Comic Stack 08/05/15 – Graphic Novel Review: Robert Heinlein’s Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Lazaro (writer), Steve Erwin (Illustrator)

Book Source: Free review copy provided by IDW Publishing via Netgalley

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction

Publisher: IDW Publishing (August 4, 2015)

Tiara’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Slavery is still a way of life throughout the galaxy in this story. A young slave boy by the name of Thorby is sold to a man who seems to be nothing more than a one-legged, one-eyed beggar. From the beginning, the beggar simply called Pop lets Thorby know that he is not his slave, that he is free to go whenever he pleases. However, Thorby stays with Pop and begins to learn things that strengthen his mind and body.

Thorby can’t remember his home star, but there are theories that he might be a descendant of earth, which would make his lineage considered fine. Earth, while most know it’s real, is just some fantastic land to most humans in the galaxy. He’s plagued with nightmares, but Pop is unable to recover information about his home through hypnosis. He calms Thorby’s nightmares, though, and continues to lead him down a path that rebels against the societal norms that enslave many, a path that fights for freedom for all people.

Full disclosure: I have not read the novel for this graphic novel, so I have nothing to compare this to as far as how it compliments the original source.  However, after reading this graphic novel, I am curious about the novel and have added it to my TBR pile. Stories that blend science fiction and fantasy in such a seamless way are fascinating to me. The two genres balance each other out perfectly in this story. Also, I never tire of stories about freedom fighters trying to tear down a corrupt societal system, either. I love abolitionists and characters sacrificing their own freedoms so that others can have theirs.

One small complaint I do have for the story is that something about the way the story was written could be a little jarring and disrupt me from the reading experience. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but the best way to describe it would be how some older comics like 70s X-Men type stuff that was written in that disjointed way that seemed to try to convey too many ideas at one time on some pages.

However, I enjoyed this enough to want to know more about Thorby and this world he lives in. I can’t say how much fans of the novel might enjoy this, but I feel like for me, someone who hasn’t read the novel, that it’ll only build on this foundation and hopefully be an enjoyable read.

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Again, a review copy of this book was provided to me by IDW Publishing via Netgalley. All opinions stated here are my own. I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me this opportunity.