First Look: Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’ Graphic Novel Is as Haunting and Gripping as the Book

Borys Kit

September 6, 2024 at 2:32 AM·2 min read

Cormac McCarthy’s The Road is one of the most heralded novels of the 21^st century.

First published in 2006, the father-and-son post-apocalyptic tale was awarded Pulitzer Prize for fiction and James Tait Black Memorial Prize while also appearing on year-end, decade-end, and century best of lists. It was adapted into a 2009 movie that starred Viggo Mortensen and Jodi Smit-McPhee.

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And now, it has received the graphic novel treatment.

Hitting stores Sept. 17, the new tome hails from French cartoonist Manu Larcenet and Abrams ComicArts, and it is just as breathtaking, evocative, and bleak as its source material. The art gorgeously captures the details of what’s left in a barren America, and Larcenet takes time and great care to show the trudging journey of a taciturn man and his young son, who is still inquisitive like kids are, even in the face of hopelessness.

The writer-artist’s decision to be faithful to the novel pays off, and it captures the heaviness of each grueling step in the raining ash and the face-whipping wind. The coloring is also key here; your eyes may at times deceive you into thinking you’re reading a black and white book, but then cool blues and fiery oranges softly glow, depending on the needs of the story. This remains a powerful, gripping, and emotional tale. (But don’t take our word for it, check out the preview below.)

Larcenet won the best comic book award, also known as the prize for best album, at the 2004 Angoulême International Comics Festival.

Before McCarthy’s death in June 2023, Larcenet wrote the author, asking his permission to adapt the novel. The letter read, in part, thus:

I loved The Road for the atmosphere it creates. Most likely because I enjoy drawing the snow, the chilling winds, the dark clouds, the sizzling rain, tangles and snags, rust, and the damp and the humidity. I draw violence and kindness, wild animals, dirty skin, pits, and stagnant water. I enjoy the contrast between the characters and their environment, and as conceited as it may sound, I feel like I’m up to the task.

If I am so bold as to ask you to draw your Road, it is not to rewrite anything, or change the feel of the story. I have no other ambitions but to draw your words. The magical part of being an illustrator is to find a silent line to draw with every word. These lines could support yours without distorting them. At least, that’s the goal if this project should come to fruition.

I’m coming off years of writing that wore me down, and I want nothing more than to draw! For almost six months now, I’ve been reading your book again and again, almost living in it. I’m starting to see how I could tackle the challenge of following the guidelines you set without feeling trapped by them. On top of that, I’ve been racking my brain to avoid any reference to the movie adaptation.

I usually write my own comics, one of which (Blast) shares common themes with your book. But I didn’t write The Road; I really wish I had! I sincerely thank you for allowing me to put my pencil down where your pen went.

The graphic novel adaptation was first published in France this spring where, according to Abrams, it sold over 60,000 copies in the first three weeks.

Check out the preview below.