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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

by Philip K. DICK
978-1-60886-577-2.
COPY ISBN
Gr 8 Up—Dick's science-fiction classic has been transformed into a full-color graphic novel. This volume collects issues 9 through 12 of the 24-issue maxi-series and reads like a detective novel. Unlike an adaptation, this series retains all of the original text. Often, the caption box repeats what is illustrated in the panel. Page layouts feature large panels, typically three per page, to accommodate the numerous caption boxes and dialogue balloons. Parker's natural style shows a futuristic Northern California, done in muted tones, worn around the edges. The characters' facial expressions and body language enhance the tense psychological and physical exchanges. While questioning a rogue android, Rick Deckard uncovers a phantom police agency that has no record of him, calling into question his own existence. Despite the bounty-hunter premise, the story does not glorify violence, and it offers age-appropriate images. Supplementary material includes a 20-plus-page essay, "Crazy Friend," written by Jonathan Lethem, which includes two of his short stories and chronicles his journey as a Dick fan. Science-fiction fans may grouse that the artwork does not match their own vision of Dick's futuristic world, which was also the complaint many had with Blade Runner, the movie inspired by the author's novel. This is a welcome purchase for science-fiction or graphic-novel collections.—June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA
Volume 3 of six entries in this fast-paced adaptation of Dick's famed futuristic mystery continues Rick Deckard's search and elimination of suspected androids. After Deckard is captured by Officer Crams and taken to the police station, Deckard's concept of reality is called into question, leaving readers to examine the same dilemma. Readers who are familiar with Dick's oeuvre will love this continuation coupled with Parker's () artwork done in muted dark tones and surprising points of view. Those unfamiliar with Dick's name may recognize movies adapted from his work, e.g., or . Although the textual adaption is occasionally redundant with certain depictions, this does not impede the plot or hamper enticement to read the next volume. While ideally read after the first two volumes, this text could be consumed independently and hook readers on the series. The content is appropriate for high school and adult readers who enjoy sf, alternate reality plots, or mystery.—Joanna Schmidt, George Fox Univ., Newberg, OR
Volume 3 of six entries in this fast-paced adaptation of Dick's famed futuristic mystery continues Rick Deckard's search and elimination of suspected androids. After Deckard is captured by Officer Crams and taken to the police station, Deckard's concept of reality is called into question, leaving readers to examine the same dilemma. Readers who are familiar with Dick's oeuvre will love this continuation coupled with Parker's (Warhammer) artwork done in muted dark tones and surprising points of view. Those unfamiliar with Dick's name may recognize movies adapted from his work, e.g., Total Recall or Minority Report. Although the textual adaption is occasionally redundant with certain depictions, this does not impede the plot or hamper enticement to read the next volume. Verdict While ideally read after the first two volumes, this text could be consumed independently and hook readers on the series. The content is appropriate for high school and adult readers who enjoy sf, alternate reality plots, or mystery.—Joanna Schmidt, George Fox Univ., Newberg, OR
Reviewed by Joanna Schmidt , Jul 01, 2011

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