Breathtaking Adaptations: 13 Classic Books Transformed Into Graphic Novels (PHOTOS)

First there was the book. Then there came the film. Or sometimes, there is the comic book, and then there is the film. Case in point: "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World," this summer's runaway sensation based on the graphic novel by Bryan Lee O'Malley.

In honor of "Scott Pilgrim," we published the "7 Best Graphic Novel to Film Adaptations" slide show last week. And it got us thinking ...

What other book adaptations are out there?

We've seen graphic novels-into-films and, of course, books-into-movies, but what about books-into-graphic novels? What happens when you take a classic work of literature and transform it into a graphic text?

You won't believe what classic books have been transformed into comics. From "Genesis" to "Metamorphosis," see the best here.

What other adaptations should have made the list? What other classic books still need a graphic novel version? How about an "Audacity Of Hope" graphic novel? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Crime And Punishment

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By Fyodor Dostoevsky. Adapted by David Zane Mairowitz and Alain Korkos. Somehow Dostoevsky's brilliant work is distilled into 128 pages, which leads to some storytelling that's a bit rough around the edges. But the gray palette and the decision to set it in modern-day Russia make this a worthy companion piece.

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Evil in the Crosshairs

By Fyodor Dostoevsky. Adapted by David Zane Mairowitz and Alain Korkos.

Somehow Dostoevsky's brilliant work is distilled into 128 pages, which leads to some storytelling that's a bit rough around the edges. But the gray palette and the decision to set it in modern-day Russia make this a worthy companion piece.

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Comments

[Tal Newhart]

08:42 PM on 08/23/2010

I've read the Oscar Wilde book. It's well done amply evidenced by the fact I've had to buy *2* copies since someone (you know who you!) stole my first one. The Dorian Gray illustrati­ons (the cover) were done by illustrato­r Lisa Weber who has done other graphic comics. A weird style but the evocative images certainly take you deep into the layers of Wilde's story.

[CARTERJ]

10:24 AM on 08/22/2010

R. Crumb's 'Book of Genesis' is a masterpiec­e in every way. Every word is intact, and the translatio­n is excellent. I was raised Catholic and attended Parochial school from grades 1 through 8. I am agnostic but a student of religion. I have never been able to get through more than two pages of the Bible at a time. But this work enthralled me. Every sentence is illustrate­d with great fidelity and imaginatio­n. There is no judgement from the artist. He took on this mammoth task purely as an illustrato­r, and thereby illuminate­s what is at least an invaluable socio-hist­oric document.

[Occam123]

12:01 AM on 08/21/2010

This is for illiterate­s. Why not just read the book?!!.

[lexid523]

01:05 PM on 08/21/2010

Because I work 60 hours a week and I can get more story in a shorter amount of time reading comics. Because a lot of these artists are quite talented and I appreciate their virtuosity­. Because I already read the book and want to see someone else's interpreta­tion. Because I fail to see how reading a graphic adaptation of a play is more "illiterat­e" than watching a performanc­e (its intended mode of presentati­on).

Pick one.

[lexid523]

06:39 PM on 08/21/2010

Because I work 60 hours a week and can get more story for my limited free time if I read a graphic adaptation­. Because I admire the artists and their virtuosity­. Because I have already read the book and want to see someone else's interpreta­tion. Because I fail to see how reading a graphic adaptation of a PLAY is any more "illiterat­e" than watching a performanc­e (its intended mode of presentati­on). Because books don't always live up to their hype, and a different take may improve the story for certain readers.

Pick one.

[macweenie]

10:15 PM on 08/20/2010

Well I wrote and illustrate­d a synopsis of the eight years under Bush. I call it "The Monster at the End of This Administra­tion". You'll never guess who it is.

[Bo Hampton]

07:25 PM on 08/20/2010

My adaptation of Legend of Sleepy Hollow rates considerat­ion.
Just sayin.

[Tremonius]

06:56 PM on 08/20/2010

A long time ago, when comics were first in flower, there was a series of classics in that format, and more than one book report in our school (and perhaps others) went no further for sources.

[rmutt1917]

05:50 PM on 08/20/2010

I would highly recommend a work-in-pr­ogress, The Age of Bronze by Eric Shanower, a multi-volu­me graphic interpreta­tion of the Iliad. All linework, no color inking, which leads you to detail, rather than mood. In keeping, he focuses on the human element and their interpreta­tion of the gods, rather than the over-archi­ng gods themselves­. He has currently published 3 volumes of (if memory serves me correct) a projected 8 volume work.

[sempronia]

06:16 PM on 08/20/2010

Oooh, I'll be on the lookout for that!

[c-tom]

05:21 PM on 08/20/2010

Dante's Inferno with the Dore illustrati­ons is one scary book - No way the graphic novel version can compare. As a kid I spent hours with that book and never read any of it but the captions.

[MichaelMcKLA]

01:42 PM on 08/20/2010

The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles put all the panels from R. Crumb's Book of Genesis on display several months ago. It was an unbelievab­le piece of work. It had to have taken him years to do. It's most impressive­.

[Cacey]

01:27 PM on 08/20/2010

Is anyone else old enough to remember Classics Illustrate­d, a popular comic book that existed in the 1950s? I loved those. And though I could not read French, German or Italian and hate 18th Century English novels, I learned so much and they added to my love of reading...­except 18th Century English and American..­.novels.

[MountPanic]

04:58 PM on 08/20/2010

I had a terrific adaptation of War of the Worlds from the 50s CI series (at least I thought so as a kid). They've revamped and revitalize­d the series a few times over the years, and reprinted many of those old originals.

[Tremonius]

07:09 PM on 08/20/2010

I certainly remember them. They were an excellent means of familiariz­ing with a story in a short period but were no substitute for the original full-lengt­h version. I believe the English teachers were aware of the potential for shortcuts; they were the equivalent of videos a while back or the web today for passing tests without doing all the work.

[direct democracy]

01:24 PM on 08/20/2010

I bought R. Crumb's Book of Genesis to add to my "Undergrou­nd Comix" collection­. At first, I thought it was unfortunat­e that this great cartoonist would dedicate his art to ancient inanities, but reading and visualizin­g these disjointed stories was an education in ancient mythology much enhanced by Crumb's fantastic drawings.

[sempronia]

06:20 PM on 08/20/2010

My colleague brought it into work a few months ago, and it's pretty fantastic!

In response to how your initial reservatio­ns, it's probably more useful to think of Genesis as mythology, even as a cultural groundwork -- after all, the Greeks and Romans may not have believed in all those stories either, but that doesn't mean that they didn't form a common cultural point of reference. If R. Crumb helps convey this, then good for him.

[Harry Pujols]

12:42 PM on 08/20/2010

The adaptation of City of Glass must be one of the best graphic novels ever. The 9/11 Report is also a graphic novel adaptation that's so much better than the source. It was released online before it was printed. Is it still online? If so, anyone knows the link?

[Skaterx999]

12:34 PM on 08/20/2010

The United States Constituti­on: A Graphic Adaptation is another great graphic novel. It uses some unexpected symbolism to present the subject matter and while it's great for people of any age, I think it should be required reading for young adults. (17-25?)

[Skaterx999]

12:31 PM on 08/20/2010

The Dark Tower graphic novels are pretty good. I'd like to see Milton's works in graphic form.

[tykam]

10:37 AM on 08/20/2010

Here's one that should absolutely not be missed:

The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation [Paperback­]

The 9/11 Report for Every American

On December 5, 2005, the 9/11 Commission issued its final report card on the government­’s fulfillmen­t of the recommenda­tions issued in July 2004: one A, twelve Bs, nine Cs, twelve Ds, three Fs, and four incomplete­s. Here is stunning evidence that Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón, with more than sixty years of experience in the comic-book industry between them, were right: far, far too few Americans have read, grasped, and demanded action on the Commission­'s investigat­ion into the events of that tragic day and the lessons America must learn.

Using every skill and storytelli­ng method Jacobson and Colón have learned over the decades, they have produced the most accessible version of the 9/11 Report. Jacobson’s text frequently follows word for word the original report, faithfully captures its investigat­ive thoroughne­ss, and covers its entire scope, even including the Commission­'s final report card. Colón's stunning artwork powerfully conveys the facts, insights, and urgency of the original. Published on the fifth anniversar­y of the terrorist attacks on the United States, an event that has left no aspect of American foreign or domestic policy untouched, The 9/11 Report puts at every American's fingertips the most defining event of the century.

This should be taught in every American school!

http://www­.amazon.co­m/11-Repor­t-Graphic-­Adaptation­/dp/080905­7395

[Harry Pujols]

12:44 PM on 08/20/2010

I was wondering earlier where it was online. Never mind. Here it is... http://www­.slate.com­/features/­911report/­001.html

[tykam]

12:53 AM on 08/27/2010

Wow! That's amazing! Thanks for posting!