Robert Heinlein's Citizen of the Galaxy

author: Robert Lazaro
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.15
book published: 2015
rating: 2
read at: 2015/08/07
date added: 2015/08/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Robert Heinlein's Citizen of the Galaxy' by Robert Lazaro, Eric Gignac and Steve Erwin, is an adaptation of a classic book. The problem is that it's not a very good adaptation.

The story follows young Thorby, a slave on a distant planet. When no one will buy him, he is taken in by a crippled beggar. That this will change his life is probably no spoiler based on the title of the book. That this mysterious beggar is probably more than he pretends to be is also likely to be no surprise. Thorby finds himself on an upward path back to back where he belongs. Along the way he meets people who mean well by him and want to harm him. He learns much about the galaxy around him. How he reacts to these folks and circumstances is what should make the story.

Except in this case, Thorby is just sort of pushed around to serve the story, and never seems to become his own man. The adaptation feels like a sightseeing tour by someone who is not familiar with the territory. The big milestones are here, but the underlying elements, like Baslim's spying on the slave trade or the true matriarchal culture of the traders. Those things are there, but it all comes across as a bland retelling. The art is ok, and serves the narrative well enough. Maybe there are too many story elements and it should have been a longer adaptation, but this fell way short of my expectations.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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