The Twilight Zone: The Odyssey of Flight 33

Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone

by Mark Kneece, Robert Grabe (Illustrator)

Transocean Flight 33 departs London bound for New York as scheduled. But a mysterious tailwind sends them far off course, hurtling back and forth through time. Can the crew hitch a ride in hyperspace and get the passengers back to their own time?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Horror, Young Adult, Fantasy, Comics, Fiction

72 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Mark Kneece has written stories for numerous comics, including Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight. He helped found the sequential art department at the Savannah College of Art and Design and teaches comics writing as a professor of sequential art. He lives in Savannah, Georgia.

Reviews

[Sud666 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Odyssey of Flight 33 wasn't the best of the Twilight Zone stories. So it is completely natural that the comic adaptation keeps to the low level of pleasure.

Flight 33 undergoes some strange turbulence. Those events are shown to us through the eyes of the awful passengers. They are the true drag on the story. It is hard to empathize with annoying people. From the Air Force dude with issues, to the X-treme Sports nut, the annoying old lady that never shuts up, etc. I certainly wished for the destruction of Flight 33. The Pilots and Crew were, by far, the only people I identified with.

Good story, mediocre art and very unlikable passengers make for an not very interesting story- since it's hard to care if people you wanted to die then end up dying. So there is no drama since, other than the crew, none of these people really have to survive. In fact, I'd rather they all died. So if you want to feel that same way- read this comic!

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flight 33 is making good time en route to JFK airport when they catch a strong tailwind - impossibly strong. After a bright flash, they lose radio contact. When they attempt to contact LaGuardia, they realize they've slipped back in time to 1939. Instead of landing, they attempt to reverse to get back to 1973, but instead they end up even further back... and one of the passengers is freaking out!

This was, again, a little lackluster. I'm sure the TV episode had the tension and paranoia, but this didn't really cut it.

[River · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Loved How This Graphic Novel Showed The Original Story From A Show From Decades Ago Into A Full Action Comic Like Book. There Was A Lot Of Interesting Moments Like There Being Time Travel Through The Past And The Future. There Could Have Been A Lot More Interesting Features In The Book, Other Than That I Really Liked This Book.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining graphic novel adaptation of a classic episode of The Twilight Zone.

Folks from the Savannah School of Art and Design have collaborted to create eight graphic novels which pay homage to Rod Serling and his famous television series.

This episode spoke to me because of my own experiences crossing 'The Pond' as an aircrew member and the coordination required with the various centers along the way.

[Ron Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Out of all of the Twilight Zone episodes I'm surprised they chose to adapt a story that takes place entirely on a plane.

[Rebekah Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the other plot line alongside the original script!

[Suzann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This ill-advised graphic adaptation is absolutely abysmal. Not only does it deviate completely from the original episode, but it has inexplicably been brought into the present day. The most appalling thing about the book is the laughable art. There are actually times where you can’t recognize a character from one panel to the next, because they look completely different. I only wish that I were much younger so I could consider devoting part of my life span to protecting people from this travesty of an adaptation.

[Tony Cafiso · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basis of the story is that a plane (Flight 33) on its way to JFK airport finds itself in a strange jet stream. They pick up speed rapidly, to around 3000 knots. Once they manage to slow down, they find out that they went back in time, to around the 1930's. After this startling discovery, they fly back into the jet stream in hopes of going back to they're time period. However, this doesn't work and they end up going further back in time to when dinosaurs were still alive. They, once again, go back into that same jet stream but this time go into the future. This is where they leave the story as a cliff hanger.
I thought the story was fun to read but a little too far fetched. They also jump really quickly between time periods. This is a nice comic to read if you just want to read a fun story that you don't have to think too deeply into.

[Jamie Coolen]

This book was about a plane that left London and is trying to get back to New York. There is this one guy on the plane being so obnoxious and is starting problems. He is starting fights with people on the plane and the flight attends try to calm he down but he does not listen. He is getting very anxious towards the end and decides to jump out of the air plane. The people are all nervous because he jumped out and needs to make sure he is okay. He lands on a sandy beach with dinosaurs be hind him. After all that they land in completely different place than they should be and the plane goes back in time.

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Book source ~ Library

A 707 departs London headed for New York, but encounters some difficulty along the way.

I don’t remember this episode, but it’s interesting. I’m looking forward to seeing it in my rewatch. The story is pretty good. Sucks to be the passengers and crew on that jet. I’m not a big fan of the artwork. I find it just ok.

[Colleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story dragged on and the story was hardly interesting enough to keep my attention. I liked some of the other twlight zone graphic novels, but If I were you, I'd skip this one.

[Nola Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of eight graphic novels that were developed from Rod Serling's scripts of the original 'Twilight Zone'. This one was based on an episode from 1961. Passengers take off on a regular Boeing 707 flight across the Atlantic to New York. However, there's suddenly a strange sense of acceleration. The plane gets up to 5000 knots and they can't rouse anyone at any of the airports. They've somehow entered (cue music - do do do do, do do do do) the Twilight Zone.

This was a good book overall. The characterisations of the crew and some key passengers are done well, and the art and script are quite good. I've never seen the original series, but I imagine this book loses a bit of the suspense that you would have in an atmospheric TV episode. It wasn't the most riveting story I've ever read in terms of plot, but I found it interesting enough for the retro value.

I was particularly interested in the introduction to the book, that talked about the TV series in context with its times, and its place in popular culture. I also enjoyed the epilogue in which the author talks about the process of adapting the graphic novel from the original TV scripts (which also included some sections that weren't originally filmed).

It would be of interest to a fan of the series or anyone interested in pop culture.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story from your best nightmare. A flight is out of control, and one of the passengers thinks it is his fault.

When I got this from the library, I thought was the William Shatner/John Lithgow episode. Other than a crazy person (or not) on a plane, there's not much in common. My expectations were trounced and then set anew. I found this an enjoyable (if fairly quick) read. It was a tad confusing in some spots, but I think that was for effect from the characters' perspectives.

Good stuff, worth a read.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and would recommend it to others. This book is about a plane ride that suddenly goes bad. They’re not too long or far away before landing until they suddenly start increasing in speed. A flash of light is right outside and everything has changed. The plane has descended and the flight crew said that they went back in time somehow. They started to see Manhattan and other landmarks but no buildings or cities around. The book was pretty easy to follow and a fun one to read.

[Erikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has achieved the impossible: it made me like this episode. While the updating bothered me in Midnight Sun, I feel like it added something to this, which is generally such a shlocky episode. The DB Cooper angle was interesting, and I feel like the characters got a bit more fleshed out than in the original story. I still feel like it got bogged down in plane terminology that no one but pilots cares about, and the lady with the medical ailments was just as annoying, but I love the main antagonist--very well crafted. This was quite well done.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than expected with that goofy looking cover. The art is a bit inconsistent, but the plot is dark in a new way with the inclusion of the traumatized military pilot among the passengers. The end result is like a remix of the original episode, supposedly borrowing some things from the uncut version of Serling's script. Like with the original episode, that contrast between the calm disciplined demeanor of the crew and the bizarre time travel scenario is the main appeal. Things are maybe even more hopeless this time around, but most everyone keeps on trucking.

[Lilly Pink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book it was a good book I enjoy the twilight zone series as much as anyone does if they’ve known about it it’s very interesting to see how the airplane was and a different time zone.



Dinosaur and airplanes
It cannot disappoint


I just started this is a strongly recommend this even the TV series filmed twilight zone was pretty good so if you can find them as well I would be very interested. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Stefan Grieve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite fun in a zany kind of way, and there is some nice character work, but I found myself laughing at times when I knew I wasn't meant to, mainly at the nonchalant way the characters dealt with their 'Twilight-zoney' predicament.
It's also not the most 'WHAT THE!' twist, but I have hope for other Twilight zone graphic novel adaptions I will read.

[John Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Twilight Zone: The Odyssey of Flight 33 graphic novel delivers a faithful, straightforward adaptation of the classic episode. The artwork is solid, the pacing familiar, and while it doesn’t add much new, it captures the eerie, time‑slipping tension well enough for longtime fans.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was pretty crazy! I liked it more than the first one i read. Definitely twilight zone in its best. Fun read for Twilight Zone fans!

[Veronica F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick story. I got this for my middle school classroom. I think they will enjoy it.  Decent graphics and fun story. 

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice short comic read with great art, makes me want to watch the show.

[Sarah Shodrock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think this adaptation really worked. The atmosphere of the twilight zone is captured in the underscore and Rod Serling's voice. This graphic novel did not produce the same level of suspension

[Dann · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Twilight Zone: The Odyssey of Flight 33 is a rather poor and ridiculous graphic novel adaptation of the classic television episode. While on route to New York City a passenger plain experience some unusual turbulence and finds itself traveling through time; meanwhile a nervous man causes trouble among the passengers. Unfortunately author Mark Kneece switches the focus from the cockpit to the passengers in his adaptation; trying to concoct a story with the passengers. And post-9/11, perhaps that’s an angel that needs to be address (though oddly it’s set in 1973 for some reason). But it feels contrived and gets pretty outlandish. Robert Grabe’s artwork doesn’t help any either, as it does nothing to heighten the suspense and terror of the material. The worst entry in the series by far, The Twilight Zone: The Odyssey of Flight 33 botches one of the show’s most iconic episodes.

[Slow Man · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first graphic novel. I started to like this new reading format. I believe that graphic novel is an alternative format to encourage for reluctant readers.
I hope to explore more.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kneece, Mark. 2008. (December 2008) Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone: The Odyssey of Flight 33. Illustrated by Robert Grabe. Walker.

Transocean Flight 33 departs London bound for New York as scheduled. But a mysterious tailwind sends them far off course, hurtling back and forth through time. Can the crew hitch a ride in hyperspace and get the passengers back to their own time?

I liked this one. You can--if you'd like--watch the full episode on CBS's site. There are some significant changes between the classic episode and the graphic novel. Though I won't list them all by any means. I found some of these changes to be rather curious. More emphasis on the passengers, particularly on one 'crazy' passenger--who starts off harmlessly enough in my opinion asking for herbal tea and later for cashews. But by the end, we've got him rushing the cockpit--though he's stopped by one or two of the other passengers, and eventually he jumps out of the airplane with a parachute strapped to his back. That is just one of many changes introduced by Mark Kneece.

The original episode aired in February of 1961. The graphic novel is set in 1973. Both are enjoyable enough. Mysterious enough. But I prefer the TV show I must admit.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by LadyJay for TeensReadToo.com

A jet liner, en route from London to New York, is fifty-five minutes away from JFK International Airport. There is nothing special about this plane, the pilots, or the passengers; they are all simply attempting to reach their destination.

At 35,000 feet, something happens.

The plane begins to accelerate at an alarming rate. Most of the passengers fail to notice, but the crew has checked their instruments carefully, and there is no doubt that the plane is going over 3,000 knots. The pilots, fearing the passengers will become panicked, do everything they can to keep the plane level and structurally together.

Miraculously, the plane begins to decelerate; everyone is safe. But why can't the crew raise air traffic control from JFK? Why is the land mass that is supposed to be New York covered in water? These are questions that can only be answered in The Twilight Zone.

Once again, Mark Kneece has done a great job of adapting a Twilight Zone script into graphic novel format. The lines are clean, and the images are drawn well. The story is easy to follow and can be read quite quickly.

This would make a great addition to a graphic novel collection.

[Renee Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Odyssey of Flight 33 by Mark Kneece is a graphic novel adaptation of the classic Twilight Zone episode—and on my second read, I appreciated it even more than the first. What originally struck me as a faithful, well-drawn retelling has now taken flight with added depth and emotional resonance.

The graphic novel mirrors the tone and plot of the original episode, capturing that eerie Twilight Zone suspense we love. But what stands out this time around is how it expands on the story with subtle character development—particularly the passengers’ individual reactions as the impossible begins to unfold around them. It gives the narrative a fresh layer of humanity without veering too far from Rod Serling’s original vision.

The pacing is tight, the artwork supports the tone beautifully, and the blend of mystery, sci-fi, and human tension lands just right—especially on a reread when you know what’s coming and can appreciate the details more fully.

Originally I gave this 4 out of 5 stars, but after this second go-around, I’m confidently bumping it up to 5 stars. A must-read for Twilight Zone fans, and a great example of how graphic adaptations can add something meaningful to an already iconic story.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turning Twilight Zone TV episodes into graphic novels is certainly a creative idea, but this one was a little disappointing. Some of the plot was hard to follow and the illustrations did not always help. The author has tried to be true to the original screenplay, but the unnerving, eerie mood that was so effective on TV doesn't come across as well in print. I still remember the sound effects, the music and the haunting voice of Rod Serling - none of which is part of the reading experience. On the positive side, the author provides background information on the original TV show as well as a discussion of the challenges of turning it into a graphic novel. Students who read the book might find it interesting to watch online versions of the TV episodes.

[Matteo Pellegrini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tutti sanno che i racconti della serie TV Ai confini della realtà sono stati scritti dai più grandi autori di fantascienza che collaborassero con la televisione: Richard Matheson, Robert Bloch, Henry Slesar, Ray Bradbury, eccetera. Ma alcuni degli episodi migliori, alcune delle trovate più indimenticabili, si devono proprio a Rod Serling, che non solo è stato l'inventore e produttore della serie, ma l'ha alimentata con una ventina di magistrali sceneggiature. In questo secondo volume a lui dedicato, URANIA vi offre il meglio dei racconti scritti da Rod Serling per The Twilight Zone, una vera e propria antologia dell'ignoto che ci trasporta "in una dimensione diversa da quelle che conosciamo: è la dimensione dell'immaginazione, quella che si trova... ai confini della realtà".