FAMILYFANS Books & Comics
RICHARD
MATHESON'S I AM LEGEND (Graphic Novel)
adapted by Steve Niles, Elman Brown
(IDW Publishing)
Reader Appeal: Teens to Adults
Genre: Sci-Fi / Horror
Before the blockbuster movie starring Will Smith, before the first film adaptation starring Vincent Price in 1964, and the second adaptation starring Charlton Heston 1971, there was Richard Matheson’s classic science fiction novel I Am Legend. And somewhere in between all that is stunning graphic novel adaptation appropriately titled, Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend.
I Am Legend is the story of Robert Neville, the last man on earth. If you haven’t seen any of the three film adaptations now out there, don’t worry. All of them take inspiration from the original novel, but none of them adhere very closely to it. This graphic novel adaptation, however, follows the plot of Matheson’s original novel pretty closely, so don’t expect Will Smith, New York, or action movie antics here. What you can expect is a unusually well-written, thought-provoking, and atmospheric story.
Robert Neville (the last man on earth, remember?) is apparently the only survivor of a terrible plague that devastated the globe and turned its victims into vampires. Every day Robert gets up and goes about his business: maintaining his house, gathering food and supplies, and hunting down and destroying the sleeping vampires. Every night he sits down at home, has a drink, puts on some records, and listens to the screaming and wailing of the undead hordes as they tear at one another and taunt him to come out and join them.
The plot follows Neville’s daily struggle to survive, not just physically, but mentally, alone in a world of monsters, and his tenacious attempts to understand what happened. This finally culminates in the day he finds a girl, alive, under the open sun. I won’t say any more, but be aware that this is a pretty plot-heavy graphic novel: lots of narration, lots of flashbacks, and lots of tension (though not a lot of action). If you’re looking for a light and easy read, this isn’t it. This is a novel in graphic form, not a comic book.
And, as far as the comic/graphic novel genre goes, this is probably one of the best ones I’ve ever read. Credit is surely due to the source material, but I also have to give respect to Steve Niles and Elman Brown for doing a great job adapting it. It’s amazing the way Niles paints the word pictures, doling out the gritty details and the deep personal struggles of the main character that make the whole world seem real. Elman Brown’s art is really great, too. He never goes too far in the fantasy/horror direction, keeping the world and the characters looking very rough and gritty and spookily real. There’s no color, and that’s a good thing; all the detail you need is there in the detailed sketches.
Though not too heavy on morals, per se, this book does aim to make you think more than the average vampire story. The character’s struggles are intense and realistic, and the title-giving twist at the climax is simply amazing (though the final parts feel a bit rushed compared to the earlier material).
Parents should be aware that there are a couple drawings of topless women (albeit heavily shaded), and plenty of gruesome scenes involving the vampires. None of it seems particularly indulgent, though, and it fits the plot and atmosphere well. Still, be aware, this is at least PG-13 material, and possibly R.
As I said before, Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend is one of the best graphic novels I’ve read, and definitely the best vampire story. It’s a grim read, to be sure, and a little rushed at the end, but it’s a gripping story and an excellent portrayal of an apocalyptic scenario. Even if you’ve seen the movie, even if you aren’t planning on seeing the movie, anyone with a literary bent and an appreciation of good storytelling will be glad for having given this book a chance.
FAMILYFANS RATING: A
--MV
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