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Road Rage
Acclaimed novelist/Eisner-winning graphic novelist Joe Hill collaborated with his father, Stephen King, in Throttle, for the first time on a tale that paid tribute to Richard Matheson’s classic tale, Duel. Now, IDW is proud to present comic-book tellings of both stories in Road Rage. Adapted by Chris Ryall with art by Nelson Daniel and Rafa Garres.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
February 7, 2015
This is the third book I've read this week that featured a motorcycle gang and drugs. I might need to read a smexy book soon.
The first story in this book kinda lost me a bit. A motorcycle gang is running from a lone truck. Smashing and bashing happen. Not bad. I like smashing and bashing. (Yes, I do know how weird I am)
Then the second one..is bad-ass. It's based on the movie "Duel" that Joe Hill watched with his dad back in the day. They collaborated on these stories later on. (One of the best parts of this book is letters added that were written by them)
Watch out for those truckers in your rear view windows kiddies.
The first story in this book kinda lost me a bit. A motorcycle gang is running from a lone truck. Smashing and bashing happen. Not bad. I like smashing and bashing. (Yes, I do know how weird I am)
Then the second one..is bad-ass. It's based on the movie "Duel" that Joe Hill watched with his dad back in the day. They collaborated on these stories later on. (One of the best parts of this book is letters added that were written by them)
Watch out for those truckers in your rear view windows kiddies.
December 31, 2020
THIS. WAS. BRILLIANT. I felt absolutely giddy with glee to finally have this as a part of my King/Hill collection and I swear I was dancing a little in my seat as I was reading because I was just enjoying it so damn much! I recently read Full Throttle and loved it so it was so awesome to see it brought to life in graphic novel form. Same goes for the Matheson story which I read ages ago and loved as well. The illustrations alone are worth 5 stars just on their own, they are just stunning and suit the stories so damn well! If you’re a King fan or a horror fan of any sort, do yourself a favour a pick up this little gem of a graphic novel.
July 20, 2015
Stephen King and Joe Hill wrote Throttle, a short story homage to Duel by Richard Matheson, for He Is Legend, a collection celebrating Matheson’s career. Chris Ryall adapts both Throttle and Duel into comics for this book, Road Rage.
Throttle is about some bikers who’re pissed over a drug deal gone wrong. People are dead, money’s missing and they’re headed off to cause more mayhem. But on the road they’re met with a faceless trucker who decides to run them all down. Who will win – bikers or murderous trucker? It’s Duel: the Sons of Anarchy version!
King should be barred from venturing into comics. The first volume of American Vampire showed his corny stories are totally out of place in today’s environment and his totally uninteresting imitation of Duel is even more boring to read. The bikers are stereotypical bikers: meth-making lunatics on hogs – there’s nothing else to them! And the trucker is the same trucker from Duel without any changes. Originality? He don’t need no stinkin’ originality, he’s Stephen King! Joe Hill, King’s son, is also enormously overrated as a comics writer and the stale story, flat dialogue and simplistic characterisations of Throttle underlines that.
The second and final story, Duel, is slightly better if only because Richard Matheson was a far better writer whose original story was brilliant. But the comics adaptation waters down the impact of the story by taking away a lot of Matheson’s tense writing and letting the murky art try, and fail, to fill in for it. My takeaway from the comics adaptation of Duel is that it made me want to re-read the Matheson prose story – the adaptation is no substitute and really isn’t worth bothering with.
In a perfect world I’d have a truck to run over my copy of this tedious pap but instead I’ll just recommend everyone read Richard Matheson’s superb short stories instead!
Throttle is about some bikers who’re pissed over a drug deal gone wrong. People are dead, money’s missing and they’re headed off to cause more mayhem. But on the road they’re met with a faceless trucker who decides to run them all down. Who will win – bikers or murderous trucker? It’s Duel: the Sons of Anarchy version!
King should be barred from venturing into comics. The first volume of American Vampire showed his corny stories are totally out of place in today’s environment and his totally uninteresting imitation of Duel is even more boring to read. The bikers are stereotypical bikers: meth-making lunatics on hogs – there’s nothing else to them! And the trucker is the same trucker from Duel without any changes. Originality? He don’t need no stinkin’ originality, he’s Stephen King! Joe Hill, King’s son, is also enormously overrated as a comics writer and the stale story, flat dialogue and simplistic characterisations of Throttle underlines that.
The second and final story, Duel, is slightly better if only because Richard Matheson was a far better writer whose original story was brilliant. But the comics adaptation waters down the impact of the story by taking away a lot of Matheson’s tense writing and letting the murky art try, and fail, to fill in for it. My takeaway from the comics adaptation of Duel is that it made me want to re-read the Matheson prose story – the adaptation is no substitute and really isn’t worth bothering with.
In a perfect world I’d have a truck to run over my copy of this tedious pap but instead I’ll just recommend everyone read Richard Matheson’s superb short stories instead!
April 18, 2013
I was ten when my super cool dad gave me permission to stay up late and watch an ABC-TV movie called Duel. As I recall, it was a somewhat monumental experience. I have never forgotten the images of a lone motorist being chased by that stranger driving a tanker truck, his menacing left forearm propped on the open window.
It was sure a lot more exciting than that moonwalk thing they showed a few years earlier!
The second story in this graphic novel is an adaptation of Duel, a short story written by Richard Matheson, and originally published in Playboy magazine. Rafa Garres' scratchy, gritty artwork is perfect for this frenetic tale, and adds to the chaos and suspense. This story is a plain old thrill ride, no matter how it's presented.
The first story in the book, Throttle, written by Stephen King and Joe Hill, doesn't fare quite as well. It's a tribute to Duel, only this time a biker gang is threatened by a mysterious trucker Visually, it's a bloody mess, as the truck crunches over men and motorcycles. Unlike Duel, where it was easy to feel for the innocent salesman, these bikers are so vile...well, I was rooting for the truck.
I did really enjoy the introductions to both stories, King for Throttle and Hill for Duel. Both men talk about how the Matheson story, and the film made from it, have influenced their writing, and also hint at some great father/son bonding.
Good times, good times.
It was sure a lot more exciting than that moonwalk thing they showed a few years earlier!
The second story in this graphic novel is an adaptation of Duel, a short story written by Richard Matheson, and originally published in Playboy magazine. Rafa Garres' scratchy, gritty artwork is perfect for this frenetic tale, and adds to the chaos and suspense. This story is a plain old thrill ride, no matter how it's presented.
The first story in the book, Throttle, written by Stephen King and Joe Hill, doesn't fare quite as well. It's a tribute to Duel, only this time a biker gang is threatened by a mysterious trucker Visually, it's a bloody mess, as the truck crunches over men and motorcycles. Unlike Duel, where it was easy to feel for the innocent salesman, these bikers are so vile...well, I was rooting for the truck.
I did really enjoy the introductions to both stories, King for Throttle and Hill for Duel. Both men talk about how the Matheson story, and the film made from it, have influenced their writing, and also hint at some great father/son bonding.
Good times, good times.
February 17, 2018
Road Rage collects two stories. The first is "Throttle" by Stephen King. The second story is the one that inspired SK to write "Throttle", that story is Richard Matheson's (of "I Am Legend" fame) "Duel".
Both stories share a common antagonist- truck drivers. The first is the story of a outlaw band of bikers who are dealing with the fallout of a meth deal gone awry. But they may have bigger problems on their heads as they run into an semi-truck driver who has no intention of letting them live. They "why?" is answered in the end and is a rather interesting twist. I enjoyed it.
The second one, the original, is not as good. But it is still a decent story. The art is certainly not as good as the first story, but it is the story that doesn't resonate like King's tale. The motivations of the trucker and even the car driver are slightly obscure and something about the car driver's personality rubbed me the wrong way (almost ended up siding with the trucker).
So the first story is a 4 star, the 2nd is a 2 star and thus this book ends up a three star. A good volume for horror fans.
Both stories share a common antagonist- truck drivers. The first is the story of a outlaw band of bikers who are dealing with the fallout of a meth deal gone awry. But they may have bigger problems on their heads as they run into an semi-truck driver who has no intention of letting them live. They "why?" is answered in the end and is a rather interesting twist. I enjoyed it.
The second one, the original, is not as good. But it is still a decent story. The art is certainly not as good as the first story, but it is the story that doesn't resonate like King's tale. The motivations of the trucker and even the car driver are slightly obscure and something about the car driver's personality rubbed me the wrong way (almost ended up siding with the trucker).
So the first story is a 4 star, the 2nd is a 2 star and thus this book ends up a three star. A good volume for horror fans.
February 19, 2017
This book is spilt into two parts: the story "Throttle" written by the duo of Stephen King and Joe Hill; and "Duel" written by Richard Matheson. Throttle itself is a kind of spin-off of the Richard Matheson story.
I gotta say, the story Throttle was just okay. It focuses on a group of bikers who are angry after a drug-deal goes wrong, so they head out on the road quickly encountering a truck intent on killing them all. It kinda felt a bit all over the place, I didn't care for it much. The illustrations were pretty awesome though.
However, I much preferred the Richard Matheson story Duel. It was about a lone man who finds himself being chased down by a relentless truck intent on murder. This was more exciting and easier to follow than Throttle, I felt.
To be honest, the best part of this entire graphic novel was the introductions by Stephen King and Joe Hill. And they were too short-lived!
I gotta say, the story Throttle was just okay. It focuses on a group of bikers who are angry after a drug-deal goes wrong, so they head out on the road quickly encountering a truck intent on killing them all. It kinda felt a bit all over the place, I didn't care for it much. The illustrations were pretty awesome though.
However, I much preferred the Richard Matheson story Duel. It was about a lone man who finds himself being chased down by a relentless truck intent on murder. This was more exciting and easier to follow than Throttle, I felt.
To be honest, the best part of this entire graphic novel was the introductions by Stephen King and Joe Hill. And they were too short-lived!
September 5, 2023
Fun series.
Enjoyed this series. It was two different stories, two episodes each. I'd give the first story a 3.75 and the second one a 4.25 for a total of four stars overall.
Enjoyed this series. It was two different stories, two episodes each. I'd give the first story a 3.75 and the second one a 4.25 for a total of four stars overall.
April 11, 2018
Basically, Stephen King and his son present their 21st century updating / interpretation (or is it a homage?) of Richard Matheson's classic short story Duel with Throttle, featuring an outlaw biker gang murderously pursued by a vengeful trucker on the less-traveled roads of the American southwest. It was okay, although there was a nice "oh @$%&" realization moment near the climax.
Likely because I am a fan of Matheson's original work (and that TV-movie version by some forgotten guy named Spielberg) that I instead enjoyed the graphic novel version of Duel. Maybe it was just because of its familiarity, but it seemed more frugally effective than Throttle.
Likely because I am a fan of Matheson's original work (and that TV-movie version by some forgotten guy named Spielberg) that I instead enjoyed the graphic novel version of Duel. Maybe it was just because of its familiarity, but it seemed more frugally effective than Throttle.
January 29, 2023
Fun and frightening! It contained two short stories in graphic novel form. I thought they were good, the illustrations were very good, but I wasn't blown away by the adaptation. I loved reading about Matheson's works in the introduction written by King and it made me want to read some of his books in the future! I definitely recommend this book because it was still a wild ride and I finished it fast in one sitting.
October 22, 2024
Two stories one theme: don't aggravate truck drivers.
I enjoyed both stories but found Duel's storyline more to my liking, it made a bigger impact.
However I liked the art in Throttle more than Duel's
I enjoyed both stories but found Duel's storyline more to my liking, it made a bigger impact.
However I liked the art in Throttle more than Duel's
November 6, 2017
An interesting contrats in the two stories. The updated verion adding motive and character , while the original is more about an unknown entity and sheer force of hatred.
December 22, 2023
Contains the four issues of the Road Rage comics series along with introductions by Hill and King. Father and son wrote the first part, Throttle, while the second part Duel adapted from the original short story by Richard Matheson.
January 30, 2017
Road Rage is a collected graphic-novel adaptation of two similarly themed stories—“Throttle”, written by Stephen King and his son Joe Hill; and Richard Matheson's “Duel”. Long, desolate strips of desert road are the featured landscapes of both stories, and in both situations isolation mixes with the unlikely actions of complete strangers and spins out of control, resulting in intense, fast-paced dilemmas—with fatal consequences (naturally).
“Throttle” is an uncompromising roadside drama of a biker tribe, led by a veteran father Vince and his impulsive son Race. When Race manipulates the tribe into following up on a botched meth deal, causing the deaths of the dealers and his young girlfriend. As chance and plotting would have it, the murdered girl’s father, a trucker, discovers her killers and follows the tribe in his 18-wheeler. It’s not long before the faceless trucker begins killing the bikers one by one, pancaking them into asphalt with his big truck. Familial ties between father and son are put to the test in this grimy, pulse-pounding race for survival. The biker culture is well-depicted well, and King/Hill utilize the threat of the killer trucker to illuminate the strained relationships between the anti-hero characters. Nelson Daniel's classical, comic-style artwork lends itself to the fulsome mayhem.
“Duel” is essentially a primal tale of cat-and-mouse in which a traveling salesman gets caught up in an increasingly reckless game of aggressive driving with a menacing trucker. The artwork is by far the most startling aspect of this story. Artist Rafa Garres creates a stark and oppressive atmosphere, twisting roadways and faces, bleakly distorting the human form, which works incredibly well in this perilous tale. I could genuinely feel the desperation and paranoia of the driver, Mann, amidst the tightly-packed panels. On the downside, though, the ending felt a bit rushed, the deadly chase ending too abruptly for my tastes. In fact, if I remember the prose story correctly, a significant chuck of Matheson’s story is omitted from this graphic adaptation. What's more, the staging of the climax was somewhat mismanaged and presented in a very unclear manner that I couldn’t really discern what was happening on the page.
I’m altogether pleased with this venture and would recommend it to Joyride fans or connoisseurs of King, Hill, or Matheson. Both stories present a terrifying premise of a looming death machine that's brimming with terrific visuals. Murder-by-truck—how can you go wrong?
“Throttle” is an uncompromising roadside drama of a biker tribe, led by a veteran father Vince and his impulsive son Race. When Race manipulates the tribe into following up on a botched meth deal, causing the deaths of the dealers and his young girlfriend. As chance and plotting would have it, the murdered girl’s father, a trucker, discovers her killers and follows the tribe in his 18-wheeler. It’s not long before the faceless trucker begins killing the bikers one by one, pancaking them into asphalt with his big truck. Familial ties between father and son are put to the test in this grimy, pulse-pounding race for survival. The biker culture is well-depicted well, and King/Hill utilize the threat of the killer trucker to illuminate the strained relationships between the anti-hero characters. Nelson Daniel's classical, comic-style artwork lends itself to the fulsome mayhem.
“Duel” is essentially a primal tale of cat-and-mouse in which a traveling salesman gets caught up in an increasingly reckless game of aggressive driving with a menacing trucker. The artwork is by far the most startling aspect of this story. Artist Rafa Garres creates a stark and oppressive atmosphere, twisting roadways and faces, bleakly distorting the human form, which works incredibly well in this perilous tale. I could genuinely feel the desperation and paranoia of the driver, Mann, amidst the tightly-packed panels. On the downside, though, the ending felt a bit rushed, the deadly chase ending too abruptly for my tastes. In fact, if I remember the prose story correctly, a significant chuck of Matheson’s story is omitted from this graphic adaptation. What's more, the staging of the climax was somewhat mismanaged and presented in a very unclear manner that I couldn’t really discern what was happening on the page.
I’m altogether pleased with this venture and would recommend it to Joyride fans or connoisseurs of King, Hill, or Matheson. Both stories present a terrifying premise of a looming death machine that's brimming with terrific visuals. Murder-by-truck—how can you go wrong?
February 11, 2017
Excelente. 2 historias:
1) Throttle o Acelerador, escrita por Joe Hill y co-escrita por su padre, Stephen King. Originalmente publicada en Inglés en libro electrónico y en físico, en una antología de varios autores llamada: He is Legend. Nos relata la historia de un grupo de motoqueros que busca venganza por un negocio de metanfetaminas que salió mal. La venganza será terrible.
2) Duel o Duelo, escrita por Richard Matheson. Una historia excelente, que sirvió de fuente de inspiración a Joe y Stephen para crear su propia historia. Narra la lucha entre un conductor en las carreteras de California contra un Camión. ¿Quien ganara? Tienen que leerlo.
Por último, las ilustraciones son hermosas y tiene unos prólogos y epílogos súper interesantes. Para mí, de parte de Joe Hill y Stephen King, esto me encantan porque siento que un mago me explica cómo hacer mi propio truco de magia.
:)
1) Throttle o Acelerador, escrita por Joe Hill y co-escrita por su padre, Stephen King. Originalmente publicada en Inglés en libro electrónico y en físico, en una antología de varios autores llamada: He is Legend. Nos relata la historia de un grupo de motoqueros que busca venganza por un negocio de metanfetaminas que salió mal. La venganza será terrible.
2) Duel o Duelo, escrita por Richard Matheson. Una historia excelente, que sirvió de fuente de inspiración a Joe y Stephen para crear su propia historia. Narra la lucha entre un conductor en las carreteras de California contra un Camión. ¿Quien ganara? Tienen que leerlo.
Por último, las ilustraciones son hermosas y tiene unos prólogos y epílogos súper interesantes. Para mí, de parte de Joe Hill y Stephen King, esto me encantan porque siento que un mago me explica cómo hacer mi propio truco de magia.
:)
February 8, 2024
Lately, I have been on a Stephen King and Joe Hill kick, and Goodreads noticed. Recently I read "The Cape" and on the 'readers also enjoyed' sidebar "Road Rage" was recommended. I was able to track down a copy and was pleased to see that the book included two short stories- the first written by the father and son duo of King and Hill, but also included an adaptation of the classic story "Duel" by Richard Matheson.
Throttle: Written by Stephen King and Joe Hill, Adapted by Chris Ryall, Art by Nelson Daniel
With an introduction by Stephen King, the reader is given a homage to Richard Matheson, for this first story was originally included in "He is Legend", a book collection of Matheson-inspired stories. King gives Matheson partial credit for shaping him into the writer he is today.
We are introduced to a group of ten bikers, that have a Sons of Anarchy vibe, although they are called The Tribe. The three main characters are leader Vinny, Lemmy, and Vinny’s son Race, with the other bikers getting less face time. At a truck stop, they are discussing a drug deal gone wrong, that resulted in a death, and their plans to try to recoup their losses. The leaders speculate that one of the truckers might have overheard their conversation, but figures “No one with any sense would want to get involved in their shitpull”. They were wrong. Out on the road, the trucker comes after them, and blood and mayhem ensue. You will just have to read the story to find out the trucker’s motives, and the resulting causality count.
The story is illustrated by Nelson Daniel who did the art in "The Cape", also written by Hill. I enjoy his work, and liked the computer-generated dot matrix that he uses for shading. He was able to make each biker unique looking and had some great layout designs in his panels.
Duel: Written by Richard Matheson, Adapted by Chris Ryall, Art by Rafa Garres
This story included a second introduction, this time by Joe Hill, and he recounts some fond childhood memories of road trips with his father. As a child, he had been fascinated with the movie "Duel", directed by Steven Spielberg, and he and his father had fun in the car imagining what they would do under the same circumstances.
The premise is simple, a traveling salesperson is on a deadline and wants to pass a trucker on a desert stretch of highway. He does so, but the trucker is incensed and starts to play cat-and-mouse games with the hapless driver. The driver pulls over at a truck stop, knowing he will now be late for the meeting, but as he fears for his safety, he wants to let the menacing trucker go by. Unfortunately for him, the trucker also stops to continue their driving duel. To find out who wins the duel you must read this book and/or watch the movie! In fact, the movie is my Friday night plan, as I was too scared by it in my younger years to watch it to completion.
The art is reminiscent of the famous painting The Scream by artist Edvard Munch, with the swirling lines and emotion of fear coming through the work. Colored with a muddy palette the browns, yellows and oranges aptly depict the barren landscape. At first, I was not a fan of the illustrations and was turned off by the imprecision of how the driver looked. But his seemingly melted face conveyed his terror as his day went to hell in the blink of an eye.
I would definitely give this book a recommendation, but it will come as no surprise to King and Hill fans, the book is for mature audiences as it has quite a bit of violence with some graphic illustrations.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2017/11/1...
Throttle: Written by Stephen King and Joe Hill, Adapted by Chris Ryall, Art by Nelson Daniel
With an introduction by Stephen King, the reader is given a homage to Richard Matheson, for this first story was originally included in "He is Legend", a book collection of Matheson-inspired stories. King gives Matheson partial credit for shaping him into the writer he is today.
We are introduced to a group of ten bikers, that have a Sons of Anarchy vibe, although they are called The Tribe. The three main characters are leader Vinny, Lemmy, and Vinny’s son Race, with the other bikers getting less face time. At a truck stop, they are discussing a drug deal gone wrong, that resulted in a death, and their plans to try to recoup their losses. The leaders speculate that one of the truckers might have overheard their conversation, but figures “No one with any sense would want to get involved in their shitpull”. They were wrong. Out on the road, the trucker comes after them, and blood and mayhem ensue. You will just have to read the story to find out the trucker’s motives, and the resulting causality count.
The story is illustrated by Nelson Daniel who did the art in "The Cape", also written by Hill. I enjoy his work, and liked the computer-generated dot matrix that he uses for shading. He was able to make each biker unique looking and had some great layout designs in his panels.
Duel: Written by Richard Matheson, Adapted by Chris Ryall, Art by Rafa Garres
This story included a second introduction, this time by Joe Hill, and he recounts some fond childhood memories of road trips with his father. As a child, he had been fascinated with the movie "Duel", directed by Steven Spielberg, and he and his father had fun in the car imagining what they would do under the same circumstances.
The premise is simple, a traveling salesperson is on a deadline and wants to pass a trucker on a desert stretch of highway. He does so, but the trucker is incensed and starts to play cat-and-mouse games with the hapless driver. The driver pulls over at a truck stop, knowing he will now be late for the meeting, but as he fears for his safety, he wants to let the menacing trucker go by. Unfortunately for him, the trucker also stops to continue their driving duel. To find out who wins the duel you must read this book and/or watch the movie! In fact, the movie is my Friday night plan, as I was too scared by it in my younger years to watch it to completion.
The art is reminiscent of the famous painting The Scream by artist Edvard Munch, with the swirling lines and emotion of fear coming through the work. Colored with a muddy palette the browns, yellows and oranges aptly depict the barren landscape. At first, I was not a fan of the illustrations and was turned off by the imprecision of how the driver looked. But his seemingly melted face conveyed his terror as his day went to hell in the blink of an eye.
I would definitely give this book a recommendation, but it will come as no surprise to King and Hill fans, the book is for mature audiences as it has quite a bit of violence with some graphic illustrations.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2017/11/1...
November 19, 2017
These stories were surprisingly bland and dull. I have not read the original stories, so I have no idea if they are also lifeless or if Ryall just blew it with his adaptation. The art in the first half was generic. The art in the second half wasn't really to my taste, but at least it had energy and a bold style.
September 18, 2014
Good graphic novel versions of two outstanding stories.
October 22, 2019
“Road Rage” is a comic book adaptation of Joe Hill and Stephen King’s collaborated short story titled, “Throttle” and Richard Matheson’s short story titled, “Duel”…. IDW Publishing combined all four comics into one, hardcover edition and released it in 2012. It includes an introduction by Hill and King that mainly pay tribute to Matheson and provide background on how they came up with the idea for “Throttle”. Like all the rest of IDW hardcover publishing’s, the construction of this book is solid and the pages are nice and thick with a smooth texture finish. It’s really impressive looking and will not disappoint.
The first story in the book, “Throttle”, was published in a 2009 limited edition anthology honoring Richard Matheson, titled “He Is Legend”. It is a collaboration by Joe Hill and Stephen King. Matheson has been credited as being a big influence on a lot of King’s ideas and his short story “Duel” was the inspiration for “Throttle”…. It's about a pissed off, dishonorable discharged road warrior, aboard his motorcycle on the path of destruction with his dad and their biker tribe…. The Mad Max wannabe’s commit a crime that shall not go unpunished. A tattooed truck driver parked at a gas station makes sure of that. This was a pretty good, action-packed story that I would recommend to motorcycle lovers. It’s fairly predictable who the antagonist is but that doesn’t take away from the suspense.
The second story in the book, “Duel”, was published in “Playboy” magazine in 1971 and was also adapted to film (directed by Steven Spielberg). It is about a traveling salesman on a business trip venture who encounters a truck driving maniac on the road who decides to toy with him by driving his ass off the road, not letting him pass, and following him wherever he goes…. I really enjoyed this story, but I was not fond of the ending. Although I liked the mystery behind the truck driver’s motive, it ended too abruptly for me. It felt as if Richard Matheson didn’t know where to go with it.
Although similar, both stories have their differences and writing styles…. A big-ass eighteen wheeler with a faceless, pissed off driver is the only common thing they share. The motive and storyline is vastly different between them. I will say that I enjoyed “Throttle” a little more than “Duel” because it had a better ending. But, you should have fun reading both of them. The artwork that Nelson Daniel and Rafa Garres illustrated was amazing. I loved the use of colors and action sequences. It really captured brought both stories to life.
FINAL VERDICT: I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Joe Hill’s graphic novels and action-packed, short stories…. Although the stories are not as good as the “Lock and Key” series or “The Cape”, “Road Rage” is still a fun read. It isn’t as gruesome and full of gore like most of Joe Hill’s comic’s, but it is still not a comic book for kids.
The first story in the book, “Throttle”, was published in a 2009 limited edition anthology honoring Richard Matheson, titled “He Is Legend”. It is a collaboration by Joe Hill and Stephen King. Matheson has been credited as being a big influence on a lot of King’s ideas and his short story “Duel” was the inspiration for “Throttle”…. It's about a pissed off, dishonorable discharged road warrior, aboard his motorcycle on the path of destruction with his dad and their biker tribe…. The Mad Max wannabe’s commit a crime that shall not go unpunished. A tattooed truck driver parked at a gas station makes sure of that. This was a pretty good, action-packed story that I would recommend to motorcycle lovers. It’s fairly predictable who the antagonist is but that doesn’t take away from the suspense.
The second story in the book, “Duel”, was published in “Playboy” magazine in 1971 and was also adapted to film (directed by Steven Spielberg). It is about a traveling salesman on a business trip venture who encounters a truck driving maniac on the road who decides to toy with him by driving his ass off the road, not letting him pass, and following him wherever he goes…. I really enjoyed this story, but I was not fond of the ending. Although I liked the mystery behind the truck driver’s motive, it ended too abruptly for me. It felt as if Richard Matheson didn’t know where to go with it.
Although similar, both stories have their differences and writing styles…. A big-ass eighteen wheeler with a faceless, pissed off driver is the only common thing they share. The motive and storyline is vastly different between them. I will say that I enjoyed “Throttle” a little more than “Duel” because it had a better ending. But, you should have fun reading both of them. The artwork that Nelson Daniel and Rafa Garres illustrated was amazing. I loved the use of colors and action sequences. It really captured brought both stories to life.
FINAL VERDICT: I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Joe Hill’s graphic novels and action-packed, short stories…. Although the stories are not as good as the “Lock and Key” series or “The Cape”, “Road Rage” is still a fun read. It isn’t as gruesome and full of gore like most of Joe Hill’s comic’s, but it is still not a comic book for kids.
December 11, 2023
Stephen King has been an author who means a lot to me over the years. He writes a lot. Not all of it is good. Quite often his work is laced with varying levels of implicit and explicit bigotry and prejudice. This seems to be something he has shared with his son.
This is a comic adaptation of the novella, Throttle, by Hill and King, and, the story that inspired it, Duel by Richard Matheson. Both stories centre on conflict with a malevolent truck on the highway.
I haven't read either of the original stories, but in the excepts and adaptations, Matheson's Duel seems a much stronger and more original, in multiple ways, of the two.
Throttle follows a motorcycle club, The Tribe, complete with grinning skull wearing a war bonnet patch, following a bloody altercation and moving from the frying pan of that into the fire of being made roadkill by a big, mean truck. If you know Stephen King's work, you know he loves big, malevolent trucks and casual racism. I cannot understand why they chose to name the MC and describe their patch in this manner, beyond exoticism. I may be wrong, but does not appear to be a Native American MC naming themselves within the story in this manner, as with the Hispanic MC, The Mayans, originally from Sons of Anarchy. With his history of 'Indian burial ground' origins for a number of his horror stories and propensity for the 'Magical [Black person]' trope, I find it hard to see anything else.
It's an excuse for some carnage, which is fun enough, but the forced moral turn at the end and the framing story give this an oddly preachy vibe, so unbelievably out of step with the roadkill porn this honestly is. Maybe, it works better in the book, but the tonal dissonance is wild.
Duel is a more interesting narrative following the eponymous duel between a guy on his way to an interview on California and truck that takes exception to being overtaken. That's the while premise, but the focus on the protagonist's descent into despair and madness at their ordeal and the maintained anonymity of the truck driver add a level of horror and intrigue that is sorely lacking in Throttle.
Both stories have an interesting perspective on class, with who they focus on and their portrayal, especially considering the author's situations when these stories were written. By interesting, I really mean a kind of sneering, dehumanising, and othering of those of the lower classes and outside the law, again nothing new for King, while weight and respect is placed upon dedicated fathers and veterans.
Throttle is, quite frankly, some Boomer-arse shit, and Duel seeks like it would be interesting to read.
The art and direction for Throttle is very standard affair and not particularly interesting. Duel has a much more distinct design and layout, reflecting the degrading of sanity of the protagonist, which I appreciate.
This wasn't from me, but it was something to randomly pull from the library.
This is a comic adaptation of the novella, Throttle, by Hill and King, and, the story that inspired it, Duel by Richard Matheson. Both stories centre on conflict with a malevolent truck on the highway.
I haven't read either of the original stories, but in the excepts and adaptations, Matheson's Duel seems a much stronger and more original, in multiple ways, of the two.
Throttle follows a motorcycle club, The Tribe, complete with grinning skull wearing a war bonnet patch, following a bloody altercation and moving from the frying pan of that into the fire of being made roadkill by a big, mean truck. If you know Stephen King's work, you know he loves big, malevolent trucks and casual racism. I cannot understand why they chose to name the MC and describe their patch in this manner, beyond exoticism. I may be wrong, but does not appear to be a Native American MC naming themselves within the story in this manner, as with the Hispanic MC, The Mayans, originally from Sons of Anarchy. With his history of 'Indian burial ground' origins for a number of his horror stories and propensity for the 'Magical [Black person]' trope, I find it hard to see anything else.
It's an excuse for some carnage, which is fun enough, but the forced moral turn at the end and the framing story give this an oddly preachy vibe, so unbelievably out of step with the roadkill porn this honestly is. Maybe, it works better in the book, but the tonal dissonance is wild.
Duel is a more interesting narrative following the eponymous duel between a guy on his way to an interview on California and truck that takes exception to being overtaken. That's the while premise, but the focus on the protagonist's descent into despair and madness at their ordeal and the maintained anonymity of the truck driver add a level of horror and intrigue that is sorely lacking in Throttle.
Both stories have an interesting perspective on class, with who they focus on and their portrayal, especially considering the author's situations when these stories were written. By interesting, I really mean a kind of sneering, dehumanising, and othering of those of the lower classes and outside the law, again nothing new for King, while weight and respect is placed upon dedicated fathers and veterans.
Throttle is, quite frankly, some Boomer-arse shit, and Duel seeks like it would be interesting to read.
The art and direction for Throttle is very standard affair and not particularly interesting. Duel has a much more distinct design and layout, reflecting the degrading of sanity of the protagonist, which I appreciate.
This wasn't from me, but it was something to randomly pull from the library.
January 18, 2021
Me acerco otra vez al mundo del cómic e irremediablemente tenía que leer este escrito por Stephen King y su hijo Joe Hill. La historia se basa en Duelo de Richard Matheson pero que conoceréis mejor por la película El Diablo sobre ruedas de Steven Spielberg.
He de decir que cuando vi El diablo sobre ruedas era una cría y aquella película me impresionó. Durante años recordé algunas secuencias pero también la sensación de impotencia que sientes ante la situación en la que se ve inmerso el protagonista. Esa angustia que genera verse inmerso en una situación inexplicable y aquel conductor que no lograbas ver. Aún de vez en cuando, si veo un camión de combustible en la carretera imagino que pasaría si se desencadenase una situación como la de la película.
Quienes la hayáis visto seguro que sabéis de qué hablo. Quienes no la hayáis visto, ya estáis tardando. Es una película que te marca. Y así le marcó a Stephen King y a su hijo Joe cuando la vieron y no dejaron de imaginar qué pasaría si. Este cómic es uno de esos “y si”.
Me ha gustado volver a recordar esa película y descubrí el porqué de que Joe Hill y Stephen King hayan querido rememorar la historia.
He de decir que cuando vi El diablo sobre ruedas era una cría y aquella película me impresionó. Durante años recordé algunas secuencias pero también la sensación de impotencia que sientes ante la situación en la que se ve inmerso el protagonista. Esa angustia que genera verse inmerso en una situación inexplicable y aquel conductor que no lograbas ver. Aún de vez en cuando, si veo un camión de combustible en la carretera imagino que pasaría si se desencadenase una situación como la de la película.
Quienes la hayáis visto seguro que sabéis de qué hablo. Quienes no la hayáis visto, ya estáis tardando. Es una película que te marca. Y así le marcó a Stephen King y a su hijo Joe cuando la vieron y no dejaron de imaginar qué pasaría si. Este cómic es uno de esos “y si”.
Me ha gustado volver a recordar esa película y descubrí el porqué de que Joe Hill y Stephen King hayan querido rememorar la historia.
January 7, 2022
The Matheson story is far more compelling than "Throttle". Although I have read "Duel" as a short story and have seen the movie, I was still glued to these panels to see what would happen next.
November 12, 2024
Throttle 1.5*
Duel 3.5*
Duel 3.5*
January 14, 2022
Nice illustrations, nice stories.
June 19, 2019
Richard Matheson is one of those writers who has been present in our lives for many years even without our being aware of it. He is the mind behind many stories that have been adapted into the film world including "I Am Legend," "Stir of Echoes," and "What Dreams May Come." And, to add to the list, his short story "Duel," which was Steven Spielberg's breakthrough into the film world. Spielberg adapted the short story and so came into being his first feature film.
With such history and the cultural role it played, I have had this short story on my shelf with every intention of reading it. And now, I have done so. Counter to my normal, I did see the film just before reading the story. It was interesting to see what Spielberg did with it in his adaptation. In the short story, the villain is not meant to be a person with scruples and an anger problem, but rather an embodiment of evil. He is rage and anger, no back story or characterization needed.
In the film, though there is still the presence of these characteristics, there is a driver present who is the one pursuing the main character, David. We watch David try to race him out, wait him out, challenge, and even despair under his pursuit. The visual aspect of it adds an additional sense of mystery to the situation. Matheson did an excellent job with the short story. However it was on screen that it felt to really come to life.
I was really glad to get to experience this story. In both formats. I turned it on with a friend who does not enjoy older movies. For a film that was made in 1971 we were both drawn in. It's a credit to the author who first sparked the idea of the story itself, and to Spielberg for what he did with the piece. It is easy to see his skill even all the way back at Film 1.
It also makes sense that Richard Matheson's stories have inspired the likes of Stephen King. The second story "Throttle," by King and his son was inspired directly by "Duel." It was nice to have them together in one book where they could be read and experienced together. I have read not many, but a few of King's books. I'm not sure how to describe this one except to say it was full of grit. It was about a biker gang that is unraveling. On the road they too experience an evil trucker that tries to run them down. Hill and King are great with characterization. They put in the work to develop the individual characters, their relationships, the situation they're in, and how they're responding to it. This story was not as much for me, but I can appreciate the work and dedication that went into it.
With such history and the cultural role it played, I have had this short story on my shelf with every intention of reading it. And now, I have done so. Counter to my normal, I did see the film just before reading the story. It was interesting to see what Spielberg did with it in his adaptation. In the short story, the villain is not meant to be a person with scruples and an anger problem, but rather an embodiment of evil. He is rage and anger, no back story or characterization needed.
In the film, though there is still the presence of these characteristics, there is a driver present who is the one pursuing the main character, David. We watch David try to race him out, wait him out, challenge, and even despair under his pursuit. The visual aspect of it adds an additional sense of mystery to the situation. Matheson did an excellent job with the short story. However it was on screen that it felt to really come to life.
I was really glad to get to experience this story. In both formats. I turned it on with a friend who does not enjoy older movies. For a film that was made in 1971 we were both drawn in. It's a credit to the author who first sparked the idea of the story itself, and to Spielberg for what he did with the piece. It is easy to see his skill even all the way back at Film 1.
It also makes sense that Richard Matheson's stories have inspired the likes of Stephen King. The second story "Throttle," by King and his son was inspired directly by "Duel." It was nice to have them together in one book where they could be read and experienced together. I have read not many, but a few of King's books. I'm not sure how to describe this one except to say it was full of grit. It was about a biker gang that is unraveling. On the road they too experience an evil trucker that tries to run them down. Hill and King are great with characterization. They put in the work to develop the individual characters, their relationships, the situation they're in, and how they're responding to it. This story was not as much for me, but I can appreciate the work and dedication that went into it.
June 30, 2012
Disclaimer: I have only read the first issue of this comic, so my review will be limited in its scope of the series as a whole.
Stephen King is no stranger to the graphic novel world, with his books Dark Tower, The Stand being adapted into comic format. Add onto this the American Vampire series and you know that you've got an experienced writer coming into this series. For the most part King shows that he knows what he's doing, but I can't help but feel that I'm missing out on something.
I've never read/listened to the short stories that comprised the audiobook version of Road Rage, which brought together Matheson's Duel with Stephen King and Joe Hill's Throttle. Both stories deal with a person or persons dealing with a psychotic trucker, and maybe if I'd heard those stories first I'd have a better idea of the various characters. The first issue of Road Rage focuses on King and Hill's story, and while it's fairly clear as to what the basic storyline is, we're given such a brief introduction to everything and everyone that I just didn't feel as connected to the characters as I wanted to be. We have characters getting killed off in the first issue that have to be re-introduced as they die- that's how little we're told about them, that the artists/writers felt that they needed to have their names flashed twice so we don't forget who they were.
The artwork does fit the feel of the story, though. We have this wonderful "pulp comic" feel to the panels, something that will either completely thrill the readers or drive them batty. I kind of wavered between which side I was on, ultimately deciding that I loved how the book was illustrated. It just plain works and is one of the strong points of the volume. In my first issue I also got to see some beautiful cover artwork as well as some illustrations that were thrown in for good measure, which is what pushed me into the "love it" category.
I really can't fault this first issue for anything other than the slow pacing, as going into the secondary Tribe members would probably have been unnecessary and only bogged the story down. I do wish that I could shake the feeling that I'd understand more if I'd have listened to the audiobook, but I would imagine that the story will be more fully developed as the book goes on.
Stephen King fans will no doubt snap this graphic novel up in a heartbeat, but for those who are a little hesitant I recommend picking up the audiobook before this is released or looking for this in your local library. It's something that does look to be worth reading and I'll look for the full version when it hits the shelves of my local stores.
3 out of 5 stars
(ARC provided by Netgalley)
Stephen King is no stranger to the graphic novel world, with his books Dark Tower, The Stand being adapted into comic format. Add onto this the American Vampire series and you know that you've got an experienced writer coming into this series. For the most part King shows that he knows what he's doing, but I can't help but feel that I'm missing out on something.
I've never read/listened to the short stories that comprised the audiobook version of Road Rage, which brought together Matheson's Duel with Stephen King and Joe Hill's Throttle. Both stories deal with a person or persons dealing with a psychotic trucker, and maybe if I'd heard those stories first I'd have a better idea of the various characters. The first issue of Road Rage focuses on King and Hill's story, and while it's fairly clear as to what the basic storyline is, we're given such a brief introduction to everything and everyone that I just didn't feel as connected to the characters as I wanted to be. We have characters getting killed off in the first issue that have to be re-introduced as they die- that's how little we're told about them, that the artists/writers felt that they needed to have their names flashed twice so we don't forget who they were.
The artwork does fit the feel of the story, though. We have this wonderful "pulp comic" feel to the panels, something that will either completely thrill the readers or drive them batty. I kind of wavered between which side I was on, ultimately deciding that I loved how the book was illustrated. It just plain works and is one of the strong points of the volume. In my first issue I also got to see some beautiful cover artwork as well as some illustrations that were thrown in for good measure, which is what pushed me into the "love it" category.
I really can't fault this first issue for anything other than the slow pacing, as going into the secondary Tribe members would probably have been unnecessary and only bogged the story down. I do wish that I could shake the feeling that I'd understand more if I'd have listened to the audiobook, but I would imagine that the story will be more fully developed as the book goes on.
Stephen King fans will no doubt snap this graphic novel up in a heartbeat, but for those who are a little hesitant I recommend picking up the audiobook before this is released or looking for this in your local library. It's something that does look to be worth reading and I'll look for the full version when it hits the shelves of my local stores.
3 out of 5 stars
(ARC provided by Netgalley)
August 17, 2012
Hmmm... I ahve read most graphioc adaptations of Kings' stuff but found this hard to 'get', don't know if it is the artwork or the story but this did not stand out as one of the better ones. The book itself is a handsome thing but the artwork,( different artists do each story ), left me cold. The first half of the book introduced by King is his take on a Duel scenario co written with his son Joe Hill. Originally published in a short story anthology celebrating Richard Matheson this is tale not for the faint of heart, is gruesome and involves a pack of bikers being hounded by a moster of a truck whose driver you never see. This is followed up by anadaptation of the Steven Speilberg film Duel, a film I have never seen but this was more successfully menacing and I guess if you have seen the film you know what to expect. Thsi is introduced by Joe Hill. It was good but not up to the standard I had been expecting.
March 30, 2014
I choose not to drive. I don't have a driving license and I never took driving lessons. It's way too stressful, frustrating and (dare I say it?) often times hair-raising. I came upon a large number of reckless truck drivers when I used to travel across the Sahara desert by car. Believe me, these crazy mofos are truly disturbing. You really don't want to mess with a crazy truck driver.
Richard Matheson captures that emotion perfectly in "Duel" - a tense, blood-curdling and fun piece that left me breathless. 4 stars.
Team King, however, failed to impress me with "Throttle" (or Road Rage ? I'm not sure), which was way too predictable and dull. 2 stars.
All in all, worth the read if you really are into monster trucks and horror.
Richard Matheson captures that emotion perfectly in "Duel" - a tense, blood-curdling and fun piece that left me breathless. 4 stars.
Team King, however, failed to impress me with "Throttle" (or Road Rage ? I'm not sure), which was way too predictable and dull. 2 stars.
All in all, worth the read if you really are into monster trucks and horror.
June 25, 2014
Two words: not impressed.
"Road Rage" contains two stories adapted by Chris Ryall. The first is a work by Joe Hill and Stephen King about a biker gang that is falling apart. This is the better of the two stories for 2 reasons: the art was better by far, and the story had a reasonable amount of logic to the events.
The second story "Duel" could have been better. The art was difficult to make out at times; I couldn't always tell what I was looking at. The other major issue was all the time I thought, "Why didn't he just...?" while reading. There was also no real reason for the conflicts of the story, so I was left feeling like the whole story was pointless.
"Road Rage" contains two stories adapted by Chris Ryall. The first is a work by Joe Hill and Stephen King about a biker gang that is falling apart. This is the better of the two stories for 2 reasons: the art was better by far, and the story had a reasonable amount of logic to the events.
The second story "Duel" could have been better. The art was difficult to make out at times; I couldn't always tell what I was looking at. The other major issue was all the time I thought, "Why didn't he just...?" while reading. There was also no real reason for the conflicts of the story, so I was left feeling like the whole story was pointless.
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