Eight Million Ways to Die by Lawrence Block, graphic novel version, adapted and illustrated by John K. Snyder III, IDW Publishing (July 17, 2018), 144 pages
There were several mentions of this in the latest issue of Mystery Scene magazine. Several reviewers listed it as a “favorite” of 2018. So I got a copy from the library.
As the fifth entry in the Matthew Scudder series, Eight Million Ways to Die comes about in the middle of his story. He’s had his share of problems, most recently the tragic shooting that drove him off the force, away from his family and into a bottle. He’s trying to understand that last part, sometimes happy to drown himself in the booze, sometimes attending an AA meeting.
He seems to be comfortable with the unlicensed, off-the-books private detective world he’s created for himself. So when Kim Dakkinen, a prostitute who wants help to get out of the life comes to him, he takes her case without much hesitation — only to find himself with a heap of regret after he worked things out for her only to find a few days later she has been hacked to death.
That’s enough of the plot. If you haven’t read this one, and most of the people who visit this blog probably have, you’ll probably want to read the book. But this graphic novel is pretty well done, the artwork of rough and gritty, just like the world Scudder lives in, and the whole package is well done.
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I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the graphic version of this one, Richard. It is a fine story written by one of the masters of the genre. It’s good to hear this version is doing it some justice.
I enjoyed it, Margo, and it’s certainly a quick way to refresh my memory of the book.
Richard, I enjoyed the couple of Lawrence Block novels I read sometime back and as a big fan of comic-books, I’m sure I’d enjoy graphic novel versions of his books too; though, frankly, I didn’t know there were any until now.
I didn’t either, Prashant, until I saw this mentioned in Mystery Scene magazine.
I read the original EIGHT MILLION WAYS TO DIE when it was first published. I’ve been tempted by this new graphic edition, but now I’ll buy it based on your recommendation.
You could get it at the library, George.
I read the original too. I think there was a pretty bad movie adaptation.
There may have been two, a not bad and a bad.
That graphic novel sounds really interesting.
Once again, my own reading has been limited to short stories although I am now reading another of Basil Copper’s Mike Faraday mysteries, HOUSE-DICK.
It’s springtime here, Rick. How doth your garden grow?
Glad you’re enjoying the Copper books, Jerry. No Spring here yet. Well, lots of Daffodils, but that’s about it. We’ve got light showers and low 50s today. It’s a good day to read.
Just finished CARELESS LOVE by Robinson, which i liked but found puzzling in one aspect. Maybe I fell asleep and missed it. Reading MAISIE DOBBS for my book group. Read it before but not well enough to talk about it.
I have not read Eight Million Ways to Die yet, and would want to read it before reading the graphic novel. But I would like to read that version also.
This last week I read THE SILKWORM by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) and WHAT NEVER HAPPENS by Anne Holt, set in Norway. I am now reading UNDERSTANDING COMICS by Scott McCloud.