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Philip K. Dick's Electric Ant #1-5
Philip K. Dick's Electric ant
When Garson Poole wakes up in a hospital after a horrific accident, he's surprised to find that he's missing a hand—yet feels no pain. His surprise turns to shock when the hospital discharges him. You see, Garson Poole is not human. He's an Electricant, an elaborate robot with an organic skin overlay. So why would a machine think it's the rich and successful owner of Tri-Plan Electronics? Poole sets out to uncover why he's been deluded into believing he's human in this mind-bending tale based on sci-fi master Philip K. Dick's novella. Where does his programming stop, and free will start? What is the nature of reality, and how much of it takes place within us, and can be bent to our will? Garson Poole will find out, and so will you! Collects Electric Ant #1–5.
166 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2010
7 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
David W. Mack
502 books217 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
David W. Mack is a comic book artist and writer, best known for his creation Kabuki and his work on the Marvel Comics titles Daredevil and Alias
The author of the Star Trek Novels is David Mack
David W. Mack is a comic book artist and writer, best known for his creation Kabuki and his work on the Marvel Comics titles Daredevil and Alias
The author of the Star Trek Novels is David Mack
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 4, 2026
The only exposure I’ve had with Philip K. Dick’s science fiction before reading this graphic novel adaptation of his story was to Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report. I saw the former on a grainy Betamax tape more than a dozen years ago and the latter when it was on rotation on HBO.I even wrote a short essay on Blade Runner as required after the school sanctioned viewing. I did some basic research on it and that was when the internet was still young and didn’t have much content available (no Wikipedia). I found out that it was based on Dick’s novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? a seminal work that would soon inspire a lot of creative people, like Scott, the director of the film.
After reading the graphic novel, I realized if I thought about it, this short story can serve as a sequel to the film. The movie ended without resolving the lead character’s ambiguous humanity. The opening scene in Electric Ant has its lead waking up with a missing hand and being told by the hospital staff that he wasn’t human but an android electricant or electric ant. The character had no idea that he was a robot as he was programmed to do so.
Still they are different stories and with different themes. Blade Runner asked the question, that if an android replicant can feel empathy, would that make it human? Would emotions be the Blue Fairy that grants the replicants their humanity denied them by their human creators? Electric Ant answers that question with a question of its own, “why be human?”, when you can be a god and control your own reality.
In experiencing these two works, the author uses science fiction to explore concepts that humanity has used to distinguish itself from lower life forms. Can an android be human if it can feel emotion? If a machine develops a glitch in its programming and transcends it and gain free will, has it become human?
This book is more serious fare than the superhero comics I’ve been reading lately. I was able to finish it in a day. It is an excellent adaptation though I think a five issue miniseries is overly long. It can be done in an oversized issue perhaps. It is just a short story after all.
After reading the graphic novel, I realized if I thought about it, this short story can serve as a sequel to the film. The movie ended without resolving the lead character’s ambiguous humanity. The opening scene in Electric Ant has its lead waking up with a missing hand and being told by the hospital staff that he wasn’t human but an android electricant or electric ant. The character had no idea that he was a robot as he was programmed to do so.
Still they are different stories and with different themes. Blade Runner asked the question, that if an android replicant can feel empathy, would that make it human? Would emotions be the Blue Fairy that grants the replicants their humanity denied them by their human creators? Electric Ant answers that question with a question of its own, “why be human?”, when you can be a god and control your own reality.
In experiencing these two works, the author uses science fiction to explore concepts that humanity has used to distinguish itself from lower life forms. Can an android be human if it can feel emotion? If a machine develops a glitch in its programming and transcends it and gain free will, has it become human?
This book is more serious fare than the superhero comics I’ve been reading lately. I was able to finish it in a day. It is an excellent adaptation though I think a five issue miniseries is overly long. It can be done in an oversized issue perhaps. It is just a short story after all.
October 25, 2011
The Electric Ant is a graphic novel based on Philip K. Dick’s science fiction short story that came out in 1969. It is about Garson Poole an “electricant”, i.e., an organic robot who appears like a human being. He comes to know that he is a robot when he loses his hand due to a flying-car-crash. This discovery makes him curious about himself so he opens his chest and manipulates the micro-punched tape. Those program changes affect his perception of his reality and his relationship with his girlfriend. The rest of the story revolves around his owner’s attempt to decommission him and the revelation on the true identity of his girlfriend.
The end of the story reminded me of Keanu Reeves’ Matrix movie. I am still fascinated by the idea of having characters living in different “layer” similar to the wavelengths in the radio tuner. The people in one wavelength cannot be seen by people in the others that exist in another wavelength even if they are in the same locale. It is quite scary as it feels like a horror novel with the idea of having souls living with you in your own home but you do not see them because they are in different dimension.
The illustrations are gorgeous. One of the best I’ve seen so far. Garson Poole is a real good-looking dude with slim, trim body except that he is always naked. He explains this at the beginning of the novel by saying that he is a robot so he does not need to cover himself. My only comment is that the artist chose to just darken his crotch area or obstruct the view by putting some things to cover it in the frames that he has no choice but to face the reader. It’s not that I wanted to see his wang but I thought that this was not too honest. Can’t he just draw Garson's penis? Or better yet, make him at least wear briefs?
The storytelling is straightforward and the plot is fast-paced. I am not a big fan of sci-fi that deals on robots but this one is easy to understand as it does not use a lot of techy terms unlike say Neuromancer by William Gibson. The lovemaking sketches are also nice to look at. The only ones that are quite confusing are those frames depicting the many “layers” as the scenes look unnecessarily cluttered by other creatures and electricants. However, of course it was the artist’s call and he must have a good reason to draw them that way.
Overall, an enjoyable read. This book is highly recommended to all fans of Marvel graphic novels.
The end of the story reminded me of Keanu Reeves’ Matrix movie. I am still fascinated by the idea of having characters living in different “layer” similar to the wavelengths in the radio tuner. The people in one wavelength cannot be seen by people in the others that exist in another wavelength even if they are in the same locale. It is quite scary as it feels like a horror novel with the idea of having souls living with you in your own home but you do not see them because they are in different dimension.
The illustrations are gorgeous. One of the best I’ve seen so far. Garson Poole is a real good-looking dude with slim, trim body except that he is always naked. He explains this at the beginning of the novel by saying that he is a robot so he does not need to cover himself. My only comment is that the artist chose to just darken his crotch area or obstruct the view by putting some things to cover it in the frames that he has no choice but to face the reader. It’s not that I wanted to see his wang but I thought that this was not too honest. Can’t he just draw Garson's penis? Or better yet, make him at least wear briefs?
The storytelling is straightforward and the plot is fast-paced. I am not a big fan of sci-fi that deals on robots but this one is easy to understand as it does not use a lot of techy terms unlike say Neuromancer by William Gibson. The lovemaking sketches are also nice to look at. The only ones that are quite confusing are those frames depicting the many “layers” as the scenes look unnecessarily cluttered by other creatures and electricants. However, of course it was the artist’s call and he must have a good reason to draw them that way.
Overall, an enjoyable read. This book is highly recommended to all fans of Marvel graphic novels.
March 17, 2025
Not an Electric Ant. An ELECTRICANT (a robot). You twit.
A printing error (or was it on purpose?) in my Kindle version had the subject as an Electric Ant. Silly peeps. This is not PKD's best work. Not even close. It was very much like The Matrix movie where reality is questioned.
Garson thinks he is human but discovers he's a robot, and that by twiddling with his "punched tape" (how quaint) on a reel-to-reel recorder in his chest, he can alter his perception of reality.
It was originally published as a graphic novel...a comic book...but didn't translate well into a Kindle story. Don't bother.
A printing error (or was it on purpose?) in my Kindle version had the subject as an Electric Ant. Silly peeps. This is not PKD's best work. Not even close. It was very much like The Matrix movie where reality is questioned.
Garson thinks he is human but discovers he's a robot, and that by twiddling with his "punched tape" (how quaint) on a reel-to-reel recorder in his chest, he can alter his perception of reality.
It was originally published as a graphic novel...a comic book...but didn't translate well into a Kindle story. Don't bother.
November 10, 2017
What is reality in fact? interesting concept
September 23, 2011
Original version posted at Layers of Thought with a trio of reviews.
3.5 stars actually!
With gorgeous graphics, this is a sci fi novella for adults or mature and older teens. It is a metaphor for an existential trip that most of us unexpectedly take at one time or another - like the main character.
About: It’s a graphic take on Philip K. Dick’s science fiction novella The Electric Ant, which was first published in Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine in October 1969. It’s based around an android questioning his reason for existing after he discovers that he is not actually a human as he has believed. His shocking discovery leads to questions about who he is, his purpose, who created him, and if his behaviors are his own or programed by someone else. By opening himself up and examining his “pre-programed tapes” takes a trip into the past via some type of a time-warp. As he digs around inside his inner workings, it can be seen as a metaphor for an examination of his “psychological self”. Psycho-babble for sure but never the less a key concept.
Thoughts: Definitely an adult novel as there are some very adult themes and images, sexual scenes and nudity (although the rude bits are glossed over). Three artists contributed to the novel but the main images displayed are by Pascal Aline.
The one thing that bothered me about the book was that the main character’s diggings and his apparent time travel felt unclear to me. I found myself wanting more and think I would like to read the actual version of Dick’s novella to compare. Hopefully Dick’s writing of the android’s existential experiences will be clearer in the original story. With that said, the graphics are completely wonderful, most of the story is darn good, the ending was one that I really liked and is completely appropriate as it reflects the time in which is was written - the late sixties. So on balance it’s a 3.5 stars.
Extra Info: Marvel Comics adapted "The Electric Ant" as a limited series, in 2010. Produced by writer David Mack; French artist Pascal Alixe; and with covers provided by artist Paul Pope. Also for an interesting indie short film based around the story which is about 6 minutes long link below. Cool but I was not crazy about the ending. Its called "All Gates Open" - http://vimeo.com/6793981
3.5 stars actually!
With gorgeous graphics, this is a sci fi novella for adults or mature and older teens. It is a metaphor for an existential trip that most of us unexpectedly take at one time or another - like the main character.
About: It’s a graphic take on Philip K. Dick’s science fiction novella The Electric Ant, which was first published in Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine in October 1969. It’s based around an android questioning his reason for existing after he discovers that he is not actually a human as he has believed. His shocking discovery leads to questions about who he is, his purpose, who created him, and if his behaviors are his own or programed by someone else. By opening himself up and examining his “pre-programed tapes” takes a trip into the past via some type of a time-warp. As he digs around inside his inner workings, it can be seen as a metaphor for an examination of his “psychological self”. Psycho-babble for sure but never the less a key concept.
Thoughts: Definitely an adult novel as there are some very adult themes and images, sexual scenes and nudity (although the rude bits are glossed over). Three artists contributed to the novel but the main images displayed are by Pascal Aline.
The one thing that bothered me about the book was that the main character’s diggings and his apparent time travel felt unclear to me. I found myself wanting more and think I would like to read the actual version of Dick’s novella to compare. Hopefully Dick’s writing of the android’s existential experiences will be clearer in the original story. With that said, the graphics are completely wonderful, most of the story is darn good, the ending was one that I really liked and is completely appropriate as it reflects the time in which is was written - the late sixties. So on balance it’s a 3.5 stars.
Extra Info: Marvel Comics adapted "The Electric Ant" as a limited series, in 2010. Produced by writer David Mack; French artist Pascal Alixe; and with covers provided by artist Paul Pope. Also for an interesting indie short film based around the story which is about 6 minutes long link below. Cool but I was not crazy about the ending. Its called "All Gates Open" - http://vimeo.com/6793981
December 3, 2015
Yes Philip K. Dick. Marvel has created a great adaption for this sci-fi story by Philip K. Dick. In this tale Garson Poole (the owner of Tri-Plan Electronics Corporation) ends up in a horrific accident. He awakes to find that he is actually not human but an android called an Electric ant. This discovery becomes more complicated as he begins to investigate why he has been program to believe he is human. Dreams and Reality begin to blur as Garson and his lover Sarah begin experimenting with his programming and it becomes hard to tell what is real and not artificial.
I felt the artwork lends itself to the dream like panels of action in this graphic novel. The dialogue was very engaging. The conclusion was satisfying. I definitely encourage sci-fi fans to definitely check this book out.
I felt the artwork lends itself to the dream like panels of action in this graphic novel. The dialogue was very engaging. The conclusion was satisfying. I definitely encourage sci-fi fans to definitely check this book out.
January 18, 2024
This is my first exposure to Philip K. Dick stories, and it's in the form of a graphic novel.
We follow Garson, who in the first chapter, realizes that he's not a human but an Electric Ant, or just simply a robot. The events that follow are him not being satisfied with explanations given to his existence, and trying to maniuplate his programming to figure out his real purpose.
It discusses AI and humans, what makes us real, alternative realities, the idea of reincarnation, and life's purpose. I didn't like the art style, and some of the jargon flew over my head, but it was interesting.
We follow Garson, who in the first chapter, realizes that he's not a human but an Electric Ant, or just simply a robot. The events that follow are him not being satisfied with explanations given to his existence, and trying to maniuplate his programming to figure out his real purpose.
It discusses AI and humans, what makes us real, alternative realities, the idea of reincarnation, and life's purpose. I didn't like the art style, and some of the jargon flew over my head, but it was interesting.
December 12, 2017
“The Electric Ant” by Philip K. Dick (original story published 1969)
The protagonist discovers in the opening sequences that he is in fact not human but a robot.
Frightening end, rushing wind, the sound of emptiness and the final fate of the world itself.****
Garson Poole wakes up after a flying-car-crash to find that he is missing a hand. He then finds out that he is an 'electric ant' – an "organic" robot. He further finds out that what he believes is his subjective reality is being fed to him from a micro-punched tape in his chest cavity. He experiments on this tape by adding new holes, which adds things to his reality. Convinced that his entire reality is constrained by the tape, he makes a major change to it, with a major effect on his reality. The change affects everyone else he interacts with, which raises the question of whether any of them – or he himself – are "real" at all.
- - -
An 'Electric Ant' is an 'organic robot'.
- - -
“I'm a freak, he realized. An inanimate object mimicking an animate one. But – he felt alive. Yet … he felt differently, now. About himself. Hence about everyone ...”
“I am not free. I never was, but now I know it; that makes it different.”
- - -
* encephalic = relating to, affecting, or situated in the brain.
- - -
[This was published in 1969. The character and story is happening on November 4, 1992. A quarter of a century to the exact date later I'm reading it.]
- - -
* homeostatic = homeostasis can be defined as the stable condition of an organism and of its internal environment; or as the maintenance or regulation of the stable condition, or its equilibrium; or simply as the balance of bodily functions.
- - -
The MARVEL comic series: Philip K. Dick's Electric Ant
Electric Ant (2010) #1
“I solved the riddle of sleep.”
“I don’t feel any pain. Why don’t I feel any pain?”
Published: April 07, 2010
Penciller: David Mack
Garson Poole had a pretty great life: good job, nice apartment, a sexy, flirtatious assistant. And then he wakes up in a hospital room...the doctors inform him that he's been in a car accident...and they can't treat him. Because he's a robot. Specifically, Garson is an Electric Ant, a human-like robot created and programmed to serve a specific function. But what is Garson's function? How will his friends and co-workers treat him, knowing that he's a machine, and not a person? And how much of his world is real, and how much of it is part of his programming?
..
Electric Ant (2010) #2
“I don’t know how to explain this to you. I’m not the person either of us thought I was.”
“I’m an electric ant. An electricant, as they say.”
Published: May 05, 2010
Writer: David Mack
Penciler: Pascal Alixe
David Mack and Pascal Alixe continue their charged and visually stunning adaptation of Philip K. Dick's Electric Ant! When most people have crises of identity, a therapist might advise them to look inside themselves for answers. But after Garson Poole, CEO of Tri-Plan Industries, wakes up in a hospital and is told he is not human, but, in fact, a robot known as an Electric Ant, he goes looking for answers by opening up his chest panel and literally looks inside himself. But what lies in there is more profound and terrifying than anyone is prepared for..
..
Electric Ant (2010) #3
“The wall … it’s … gone. It’s happening.”
“Can you still love a man with a quasi-organic brain?”
Published: June 03, 2010
Writer: David Mack
Penciler: Pascal Alixe
As Garson's world continues to unspool all around him, the threads fraying and his existence blurring around the edges, his questions are only answered with more questions. Continue down through the varying levels of reality of this mind-bending story to life!
..
Electric Ant (2010) #4
“I can see the seams in language now. Where intentions end and word meaning begins. There are gaps … discrepancies …”
Published: July 08, 2010
Writer: David Mack
Penciller: Pascal Alixe
REALITY ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE... continue down into the yawning abyss of into the unknown. Garson's world continues to unravel around him as he ponders the nature of his existence as an Electric Ant-an organic robot. But there are interests that want to prevent Garson from discovering the truth of his situation. And they are prepared to use deadly force.
..
Electric Ant (2010) #5
“Sarah, are you seeing this too? On the video screen? Are you hearing this?”
Published: August 04, 2010
Writer: David Mack
Penciller: Pascal Alixe
Over the centuries, people have fought for the right to speak, pray, and to be free. Now, Garson Poole finds himself in a fierce battle to exist.
..
The protagonist discovers in the opening sequences that he is in fact not human but a robot.
Frightening end, rushing wind, the sound of emptiness and the final fate of the world itself.****
Garson Poole wakes up after a flying-car-crash to find that he is missing a hand. He then finds out that he is an 'electric ant' – an "organic" robot. He further finds out that what he believes is his subjective reality is being fed to him from a micro-punched tape in his chest cavity. He experiments on this tape by adding new holes, which adds things to his reality. Convinced that his entire reality is constrained by the tape, he makes a major change to it, with a major effect on his reality. The change affects everyone else he interacts with, which raises the question of whether any of them – or he himself – are "real" at all.
- - -
An 'Electric Ant' is an 'organic robot'.
- - -
“I'm a freak, he realized. An inanimate object mimicking an animate one. But – he felt alive. Yet … he felt differently, now. About himself. Hence about everyone ...”
“I am not free. I never was, but now I know it; that makes it different.”
- - -
* encephalic = relating to, affecting, or situated in the brain.
- - -
[This was published in 1969. The character and story is happening on November 4, 1992. A quarter of a century to the exact date later I'm reading it.]
- - -
* homeostatic = homeostasis can be defined as the stable condition of an organism and of its internal environment; or as the maintenance or regulation of the stable condition, or its equilibrium; or simply as the balance of bodily functions.
- - -
The MARVEL comic series: Philip K. Dick's Electric Ant
Electric Ant (2010) #1
“I solved the riddle of sleep.”
“I don’t feel any pain. Why don’t I feel any pain?”
Published: April 07, 2010
Penciller: David Mack
Garson Poole had a pretty great life: good job, nice apartment, a sexy, flirtatious assistant. And then he wakes up in a hospital room...the doctors inform him that he's been in a car accident...and they can't treat him. Because he's a robot. Specifically, Garson is an Electric Ant, a human-like robot created and programmed to serve a specific function. But what is Garson's function? How will his friends and co-workers treat him, knowing that he's a machine, and not a person? And how much of his world is real, and how much of it is part of his programming?
..
Electric Ant (2010) #2
“I don’t know how to explain this to you. I’m not the person either of us thought I was.”
“I’m an electric ant. An electricant, as they say.”
Published: May 05, 2010
Writer: David Mack
Penciler: Pascal Alixe
David Mack and Pascal Alixe continue their charged and visually stunning adaptation of Philip K. Dick's Electric Ant! When most people have crises of identity, a therapist might advise them to look inside themselves for answers. But after Garson Poole, CEO of Tri-Plan Industries, wakes up in a hospital and is told he is not human, but, in fact, a robot known as an Electric Ant, he goes looking for answers by opening up his chest panel and literally looks inside himself. But what lies in there is more profound and terrifying than anyone is prepared for..
..
Electric Ant (2010) #3
“The wall … it’s … gone. It’s happening.”
“Can you still love a man with a quasi-organic brain?”
Published: June 03, 2010
Writer: David Mack
Penciler: Pascal Alixe
As Garson's world continues to unspool all around him, the threads fraying and his existence blurring around the edges, his questions are only answered with more questions. Continue down through the varying levels of reality of this mind-bending story to life!
..
Electric Ant (2010) #4
“I can see the seams in language now. Where intentions end and word meaning begins. There are gaps … discrepancies …”
Published: July 08, 2010
Writer: David Mack
Penciller: Pascal Alixe
REALITY ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE... continue down into the yawning abyss of into the unknown. Garson's world continues to unravel around him as he ponders the nature of his existence as an Electric Ant-an organic robot. But there are interests that want to prevent Garson from discovering the truth of his situation. And they are prepared to use deadly force.
..
Electric Ant (2010) #5
“Sarah, are you seeing this too? On the video screen? Are you hearing this?”
Published: August 04, 2010
Writer: David Mack
Penciller: Pascal Alixe
Over the centuries, people have fought for the right to speak, pray, and to be free. Now, Garson Poole finds himself in a fierce battle to exist.
..
December 6, 2022
David Mack expands on Philip K. Dick's 1969 short story, adding a connection to the world of replicants as shown in the film Blade Runner, which is based on Dick's 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. The premise is that organic robots are derisively called electric ants (electricants) and that one such electric ant doesn't know he's an electric ant until going to a hospital after an accident. He eventually discovers that his perception of reality is controlled by a spool of tape inside his chest. When he begins to experiment with the tape, strange things begin to happen. This is a typical Philip K. Dick story where the question is how much of what we call "reality" is actual and how much is within our own heads? Artist Pascal Alixe uses what looks like water colors to illustrate this graphic novel--not my favorite style, but here adds a certain amount of softness to the story, complementing the fuzziness of the story.
March 19, 2011
Fascinating render of an old-school sci-fi story. Mack's art is nice, fluid and soft so it works here when telling a cold machine tale. The story has that silly tie-it-all-up at the end, which always feels forced and very old-school sci-fy.
At first I wished they'd update some of the clunky old tech ideas that were current when Dick first wrote about them but have become antiquated since then. But reading further, I realised they were pretty critical to the story and updating them would have made for a challenging rewrite (not to mention a probably far less interesting story). Once in a while, in the right context, retro can still be worthwhile.
At first I wished they'd update some of the clunky old tech ideas that were current when Dick first wrote about them but have become antiquated since then. But reading further, I realised they were pretty critical to the story and updating them would have made for a challenging rewrite (not to mention a probably far less interesting story). Once in a while, in the right context, retro can still be worthwhile.
September 20, 2011
pretty good adaption. The art was really good. Parts of the story were word-for-word and the same as Dick's story (I read PKD's version the same day). Some liberties were taken to make the story slightly longer, more modern, more suitable to the graphic novel medium.
a few times I caught myself going "Hey, that's not what's in the story!", but I don't think there can be much argument that the changes are bad. This adaption certainly is much closer to PKD's work than the film adaptions that have been made.
I recommend it for Dick fans. For graphic novel fans not familiar with PKD, if the snopsys sounds interesting...go for it, this is pretty good I think
a few times I caught myself going "Hey, that's not what's in the story!", but I don't think there can be much argument that the changes are bad. This adaption certainly is much closer to PKD's work than the film adaptions that have been made.
I recommend it for Dick fans. For graphic novel fans not familiar with PKD, if the snopsys sounds interesting...go for it, this is pretty good I think
February 2, 2018
I like the set-up for this story - a man gets into a vehicle accident only to discover in the hospital that he isn't human, he's an electricant, a fancy robot. Obviously this sets him reeling and he tries to figure out his role in life, the meaning of existence, and if he can do anything about it. Like I said, nice set-up! But, for me, its gets really confusing, and when the ending comes, I had little, to no idea what was happening, or what had happened! I like Philip K. quite a bit, but this one just didn't do it for me.
May 29, 2016
I prefer the story to this graphic interpretation although they are extremely similar--there's more humor in the story that I appreciate, even though the misogyny of the original story is a real downer. Id love to see a more modern interpretation of this PKD story
August 4, 2020
Thought-provoking ... to an extent. Of course, it gets a little weird at the end in a very David Lynch sort of way, by which I mean inexplicably so. Most of it is hyper#reflective, which I enjoyed, but the end ... three stars for the ending. At least it was a short read.
June 13, 2023
Okay, THIS was a good short story!!!
It had everything I was looking for within a science fiction tale set in the late 50s-60s.
The characters and story dynamics were INSANE.
Highly recommend for fans of Isaac Asimov.
It had everything I was looking for within a science fiction tale set in the late 50s-60s.
The characters and story dynamics were INSANE.
Highly recommend for fans of Isaac Asimov.
May 2, 2023
In this short story the author subverts with an unexpected twist the Dream Apocalypse and All Just a Dream tropes. The denouement is a sleight of hand that leaves the reader pondering for hours after turning the last page.
March 21, 2021
Lo mejor es el arte, hay mejores y más interesantes historias de Dick para adaptar.
July 25, 2022
I only read it cause I'm in a book club and this was the mandatory story for this month.
Science fiction is definitely not my cup of tea.
Science fiction is definitely not my cup of tea.
August 16, 2022
Nailed PK Dick's paranoia about reality, but the character was not interesting and there were no stakes. The ideas and some visuals were 5 stars, but my actual enjoyment was only 3.
September 9, 2023
What would happen if androids took acid? Read this book to find out.
February 3, 2024
关于Poole在车祸后突然发现自己不是“人”的故事，关于“存在“的怀疑，关于对“真实”的寻找。常见的存在主义危机，但最后是孤注一掷地滑向自毁。
August 15, 2011
An awesome re-write by David Mack, of one of Philip K. Dick's short stories. Some say the precursor to Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, but I wouldn't say so directly. PKD had a lot of stories that dealt with people being androids, or in his earlier stories, aliens. It's all about "what makes up a man." Are we just a sum of our memories, are we being programmed by some anonymous outside force (the government, alien life, etc), do we even have control over our future?
I loved the writing, and the inking, but the digital coloring was too bland in my opinion. Everything sort of ran together, and I had trouble distinguishing the characters from their background sometimes. It could have really popped if the colors had been done right.
I'll probably read it again, just because there's so much detail, both in the writing and art.
I loved the writing, and the inking, but the digital coloring was too bland in my opinion. Everything sort of ran together, and I had trouble distinguishing the characters from their background sometimes. It could have really popped if the colors had been done right.
I'll probably read it again, just because there's so much detail, both in the writing and art.
September 4, 2011
This is a graphic novel version of a Philip K. Dick story. The art work is quite imaginative and impressive. The story-line has some holes, but it is easy enough to fill in the plot. There is a bit of jumping around that might leave some readers scratching their heads. The story concept is similar to Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep," which was the basis for the major motion picture Blade Runner. Here, androids are the main characters, but they are called "electricants." In the vernacular of the story, this transforms to "electric ants." In this story, an electricant is malfunctioning because of a traffic accident, and the malfunctioning leads him to higher levels of consciousness. The first level is the discovery that he IS an electricant and not a human being, as he has believed all his life.
May 20, 2016
Read in The Very Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction: Sixtieth Anniversary Anthology
A man wakes up in a hospital room and discovers, after having a new hand grafted onto his arm, that he is not a man but a robot. With the new knowledge he takes it upon himself to fiddle with his own circuits, causing unpredictable results.
A classic science fiction story that hits on a multitude of topics including the mentality of androids and our perception of reality. Interesting and thought-provoking read.
A man wakes up in a hospital room and discovers, after having a new hand grafted onto his arm, that he is not a man but a robot. With the new knowledge he takes it upon himself to fiddle with his own circuits, causing unpredictable results.
A classic science fiction story that hits on a multitude of topics including the mentality of androids and our perception of reality. Interesting and thought-provoking read.
February 2, 2013
A cool adaptation of PKD's 1969 short story published in Fantasy and Science Fiction. Garson Poole is the owner of Tri-Plan Electronics, a company that develops hi-tech weapons systems. After a car accident the doctors tell him he's an electric ant, an organic robot, "a precursor to the more modern replicant."
With flying cars and a light touch of Film Noir retro, David Mack does a good job of incorporating the modern interpretation of PKD into the story.
http://comicsbin.blogspot.com/2013/02...
With flying cars and a light touch of Film Noir retro, David Mack does a good job of incorporating the modern interpretation of PKD into the story.
http://comicsbin.blogspot.com/2013/02...
February 14, 2013
This is a gorgeous graphic novel adaptation of Philip K. Dick's sci-fi short story. I was actually looking for "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheeo?" but this is treasure enough, I guess. The artwork is exceptional; it perfectly juxtaposes with the story's paranoid fiction-ish nature, tackling human folly about the distinction of reality and fantasy...or the lack thereof. It's a thoughtful piece, and for a while it bombarded my head with lots of 'what-ifs' too. Garson's thoughts are very contagious.
I'm looking forward to reading more of these!
I'm looking forward to reading more of these!
August 25, 2016
Read in the anthology Space Odyssey: an Anthology of Great Science Fiction Stories, thought I'd give it a special shout-out because, even in this excellent collection, it stands out. Dick's favorite motifs of paranoia and androids, his favorite themes of free will, the sense of self-identity, and the nature of reality, and his sharply engaging writing style all shine here.
October 6, 2019
While this was really interesting and I liked the art style, I feel like something got lost in translation between Philip K. Dick’s original text and this comic version. His prose is already so mind bending and requires such focus that adding graphics made it even more consuming when there was so much to read on each page. I think I would have preferred to just read the original story.
Still enjoyable and a fun quick read, but I wouldn’t recommend it for those who haven’t heard of or read Philip K. Dick’s other stuff first. 🤖
Still enjoyable and a fun quick read, but I wouldn’t recommend it for those who haven’t heard of or read Philip K. Dick’s other stuff first. 🤖
January 3, 2016
Interesting perspective of an android type of guy who simply wants to know more about himself and his programming. Eventually he evolves to a higher state of being. I'm going to read the novella next to see how closely to the original story by Philip K Dick Marvel got. The art was exceptional, though I couldn't figure out why the main character went around nude most of the time. I suppose it made it easier for the artists to portray the physical changes he went through, which were many.
January 9, 2011
I've never read the original story it was based on, but this is a great graphic novel. It really makes you think about what reality really is. The staging of the art is well thought out and the every panel halps to advance the story.
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