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The Probability Broach: The Graphic Novel
Graphic adaptation of the award-winning classic libertarian sci-fi novel.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
35 people want to read
About the author
L. Neil Smith
39 books69 followersL. Neil Smith was a Libertarian science fiction author and gun rights activist.Smith was born in Denver, Colorado.
Smith began publishing science fiction with “Grimm’s Law” for Stellar 5 (1980). He wrote 31 books, including 29 novels, and a number of essays and short stories. In 2016, Smith received the Special Prometheus Award for Lifetime Achievement for his contributions to libertarian science fiction.
He was editor of LEVER ACTION BBS [now defunct], founder and International Coordinator of the Libertarian Second Amendment Caucus, Secretary and Legislative Director of the Weld County Fish & Wildlife Association and an NRA Life Member.
Smith passed away on August 27, 2021 in Fort Collins, Colorado at age 75 after a lengthy battle with heart and kidney disease. Smith is survived by daughter Rylla Smith and wife Cathy Smith.
Smith began publishing science fiction with “Grimm’s Law” for Stellar 5 (1980). He wrote 31 books, including 29 novels, and a number of essays and short stories. In 2016, Smith received the Special Prometheus Award for Lifetime Achievement for his contributions to libertarian science fiction.
He was editor of LEVER ACTION BBS [now defunct], founder and International Coordinator of the Libertarian Second Amendment Caucus, Secretary and Legislative Director of the Weld County Fish & Wildlife Association and an NRA Life Member.
Smith passed away on August 27, 2021 in Fort Collins, Colorado at age 75 after a lengthy battle with heart and kidney disease. Smith is survived by daughter Rylla Smith and wife Cathy Smith.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 21, 2010
When it comes to comic art, I'm probably pickier than most, and it's always a good chunk of my concern when criticizing comics. Bieser has a grasp of human anatomy and is occasionally inventive with his compositions and panel layouts, but stylistically his drawing is too static, the colors are too bright. It's the sort of stock comic book style (though not in the heroic vein), which just doesn't appeal to me personally.
Of course, a great story and interesting ideas can elevate even mediocre comics. Smith's story has some interesting SF elements, particularly the "probability broach" of the title and a parallel world that more resembles a future paradise. Thrown into this paradise, the lead character, Win, grows as a person, becoming more confident as the story progresses. The other characters don't really have the same level of depth, and sometimes they spend too much time spouting what essentially amounts to libertarian propaganda. His dialogue is generally quite clunky. Additionally, the story is too thickly plotted in the latter half, and the parliamentary scene, while interesting politically, is just not dramatically compelling.
Back to the spouting of libertarian propaganda, as someone coming from a different end of the political spectrum, it was often difficult to completely buy Smith's premise. Especially some of the conclusions he comes to at the end. On the other hand, the goal of any utopian literature is to present an author's ideal reality; whether it's actually possible is always open for debate. At the very least, this provides one with an ideal reality as libertarians see it. Some ideas are worth considering, some don't hold up. Understanding those ideas is always worthwhile.
Of course, a great story and interesting ideas can elevate even mediocre comics. Smith's story has some interesting SF elements, particularly the "probability broach" of the title and a parallel world that more resembles a future paradise. Thrown into this paradise, the lead character, Win, grows as a person, becoming more confident as the story progresses. The other characters don't really have the same level of depth, and sometimes they spend too much time spouting what essentially amounts to libertarian propaganda. His dialogue is generally quite clunky. Additionally, the story is too thickly plotted in the latter half, and the parliamentary scene, while interesting politically, is just not dramatically compelling.
Back to the spouting of libertarian propaganda, as someone coming from a different end of the political spectrum, it was often difficult to completely buy Smith's premise. Especially some of the conclusions he comes to at the end. On the other hand, the goal of any utopian literature is to present an author's ideal reality; whether it's actually possible is always open for debate. At the very least, this provides one with an ideal reality as libertarians see it. Some ideas are worth considering, some don't hold up. Understanding those ideas is always worthwhile.
January 12, 2012
This book does a great job explaining Libertarianism. I read it in a Political Science class and I'm glad I did. It gave me a great understanding of what Libertarianism really is.
It is a little goofy, though. Talking dolphins and apes, etc... but it's a graphic novel, so we can't fault them too much for it.
It is a little goofy, though. Talking dolphins and apes, etc... but it's a graphic novel, so we can't fault them too much for it.
February 11, 2008
Anarcho-capitalist propaganda in comic book form! What's not to love?
This comic was definitely in need of an editor. There's typographical errors everywhere and the continuity sucks. But it was still amusing and fun.
This comic was definitely in need of an editor. There's typographical errors everywhere and the continuity sucks. But it was still amusing and fun.
September 26, 2013
Scot's art goes with Neil's writing perfectly.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews