Chris Mould's War of the Worlds: A Graphic Novel

by Chris Mould (Adapter), H.G. Wells

In 1894, across space, this earth was being watched by envious eyes, and plans were being drawn up for an attack.

What seems to be a meteorite falls to earth, but from the debris, unfolds terrifying alien life...

A young man called Leon records his observations and sketches. 'Those who have never seen Martian life can scarcely imagine the horror' - he tells us. 'Even at this first glimpse, I was overcome with fear and dread. The earth stood still as we watched, almost unable to move ...'

In a full colour, graphic novel retelling of the classic, Chris Mould depicts the arrival of these giant martians that tower over woods and cities, seemingly ungainly at first, but then horrifyingly efficient when they begin to attack...

As war descends, Leon and his scientist wife race against the clock to discover the science behind these martians in the hopes of ending this war of all worlds.

Genres: Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Classics, Fiction, Historical, Fantasy

176 pages, Hardcover

Published October 10, 2024

About the author

Chris Mould is the illustrator of Captain Beastlie’s Pirate Party, written by Lucy Coats. Chris went to art school at the age of sixteen. During this time, he did various jobs, from delivering papers to washing-up. He has won the Nottingham Children’s Book Award and been commended for the Sheffield. He loves his work and likes to write and draw the kind of books that he would have liked to have on his shelf as a boy. He is married with two children and lives in Yorkshire.

Chris Mould spends his working day in one of the prestigious art studios at Dean Clough Mills in Halifax. His studio is clearly marked with a skull and crossboned warning as to what might lie within.

Chris is not confined to book illustration. He has worked for the RSC, the BBC, the FT and many other famous initials, aswell as film development work for Aardman Animations which included character and environment development work on the film Flushed Away.

When away from his studio, Chris spends most of his time with his wife Sue and his two daughters Emily and Charlotte.

Reviews

[Steph ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Fun fact, I've been a huge fan of Jeff Wayne's musical version War of the Worlds for the longest time. If my dad and I are on a road trip, that's what we're listening to. I have read HG Wells War of the Worlds and enjoyed it and then I came across this graphic novel edition in an indie bookstore in Halifax before Christmas. As kismet would have it, Chris happened to be there signing books. So I got mine personalised and got a photo with him (thanks again Chris).

This was fantastic. Such a wonderful graphic novel inspired by the original story. The illustrations were stunning and the story itself was so well told. I really enjoyed this, and the nostalgia with my dad as well as the fun story of getting my copy and meeting Chris just adds to my love for this book.

[Richard Howlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Mould's War of The Worlds, inspired by the H. G. Wells classic

This stunning book retells the story of War of The Worlds in a brand new format.

There was a bit of a debate in the comments on my latest reel as to what makes a graphic novel, but regardless of where your opinion lies, there's no denying that this is a beautiful book.

This was my first time experiencing this story in any medium; I've not read the original novel, I've not seen the films or the TV series, and I've certainly not heard the radio play.

This book felt like a perfect entry point for someone like me. I do read prose, but it's very much secondary to my comics reading, so this hybrid of graphic novel and illustrated novel felt unique and interesting.

It was a breeze to read too! The story moved along at a quick pace, and the addition of the illustrations helped bring the world to life.

My one main criticism would be that the comic sections pretty much repeated what you'd already read in the prose sections, so while they did help you visualise what was going on, but they didn't actually move the story along on their own.

But don't let that take away too much from what is a great way of getting new readers into an old classic, in a refreshing and innovative format.

This book comes out on 10th October from Faber & Faber.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chris Mould's War of the Worlds: A Graphic Novel is the re-imagining of the classic Sci-Fi novel by HG Wells, putting it into a graphic novel format by Chris Mould. The book is one of my favourite Sci-Fi novels and just a great story. I've read 3 or 4 times over the course of my life. I was very interested in seeing how this version matched up.

For a graphic novel, it was excellent. It respected the original story with just minor changes and the art work was super, coloured clearly and drawn beautifully. Some minor changes with the main character being an artist who is tasked to keep a written record of everything he sees. The story was basically the same, with Martian tripods invading England and the rest of the world in the late 1800's. The story focuses on the English countryside and how it is terrorised by the Tripods.

The story is much quicker but it still packs an impact and the main facts are still covered. I enjoyed reading it very much and it brought back fond memories of the original story. (3.5 stars)

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars--At first, I was a little surprised by this one--I opened it to find pages of text instead of the graphic novel I was expecting. But it quickly drew me in and I ended up enjoying this novel/comic hybrid quite a bit.

[Klee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Those who have never laid eyes upon Martian life can scarcely comprehend the sheer dread..."

In 1894, far across the void of space, envious eyes fixed upon our Earth with cold intent, and dark plans for invasion began to take shape.

When a mysterious object crashes to the Earth's surface, it is no revealed to be no mere meteorite. From the smoking wreckage emerges alien life - horrific, gargantuan, and fearsome. In this full-colour graphic novel (yes, yes, warning there is some debate as to whether this is a graphic novel or a heavily illustrated short story) retelling of the classic tale from the father of science fiction, Chris Mould’s eerie illustrations bring to life the arrival of the Martians - giants that loom over the cowering populace, their awkward, otherworldly forms conceal a sinister precision, unleashing devastation with ruthless efficiency upon everything in their path.

As chaos engulfs the world and Earth edges toward annihilation, Leon and a team of desperate scientists launch a frantic race against time, determined to uncover the secrets of the Martians’ sinister power and bring an end to this apocalyptic war of worlds.

The illustrations bring a fresh perspective to this classic tale, turning descriptions into vivid, haunting visuals. They capture the Martians’ terrifying forms, the chaos of collapsing cities, and the raw emotions of humanity - fear, awe, and resilience. Through bold imagery and striking details, the story feels alive, immersing readers in the horror and hope of the alien invasion. More than just accompanying the text, the artwork redefines the narrative, making it a gripping and unforgettable experience for both new readers and longtime fans.

"From the moment I first glimpsed them, my very soul seemed to freeze. Time itself halted as we stood transfixed, paralyzed by terror…”

[johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was like if Tim Burton did War of the Worlds and I loved it.

This is now hands down my favourite visual interpretation of War of the Worlds. The illustrations are so hauntingly beautiful and the tripod design is some of the best I’ve seen. This isn’t an exact adaptation, it makes changes to the narrator’s character and his relationships and skips quite a few iconic scenes from the original novel. It was still a very good read due to the absolutely beautiful illustrations.

[Jonas H · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75
I thought this would be a graphic novel in the common sense of the word, but didn't mind that it wasn't. What bothered me was that the text and illustrations didn't seem to fully agree despite this book being written and illustrated by one person. I also got a bit miffed by the inaccurate depictions of the earth.

PS: I haven't read the originalnovel or seem the film.

[Denise Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds this abridged text manages to convey the essence of Well’s writing in a more accessible way, together with the accompanying illustrations this makes for a truly special gift!

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, so first off, let's get this straight - this is NOT a graphic novel. It's an illustrated retelling on War of the Worlds from the point of view of different characters to that featured in the original H.G. Wells classic, but set in the same geographic milieu. Inspired by, one could say.
I was taken out of it quite a few times: firstly by the many depictions of the Earth, where geography is 'fluid' - some countries just disappear, including Mexico and the UK itself, coastlines are all over the place; secondly, by the uneven placing & mis-ordering of the illustrations in relation to what they show in the story. There was also a moment when the main character, Leon, is passing an orphanage that has been badly damaged by the invading Martians, and he knows there are a couple of older orphans sheltering in the basement, but he doesn't make the time to go and check that they are ok. Frustrating.
Disappointing.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eve Of War

NO ONE WOULD HAVE BELIEVED that during the last years of the nineteenth century this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligent life from afar. That while people busied themselves to and fro with their various tasks, they were being scrutinised and studied. Perhaps as narrowly as a man with a microscope might examine the creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water.

The War of the Worlds is a firm favourite of mine and I have enjoyed the book, as well as the Jeff Wayne's musical version. The BBC also produced an interesting adaptation in 2019 which subverted the story somewhat. The less said about the Tom Cruise film the better.

This graphic novel adaptation is different again, bringing the story to a new audience. It updates some elements of the tale, removes others completely, and shortens it significantly, much to my dismay.

No longer do we have the most dramatic of scenes featuring HMS Thunder Child or the haunting "aloo, aloo" calls of the Martian evaders. The ending has also been updated to give more prominence to the female characters, leaving the conclusion feeling rushed and without the tension of the original.

Overall a bit of a letdown, but the artwork is spectacular with the iconic tripods looking suitably terrifying, so I am going to give this 3 3/4 stars.

[Macky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing to keep in mind with this fabulously illustrated book is that it’s not the original but a young reader retelling inspired by the H G Wells classic, from a wonderful illustrator whose biggest clue is in the large scale title on the cover.
Chris Mould’s War of the World

And then, it’s true to say that it’s not your common or garden graphic novel either. More a mix of full page text, glorious single and double full page spread illustrations and wordless graphic novel style panels that worked perfectly for me but might just miss the mark for those looking for a more purist graphic novel true to Mr Wells vision. Although I’d say it still pays a respectful homage to the original classic in its similarities. Enough to satisfy people who have a fondness for Mr Wells story.

To be honest, It’s a tale I’ve never particularly been a fan of and without the illustrations would probably have given a 3/3.5 rating. Which would generally mean I enjoyed but didn’t quite love it. But, combined with the spectacular artwork that lifted it way above the norm, this was nothing short of five stars. And deservedly so! I love books that are fully illustrated and Chris Mould who has now become one of my favourites, has filled this book to capacity with his stunning art. It’s a gorgeous physical copy that I’ll be picking up again and again.

[Daniel Hubbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

H.G Wells' masterpiece of science fiction has been on my mental back burner for a long time, and Chris Mould's excellent adaptation is the perfect way of approaching the book for those who want to. Mould's approach is less an integration of the story into a graphic form than an illustrated version of it. Text and visuals alternate. Since Wells' story is what it is, it's worth just saying that Mould's artistic vision complements it very well, though at times I wish it had been sequenced a little better, as pages of visuals repeat pages of text in a few places.

Characters have a little bit of a Burton-ish quality to them, stick or stocky characters in a high Victorian era all look quite twee and darkly innocent until the Aliens arrive, and the dark ripping destruction of England begins. There's at least one scene captured in silhouette that tops anything done in the Spielberg version, and reminds us that what's left implied is often more horrifying than what's shown.

If you're looking for a reason to finally consume a foundation stone of sci-fi, this is it.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover of this is sure eye-catching, but the character work by Mould really reminds me of Corpse Bride-era Tim Burton concepts in a way that could have worked had the illustrations felt more kinetic. I thought it was odd that this is ostensibly meant to be the journal of the narrator recounting the events of the Martian invasion, but some of the images really felt as though manifested from the character’s interior kind in a way that didn’t gel with the rest of the visuals. That’s fascinating, on the one hand. On the other, I imagine the perspective unclearly shifting in this to be a challenge for kids. The illustrations also struggle with the scope of the tripods, making them a bit less interesting since their always appear similarly posed and either too distant or too close. In terms of adapting the story, I think this preserves the Wells story fine — I distinctly remember a scene of a cart losing or breaking a wheel and that somehow feeling really arresting, but also, and maybe this is from art around the novel, but a tripod fighting a boat? Can’t keep everything I suppose.

[Pascalle Scheltens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The film made an impression on me as a child, and every time I drive past windmills, I have to think of The War of the Worlds. I did not know that the story originally takes place in 1894 and that the main character travels around to record what happened.

Through his drawings, Chris Mould has breathed new life into this classic story by H.G. Wells. The combination of small pieces of text and the drawings, or switching between them, makes it very easy to understand. It is clear that they support each other and that neither of them carries the story forward on its own.

The style made me think of Tim Burton and occasionally of the drawings that can be seen in Roald Dahl’s books. In some parts it made me think of a children’s book, while a few pages later quite dark themes were described.

The book is certainly beautiful to look at and looks beautiful displayed in the bookcase.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

bit dissapointing, the writing lacks life and i picked up on a few printing mistakes as well (words would be there twice in a scentence)
as for the story itself i thought it was strangly paced, i suppose its a graphic novel so there is just a lack of text ofcourse, but for the text that was there it was surprisingly dragged out for a while with the main character going around finding shelter and what not. then suddenly it picks up the pace and quickly kinda rushes to the aliens being dead all of a sudden and theyre safe? it left the entire fenomenon of the red vines growing unanswered which was annoying seeing as that was the very thing that actually got me intrigued to keep on reading. idk, i expected more.

[amycw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with the other reviewers that this is not a graphic novel. It is a beautifully illustrated retelling of the classic novel. The illustrations, for the most part, show what you have already read; they do not propel the story forward unless you choose to ignore the text.

That being said, I loved this. It was a quick, easy read (it took me less than two hours to read it aloud). I don't remember much of the original story as it has been decades since I read it, so this was interesting and exciting to me. I loved the illustrations. They reminded me of a cross between The Little Prince and The Corpse Bride. I think a pre-teen or young teen would enjoy this.

[Ioana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read War of the Worlds a while ago and I have watched the movie multiple times in the past, so I was very excited to see a graphic novel representation of this story.

This is one of the first (maybe the first one) humans and alien interaction story. It has impacted the science fiction genre a lot and I have always enjoyed it. As a graphic novel, I feel that this story has a completely different vibe. The way the Martians are represented just gives you a better understanding of the impact a creature like this could have. The art is beautiful and I highly enjoyed every panel. I kind of wanted more text on the page sometimes.

[Sean Keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but very neutered for a younger audience - do they actually use heat rays? No Martians eating people, no actual Martians at all, in fact, just their machines.
Does it need to be so sanitised for children? I first read HG Wells’ original when I was around 11. Scary as hell, and stayed with me for life, but didn’t exactly warp my fragile mind.
Also, cars and radio broadcasts in 1895?
Give younger people a bit of respect, and don’t talk down to them.
The graphic novel side of this is excellent though - very nice and atmospheric illustrations. Wouldn’t mind seeing a full version of them in Wells’s book.
All in all though, this is a gorgeous book. The kind of book you treasure and show to people.

[Kate Pendlenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars from my 8yo son, to whom I read this book. We are all big fans of the Jeff Wayne musical of this story, so when we spotted this book in a local bookshop I was compelled to buy it as a Christmas present.

Whilst primarily written as a children's version of the HG Wells classic, this book appeals hugely to adults as well. The illustrations are haunting and beautiful, and the text carefully crafted to retain the complexity of the original language, but simplified just enough for younger readers or listeners.

I asked my son for his review and he said "It was amazing!"

[that girl who reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read the original novel but was familiar with the musical so was interested to read this. I loved the illustrations but I didn't feel like they blended with the text in the most effective way. It was more of an illustrated retelling than a graphic novel in my opinion. Also despite the mention of the red weeds these weren't pictured at all in the illustrations. I enjoyed the story despite being brief, I may need to read the original novel to compare.

[Seamus Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. The illustrations are excellent and really add to the atmosphere of the story.

The text is a bit more accessible than the original by HG Wells and with some of the more horrific sections minimised it is suitable for a wider age range.

Chris Mould has made something very special.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

In drawing inspiration from War of the Worlds, Chris Mould brings a fresh perspective on the story in this lovely book. The book switches between text sections and graphics and works really well. It’s a lovely book that just takes you along on the story. I read it in one sitting. The prose is as beautiful as the art and expressive itself.

[Miko Huang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story with beautiful illustrations. It has been a long time since I last read anything with drawings and reading this brought me back to the times when I read Enid Blyton as a kid. I looked forward to every flip of the page for the next drawing. Felt like I would enjoy the book less if not for the drawings.

[Lilli Rorvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful rendition of the classic sci-fi story. Although it's really more like a illustrated short story than a graphic novel. It definitively captured my attention! I loved the artwork and would highly recommend giving this a read, whether or not you have read the original story.

[Beverley Faulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slight change to the original story but I liked it and the illustrations were amazing. I’ve listened to Jeff Wayne’s version
N this week too and plan to watch the movie in the next couple of days. Love it!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely edition of the classic story.

[David Varley-Doran · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle, melancholic view of the events of War of Worlds. Suitable for kids in double figures.

[Matthew Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family-friendly abbreviated retelling of Well's classic, with very stylised artwork pages to help the reader visualise the story.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much and the drawings are beyond incredible, it helped me to get back into reading

[Ronnie Rice Talbot · Rating 3 out of 5]

A New Way To Enjoy A Classic Tale.