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The Worst Journey In The World, The Graphic Novel, Volume 1: Making Our Easting Down
Produced in collaboration with the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, The Worst Journey in the World’s original tale was written by one of the youngest members of Scott’s infamous expedition to the South Pole. Apsley Cherry-Garrard has all the idealism and excitement of a young man on the adventure of a lifetime. As things start to go wrong, he finds himself drawn to the centre of events, and burdened with responsibility far beyond his years. A painful loss of innocence is the axis on which the story turns, but it’s ultimately about the power of friendship, the value of curiosity, and the extremes to which people go for the sake of an idea.
To celebrate the centennial of the original story, Sarah Airriess transform’s Cherry’s tome into cinematic visuals, keeping as true as possible to the facts while bringing out the emotional core of the story, to open up a classic book to new audiences.
To celebrate the centennial of the original story, Sarah Airriess transform’s Cherry’s tome into cinematic visuals, keeping as true as possible to the facts while bringing out the emotional core of the story, to open up a classic book to new audiences.
212 pages, Paperback
Published November 24, 2022
8 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 21, 2022
I’m so used to reviewing bad books that being confronted with something this great leaves me at a bit of a loss for words, so may I just say, from the bottom of my heart, graphic novel very good. To elaborate on that a bit, I fell in love with The Worst Journey in the World from the first time I read it three years ago, and as soon as I found out about the forthcoming graphic novel adaptation, I spent a year eagerly awaiting that. It’s everything I dreamed and more, with Airriess’s gorgeous art perfectly bringing Cherry-Garrard’s memoir to life. I’m no expert, but I do have something of a long-standing obsession with the Terra Nova expedition, and this does justice so well to both The Worst Journey in the World and the expedition in general. While I’m just as excited for volume two as I was for the first one, I know it will be more than worth the wait.
August 8, 2025
Absolutely gorgeous, I had to stop reading and just look at the images so many times. Didn't read all the notes in the back yet so I will have to come back and read it again. A book that really should be revisited, more than once.
January 1, 2025
The graphic novel edition of Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s The Worst Journey in the World is clearly a labor of love. The illustrations convey the action and mood of the story and display an impressive effort at maintaining historical accuracy. The annotations section at the back of the book is an essential reading companion and is full of interesting anecdotes and explanations which enhance the graphic novel.
My only complaint is with the tiny font size in most of the panels. The narrative text is 1/16 of an inch tall (<1.6 mm). Perhaps the panels were originally designed to be printed at a larger size. The current printed size (2022 edition) hampers the accessibility of the text.
This first volume only covers the first 80 pages of Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s 600+ page (depending on the edition) book of the same name. This in-depth pacing for the graphic novel will be extremely satisfying when all the volumes are completed. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
My only complaint is with the tiny font size in most of the panels. The narrative text is 1/16 of an inch tall (<1.6 mm). Perhaps the panels were originally designed to be printed at a larger size. The current printed size (2022 edition) hampers the accessibility of the text.
This first volume only covers the first 80 pages of Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s 600+ page (depending on the edition) book of the same name. This in-depth pacing for the graphic novel will be extremely satisfying when all the volumes are completed. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
October 11, 2023
How could I not rate this 5 stars?
I cannot believe that I just read the first part of this graphic novel that I've been waiting for for over 5 years now.
I came across the terra nova expedition accidentally in school and got obsessed very quickly. It was the reason I decided to study geosciences.
I met the author on tumblr when it was just a mere idea to write a graphic novel. And now she's done it! I can't believe it.
The book it's based on will forever be in my heart and has a special place. The characters became alive in the graphics and the atmosphere was depicted beautifully
I cannot wait for the 2nd part !
Amazing amazing amazing
(I'm emotional here yes).
I cannot believe that I just read the first part of this graphic novel that I've been waiting for for over 5 years now.
I came across the terra nova expedition accidentally in school and got obsessed very quickly. It was the reason I decided to study geosciences.
I met the author on tumblr when it was just a mere idea to write a graphic novel. And now she's done it! I can't believe it.
The book it's based on will forever be in my heart and has a special place. The characters became alive in the graphics and the atmosphere was depicted beautifully
I cannot wait for the 2nd part !
Amazing amazing amazing
(I'm emotional here yes).
January 19, 2023
i have no words to express how happy and grateful and excited i feel that this book right here exists. i've been looking into and supporting this project for around a year now, and it was eveything i could have wished for and more.
it was a year ago as well when i got familiar with the terra nova expedition and started reading about it, it grew on me very fast and now has a very special place in my heart. that's why i couldn't be happier that this story is in the hands of someone who is as passionate about it as the author of this graphic novel. from the details and the anecdotes to the perfect characterization of the crew, the extremely impressive research and sourced information in the annotations (which i ADORED to read, thank you so much for including them and giving all kind of extra facts), you can very easily tell that this is a labour of love and it beams in every single page.
the art is obviously absolutely stunning as well, the characters are all very easy to recognise (specially if you are already familiar with them and have previously seen pictures of the crew) and the landscapes, specially those of the sea and the ice pack were my favourites (maybe i got a bit emotional with the very last panel), can't wait to properly see the beauty of antartica through Airriess' eyes in Vol. 2!
now, i proceed to obsess again about this expedition and read a bunch of the books mentioned in this one while I wait for the next volume
it was a year ago as well when i got familiar with the terra nova expedition and started reading about it, it grew on me very fast and now has a very special place in my heart. that's why i couldn't be happier that this story is in the hands of someone who is as passionate about it as the author of this graphic novel. from the details and the anecdotes to the perfect characterization of the crew, the extremely impressive research and sourced information in the annotations (which i ADORED to read, thank you so much for including them and giving all kind of extra facts), you can very easily tell that this is a labour of love and it beams in every single page.
the art is obviously absolutely stunning as well, the characters are all very easy to recognise (specially if you are already familiar with them and have previously seen pictures of the crew) and the landscapes, specially those of the sea and the ice pack were my favourites (maybe i got a bit emotional with the very last panel), can't wait to properly see the beauty of antartica through Airriess' eyes in Vol. 2!
now, i proceed to obsess again about this expedition and read a bunch of the books mentioned in this one while I wait for the next volume
September 4, 2025
Seeing as I am not keen on undertaking the 600+ page tome that is the actual memoir written by A. Cherry-Gerard, this graphic novel is the next best thing.
I have not read another “Western classic adapted as graphic novel” that is as well researched and lovingly illustrated as this book. I read it slowly and savoured each page in full. It was immensely enjoyable to have the included footnotes to flip to in the back of the book while reading it.
I eagerly (and patiently) await the following volumes.
Polar exploration in 1910 was wild.
I have not read another “Western classic adapted as graphic novel” that is as well researched and lovingly illustrated as this book. I read it slowly and savoured each page in full. It was immensely enjoyable to have the included footnotes to flip to in the back of the book while reading it.
I eagerly (and patiently) await the following volumes.
Polar exploration in 1910 was wild.
January 2, 2023
It is hard to say enough about this amazing graphical adaptation of Apsley Cherry-Garrard's classic epic. For those who can quote the first sentence of the original by heart (first paragraph? First page?), this meticulously researched book presents stunning visuals that humanize the expedition members without trivializing them. Airriess also brings in material from other expedition members' journals and letters without being jarring. Her annotations not only bring in the standard footnote info but also mention episodes that didn't make it into the more limited narrative but are still very cool to read about.
For those who are vaguely aware that there is a continent in the south, this is an accessible introduction to the environment as well as the history of incredible human accomplishment, risk, success, and failure that has occurred there.
I'm looking forward to future volumes, won't hold my breath! This level of detail and research doesn't happen overnight.
For those who are vaguely aware that there is a continent in the south, this is an accessible introduction to the environment as well as the history of incredible human accomplishment, risk, success, and failure that has occurred there.
I'm looking forward to future volumes, won't hold my breath! This level of detail and research doesn't happen overnight.
December 13, 2022
OK I think we have found it: my top book of 2022! 😍😍
Full disclaimer: I'm a current student at SPRI (Scott Polar Research Institute) and I was lucky enough to attend the book launch for this book and listen to Sarah talk about it. I was really struck by her stories of living in Antarctica for research (the dream😍), and by her rationalisation for why Scott's story specifically is so relevant and necessary in today's world: as a story of a group of good people, who tried hard and hard and gave everything they could, and while they may not have "succeeded", they kept their good-ness to the end.
I was already familiar with the story of Scott and his men (especially with some aspects special to SPRI like the ship's bell 🔔) but this is one of the best things about the book; people who have read every book on Scott ever published will find a new perspective in the gorgeous illustrated format, and people who couldn't point to Antarctica on a map I'm sure will become enraptured with the characters for the first time. And can we TALK about the gorgeous illustrations!! I know next to nothing about graphic novels (except remembering my high school manga phase...) but the vibrant colours and the way the illustrations all flow into each other is total perfection. They just make you fall that little bit more in love with the cast of characters and the stunning locations they visit. These men don't need any embellishment to make them fascinating people, or to make their journey worth reading about, so what the graphic novel format achieves perfectly is more than just "embellishing" the story: it immerses you in a new way into all the visuals of the journey, from the great expansive landscapes to the simplest human moments.
I cannot recommend this book enough. And I'm not saying this because I literally study at an institute with Scott in the name. I'm saying this because this book is exactly what I hoped it would be; a faithful retelling of a story that still resonates with everyone who reads it today, with the incredible bonus of the stunning illustrated format, suitable for anyone with a bit of an adventurous spirit who will find a story that they, even from their warm homes tucked away in cities and towns, can relate to.
My only complaint is having to wait for volume 2!
Full disclaimer: I'm a current student at SPRI (Scott Polar Research Institute) and I was lucky enough to attend the book launch for this book and listen to Sarah talk about it. I was really struck by her stories of living in Antarctica for research (the dream😍), and by her rationalisation for why Scott's story specifically is so relevant and necessary in today's world: as a story of a group of good people, who tried hard and hard and gave everything they could, and while they may not have "succeeded", they kept their good-ness to the end.
I was already familiar with the story of Scott and his men (especially with some aspects special to SPRI like the ship's bell 🔔) but this is one of the best things about the book; people who have read every book on Scott ever published will find a new perspective in the gorgeous illustrated format, and people who couldn't point to Antarctica on a map I'm sure will become enraptured with the characters for the first time. And can we TALK about the gorgeous illustrations!! I know next to nothing about graphic novels (except remembering my high school manga phase...) but the vibrant colours and the way the illustrations all flow into each other is total perfection. They just make you fall that little bit more in love with the cast of characters and the stunning locations they visit. These men don't need any embellishment to make them fascinating people, or to make their journey worth reading about, so what the graphic novel format achieves perfectly is more than just "embellishing" the story: it immerses you in a new way into all the visuals of the journey, from the great expansive landscapes to the simplest human moments.
I cannot recommend this book enough. And I'm not saying this because I literally study at an institute with Scott in the name. I'm saying this because this book is exactly what I hoped it would be; a faithful retelling of a story that still resonates with everyone who reads it today, with the incredible bonus of the stunning illustrated format, suitable for anyone with a bit of an adventurous spirit who will find a story that they, even from their warm homes tucked away in cities and towns, can relate to.
My only complaint is having to wait for volume 2!
September 22, 2025
It's about a group of men on a big wooden ship, of course I'm gonna love it.
I don't want to open the floodgates by logging graphic novels here, but this one deserves all the praise I can give. I've been a fan of Sarah's work for over a decade, and this project is a perfect combination of her strengths.
The Story:
Even more than the book, this comic does a brilliant job of showing the joy of discovery and exploration. The popular image of the Scott expedition is bleak, and most people's first thought will be of a bitter failure, followed with a tragic ending. This shows the triumphant start, and emphasizes the optimism and camaraderie found among the crew.
The Art:
The art is perfect. It has the simplicity of an animatic, and the layouts are gorgeous and well-placed, letting the reader be swept along each panel. The story flows so smoothly that it can be easy to miss, but there is a staggering amount of detail placed on each page, a testament to the years of research put into this. (Don't skip the annotations section after, it's chock full of details and stories you don't want to miss.)
Everything about this volume is a joy, and even the storms and miserable parts of the journey reflect the deep feelings of adventure and companionship found among the Terra Nova crew. This work brings these men and their stories to vivid life, and ignites a feeling of true adventure.
Highly recommend for all audiences.
I don't want to open the floodgates by logging graphic novels here, but this one deserves all the praise I can give. I've been a fan of Sarah's work for over a decade, and this project is a perfect combination of her strengths.
The Story:
Even more than the book, this comic does a brilliant job of showing the joy of discovery and exploration. The popular image of the Scott expedition is bleak, and most people's first thought will be of a bitter failure, followed with a tragic ending. This shows the triumphant start, and emphasizes the optimism and camaraderie found among the crew.
The Art:
The art is perfect. It has the simplicity of an animatic, and the layouts are gorgeous and well-placed, letting the reader be swept along each panel. The story flows so smoothly that it can be easy to miss, but there is a staggering amount of detail placed on each page, a testament to the years of research put into this. (Don't skip the annotations section after, it's chock full of details and stories you don't want to miss.)
Everything about this volume is a joy, and even the storms and miserable parts of the journey reflect the deep feelings of adventure and companionship found among the Terra Nova crew. This work brings these men and their stories to vivid life, and ignites a feeling of true adventure.
Highly recommend for all audiences.
January 6, 2023
Easily my favorite medium to read this book. The art is charismatic and beautiful yet simple in a way that lets you recognize every character almost at first glance.
Have been a patron of this artist for some time and i'm happy to see the result of all the work she put to make this graphic novel happen!
Cant wait for the rest of the story :)
Have been a patron of this artist for some time and i'm happy to see the result of all the work she put to make this graphic novel happen!
Cant wait for the rest of the story :)
April 27, 2025
(4.2) This story reads like a more favorable Disney adventure. The artwork and annotations gives you a sense of discovery and uninhibited privilege.
August 22, 2025
One of the best graphic novels I’ve read. Beautiful artwork, wonderful cartoons giving you a flavor for all the real life explorers, and some really fun graphics, maps, scientific explanations through drawings. Just lovely. Can’t wait for Part II!!!
July 16, 2023
Robert Falcon Scotts Terra-Nova-Expedition hatte zum Ziel, den Südpol zu erreichen, was ihr (Spoiler) im Januar 1912 gelang, jedoch nicht, wie angestrebt, als erste. Mit an Bord war als jüngster Teilnehmer Apsley Cherry-Garrards, der einige Jahre später seine Erfahrungen in einem Buch veröffentlichte. Dieses wiederum war die hauptsächliche Quelle für Sarah Airriess, neben Briefen und Tagebüchern weiterer Besatzungsmitglieder, für die Graphic Novel „Die schlimmste Reise der Welt“.
Bewundernswert ist der enorme Rechercheaufwand, den sie dafür betrieben hat. Das Buch gewährt in einem Anhang schon einige Einblicke in tiefergehende Details, die auch kleine Abweichungen in der künstlerischen Umsetzung klarstellen. Eine Website geht sogar noch weiter und ermöglicht es, Panel für Panel weitere Details abzurufen.
Band 1, „Ums Kap nach Süden“, stellt die Reise vom ersten Kennenlernen der Crew in Cardiff bis zum Erreichen der Antarktis dar. Wir erleben, wie sich die Männer in ihren Rollen einfinden, einander unter die Arme greifen, feiern, dem Sturm trotzen.
Vierzehn Hauptpersonen werden eingangs namentlich vorgestellt, und jede von ihnen hat spezifische Gesichtszüge, anhand derer sie im weiteren Verlauf identifiziert werden kann. Bei den Zeichnungen gefällt mir, wie die verschiedenen Tageszeiten (z.B. Dämmerung) eingefangen werden, Wasser über den Text schwappt, das Schiff im Querschnitt (von oben nach unten) dargestellt oder die Vorräte einzeln “verstaut” werden.
Der Alltag an Bord wird authentisch in Bildern dargestellt. Ich fieberte mit den Seeleuten mit, besonders als sie erfahren, dass Amundsen sich mit demselben Ziel auf die Reise begeben und einen Wettlauf eingeläutet hat. Das Erreichen des Packeises stellt somit einen Meilenstein dar, während offenbleibt, wie die Expedition am Südpol weitergeht. Bei solch einer ansprechenden Darstellung ist mein Interesse auf jeden Fall geweckt, diese Truppe auch im nächsten Teil zu begleiten.
Bewundernswert ist der enorme Rechercheaufwand, den sie dafür betrieben hat. Das Buch gewährt in einem Anhang schon einige Einblicke in tiefergehende Details, die auch kleine Abweichungen in der künstlerischen Umsetzung klarstellen. Eine Website geht sogar noch weiter und ermöglicht es, Panel für Panel weitere Details abzurufen.
Band 1, „Ums Kap nach Süden“, stellt die Reise vom ersten Kennenlernen der Crew in Cardiff bis zum Erreichen der Antarktis dar. Wir erleben, wie sich die Männer in ihren Rollen einfinden, einander unter die Arme greifen, feiern, dem Sturm trotzen.
Vierzehn Hauptpersonen werden eingangs namentlich vorgestellt, und jede von ihnen hat spezifische Gesichtszüge, anhand derer sie im weiteren Verlauf identifiziert werden kann. Bei den Zeichnungen gefällt mir, wie die verschiedenen Tageszeiten (z.B. Dämmerung) eingefangen werden, Wasser über den Text schwappt, das Schiff im Querschnitt (von oben nach unten) dargestellt oder die Vorräte einzeln “verstaut” werden.
Der Alltag an Bord wird authentisch in Bildern dargestellt. Ich fieberte mit den Seeleuten mit, besonders als sie erfahren, dass Amundsen sich mit demselben Ziel auf die Reise begeben und einen Wettlauf eingeläutet hat. Das Erreichen des Packeises stellt somit einen Meilenstein dar, während offenbleibt, wie die Expedition am Südpol weitergeht. Bei solch einer ansprechenden Darstellung ist mein Interesse auf jeden Fall geweckt, diese Truppe auch im nächsten Teil zu begleiten.
Read
December 16, 2022If you’re not familiar, this is the start of a lovingly-researched (like, the author went to Antarctica and it’s made in collab with a polar research institute) graphic novel adaptation of a famous hundred year old polar expedition memoir.
The research notes are a big part of the book (literally a big old chunk at the end). If you’re not interested in the history it might not be the book for you - but you don’t need to know anything in advance to get what’s going on. Really I would read a hundred more graphic novels where the author/illustrator got extremely into a specific area of research like this, and wish there was way more funding for that kind of thing.
I loved reading something this beautifully drawn with so much detailed and well laid out information (I read it flipping to the notes at the end of each scene.) Some of the notes are really specific, but the majority are also really interesting. A few are very good at broader contextualising with short, well-put-together explainers about everything from the impending war and conditions on the ship to the sea creatures they came across. It's done with love and based closely on the memoir and letters etc from the time, but the notes also don't shy away from nuanced social stuff or acknowledging the 'British colonial hubris' elephant in the room.
This is just the first volume, so the story at first feels very cheerful as the young idealist sets out and literally learns the ropes. Alongside, there’s this ominous undertone of dramatic irony for the reader since things are obviously going to go… south.
The art is beautiful all through, and the end of the book feels like it really gets into its stride and has the most incredible nailbiting storm sequence. Honestly some of the best tension I've seen done in comics, really communicating the scale of the danger - it makes me extremely excited to read on, as the tension and emotions build in the books to come.
This is a really special project and an amazing demonstration of graphic novels making the history accessible and really tangible, I'd really recommend if you have any interest in the topic at all.
The research notes are a big part of the book (literally a big old chunk at the end). If you’re not interested in the history it might not be the book for you - but you don’t need to know anything in advance to get what’s going on. Really I would read a hundred more graphic novels where the author/illustrator got extremely into a specific area of research like this, and wish there was way more funding for that kind of thing.
I loved reading something this beautifully drawn with so much detailed and well laid out information (I read it flipping to the notes at the end of each scene.) Some of the notes are really specific, but the majority are also really interesting. A few are very good at broader contextualising with short, well-put-together explainers about everything from the impending war and conditions on the ship to the sea creatures they came across. It's done with love and based closely on the memoir and letters etc from the time, but the notes also don't shy away from nuanced social stuff or acknowledging the 'British colonial hubris' elephant in the room.
This is just the first volume, so the story at first feels very cheerful as the young idealist sets out and literally learns the ropes. Alongside, there’s this ominous undertone of dramatic irony for the reader since things are obviously going to go… south.
The art is beautiful all through, and the end of the book feels like it really gets into its stride and has the most incredible nailbiting storm sequence. Honestly some of the best tension I've seen done in comics, really communicating the scale of the danger - it makes me extremely excited to read on, as the tension and emotions build in the books to come.
This is a really special project and an amazing demonstration of graphic novels making the history accessible and really tangible, I'd really recommend if you have any interest in the topic at all.
September 19, 2024
I will start by saying that if you are in the UK, this book has been out since December 2022. However, if you are in North America, and didn’t want to buy overseas, you only have to wait until October 8th to get this revised edition of the first volume of the graphic novel version of the Worst Journey in the World. The new revised version has a spectacular cover, and the artwork inside has been tweaked for accuracy. (Such as the characters wearing dress whites when they went ashore)
The Worst Journey in the World is about a south polar expedition that went terribly wrong. Based on the memoir of one of the polar explorers, Sarah Airriess did amazing research to bring out just this first volume of the story. She even traveled to the Antarctic to get the feel for the place, so to speak.
You can read it two ways. You can read it straight through for the incredible story that it is. Or you can read it along with the, not so much foot notes as amazingly well crafted annotations to each page, where she explains the *why* behind how she did what she did. The things she left out. The things she included. The songs that were sung.
The author not only read original notes, diaries, papers, but also spent time in Antarctica, to get the feel, to get the knowledge to write what she knew.
We don’t get into the worse things that will happen, though the opening does hint at them.
This very much explores how the British thought they were it. That they had to explore. That it was their right, and their privilege, and this was what you did as white upper middle class gentleman. Should they not have gone? No. This was what they did.
So innocent, and so naive.
An amazing story, first published years after the journey, and now the graphic novel version was published a little over 100 years after the original publication.
I can’t wait for volume 2. This is very much a keeper.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The North American edition of the book is coming out October 8, 2024
The Worst Journey in the World is about a south polar expedition that went terribly wrong. Based on the memoir of one of the polar explorers, Sarah Airriess did amazing research to bring out just this first volume of the story. She even traveled to the Antarctic to get the feel for the place, so to speak.
You can read it two ways. You can read it straight through for the incredible story that it is. Or you can read it along with the, not so much foot notes as amazingly well crafted annotations to each page, where she explains the *why* behind how she did what she did. The things she left out. The things she included. The songs that were sung.
The author not only read original notes, diaries, papers, but also spent time in Antarctica, to get the feel, to get the knowledge to write what she knew.
We don’t get into the worse things that will happen, though the opening does hint at them.
This very much explores how the British thought they were it. That they had to explore. That it was their right, and their privilege, and this was what you did as white upper middle class gentleman. Should they not have gone? No. This was what they did.
So innocent, and so naive.
An amazing story, first published years after the journey, and now the graphic novel version was published a little over 100 years after the original publication.
I can’t wait for volume 2. This is very much a keeper.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The North American edition of the book is coming out October 8, 2024
December 15, 2024
This has fantastic art, and CRAP TON of historical research and details
I just dislike that it covers so little - just the journey down. And now we’ve got to wait and wait for the rest of the story
I just dislike that it covers so little - just the journey down. And now we’ve got to wait and wait for the rest of the story
January 1, 2025
I've been nervously resisting reading this one for ... oh when did the paperback come out. Two years ago? I think? I have three copies of it in paperback (one signed to me, with an illustrated Cherry in it) and two copies in hardback, because Airriess has meant So Much to me as a little Internet Kid, and her delight in Scott turned me into this story as well. But, I was afraid to settle in and read this book, to cement all these nebulous emotions into something concrete. Still. I wanted my first book of 2025 to be special, and I wanted it to be this, so I settled into my beanbag in the sun, with a cup of earl gray and one of my many copies, and I got lost in it.
Okay, so, way back in the earlier internet days, I stumbled onto Airriess's nocturnalsoldier website, before she even worked at Disney. It may have been for Potter art--but I can't recall how I found the website in the first place, not really. But as I stared in awe at these Potter pieces, I found this section for a series called Discworld, and I was so fascinated and confused by what I saw, I had to know more. (I remember the one about the troll in sunglasses, that's the one that REALLY got me curious.) I randomly got Mort from the library first, and then I fell deep and hard into the Disc sauce. I met the Librarian and Vimes and Death, I learned to love audiobooks and Nigel Palmer, all of it. And while picking up more copies of Disc books on hold at the library, I saw a poster at said library saying they wanted librarians, and you needed a Master's Degree for it, and then my whole future was basically planned then and there. So I kind of (blame? thank?) Airriess for my career choice.
And then I watched her fall deep into this Scott stuff. I nervously, the first time I ever spoke to her, asked her for book recs, got a HUGE list and some files back, and fell face first into that, too. And then I got a job at a library--and, somehow, some inexplicable way, one of the first displays I saw there, that I didn't set up, that my soon-to-be-beloved coworker had set up, was something about exploration, with more Scott books. Call it a sign that I was in the right place. I inhaled all the books we had about Scott from that shelf, too.
So, to say this story, and her fascination with it, means a lot to me is putting it Sorta Mildly. Thus, my fears to actually read it, like a blushy teen too afraid to actually enjoy their media of choice without squeaking.
But then, today, I read it. And, friends, it's as wonderful as I'd dared hope. It's beautifully illustrated, that I expected--and the colors are AMAZING, stars, some of those pages took my breath away with how inspiring they felt. I'm going to be staring at some of these panels for hours like I used to stare at her Discworld art. But more than that, she tells this big complicated story so consciously, beautifully. And it's funny, too! I laughed at so many of these panels, from Scott throwing his pen because the ship hit ice too hard, to skiing mishaps, to the sheer ridiculous cheerfulness of Birdie's everything. And it's heartfelt, too! That nightmare dream sequence opener, I just stared, oh my heart. These expressions are incredible.
And the details in the back! The resources, the references, the extra stories and thoughts and things that couldn't fit or the details that had to be changed slightly for a story and yet so carefully detailed--like drawing the ship tipping the wrong way, intentionally, so that the reader can visually realize that if they're facing right, they're probably going south, and if they're facing left, they're probably going north, and changing the tip so that it visually translates--but explaining that in the notes??? Beyond incredible.
But more than anything, this book is an adaptation of one of the wildest stories I can think of, a true story of friendship and heroism and loss and learning and sheer curiosity for what's over the horizon. Of survival of all kinds of things. Inspiring, heartbreaking, and I don't even have the right words for what's been done here, how this has been adapted and done. I'm dying for part two.
For years and years and years I've been telling myself I need to join her patron. And on this first of the year, I've done it. I'm here to stay, deeper and deeper and happier and happier, and I'm going to loan my copies of this book and buy more and revel in this story that meant so much to me then and still does.
Five beautiful stars and a need to shove it in everyone's hands.
Okay, so, way back in the earlier internet days, I stumbled onto Airriess's nocturnalsoldier website, before she even worked at Disney. It may have been for Potter art--but I can't recall how I found the website in the first place, not really. But as I stared in awe at these Potter pieces, I found this section for a series called Discworld, and I was so fascinated and confused by what I saw, I had to know more. (I remember the one about the troll in sunglasses, that's the one that REALLY got me curious.) I randomly got Mort from the library first, and then I fell deep and hard into the Disc sauce. I met the Librarian and Vimes and Death, I learned to love audiobooks and Nigel Palmer, all of it. And while picking up more copies of Disc books on hold at the library, I saw a poster at said library saying they wanted librarians, and you needed a Master's Degree for it, and then my whole future was basically planned then and there. So I kind of (blame? thank?) Airriess for my career choice.
And then I watched her fall deep into this Scott stuff. I nervously, the first time I ever spoke to her, asked her for book recs, got a HUGE list and some files back, and fell face first into that, too. And then I got a job at a library--and, somehow, some inexplicable way, one of the first displays I saw there, that I didn't set up, that my soon-to-be-beloved coworker had set up, was something about exploration, with more Scott books. Call it a sign that I was in the right place. I inhaled all the books we had about Scott from that shelf, too.
So, to say this story, and her fascination with it, means a lot to me is putting it Sorta Mildly. Thus, my fears to actually read it, like a blushy teen too afraid to actually enjoy their media of choice without squeaking.
But then, today, I read it. And, friends, it's as wonderful as I'd dared hope. It's beautifully illustrated, that I expected--and the colors are AMAZING, stars, some of those pages took my breath away with how inspiring they felt. I'm going to be staring at some of these panels for hours like I used to stare at her Discworld art. But more than that, she tells this big complicated story so consciously, beautifully. And it's funny, too! I laughed at so many of these panels, from Scott throwing his pen because the ship hit ice too hard, to skiing mishaps, to the sheer ridiculous cheerfulness of Birdie's everything. And it's heartfelt, too! That nightmare dream sequence opener, I just stared, oh my heart. These expressions are incredible.
And the details in the back! The resources, the references, the extra stories and thoughts and things that couldn't fit or the details that had to be changed slightly for a story and yet so carefully detailed--like drawing the ship tipping the wrong way, intentionally, so that the reader can visually realize that if they're facing right, they're probably going south, and if they're facing left, they're probably going north, and changing the tip so that it visually translates--but explaining that in the notes??? Beyond incredible.
But more than anything, this book is an adaptation of one of the wildest stories I can think of, a true story of friendship and heroism and loss and learning and sheer curiosity for what's over the horizon. Of survival of all kinds of things. Inspiring, heartbreaking, and I don't even have the right words for what's been done here, how this has been adapted and done. I'm dying for part two.
For years and years and years I've been telling myself I need to join her patron. And on this first of the year, I've done it. I'm here to stay, deeper and deeper and happier and happier, and I'm going to loan my copies of this book and buy more and revel in this story that meant so much to me then and still does.
Five beautiful stars and a need to shove it in everyone's hands.
December 29, 2023
As a cheerleader for science and art, what more could I ask for than a graphic novel combining the two? The amazingly talented Sarah Airriess adds to that her passion for history and the age of exploration to retell the story of Robert Falcon Scott's 1910 Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole. I know Sarah from Walt Disney Animation Studios, and remember her discovering this story, which turned into an obsession. Not only are her drawings gorgeous to look at (of course), and richly colored (also by her, no easy task), but the meta-story of Sarah's research and commitment to accuracy is just as compelling. She moved to England, embedded herself in the relevant archives, spent a week of tall ship sailing, applied for (and won) an artist residency in Antarctica, examined footage and photography, pored through miles of original documentation, all to arrive at a clear and clean presentation of that fated voyage. Volume 1 gets us from Cardiff, Wales, to Madeira, to South Trinidad, to Cape Town, to Melbourne, to Christchurch (and Port Chalmers), to the Antarctic ice pack.
Along the way we meet the crew, and each member has been given his own distinct design true to the individual, with just enough caricature to feel distinct. They also have fun nicknames, which the original crew provided all on its own. We learn more about each man's character as they work together, solve problems, face down deadly storms, sing shanties, goof off, take scientific measurements, collect samples, and step into whatever roles they must to accomplish their mission. The story Sarah seems to enjoy most is the spirit of their comradery under such demanding conditions.
Every now and then we break away for some delicious nerdery: an insert explaining how to calibrate your ship's compass when you've got a bunch of iron onboard, an overview of Roald Amundsen's explorations (he's their temporal threat and competitor), a diagram of the Terra Nova and where everything fit on board, a primer on ice composition and terminology, or even a visual representation of the protoplasmic cycle. The last quarter of the book, after the story has ended, really takes the cake (although she says it's optional). That's where Sarah annotates her own layouts, adding notes to describe exactly where and why she took creative license: Where she found the original salt shaker you're looking at, or why the leadership convenes briefly during the storm, or how a crew member standing at a meal to avoid sitting on a cat reflects a story from their childhood, or what that doohickey on the pole was for, or where one can find original lyrics to a song the crew was singing and how popular it was 1908, or how to set and furl sails, or why a comment from later in the journey has been incorporated here, or why she swapped crew members in a particular scene to foreshadow a later moment. These decisions all have to do with effective storytelling, but she makes sure to always leave the reader with a fuller understanding of what actually happened.
It's a level of care you don't get to see too often, and the resulting piece of art is a wonder to behold. I can't wait for the next volume!
Along the way we meet the crew, and each member has been given his own distinct design true to the individual, with just enough caricature to feel distinct. They also have fun nicknames, which the original crew provided all on its own. We learn more about each man's character as they work together, solve problems, face down deadly storms, sing shanties, goof off, take scientific measurements, collect samples, and step into whatever roles they must to accomplish their mission. The story Sarah seems to enjoy most is the spirit of their comradery under such demanding conditions.
Every now and then we break away for some delicious nerdery: an insert explaining how to calibrate your ship's compass when you've got a bunch of iron onboard, an overview of Roald Amundsen's explorations (he's their temporal threat and competitor), a diagram of the Terra Nova and where everything fit on board, a primer on ice composition and terminology, or even a visual representation of the protoplasmic cycle. The last quarter of the book, after the story has ended, really takes the cake (although she says it's optional). That's where Sarah annotates her own layouts, adding notes to describe exactly where and why she took creative license: Where she found the original salt shaker you're looking at, or why the leadership convenes briefly during the storm, or how a crew member standing at a meal to avoid sitting on a cat reflects a story from their childhood, or what that doohickey on the pole was for, or where one can find original lyrics to a song the crew was singing and how popular it was 1908, or how to set and furl sails, or why a comment from later in the journey has been incorporated here, or why she swapped crew members in a particular scene to foreshadow a later moment. These decisions all have to do with effective storytelling, but she makes sure to always leave the reader with a fuller understanding of what actually happened.
It's a level of care you don't get to see too often, and the resulting piece of art is a wonder to behold. I can't wait for the next volume!
September 18, 2024
**Disclaimer: I received a free eARC of this graphic novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.
The Worst Journey in the World, Volume 1: Making Our Easting Down by Sarah Airriess is a graphic novel adaptation of the book by Apsley Cherry-Garrard, which is non-fiction account of his trip to Antarctica. It is set to be published on October 8th, 2024. I rated it 4 stars on GoodReads.
Here is the summary from GoodReads:
"Polar exploration is at once the cleanest and most isolated way of having a bad time which has been devised." -- Apsley Cherry-Garrard
Before the Pole . . .
Before Antarctica . . .
Before everything went wrong . . .
It's June 1910, and Cherry, inexperienced and unqualified, has just joined Captain Scott's new expedition to the South Pole. Simply getting to Antarctica turns out to be an adventure. As they sail the Terra Nova through one trial after another, the scientists and Navy men learn to work as a team - but are they a match for the fury of the Southern Ocean, which threatens to sink the expedition before it even begins?
Apsley Cherry-Garrard wrote THE WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD as a testament to his companions and the experiences they shared. Humanizing one of the most famous epics of exploration, his 1922 book is still regarded today as one of the finest works of adventure literature ever written. The people and their daring exploits are brought vividly back to life in this exhilarating graphic novel adaptation.
I will fully admit that I had never read of Apsley Cherry-Garrard's book before reading this graphic novel adaptation, so I won't be able to do a comparison of the two. However, I did find this a very enjoyable read. I know that sometimes accessing older books can be hard for people, so this is a really accessible way to read the story that Cherry-Garrard was trying to tell about his incredible adventure. Pairing the images with the story makes for a much easier read, and really helps to bring the story alive. It's much easier to picture the specific descriptions of things you might not have seen when the image is literally right there in front of you.
This was clearly not the whole story, but it was enough to get me intrigued and make me want to read more of the story. I liked the way the panels were arranged to tell the story. It was easy to follow the path from one panel to the next to ensure that I got a clear picture of what was happening at any given time. The layout was well done, and some of the arrangements were downright beautiful.
As hinted above, I really appreciated the visuals that went with this story. The art itself was absolutely gorgeous. I loved the design of the different people in the story, but I also loved the background imagery/scenery. The book was full of beautiful images.
If you're at all intrigued by the premise of this story, I would highly suggest checking out this graphic novel adaptation. It was beautifully done.
The Worst Journey in the World, Volume 1: Making Our Easting Down by Sarah Airriess is a graphic novel adaptation of the book by Apsley Cherry-Garrard, which is non-fiction account of his trip to Antarctica. It is set to be published on October 8th, 2024. I rated it 4 stars on GoodReads.
Here is the summary from GoodReads:
"Polar exploration is at once the cleanest and most isolated way of having a bad time which has been devised." -- Apsley Cherry-Garrard
Before the Pole . . .
Before Antarctica . . .
Before everything went wrong . . .
It's June 1910, and Cherry, inexperienced and unqualified, has just joined Captain Scott's new expedition to the South Pole. Simply getting to Antarctica turns out to be an adventure. As they sail the Terra Nova through one trial after another, the scientists and Navy men learn to work as a team - but are they a match for the fury of the Southern Ocean, which threatens to sink the expedition before it even begins?
Apsley Cherry-Garrard wrote THE WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD as a testament to his companions and the experiences they shared. Humanizing one of the most famous epics of exploration, his 1922 book is still regarded today as one of the finest works of adventure literature ever written. The people and their daring exploits are brought vividly back to life in this exhilarating graphic novel adaptation.
I will fully admit that I had never read of Apsley Cherry-Garrard's book before reading this graphic novel adaptation, so I won't be able to do a comparison of the two. However, I did find this a very enjoyable read. I know that sometimes accessing older books can be hard for people, so this is a really accessible way to read the story that Cherry-Garrard was trying to tell about his incredible adventure. Pairing the images with the story makes for a much easier read, and really helps to bring the story alive. It's much easier to picture the specific descriptions of things you might not have seen when the image is literally right there in front of you.
This was clearly not the whole story, but it was enough to get me intrigued and make me want to read more of the story. I liked the way the panels were arranged to tell the story. It was easy to follow the path from one panel to the next to ensure that I got a clear picture of what was happening at any given time. The layout was well done, and some of the arrangements were downright beautiful.
As hinted above, I really appreciated the visuals that went with this story. The art itself was absolutely gorgeous. I loved the design of the different people in the story, but I also loved the background imagery/scenery. The book was full of beautiful images.
If you're at all intrigued by the premise of this story, I would highly suggest checking out this graphic novel adaptation. It was beautifully done.
June 10, 2023
Dieses Review bezieht sich auf die deutsche Ausgabe, erschienen im Panini Verlag unter der ISBN 3741633291.
Apsley George Benet Cherry-Garrard veröffentlichte anno 1922 das Buch „The Worst Journey in the World“, in dem er seine Erlebnisse der Terra Nova Expedition niederschrieb. Dies war die Expedition mit Robert Falcon Scott als Expeditionsleiter, die in einem Wettrennen mit Roald Amundsen endete. Ein Wettrennen, in dem es darum ging, als erstes den geografischen Südpol zu erreichen. Das Buch von Cherry-Garrard gilt als Klassiker unter den Reiseberichten und wurde von Sarah Airriess als Graphic Novel adaptiert.
Auch wenn es zu den Klassikern gehört, so kenne ich die Vorlage nicht und kann nichts dazu sagen, wie nah diese Adaption an der Vorlage verfasst wurde. Ich kann auch nicht sagen, ob dieser überschwängliche Enthusiasmus, den die Graphic Novel versprüht, auch in der Vorlage vorhanden war. Die Expedition startete in England und nahm die Route über den Atlantik nach Madeira, Trinidad und Kapstadt, um dann weiter nach Melbourne und Christchurch zu fahren. Dieser erste Band endet mit der Ankunft in der Antarktis und beschreibt demzufolge die Reise bis dorthin.
Bei mir hat das Buch einen sehr optimistischen Eindruck hinterlassen. Ich hatte manchmal den Eindruck, als wären hier ein paar Freunde unterwegs, die sich schon aus der Schule kannten. Gut möglich, dass dies gewollt war, aber manchmal fand ich es etwas unpassend, dass auch in kritischen und bedrohlichen Situationen den Matrosen und Wissenschaftlern ein Lächeln auf den Lippen lag. Und wenn die Autorin wollte, dass ein gewisser Überschwang auf den Leser übergreifen soll, dann ist ihr das gelungen. Die zeichnerische Umsetzung ist überaus gelungen, was mit Sicherheit auch daran liegt, dass diese Graphic Novel im Großformat erschien.
Am Ende gibt es einen umfangreichen Anhang, in dem die Autorin viele Hintergrundinformationen gibt, die sie während ihrer Recherche gesammelt hat. Neben Infos zur Terra-Nova-Expedition gibt viel Wissen auch zu anderen Themen, denen teils eine eigene graphische Übersicht spendiert wurden. Es ist also nicht nur eine Beschreibung der Ereignisse, sondern es wird auch einiges an Wissen vermittelt. Finde ich gut.
Fazit
Es ist kaum vorstellbar, wie eine solche Expedition damals vonstattenging. Eine bildliche Darstellung hilft natürlich sehr, um das Gefühl einzufangen, wie seinerzeit die Menschen zu solchen Abenteuern aufgebrochen sind. Zusätzlich ist diese Graphic Novel ein kleiner Quell für Informationen zu Polarforschung, das Segeln auf Schiffen, den Betrieb von Dampfschiffen und vielem mehr. Eine sehr gelungene Adaption.
Apsley George Benet Cherry-Garrard veröffentlichte anno 1922 das Buch „The Worst Journey in the World“, in dem er seine Erlebnisse der Terra Nova Expedition niederschrieb. Dies war die Expedition mit Robert Falcon Scott als Expeditionsleiter, die in einem Wettrennen mit Roald Amundsen endete. Ein Wettrennen, in dem es darum ging, als erstes den geografischen Südpol zu erreichen. Das Buch von Cherry-Garrard gilt als Klassiker unter den Reiseberichten und wurde von Sarah Airriess als Graphic Novel adaptiert.
Auch wenn es zu den Klassikern gehört, so kenne ich die Vorlage nicht und kann nichts dazu sagen, wie nah diese Adaption an der Vorlage verfasst wurde. Ich kann auch nicht sagen, ob dieser überschwängliche Enthusiasmus, den die Graphic Novel versprüht, auch in der Vorlage vorhanden war. Die Expedition startete in England und nahm die Route über den Atlantik nach Madeira, Trinidad und Kapstadt, um dann weiter nach Melbourne und Christchurch zu fahren. Dieser erste Band endet mit der Ankunft in der Antarktis und beschreibt demzufolge die Reise bis dorthin.
Bei mir hat das Buch einen sehr optimistischen Eindruck hinterlassen. Ich hatte manchmal den Eindruck, als wären hier ein paar Freunde unterwegs, die sich schon aus der Schule kannten. Gut möglich, dass dies gewollt war, aber manchmal fand ich es etwas unpassend, dass auch in kritischen und bedrohlichen Situationen den Matrosen und Wissenschaftlern ein Lächeln auf den Lippen lag. Und wenn die Autorin wollte, dass ein gewisser Überschwang auf den Leser übergreifen soll, dann ist ihr das gelungen. Die zeichnerische Umsetzung ist überaus gelungen, was mit Sicherheit auch daran liegt, dass diese Graphic Novel im Großformat erschien.
Am Ende gibt es einen umfangreichen Anhang, in dem die Autorin viele Hintergrundinformationen gibt, die sie während ihrer Recherche gesammelt hat. Neben Infos zur Terra-Nova-Expedition gibt viel Wissen auch zu anderen Themen, denen teils eine eigene graphische Übersicht spendiert wurden. Es ist also nicht nur eine Beschreibung der Ereignisse, sondern es wird auch einiges an Wissen vermittelt. Finde ich gut.
Fazit
Es ist kaum vorstellbar, wie eine solche Expedition damals vonstattenging. Eine bildliche Darstellung hilft natürlich sehr, um das Gefühl einzufangen, wie seinerzeit die Menschen zu solchen Abenteuern aufgebrochen sind. Zusätzlich ist diese Graphic Novel ein kleiner Quell für Informationen zu Polarforschung, das Segeln auf Schiffen, den Betrieb von Dampfschiffen und vielem mehr. Eine sehr gelungene Adaption.
November 29, 2023
Apsley Cherry-Garrard veröffentlichte anno 1922 das Buch „Die schlimmste Reise der Welt“, in dem er seine Erlebnisse der Expedition zum Südpol mit dem Schiff Terra Nova niederschrieb, auch wenn er die letzte Etappe selbst nicht miterlebte.
Dies war die Expedition mit Robert Falcon Scott als Expeditionsleiter, die in einem Wettlauf mit Roald Amundsen mündete. Ein Wettrennen, in dem es darum ging, als erstes den geografischen Südpol zu erreichen. Das Buch von Cherry-Garrard gilt als Klassiker unter den Reiseberichten und wurde von Sarah Airriess als Graphic Novel adaptiert.
Die Adaption des Berichts beginnt mit der langen Reise, die von Wales über Kapstadt, Melbourne und Christchurch schließlich bis in die Antarktis ins ewige Eis führt, wo der Band mit dem Jahresende von 1910 endet. Aber auch die lange Anreise ist nicht ohne Gefahren verlaufen, so wird das Expeditionsschiff in einem Sturm nach ihrem letzten Halt mehr als gebeutelt, als die Pumpen ausfallen und einiges an Ausrüstung über Bord geht.
Die zeichnerische Umsetzung ist überaus gelungen, was mit Sicherheit auch daran liegt, dass diese Graphic Novel im Großformat veröffentlicht wird, wobei man gut erkennen kann, dass Frau Airriess früher bei Disney gearbeitet hat.
Am Ende gibt es einen umfangreichen Anhang, in dem die Autorin viele Hintergrundinformationen teilt, die sie während ihrer Recherche gesammelt hat. Neben Infos zur Expedition gibt es viel Wissenswertes auch zu anderen Themen, denen teils eine eigene graphische Übersicht spendiert wurden.
Zusätzlich ist diese Graphic Novel ein kleiner Quell für Informationen zu Polarforschung, das Segeln auf Schiffen, zum Betrieb von Dampfschiffen und vielem mehr.
Wer wie ich die Kälte mag und den momentanen Sommer verabscheut, kann sich mit der Lektüre dieses ersten Teils zumindest gedanklich abkühlen und der Hitze entfliehen, und ich hoffe es dauert nicht allzu lange, bis der zweite Teil erscheint, zumindest noch bevor die Antarktis tatsächlich weggeschmolzen ist.
Dies war die Expedition mit Robert Falcon Scott als Expeditionsleiter, die in einem Wettlauf mit Roald Amundsen mündete. Ein Wettrennen, in dem es darum ging, als erstes den geografischen Südpol zu erreichen. Das Buch von Cherry-Garrard gilt als Klassiker unter den Reiseberichten und wurde von Sarah Airriess als Graphic Novel adaptiert.
Die Adaption des Berichts beginnt mit der langen Reise, die von Wales über Kapstadt, Melbourne und Christchurch schließlich bis in die Antarktis ins ewige Eis führt, wo der Band mit dem Jahresende von 1910 endet. Aber auch die lange Anreise ist nicht ohne Gefahren verlaufen, so wird das Expeditionsschiff in einem Sturm nach ihrem letzten Halt mehr als gebeutelt, als die Pumpen ausfallen und einiges an Ausrüstung über Bord geht.
Die zeichnerische Umsetzung ist überaus gelungen, was mit Sicherheit auch daran liegt, dass diese Graphic Novel im Großformat veröffentlicht wird, wobei man gut erkennen kann, dass Frau Airriess früher bei Disney gearbeitet hat.
Am Ende gibt es einen umfangreichen Anhang, in dem die Autorin viele Hintergrundinformationen teilt, die sie während ihrer Recherche gesammelt hat. Neben Infos zur Expedition gibt es viel Wissenswertes auch zu anderen Themen, denen teils eine eigene graphische Übersicht spendiert wurden.
Zusätzlich ist diese Graphic Novel ein kleiner Quell für Informationen zu Polarforschung, das Segeln auf Schiffen, zum Betrieb von Dampfschiffen und vielem mehr.
Wer wie ich die Kälte mag und den momentanen Sommer verabscheut, kann sich mit der Lektüre dieses ersten Teils zumindest gedanklich abkühlen und der Hitze entfliehen, und ich hoffe es dauert nicht allzu lange, bis der zweite Teil erscheint, zumindest noch bevor die Antarktis tatsächlich weggeschmolzen ist.
April 10, 2025
Graphic novels are in hard place. They can't lean on stylistic prose to subtly weave themes. They can't rely on filmography's tricks to bring things to life. Halfway between all abstraction and all realized, graphic novels struggle to leave an impression on me.
But The Worst Journey In The World, The Graphic Novel, Volume 1: Making our Easting Down does it, and does it quite well, even if it does have a title long enough to raise a manga artist's eyebrows.
This book manages to capture that wonderful feeling of joyful exploration. Just a bunch of guys with their wits and the simplest tools, braving the worst nature can throw at them. It reminds me of Kon-Tiki in that respect. But The Worst Journey In The World has something additional: an impending sense of doom.
If you picked up this book, you probably know what's going to happen. Spoilers: Scott reaches the South Pole, only to find Amundsen beat him by a month. Scott and his closest party members die on the return trip, distressingly close to a depot. This makes The Worst Journey In The World not a heroic book but a tragedy, and even in Volume 1, the author is foreshadowing the depths of the despair ahead even as the characters enjoy themselves in tropical locations.
Final note for all prospective readers: this book is not 100% historically accurate. The author has extensive annotations at the back of the book (literally the entire back half of the book), and willingly states where the narrative disagrees with the facts. The reason is primarily storytelling. The author is willing to sacrifice some historical fact to make a better story. Because this is a graphic novel, because it is aimed towards readers new to the subject, because the author fastidiously records every instance where they are knowingly wrong, I do not count this against the author. But be aware, if you are a student of the Terra Nova expedition and have read the accounts, some things will be in slightly the wrong order.
But The Worst Journey In The World, The Graphic Novel, Volume 1: Making our Easting Down does it, and does it quite well, even if it does have a title long enough to raise a manga artist's eyebrows.
This book manages to capture that wonderful feeling of joyful exploration. Just a bunch of guys with their wits and the simplest tools, braving the worst nature can throw at them. It reminds me of Kon-Tiki in that respect. But The Worst Journey In The World has something additional: an impending sense of doom.
If you picked up this book, you probably know what's going to happen. Spoilers: Scott reaches the South Pole, only to find Amundsen beat him by a month. Scott and his closest party members die on the return trip, distressingly close to a depot. This makes The Worst Journey In The World not a heroic book but a tragedy, and even in Volume 1, the author is foreshadowing the depths of the despair ahead even as the characters enjoy themselves in tropical locations.
Final note for all prospective readers: this book is not 100% historically accurate. The author has extensive annotations at the back of the book (literally the entire back half of the book), and willingly states where the narrative disagrees with the facts. The reason is primarily storytelling. The author is willing to sacrifice some historical fact to make a better story. Because this is a graphic novel, because it is aimed towards readers new to the subject, because the author fastidiously records every instance where they are knowingly wrong, I do not count this against the author. But be aware, if you are a student of the Terra Nova expedition and have read the accounts, some things will be in slightly the wrong order.
December 27, 2023
At the beginning of December, I first came across author/illustrator Sarah Airriess and her graphic novel "The Worst Journey in the World" at Terror Camp (a wonderful online conference/convention for fans of tv show The Terror or polar exploration in general), where she was part of the panel lineup. I immediately wanted to read Worst Journey because the author's passion for the project was infectious.
I always admire the artistic skill that goes into creating a GN, but often the story and characters end up falling a little short in terms of depth and characterization compared to novels. Not this one though! Not only is the art style stunning and incredibly expressive, giving each character a distinct look and personality, it also has to be highlighted that the research and passion that obviously went into this retelling of the Terra Nova expedition makes this story really come alive and the characters jump off the page. The book is split into two sections: the actual GN, and annotations for many of the panels, which provide background information or anecdotes (the attention to detail and historical accuracy is insane). And even these annotations are a facinating read and not boring at all because the author's enthusiastic and often witty voice is very present there too.
Worst Journey is without a doubt the best GN I've ever read, but I also find the story how the author/illustrator gave up her job at Disney to pursue this passion-project of hers to be incredibly inspiring. It's wonderful to see that people actually follow their dreams and succeed at them and that in the day and age of AI-generated images and throwaway social media content creation, there is still real art out there that inspires and feels deeply human.
I CANNOT wait for the second volume!
I always admire the artistic skill that goes into creating a GN, but often the story and characters end up falling a little short in terms of depth and characterization compared to novels. Not this one though! Not only is the art style stunning and incredibly expressive, giving each character a distinct look and personality, it also has to be highlighted that the research and passion that obviously went into this retelling of the Terra Nova expedition makes this story really come alive and the characters jump off the page. The book is split into two sections: the actual GN, and annotations for many of the panels, which provide background information or anecdotes (the attention to detail and historical accuracy is insane). And even these annotations are a facinating read and not boring at all because the author's enthusiastic and often witty voice is very present there too.
Worst Journey is without a doubt the best GN I've ever read, but I also find the story how the author/illustrator gave up her job at Disney to pursue this passion-project of hers to be incredibly inspiring. It's wonderful to see that people actually follow their dreams and succeed at them and that in the day and age of AI-generated images and throwaway social media content creation, there is still real art out there that inspires and feels deeply human.
I CANNOT wait for the second volume!
December 28, 2022
An extraordinary and excellent start to a series! I am super impressed by every aspect of this book: the drawings, the colors, the research. I have no prior knowledge of any of Scott's expeditions and only a beginner's knowledge of polar exploration, but this is super easy for someone of any knowledge level to pick up and enjoy!
Airriess has done an incredible job adapting Cherry-Garrard's book into a graphic novel. The backflap says she is a Disney veteran, and I feel this is very apparent in the way that the pages are laid out, and the way she has managed to give each character a distinct profile. I'm not great at being able to learn who characters are in any media, but by the end of this book I could easily pick out different men in silhouette. The colors are vibrant, and the people are captured with such excellent fluidity and emotion.
I can't even imagine the amount of research Airriess had to do and combine to even approach starting this book. I'm sure we only get a small glimpse in the Annotations, and even then it is extensive! I can't gush enough about how incredible the annotations are. Airriess has a page-by-page, panel-by-panel breakdown of citations, author's notes, complete quotes from the source material, relevant background and more! I read this book through twice: once straight on with no referencing back, and another immediately after but this time reading all of the annotations. While the story is easily comprehensible without the annotations, I think you would be really missing out to skip them!
I'm so thrilled with this book, and beyond excited to be able to read the next installment in the future!
Airriess has done an incredible job adapting Cherry-Garrard's book into a graphic novel. The backflap says she is a Disney veteran, and I feel this is very apparent in the way that the pages are laid out, and the way she has managed to give each character a distinct profile. I'm not great at being able to learn who characters are in any media, but by the end of this book I could easily pick out different men in silhouette. The colors are vibrant, and the people are captured with such excellent fluidity and emotion.
I can't even imagine the amount of research Airriess had to do and combine to even approach starting this book. I'm sure we only get a small glimpse in the Annotations, and even then it is extensive! I can't gush enough about how incredible the annotations are. Airriess has a page-by-page, panel-by-panel breakdown of citations, author's notes, complete quotes from the source material, relevant background and more! I read this book through twice: once straight on with no referencing back, and another immediately after but this time reading all of the annotations. While the story is easily comprehensible without the annotations, I think you would be really missing out to skip them!
I'm so thrilled with this book, and beyond excited to be able to read the next installment in the future!
November 16, 2024
“Isolated in the cold and will probably freeze to death” is a guaranteed hook as far as I’m concerned. Unfortunately, I have a hard time concentrating on book-length nonfiction so I have been largely unable tap into the horrific history of Arctic and Antarctic exploration.
Do you struggle through reading dense prose? Do you still want to read about the British Antarctic expedition begun in 1910? Of course you do. Pick up this book; Sarah Airriess has our backs!
Airriess painstakingly cross referenced Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s journal (also called The Worst Journey in the World, and currently in the public domain) and adapted it into a truly breathtaking graphic novel. The art is reminiscent of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, capturing the beauty of nature and terror of sea voyage while rendering each figure human enough to jump off the page.
I was so caught up in the story I forgot it was only the first volume and may actually have screamed when I reached the annotations. Then I settled down because annotations!
These annotations are extensive, taking up nearly a third of the book. It’s a bit like watching a film with commentary because Airriess walks us through pages and panels where context wasn’t necessary for the story but remains fascinating. I may actually attempt Cherry-Garrard’s book while I wait for volume two to come out.
Do you struggle through reading dense prose? Do you still want to read about the British Antarctic expedition begun in 1910? Of course you do. Pick up this book; Sarah Airriess has our backs!
Airriess painstakingly cross referenced Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s journal (also called The Worst Journey in the World, and currently in the public domain) and adapted it into a truly breathtaking graphic novel. The art is reminiscent of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, capturing the beauty of nature and terror of sea voyage while rendering each figure human enough to jump off the page.
I was so caught up in the story I forgot it was only the first volume and may actually have screamed when I reached the annotations. Then I settled down because annotations!
These annotations are extensive, taking up nearly a third of the book. It’s a bit like watching a film with commentary because Airriess walks us through pages and panels where context wasn’t necessary for the story but remains fascinating. I may actually attempt Cherry-Garrard’s book while I wait for volume two to come out.
March 21, 2025
The art work in this is stunning and will capture your attention and draw you right in. This is a graphic novel based off of a polar expedition memoir. The art does the story justice and really helps you feel all the feels in this story.
Cherry and Captain Scott start an expedition to the South Pole. The journey to the destination is just as thrilling and terrifying as the destination itself. They sail on a boat called Terra Nova during that time the ocean is both their friend and their foe. They begin to wonder if they can even make it to their destination before being forced to turn back or worse.
This is a graphic novel based on a real life expedition. The art and story telling brings this historic adventure tale back to life in a brand new way for every one to enjoy all over again or for the first time.
This is a book great for readers of various ages, you'll find your self really connecting with the crew and along this journey as you read with them you'll be rooting for them to overcome their hardships.
Thank you NetGalley and Letter Better Publishing Services | Iron Circus Comics for The digital ARC.
Cherry and Captain Scott start an expedition to the South Pole. The journey to the destination is just as thrilling and terrifying as the destination itself. They sail on a boat called Terra Nova during that time the ocean is both their friend and their foe. They begin to wonder if they can even make it to their destination before being forced to turn back or worse.
This is a graphic novel based on a real life expedition. The art and story telling brings this historic adventure tale back to life in a brand new way for every one to enjoy all over again or for the first time.
This is a book great for readers of various ages, you'll find your self really connecting with the crew and along this journey as you read with them you'll be rooting for them to overcome their hardships.
Thank you NetGalley and Letter Better Publishing Services | Iron Circus Comics for The digital ARC.
August 31, 2025
What a wonderful book and further proof that graphic novels should be taken seriously as excellent sources of information. I think Airriess wrote that she spent 7 years creating this two-volume adaptation of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1913. After reading this first volume, I'd say she worked in record time.
Airriess does a beautiful job, conveying and illustrating the preparations and early portions of the expedition, paraphrasing journal entries of the real participants and including countless details in her illustrations that accurately depict aspects of the voyage such as weather, animal life, technology of the day, personal quirks of the crew, supplies, scientific studies,...
This makes for an engaging and intricate story, but her footnotes at the end are the icing on the cake. To say she's been meticulous with her research is an understatement. I have nothing but high praise for this author/illustrator.
Airriess does a beautiful job, conveying and illustrating the preparations and early portions of the expedition, paraphrasing journal entries of the real participants and including countless details in her illustrations that accurately depict aspects of the voyage such as weather, animal life, technology of the day, personal quirks of the crew, supplies, scientific studies,...
This makes for an engaging and intricate story, but her footnotes at the end are the icing on the cake. To say she's been meticulous with her research is an understatement. I have nothing but high praise for this author/illustrator.
September 30, 2025
I loved this! A couple times I've seen skies that look so similar to the illustrations, with streaks of color. I also love visualizing everything (e.g. the size and look of the ship) that I hadn't looked into before.
This is a great book to read twice. The first time with all the footnotes - they're fun. The second time without, to just gaze at the illustrations.
My only correction - one of the footnotes mentions that it's "too dry" to really see your breath in Antarctica, and that's false! How can it be too dry when the moisture of your breath is what you're seeing? From personal experience, I see my breath all the time in Antarctica!
This is a great book to read twice. The first time with all the footnotes - they're fun. The second time without, to just gaze at the illustrations.
My only correction - one of the footnotes mentions that it's "too dry" to really see your breath in Antarctica, and that's false! How can it be too dry when the moisture of your breath is what you're seeing? From personal experience, I see my breath all the time in Antarctica!
January 1, 2023
Genuinely such a delight to read! I was already expecting great things from what I’d seen online, but I was enchanted from the moment I opened the book to discover a map and a very nicely laid out who’s-who of the ship’s personnel. The art style is gorgeous, I lost count of how often I oohed and aahed at the facial expressions and the depictions of the various animals and marine life. Honestly, I cannot praise this enough and I am so very excited for volume two!
If I could give this ten stars, I would. Please read this.
If I could give this ten stars, I would. Please read this.
June 26, 2024
If there is anyone that can bring a dense 18th century text into lively, vibrant color, it’s none other than Sarah Airriess. From the beautiful, expressive comic panels, the unstuffy, engaging prose, to every painstakingly researched and fascinating annotation- this graphic novel is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. A longtime admirer of Tealin, as I set off on my own creative journey, I only hope I can one day capture even the smallest sliver of the magic she imbued within her pages.
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