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Alex Rider: The Graphic Novels #5
Scorpia: An Alex Rider Graphic Novel
Teen superspy Alex Rider faces a pop star bent on world destruction and a lethal group of assassins in graphic novel adaptations of two of his thrilling adventures.
After learning a terrible secret about his father, teen spy Alex Rider travels to Venice to uncover the truth about his past. But the truth lies with a criminal organization known as Scorpia. When he agrees to train as an assassin and is given a target that he knows well, Alex must make a choice: work with MI6 once more or betray everything he believes in.
After learning a terrible secret about his father, teen spy Alex Rider travels to Venice to uncover the truth about his past. But the truth lies with a criminal organization known as Scorpia. When he agrees to train as an assassin and is given a target that he knows well, Alex must make a choice: work with MI6 once more or betray everything he believes in.
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2016
20 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
About the author
Antony Johnston
337 books387 followers** Sign up for Antony's newsletter at http://ajwriter.substack.com **
Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.
The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.
Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.
His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.
An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.
Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.
Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.
The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.
Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.
His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.
An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.
Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 10, 2017
All of the action readers find in Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider books are displayed in attractive detail in this graphic novel, right from the beginning, and I am happy to say that the action adds to, rather than takes away, from the book’s plot. Confession: I have used the Alex Rider books, both the traditional novels and the graphic novels, in my own classroom now for almost a decade. So maybe I’m a little biased.
There is the requisite amount of intrigue and suspense in the book, and the level of violence is never such that I would feel uncomfortable sharing this book with a student. That being said, I enjoyed the book as an adult reader and appreciate the ending, which definitely leads into questions for the next entry in the series.
In true form with the spy genre, Alex travels through exotic locations on his way to unraveling the mystery behind Scorpia. All of these details and places are depicted very well in the book’s artwork.
Readers of Ian Fleming’s books will no doubt enjoy the way Horowitz uses the spy genre for young adults – there is no small mystery as to why Horowitz is currently writing the most recent Bond novels. I can also see how introducing this book series to a young reader might captivate them and encourage them to read Horowitz’s novels or other books of this genre.
Scorpia was written by Anthony Horowitz and Antony Johnson and illustrated by Emma Vieceli and Kate Brown. Recommended for older and younger readers alike – anyone who appreciates the comic book/graphic novel medium. My review was based on an advance copy.
There is the requisite amount of intrigue and suspense in the book, and the level of violence is never such that I would feel uncomfortable sharing this book with a student. That being said, I enjoyed the book as an adult reader and appreciate the ending, which definitely leads into questions for the next entry in the series.
In true form with the spy genre, Alex travels through exotic locations on his way to unraveling the mystery behind Scorpia. All of these details and places are depicted very well in the book’s artwork.
Readers of Ian Fleming’s books will no doubt enjoy the way Horowitz uses the spy genre for young adults – there is no small mystery as to why Horowitz is currently writing the most recent Bond novels. I can also see how introducing this book series to a young reader might captivate them and encourage them to read Horowitz’s novels or other books of this genre.
Scorpia was written by Anthony Horowitz and Antony Johnson and illustrated by Emma Vieceli and Kate Brown. Recommended for older and younger readers alike – anyone who appreciates the comic book/graphic novel medium. My review was based on an advance copy.
May 17, 2019
Wow, I forgot how good the plots for Alex Rider books are. It's a shame the art for the graphic novel adaptations aren't very appealing.
September 30, 2019
This is the best Alex Rider Graphic novel yet. It has a bit of everything (action, connection to Alex's mysterious family, intrigue, betrayal, etc.). But more importantly, it takes place in Italy, where I live :). It's always fun to see places you know in a work of fiction!
The artwork is simple but conveys the plot well. The letterist relies a bit too much on bold type, but it isn't too distracting.
A perfect book for reluctant Middle School readers.
The artwork is simple but conveys the plot well. The letterist relies a bit too much on bold type, but it isn't too distracting.
A perfect book for reluctant Middle School readers.
December 14, 2017
I couldn't WAIT for this graphic novel, I finished it too quickly lol
Only this is I don't exactly like how Mrs. Rothman (or however you spell it, slipping my mind atm), was drawn. She was supposed to be gorgeous and she just looked old and withered.
Other than that, good read. Pretty true to the novel and amazing artwork. Loved it!
Only this is I don't exactly like how Mrs. Rothman (or however you spell it, slipping my mind atm), was drawn. She was supposed to be gorgeous and she just looked old and withered.
Other than that, good read. Pretty true to the novel and amazing artwork. Loved it!
April 6, 2016
Good, but I didn't like the illustrations and the dialogues / monologues as much as he first several. Changed graphic artists?
February 7, 2017
Following a lead given to him by Yassen, Alex Rider takes advantage of a school field trip to Venice to hunt for Scorpia. He knows nothing about Scorpia except his father was once a part of it. Alex manages to get into Scorpia, but they tell him some horrifying things about MI6 and his father. And then they give him a mission...a mission against MI6. Meanwhile, Scorpia is planning something, something that will harm thousands of tweens in London. Can Alex figure out the truth and which side to align with in time?
I'll be honest, it has been over a decade since I read the original novel this is based on, so I'm foggy on how well this adapted the original. From what I can remember, it's got all the main points in there. The graphic novel still conveys all the tension and confusion, and I think kids will eagerly snatch this up. (The original series, and the first four books in the graphic novel adapation series are all quite popular, so I have no doubt this will be read many, many times.)
Notes on content: 1 moderate swear word. No sexual content or decency issues. There is violence on page, including a shooting with blood shown and a head stabbing...only recommended for middle school and above.
I'll be honest, it has been over a decade since I read the original novel this is based on, so I'm foggy on how well this adapted the original. From what I can remember, it's got all the main points in there. The graphic novel still conveys all the tension and confusion, and I think kids will eagerly snatch this up. (The original series, and the first four books in the graphic novel adapation series are all quite popular, so I have no doubt this will be read many, many times.)
Notes on content: 1 moderate swear word. No sexual content or decency issues. There is violence on page, including a shooting with blood shown and a head stabbing...only recommended for middle school and above.
November 17, 2017
Action packed story with vivid supporting graphics make this a strong candidate for struggling/reluctant readers. Although it is not the first in the series, there was enough information given to easily follow the story line. May also be an inducement for readers who enjoy it to pick up the text version next. Excellent addition to a graphic novel collection.
Alex finds out that his father may not have been the type of person he had always thought he was. In order to find out more, he gets involved with an agency of super-villains known as Scorpia.
Alex finds out that his father may not have been the type of person he had always thought he was. In order to find out more, he gets involved with an agency of super-villains known as Scorpia.
May 30, 2018
I'm really enjoying the graphic novel series as it goes on, it's a bunch of fun. If you're younger and like video games or spy stories without lots of details this is the series for you!
This installment did have an artist change so the artwork and colouring is different, but it was still really good and I enjoyed it!
This installment did have an artist change so the artwork and colouring is different, but it was still really good and I enjoyed it!
May 1, 2018
Ah, Scorpia, otherwise known as 'the one where our hero Alex Rider gets heckin' mad and joins a terrorist organization'. Let the good times role!
August 2, 2022
Scorpia: The Graphic Novel (2004) (Alex Rider #5) by Anthony Horowitz. Who knew they were making these novels into GRAPHIC novels. Anthony Johnston, Emma Vieceli and Kate Brown, who did the illustrations, inks and whatever else was needed to translate this from just written words into a veritable storyboard for a movie. The have managed to maintain the youthful innocence of Alex yet combined it with the growing maturity that his past actions have demanded.
And very nicely done by this trio.
As to the story, which follows almost immediately after the fourth book, Alex is going to Venice on a school trip. Also he is following up on the mysterious word “Scorpia” uttered by the dying Yassen in the last book. With the trip nearly over, Alex is a bit desperate but fortune steps in, as it so often does in this kind of story, and Alex seems to have a solid lead. Pursing it means Alex gets swept up by the very people he was seeking and, surprisingly, recruited by them to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Things are explained to him about who actually killed his father (Surprise, it was MI6) which turns Mr. Rider into a hate filled weapon that can be used against the British establishment. Things take a pretty dark turn in this ting which helps nullify the feeling that these are just children’s or young teen books. Mr. Horowitz has brought his game up a notch or two from the standard fare that was produced in the first four books and I hope the ark continues.
And we also find out what really happened to Alex’s parents. As of now, but everything is subject to change.
Did I mention that the books look good, the illustrations and colors bright and the flow of the action depicted in a very articulate manner. This is a good team backing up the novel.
And very nicely done by this trio.
As to the story, which follows almost immediately after the fourth book, Alex is going to Venice on a school trip. Also he is following up on the mysterious word “Scorpia” uttered by the dying Yassen in the last book. With the trip nearly over, Alex is a bit desperate but fortune steps in, as it so often does in this kind of story, and Alex seems to have a solid lead. Pursing it means Alex gets swept up by the very people he was seeking and, surprisingly, recruited by them to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Things are explained to him about who actually killed his father (Surprise, it was MI6) which turns Mr. Rider into a hate filled weapon that can be used against the British establishment. Things take a pretty dark turn in this ting which helps nullify the feeling that these are just children’s or young teen books. Mr. Horowitz has brought his game up a notch or two from the standard fare that was produced in the first four books and I hope the ark continues.
And we also find out what really happened to Alex’s parents. As of now, but everything is subject to change.
Did I mention that the books look good, the illustrations and colors bright and the flow of the action depicted in a very articulate manner. This is a good team backing up the novel.
August 3, 2019
'Scorpia: The Graphic Novel' by Antony Johnston and Anthony Horowitz with art by Emma Vieceli is the 5th graphic novel based on the Alex Rider graphic novel series.
Alex is on a class trip to Italy, but he is also following up on the one word clue he's been given previously: Scorpia. What he finds is a shadow organization that may have had ties to his father. Alex wants to find out more. When he gets recruited in to Scorpia, they want to train him to be a killer, but he doesn't want to. They send him on a mission to MI6 to assassinate, but what will Alex do?
I'm familiar with this series, but I've not read any of them. The story is fine, but seems a bit morally ambiguous. Alex seems confused about who he is, but he's a teenager, so is suppose that is normal. I found the art to be lacking, and very unimpressive. The story is also dialogue heavy at times, and that made it feel ponderous to read.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Candlewick Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Alex is on a class trip to Italy, but he is also following up on the one word clue he's been given previously: Scorpia. What he finds is a shadow organization that may have had ties to his father. Alex wants to find out more. When he gets recruited in to Scorpia, they want to train him to be a killer, but he doesn't want to. They send him on a mission to MI6 to assassinate, but what will Alex do?
I'm familiar with this series, but I've not read any of them. The story is fine, but seems a bit morally ambiguous. Alex seems confused about who he is, but he's a teenager, so is suppose that is normal. I found the art to be lacking, and very unimpressive. The story is also dialogue heavy at times, and that made it feel ponderous to read.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Candlewick Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
August 31, 2022
A young teen Mi6 agent called Alex Rider had finally found the secret behind his father death. He decided to have a revenge on his father murderer. When he join the Assassination called Scorpia (Sabotage, CORruPtion, Intelligence and Assassination), he found out that his very first mission was to kill Mrs. Jones which is his father murderer. However, behind the secret also got a secret and what was it?
January 11, 2024
Library copy
Stormbreaker is my favorite book to hand students, and Scorpia is my favorite book in the entire series. The graphic novel adaptation is okay, but I prefer Horowitz's writing. The pictures can't convey the same amount of excitement. The scene in the Italian plaza is just not the same.
Well done book, and my students love them, just not my favorite way to read about Alex Rider. Stormbreaker was the first graphic novel I ever bought, in about 2006!
Stormbreaker is my favorite book to hand students, and Scorpia is my favorite book in the entire series. The graphic novel adaptation is okay, but I prefer Horowitz's writing. The pictures can't convey the same amount of excitement. The scene in the Italian plaza is just not the same.
Well done book, and my students love them, just not my favorite way to read about Alex Rider. Stormbreaker was the first graphic novel I ever bought, in about 2006!
February 7, 2018
Suspend disbelief and these are a bit more enjoyable. The cliffhanger ending is such a teaser.
August 3, 2019
Artwork was great, story was ok.
August 20, 2019
This was an okay book, but I'm pretty sure the author and illustrator just added pictures to the original story. But, it is a very good story and is not hard to follow along like some graphic novels.
December 22, 2020
More “graphic” graphic than the others
August 3, 2022
Another good spy story. Alex learns some new information about his parents and his uncle during this case/adventure.
August 21, 2022
forgot he gets shot in the end.
spoiler*
spoiler*
November 12, 2023
Good fun
September 20, 2024
THE BOOKS ILLUSTRATIONS CHANGED BUT STILL VERY REALISTIC AND VERY GOOD
October 15, 2024
Why do I keep reading these?
At least this one is better than the others.
At least this one is better than the others.
November 1, 2019
Confused: over-simplified but pg-13 language. For 9yo or 13yo?
Better to leave it as a mid school book and graphic novel.
Better to leave it as a mid school book and graphic novel.
May 13, 2020
17 Apr, 2017: The book is much better
26 Feb, 2019: I actually liked it more this time, I’ve found some new things in this graphic novel.
26 Feb, 2019: I actually liked it more this time, I’ve found some new things in this graphic novel.
September 5, 2023
so many twists!!
November 2, 2024
scorpia has to be one of my fav books in the whole series and this is such a great adaptation :)
however, i prefer the previous art style
however, i prefer the previous art style
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July 25, 2017Content Rating
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August 24, 2017
Repackaged for new publication?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews