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The Beatles Yellow Submarine
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine comes this fully authorized graphic novel adaptation.
The Beatles are recruited by the Captain of the Yellow Submarine to help him free Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and the world of Pepperland from the music-hating Blue Meanies.
The Beatles are recruited by the Captain of the Yellow Submarine to help him free Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and the world of Pepperland from the music-hating Blue Meanies.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published August 2, 2018
4 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Bill Morrison
298 books6 followersComic book artist and writer, and co-founder of Bongo Comics (along with Matt Groening and Steve and Cindy Vance). He currently serves as creative director of Bongo Comics.
Morrison is a native of Lincoln Park, Michigan, a Downriver community situated south of Detroit, Michigan. He attended the College for Creative Studies.
Morrison is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America; he created the mural A Century of Values to celebrate the BSA centennial in 2010.
At the beginning of his career in the early 1980s, Morrison worked as a technical illustrator for Artech, Inc. in Livonia, Michigan, before going to work as an illustrator for Disney. Then he worked as an illustrator for The Simpsons and created his own comic Roswell. He served as director for Futurama.
Morrison is a native of Lincoln Park, Michigan, a Downriver community situated south of Detroit, Michigan. He attended the College for Creative Studies.
Morrison is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America; he created the mural A Century of Values to celebrate the BSA centennial in 2010.
At the beginning of his career in the early 1980s, Morrison worked as a technical illustrator for Artech, Inc. in Livonia, Michigan, before going to work as an illustrator for Disney. Then he worked as an illustrator for The Simpsons and created his own comic Roswell. He served as director for Futurama.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
September 7, 2023
Put the music on and get onboard - take a trip back that will give you a little bit of hope as we all deal with the here and now/now here. Books like this take me back to a time and place where everything made much more sense (because I knew so little). A fun book that you are sure to enjoy!
April 12, 2019
"Sky of blue, sea of green, in our yellow submarine . . ." -- Lennon / McCartney
I can recall when a local UHF station (remember those?) aired Yellow Submarine (1968) as their nightly 8 o'clock movie, and I'm pretty certain it was because it was the film's 20th anniversary.
Holy mackerel, Andy! Where does the time go? This graphic novel edition is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four last official big-screen release. Though the film was not exactly a classic it is near-perfectly suited to this sort of adaptation. I'd say the one big drawback in going from movie to book format (in reverse from the norm) is that the reader doesn't get to hear the Beatles' songs - 'All Together Now,' 'Nowhere Man,' 'Hey Bulldog' - or hear to the band's witty dialogue (even though it was done by professional voice actors, and not 'the boys') in those warm Liverpudlian tones.
But the book really works in a dual-level, Rocky & Bullwinkle sort of way for a family audience. The insanely-colored, unique illustrations and easy-going storyline make it kid-friendly. Meanwhile, the Beatles' dialogue - very reminiscent of the sharp but natural humor displayed in many real-world press conferences / interviews by the group in the mid-60's - should strike a chord with the adults.
I can recall when a local UHF station (remember those?) aired Yellow Submarine (1968) as their nightly 8 o'clock movie, and I'm pretty certain it was because it was the film's 20th anniversary.
Holy mackerel, Andy! Where does the time go? This graphic novel edition is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four last official big-screen release. Though the film was not exactly a classic it is near-perfectly suited to this sort of adaptation. I'd say the one big drawback in going from movie to book format (in reverse from the norm) is that the reader doesn't get to hear the Beatles' songs - 'All Together Now,' 'Nowhere Man,' 'Hey Bulldog' - or hear to the band's witty dialogue (even though it was done by professional voice actors, and not 'the boys') in those warm Liverpudlian tones.
But the book really works in a dual-level, Rocky & Bullwinkle sort of way for a family audience. The insanely-colored, unique illustrations and easy-going storyline make it kid-friendly. Meanwhile, the Beatles' dialogue - very reminiscent of the sharp but natural humor displayed in many real-world press conferences / interviews by the group in the mid-60's - should strike a chord with the adults.
May 11, 2019
Delightful Puns!!
Down with the Blue Meanies!
Freedom, Music, Love! Yeah, man!
This reminds me of the Yellow submarine cartoon. I had fun reading this and I love the puns. This was joyful. What a group of talent here. I don't know if anyone will ever repeat their success? How do you save the day, Music.
I can dig it.
Down with the Blue Meanies!
Freedom, Music, Love! Yeah, man!
This reminds me of the Yellow submarine cartoon. I had fun reading this and I love the puns. This was joyful. What a group of talent here. I don't know if anyone will ever repeat their success? How do you save the day, Music.
I can dig it.
February 21, 2020
Climb aboard the Beatles' Yellow Submarine and take a 60s psychedelic journey to Pepperland where the boys will help Young Fred, Old Fred, and the Mayor restore music, peace, happiness, and love to the land that has been attacked by the dreadful, music-hating Blue Meanies.
This is a beautifully rendered graphic novel version of the Yellow Submarine movie. The colors are vibrant and it was fun to revisit the story. I hadn't seen the movie for decades. The only way it could have been better would be if the music played when you opened the pages (like the greeting cards that come with sound). It was a shame not to hear "All You Need Is Love" playing in the background at the end. Highly enjoyable nonetheless.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
This is a beautifully rendered graphic novel version of the Yellow Submarine movie. The colors are vibrant and it was fun to revisit the story. I hadn't seen the movie for decades. The only way it could have been better would be if the music played when you opened the pages (like the greeting cards that come with sound). It was a shame not to hear "All You Need Is Love" playing in the background at the end. Highly enjoyable nonetheless.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
January 24, 2025
Wonderful adaptation!
April 13, 2019
Quando ero piccolo, quindi mooolti anni fa, diverso tempo prima che iniziassero a frantumarci i maroni con Una poltrona per due, a Natale in televisione replicavano spesso il cartone animato Yellow Submarine, ed era perfetto per il clima lieto e spensierato di quei giorni beati in cui le feste non erano ancorano un ulteriore motivo di stress. Sia io, che la canzone, che il film, abbiamo superato il mezzo secolo di vita, qualcuno mi potrebbe anche chiedere se i Beatles non mi abbiano ancora stufato. La risposta ovviamente è no, anche perché i Biechi Blu sono sempre in agguato e bisogna difendersi. Il limite principale di questo fumetto, rispetto al film, è che non è sonoro, e quindi non ci sono le canzoni dei Fab Four, ma ci sono tutti i colori, la fantasia, la poesia, lo stralunato umorismo non-sense, molto british, e le geniali invenzioni grafiche psichedeliche, ispirate al surrealismo ed alla pop art. C’è anche tutto quell’ingenuo idealismo ottimista tipico della fine degli anni sessanta, un periodo straordinariamente creativo, fertile e vitale, così fuori luogo nella nostra epoca, e proprio per questo così necessario. Qualche nostrano Bieco Blu contemporaneo lo definirebbe “buonista”.
"C’era una volta, o magari due,
un paradiso celeste che si chiamava Pepelandia.
Si trovava, o forse si perdeva…
ottantamila leghe sotto il mare.
Non ne sono troppo sicuro."
"C’era una volta, o magari due,
un paradiso celeste che si chiamava Pepelandia.
Si trovava, o forse si perdeva…
ottantamila leghe sotto il mare.
Non ne sono troppo sicuro."
September 16, 2018
Could not have been better. I know the movie so well that I could hear sound effects and music as I scanned the outrageously colorful art and read the dialogue (much of which is taken directly from the film). This is a must for any Beatles fan!
August 31, 2018
The colors in this thing. Wow!
September 13, 2018
No pot needed
What a delightful trip to Pepperland. Even after all these years it’s still cheesy and fun. I’ll watch the movie next.
What a delightful trip to Pepperland. Even after all these years it’s still cheesy and fun. I’ll watch the movie next.
October 2, 2018
It's not the same without the music, but it's still fun.
January 4, 2019
Five stars only because it's The Beatles, and only because I love the movie. Truthfully, I found the graphic novel to be a little lacking - sure, the art was beautiful, and some of the word play translated a little better (what with having time to focus on the words, instead of having the dialogue spoken.) But what is this story without the music? The art was wonderful, vibrant and colourful and just like in the movie. But without the music and the animation, the story is nonsensical. (Heck, even with the music and animation, the story is nonsensical.)
In reality, this is probably more of a three-star read. But because I'm biased, all the stars for The Beatles and the Yellow Submarine!
In reality, this is probably more of a three-star read. But because I'm biased, all the stars for The Beatles and the Yellow Submarine!
August 28, 2018
This is a gorgeous graphic novel edition of the 1968 film; the style mirrors that of the film exactly and the colours are eye-poppingly bright. Story-wise it follows the events of the film beat for beat (give or take the odd line of dialogue here and there), just without the musical numbers, which, admittedly, can feel a bit odd, but on the flip-side it does allow for some new lines - including, jokes, puns, wordplay and references that weren't in the original film but you can imagine them being so - as well as the addition of more narration. A beautiful item for the 50th anniversary and a must have for Beatles/Yellow Submarine fans!
November 21, 2018
When I saw the libraries had this book, I was so excited that I reserved in both library districts. So, I ended up with two copies checked-out.
I absolutely loved this book! The art and narration from the film carried over to Graphic Novel form very well.
But, it just isn't the same without the music!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vefJA...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2uTF...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2uCN...
https://youtu.be/YYMycXQ8Q1k
I absolutely loved this book! The art and narration from the film carried over to Graphic Novel form very well.
But, it just isn't the same without the music!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vefJA...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2uTF...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2uCN...
https://youtu.be/YYMycXQ8Q1k
November 7, 2018
Beautiful pictures and the source of some great quotes--including this one I didn't remember (and that's saying a lot since I've seen this movie 104 times): "YES! Oh, yes is a word with a glorious ring, a true, universal, euphonious thing! Engenders embracing and chasing of blues, the very best word for the whole world to use."
August 31, 2018
A graphic novel of the brilliant film!
September 23, 2018
If you liked the film, you'll love this. This is the graphic novel of the animated film. Bright, quirky and full of colour. Wonderfully illustrated.
September 28, 2018
Faithful to the movie, beautifully drawn.
November 13, 2018
Fun graphic novel of the movie. Loved the bright colors, and the word play.
November 19, 2018
Love the book, story, art...but miss the song lyrics!
January 13, 2022
Desde que assisti Get Back -- o documentário dirigido por Peter Jackson sobre a gravação do disco Let It Be -- que não consigo tirar os Beatles da cabeça. Assisti a essa animação muitas vezes quando criança, mas faz tempo que não assisto e peguei o quadrinho pra matar a saudade. O quadrinho é exatamente a história da animação, mas acho que não traduziu muito bem de uma mídia pra outra. A falta das músicas perde algo da história e ficamos com uma casca meio psicodélica que não tem muito recheio além da própria psicodelia.
May 23, 2020
My daughter has set our family reading goals at 45 books each. While quarantine has helped, I remain constantly behind. I read this fine graphic novel and, unless she looks at this, which she won’t, I am counting it. I did not really enjoy this and all the silly Beatle song puns. Whatever. I hope the target audience enjoys it!
January 2, 2024
"For theirs was a land governed by the unusual notion that people ought to live in peace and harmony."
December 9, 2018
I’m from the wrong generation to get this. Art is well done.
November 26, 2021
Read the translation in Portuguese, and I'm pretty sure it was horrid.
November 10, 2018
4.5 rounded up
November 27, 2018
This book takes a movie that I enjoyed as a child and stripped it of almost every reason I liked it (the songs, the animation, the voices). Yes, Bill Morrison has some cool layouts and the watercolor backgrounds are cool but I don't feel like this book really adds anything to the Yellow Submarine. Devoid of the musical sequences and the trippy animation, this book is stripped down to the very worst part of the original movie ... the idiotic story. The already incoherent story is rendered even less sensible by illustrations that try to cram too much into a short space. There are multiple sequences where I only understood what happened visually or how we transitioned from one scene to the next because I remembered how it was in the movie. I can't help but feel like this only exists to sell an expensive art book to fans of the Yellow Submarine.
October 13, 2019
"Yellow Submarine" was one of the fastest reads for me ever! I read this book in under an hour!
"Yellow Submarine" is one of those Beatles albums that cuts through the "skies of blue" and "sea of green". It does hold the reader's attention throughout its entirety. Also, the animated film celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
"Yellow Submarine" will continue to resonate with fans forever in film, on video, on CD's and even as a Lego Ideas set! John, Paul, George and Ringo are that quartet to have reached the highest rock-and-roll pinnacle not only as a band, but individually as well.
With Bill Morrison's illustrations and the story based on the 1968 film, I would highly recommend this book for any age. You can read it to yourself or even as a bedtime story for your kids or grandchildren. It is not to be missed by anyone who's a fan of graphic novels and the Beatles!!!
Rating: *****
"Yellow Submarine" is one of those Beatles albums that cuts through the "skies of blue" and "sea of green". It does hold the reader's attention throughout its entirety. Also, the animated film celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
"Yellow Submarine" will continue to resonate with fans forever in film, on video, on CD's and even as a Lego Ideas set! John, Paul, George and Ringo are that quartet to have reached the highest rock-and-roll pinnacle not only as a band, but individually as well.
With Bill Morrison's illustrations and the story based on the 1968 film, I would highly recommend this book for any age. You can read it to yourself or even as a bedtime story for your kids or grandchildren. It is not to be missed by anyone who's a fan of graphic novels and the Beatles!!!
Rating: *****
July 20, 2025
An absolute fever dream to read. Loved it.
February 16, 2019
This graphic novel adaptation impressed me more as a stunning piece of art than anything else. As a 50th anniversary commemorative publication, it stays true to the original film and story of four musical friends, The Beatles, and their adventuring through Pepperland. They encounter and battle the ever famous blue meanies, and in the end, love and friendship trump all. This theme of Yellow Submarine is of course timeless, but Bill Morrison’s skilled and visually all-consuming drawings take the story to a new level of enticement. Like the movie, this book is a very enjoyable psychedelic trip to go on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews