amelody's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Sexual content, and Classism
billie_visible's review against another edition
3.0
Five stars for the poem of course (commence echo chamber here), two for the hollow illustrations hinging on heteronormativty and lacking in everything Ginsberg means to us.
shanviolinlove's review against another edition
4.0
I love the idea of adapting Howl into a graphic novel, and indeed, reading Drooker's initial response to this proposition proved that this was no small feat. The images do create a dynamic, visual mise-en-scene to complement Ginsberg's powerful lines (I especially loved watching the evolution of Moloch as he emerged more and more visibly as the poem progressed), but I also realized that Ginsberg's language is so imagistic, the illustrations almost didn't add to the evocative emotion. Howl is powerful and resilient to the test of time, because its readers can visualize the angel-headed hipsters and bodies leaping off of towers, the desolation of the rise of the "machinery of night," even without the pictures.
Do read Howl. With images. Sans images. You will be disturbed either way.
Do read Howl. With images. Sans images. You will be disturbed either way.
andymoon's review against another edition
5.0
I read this every once in a while. One of my favorite graphic novels with one of my favorite poems ever, the art is probably some of the most hauntingly beautiful I've ever seen.
menfrommarrs's review against another edition
3.0
Awesome Art. Beat Poetry difficult for me to "Noodle Out"!
ellejaoy's review against another edition
5.0
I love Howl and Drookers work so I have absolutely no issues with any page in this graphic novel. Ginsberg has a way of writing which makes the words jump off the page and it is insanely rhythmic. The artwork matched the mood perfectly and while I read it quickly, I have returned time and time again to this wonderful graphic novel.
raifana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
annsilver's review against another edition
4.0
This graphic novel version of Howl was so beautifully illustrated! Definitely worth reading it this way.
The poem itself is so strange and gritty and the very definition of Beat Poetry.
I’m glad I read it after reading On the Road so that I already knew what the writers of the movement spent their time doing. And the free way they lived.
The poem itself is so strange and gritty and the very definition of Beat Poetry.
I’m glad I read it after reading On the Road so that I already knew what the writers of the movement spent their time doing. And the free way they lived.
fletchie's review against another edition
5.0
Howl is a testament to the power of the written word. I bought this edition because the artwork is a stunning accompaniment to the prose.
II, though somewhat lacking in subtlety (Moloch whose blood is running money!), is my favourite part.
II, though somewhat lacking in subtlety (Moloch whose blood is running money!), is my favourite part.