- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Titan Books Ltd (23 Aug 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1840235349
- ISBN-13: 978-1840235340
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 14 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 391,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Aint it Cool News 23 July 2002
...the story...stands proudly as a rip-roaring melodrama thats filled to the brim with fascinating incidents.
BookMunch 31st July 2002
...beautifully rendered characterisation...You can just see what got Sam Mendes so excited...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Now that Max Collins' original graphic novel has been transformed into Sam Mendes' oscar-favourite movie, one would assume that many of those who appreciated the film might look into its origins and take a gander at this, the story's first birth. Drawn by Richard Piers Rayner, whose devotion to authentic 1930s detail meant it took four years to draw, the novel, like its film counterpart, tells the story of Michael 'O''Sullivan, a hitman living in the Tri-Cities, whose wife and younger son are murdered by his employer's unstable offspring, Connor. Mike and his elder son Michael Jr. go on the run, trying to reach Perdition, Kansas, while the safety of Michael Jr. becomes more and more arduous.
While most of the elements seen in the film are intact, with Tom Hanks deftly (and somewhat surprisingly) carrying the role of the mass-murdering anti-hero, there are key differences. Max Collins based much of his story on actual events in the 1930 Midwest. However, the film removes Elliot Ness, one of O'Sullivan's few allies (who seems pretty handy with a tommy-gun), but adds Jude Law's character Maguire, the rival hitman-cum-journalist.
Max Allan Collins really does tug at the heart-strings in this novel, and the tragic death of Peter, drawn so adoringly by Rayner, is reminiscent of many of the bitter-sweet moments in 'Jimmy Corrigan', while the ensuing butchering of a group of ex-employer John Looney's cronies with a certain sharp, silent object is morbidly satisfying. The father-son story bares comparison to Japan's 'Lone Wolf and Cub' series, as do the two books' beautiful black and white art. 'Road to Perdition' stands on its own two, very American feet.
The depth of contemporary detail, added to the strength of story and its appeal to mature readers aswell as the more easy going, '2000AD' mentality-comic fans puts it above, in my opinion, classics like 'V for Vendetta'. This is a must, not only for graphic regulars, but for the literary community as a whole. Granted, this is no 'Watchmen', and while there are only three or four panels to a page, there are three-hundred of them to get through. And you'll probably find, as I did (for the first time with a graphic novel), that as soon as you finish it, you'll wanted to turn to the front and start again, if only to marvel at the impressive artwork. My only quibble with 'Road to Perdition' was its somewhat sudden, and horribly inevitable ending, although the film does change things, and it is certainly worth checking out both.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A tale of revenge in the gangsters world of the 1930's America .An Irish gang turning against their own hitman - for an unconvincig reason- they fail to kill him ,but manage to kill his wife and one of his tow boys, so the hitman vows revenge ,taking with him his adolescent son , on a bloody road to perdition.
About the story. Max allan Collins wrote in his introduction that he wanted to write the American version of kazou koike's lone wolf and cub, well , he did manage to make it violent , but failed to keep a strong story line . it developed abruptly, and why would a gang try to kill their best hitman , just because the hitman's son saw his father and the boss's son kill another criminal,he's just a little boy .
About the art .Richard Piers Rayner depiction of the 1930's America , and the gunfights scenes , are good, but his unsettling drawing of the main character's faces distanced me from fully enjoying his work .
Did other readers notice how o'sullivan face looked like famous actors from classic films .check out John Garfield , page 124 , panel 3 . James Dean , page 125 , panel 4 . Marlon Brando , page 126 , panel 2 . Kirk Douglas , page 127 , panel 4 , and James Cagney , page 252 , panel 3.
But don't worry .if you liked the film , you'll like the book .
no jude law's character in the book.
if You want a great father and son quest for revenge tale , pick up lone wolf and cub.
About the story. Max allan Collins wrote in his introduction that he wanted to write the American version of kazou koike's lone wolf and cub, well , he did manage to make it violent , but failed to keep a strong story line . it developed abruptly, and why would a gang try to kill their best hitman , just because the hitman's son saw his father and the boss's son kill another criminal,he's just a little boy .
About the art .Richard Piers Rayner depiction of the 1930's America , and the gunfights scenes , are good, but his unsettling drawing of the main character's faces distanced me from fully enjoying his work .
Did other readers notice how o'sullivan face looked like famous actors from classic films .check out John Garfield , page 124 , panel 3 . James Dean , page 125 , panel 4 . Marlon Brando , page 126 , panel 2 . Kirk Douglas , page 127 , panel 4 , and James Cagney , page 252 , panel 3.
But don't worry .if you liked the film , you'll like the book .
no jude law's character in the book.
if You want a great father and son quest for revenge tale , pick up lone wolf and cub.
Format:Paperback
america 1929. World war one veteran turned family man michael o'sullivan is a good father to his sons and a loving husband to his wife. but he keeps his work life separate from his home life. desperate to find out why, one of his sons follows his father one night. and discovers that he's 'the angel of death', a ruthless enforcer for a local gangster and a terrifyingly efficient killing machine.
the boy has seen too much. this leaves his mother and his brother dead, and turns him and his father into cross country fugitives desperate to escape the mob. but michael o'sullivan will not go down easily. what sort of life does this mean his son will end up living?
a classic graphic novel, proving the versatility of the form and that it's not just about superheroes in spandex. this book combines crime and historical drama with a family story as well. for it's about the relationship between fathers and sons. will his surviving son take after his father now he knows the truth about him? will his father be able to keep him from doing that? conversely the head mobster has a son who is something of a disappointment to him. can he ever earn his father's respect?
running for 302 pages it contains nicely stylised artwork by richard piers rayner that really captures the feel of the period in which the story is set, and mixes real and historical figures also. for a story of crime and history and the relationship between fathers and sons it's a memorable mix and it's highly recommended.
nb: I've not seen the film version I can't comment on how that compares to this. the book came first.
if you enjoy this and want to know more then there are three shorter graphic novels called on the road to perdition, which take place in the middle of this story. and they're all worth a look
the boy has seen too much. this leaves his mother and his brother dead, and turns him and his father into cross country fugitives desperate to escape the mob. but michael o'sullivan will not go down easily. what sort of life does this mean his son will end up living?
a classic graphic novel, proving the versatility of the form and that it's not just about superheroes in spandex. this book combines crime and historical drama with a family story as well. for it's about the relationship between fathers and sons. will his surviving son take after his father now he knows the truth about him? will his father be able to keep him from doing that? conversely the head mobster has a son who is something of a disappointment to him. can he ever earn his father's respect?
running for 302 pages it contains nicely stylised artwork by richard piers rayner that really captures the feel of the period in which the story is set, and mixes real and historical figures also. for a story of crime and history and the relationship between fathers and sons it's a memorable mix and it's highly recommended.
nb: I've not seen the film version I can't comment on how that compares to this. the book came first.
if you enjoy this and want to know more then there are three shorter graphic novels called on the road to perdition, which take place in the middle of this story. and they're all worth a look
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An enjoyable short read
The job of converting the film's screenplay to a novel was given to the guy who wrote the comicbook on which the film was based. The comic book is fantastic - 5 stars for that. Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2003 by Steve Page
Road to Revenge
This grim graphic novel might better have been titled, "The Road to Revenge." Set during the Great Depression, the story is of a mobster hitman and his son. Read more
Published on 5 April 2002 by A. Ross
"one great ride" is an understatement.
I love this book! I don't usually read comics but, This thing blew me away! from the cinematic action sequences , the great story , even up to some cliches that still blended well... Read more
Published on 1 Aug 1998
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