Dream Corridor, Volume 1

Dream Corridor #1

by Dark Horse Comics

A collection of some of Harlan's fines short stories illustrated by such
renowned illustrators as Len Wein, Gary Gianni, Peter David, Mike Deodato, Jr., and David Lapham. Stories adapted include "The End of the Time of Leinard," "Rat Hater," "Knox," "The Rough Boys," and "Catman," as well as nine others. Also includes five short stories written especially for the series, with a cover by Leo and Diane Dillon.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Comic Book, Short Stories

117 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1996

Reviews

[Scott Rhee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 1996, Harlan Ellison collaborated with some of the best and most notable comic book artists and writers in the industry to create a series for Dark Horse Comics. It was called “Harlan Ellison’s Dream Corridor”, and it would feature graphic adaptations of a selection of Ellison’s short stories he had written over a career spanning over sixty years.

The collection of stories in Volume One range from meh to excellent. They are a motley crew of stories, to say the least.

Ellison, as a young man, wrote for the pulps, and a lot of his early stuff were stories that he clearly wrote for money, specifically a penny per word. They were westerns, crime stories, war stories, teenage gang stories, horror, and science fiction. A lot of the stuff he wrote back then were, even according to Ellison himself, garbage. Regardless, some of these old pulp stories lend themselves pretty well to the graphic novel form, harking back to the old EC comic books.

That said, Ellison’s prose was unique and powerful, so it’s nice to see that included amongst the pretty drawings are actual short stories that Ellison wrote specifically for this series.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ellison trots out his early pulp fiction stories to be illustrated by an assortment of artists. Some artwork is very good, but for the most part the stories themselves remind me of pedestrian 50s comics. The author inserts himself quite often at the beginning of each story, I found most of these interjections a bit boring. If this was published in the 60s or 70s it might have been radical, but now much of it just feels dated.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable group of graphic adaptations of some of Ellison's short work. There's a wide range of illustrative style and format, as well as a few vignettes originally written for this form. I wish the publishers had a better market for intelligent selections like this one. I've enjoyed re-reading it several times over the years.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reread for the first time since purchase, I'm very disappointed.
Ellison likes flowery language and tongue twisting names for aliens and scifi gadgets, which is easy enough to skim. But the profundity that I adored as a teenager is so empty and boring for me now.

[Andy Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introductory volume of varied and resonating tales with lightning introductory prose and final sentences that impact you to spin. This is hard SF full of attitude, darkness; weary and bitter but never unkind. Carefully chosen pro artists well-suited, little filler but bridging sections, and even these are fun, matching the pin-up prerogatives with Ellison's keen conversations about his collaborators and life in general.

[Jameson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me I’ve never been taken with Ellison as so many have. I don’t even think I Have No Mouth is anything special. It’s actually pretty lame. Most of the artwork is poor, and ugly, to my eyes. Some of it IS so murky and moody you can’t see what’s happening, some of it’s very dated “cutting edge” CGI. I’m not convinced Ellison, at least these stories, are a good fit for a visual medium like comics.

[Michelle Morrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few of his short stories in graphic form, I liked it cause it's rare to see full-on scifi stories in this format, and it's interesting to see how different artists can give wildly different atmosphere to stage the stories. The little clips of Harlan between stories has a very Creepshow feel. And as a bonus, three fully text stories at the end.

[Brett Valkenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion the bulk of these stories had no business being adapted to comic book form. Most of them are too short leaving them with a lack of character arc and story development. Still, the ideas were all very interesting conceptually, and there are a few complete short stories in the back that make it worth reading.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harlan Ellison is... strange. :)

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you haven't read Harlan Ellison, you haven't read." ~ Richard Halasz

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea Harlan Ellison hated Phyllis Schlafly so much. I find this tremendously pleasing.