightening.

One of the most hanging factors of the book is Larsson's portrayal of sturdy, complicated female characters. Lisbeth Salander, especially, defies conventional gender norms and emerges as a image of resilience and empowerment within the face of adversity.

Overall, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is a riveting examine that combines factors of thriller, thriller, and social observation to create a certainly unforgettable literary enjoy. Larsson's legacy as a master storyteller is indisputable, and this novel stands as a testament to his talent and imaginative and prescient.
Profile Image for Paul Grover.
Author 5 books6 followers
January 26, 2021
I've really been enjoying graphic novels during the pandemic and had no idea the Millennium series existed in graphic novel format.

I've loved these books since reading them a few years ago.

By definition the story has been simplified and some changes made. This is bound to be the case as novels and graphic novels are very different media. The graphic novel firmly concentrates on the core material. So a lot of the more subtle elements surrounding the Vangar family are summarised or incorporated into other threads.

That said the graphic novel retains the essence of the story and does not deviate too far from the source material. In fact I was super-impressed at how true it remained. The dialogue in particular comes across really well.

The artwork is really good. Lisbeth is captured brilliantly. Several panels capture her nature with a simple look or how she is drawn. She's much closer to my imagined version that the movies have been. All the individual panel work well, speech bubbles are well placed and every scene is drawn well with tons of atmosphere.

Some of the supporting characters are a little more blandly rendered. I would even include Mikhail in that. However I think than in part is because Lisbeth is so well drawn everyone else will need to compete against her.

Pages are all colour and although some are quite crowded it's very easy to follow.

It's a fair point to this series deals with complicated and often brutal material. The graphic novel does not shy away from any of the tougher parts of the story. It handles them in such away that the reader retains the shock factor, but does glorify or appear gratuitous. It works well.

So I really enjoyed this one.
Profile Image for Rachel Grey.
261 reviews14 followers
September 17, 2023
Long books depicting horrible events seem to do well as graphic novels (I also liked the graphic adaptation of The Jungle : A compelling graphic novel adaptation of Upton Sinclair's seminal protest novel that brings to life the harsh conditions). I've never had much desire to read this book, and definitely not to see the movie, but a graphic novel adaptation sounded about right -- a quick read with stylized (read: less brutally affecting) treatment of the nastier scenes.

And there are some nasty scenes: rapes of both women and men, and a scene depicting a dead, mutilated animal.

There were a few too many characters, some of whom looked too similar for me to easily keep track of, and the central mystery is one for which I guessed the answer pretty early on. However, who can't get into some goth hacker revenge porn? (Not actual porn -- I refer merely to the stylized and unrealistically satisfying nature of the revenge). I'm more interested in Lizbeth Salander, certified messed-up badass, than the rest of the world depicted here.

Other reviews say that this is a faithful adaptation with very little left out, so in that way it's satisfying and I no longer feel FOMO about the novel. Reading it was a win. I will keep it on my shelf and read it again sometime, and definitely continue to not watch the movie.
Profile Image for dens.
11 reviews
April 3, 2025
supposedly good intentioned, but reality reveals a totally rotten nature of the glorified, ultimately self-serving sensationalism of media / people out there getting off to leaked shit on shock sites, seeen too much of it. a fucked truth, a nice unique narrative.
there's no hope for humanity- not even an inkling- it genuinely is hopeless at every angle of existence- Every. well maybe not EVERY, but it seems exceedingly rare.
being a victim is bad enough, showcasing it for the sick world to see is like slitting your own throat expecting to live. fuck awareness, if it's in a world full of this shit, it shouldn't exist. there's always gonna be those 1 mfs.
faded forgotten horrid incidents throughout every human being in history.. to even think about it, it gives me a headache and a certain dull emptiness in the pit of my stomach for every unresolved moment that is probably more horrific than i could ever imagine
this version of lisbeth is one of the smartest characters ive ever seen. easily a new favorite
trauma subtext
the mundane truth
actually lausibel dialogue, no stupid shit
all a big nothingness, an uber freezing environment & an even more cold equally absurd reality that is completely still unfit for grand expectations or coherent discovery
no direction
FLOOOOORED
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tracey.
2,248 reviews
June 14, 2018
The graphic novel adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo holds back nothing when it comes to adapting the source material. I've never read the novel myself but I've heard how graphic and uncomfortable it can get and this book does the same. The artwork was beautiful and fit well with the tone of the story. The only bright colors you see are reserved for blood and harsh lights.

The story itself was very strong and I couldn't stop reading once I had started. I was quickly sucked into the mystery of who killed Harriet and why. This book features heavy topics such as rape and extreme violence towards women. If that's not you thing, it's best to avoid seeing it drawn out for you. Lisbeth is the more interesting of the leads, with Mikael seeming dull and stupid compared to her. Lisbeth is a strong protagonist through and through while still appearing vulnerable and relatable.

Next on my list of things to do are to read the rest of the graphic novels, read the original trilogy novels, and watch all film adaptations of this story. It's hard to keep your eyes on it but you can't look away either.
2 reviews
Currently reading
February 1, 2020
I am currently on page 18 out of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. "' They are haunting me to my grave...It's so cruel.'" (Larsson's 4) This quote is making me wonder about what the story could unfold to the readers like me. I would assume that something that haunts him is something that he did in the past and that guilt is still following him and engraved into his heart even up to today. He can't forget about it and was still maybe regretting it or just can't force himself to forget about it.

I have a lot to expect from this book since I was only drawn to it by its realistic art style. That's the first impression that got me to pick it up. But as I dig a bit deeper into the story, I realized that It's much interesting than just being pretty. The character is very much realistic like they could be someone who's real and each action that they take is selfish but reasonable. The main character appears at the page I stopped reading but she's someone I would never expect to be someone who investigates the crime nor would I expect her to be involved in the incident.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews

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