So apparently there's a graphic novel of Ayn Rand's Anthem...

Posted by Maphesdus 12 years, 6 months ago to Books
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I just ordered the graphic novel version of "Anthem," and Amazon says it should arrive by December 6, and I'm kind of excited. It should be interesting to see the story presented in this alternate format. Has anyone else read it?

There's also another book titled "Female Force: Ayn Rand," by John Blundell, which appears to be a graphic novel as well, though it seems to be a commentary on Ayn Rand herself and Objectivism, rather than an adaptation of any story.

"Female Force: Ayn Rand," by John Blundell:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1450749...

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  • Posted by $ Maphesdus 12 years, 6 months ago
    Well, the book ended up arriving early. It just came today and I read through it in about 30 minutes or so (it's incredibly short and light on dialogue).

    To be honest, I'm a little disappointed. Maybe the actual book is better, but this graphic novel felt like it only just barely hinted at the philosophies behind it. Too simple, too brief. Maybe that's just the result of the adaptation, though. I plan to read the real book as soon as I can.
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  • Posted by khalling 12 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I agree with Mike on the book. It is completely different from her other fiction-well-I take that back. Maybe Kira's Viking? similar cadence and stark setting.
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  • Posted by $ MikeMarotta 12 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The book will not take much longer to read. It has been described as a "prose poem." You will find no philosophies qua in the book, either. It is a work of art. That is why the graphic novel format worked well.

    My disappointment was the lack of color, and the unfinished feeling to the drawings, especially considering the previous works of the artists.

    The bottom line, though, is that anyone is perfectly free to do a better job; so I accepted the graphic novel on its own terms.
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  • Posted by tradesman 12 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I would like to see a writer like yourself expand on the Ragnar Danneskjold character! He wasnt heavily covered in the book, even less in the movies.
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  • Posted by $ MikeMarotta 12 years, 6 months ago
    The graphic novel adaptation of Ayn Rand's Anthem is a passable work that faithfully provides visual content to the story. Artists Charles Santino and Joe Staton both have created better works, but this still stands on its own merits as a worthy project. I wish that this were a full color publication, rather than line art.

    Charles Santino's work as a writer includes "Toplin" a psychological horror (Dell/Abyss), co-authored with Michael McDowel. He also wrote a "Conan the Barbarian" (Marvel); and then for Fantagraphics he adapted, scripted, and packaged "Aesop’s Fables".

    Joe Staton Staton worked for Charlton, Marvel and Warren during the 1970s; and then Paul Levitz of DC hired him for the revival of the Justice Society of America.(Wikipedia here.) Over forty years, Staton was the penciller for 800 issues including Tales of the Green Lantern Corps (1981), Power Girl (2006), The Essential Batman Encyclopedia (2008), Marvel Premiere Classics (2006) : #73 - "X-Men: Fallen Angels" and DC Comics Presents: #1 - "The Life Story of The Flash" (2012).
    http://necessaryfacts.blogspot.com/2013/...

    Ayn Rand was Number 1 in the "Female Force" series. Since then, they have produced
    "Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama, and Caroline Kennedy"
    http://www.bluewaterprod.com/comics/fema...
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  • Posted by khalling 12 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    well one part does. so-you'll notice if you've read Anthem. but I love the graphic novel concept for many books. I want to explore it for my own Hank Rangar series.
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  • Posted by $ Maphesdus 12 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    So it mixes up the order of events? It doesn't have too big an impact on the message of the story, does it?

    I admit I haven't actually read "Anthem," so I wouldn't know what the difference was.
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