animal farm: the graphic novel

A stunningly drawn and contemplative adaptation of a timely and important classic.

This is a fantastic addition to graphic novels based on source material. The drawings of the animals are intriguing and draw the eye towards what becomes distorted about their message over the cautionary tale. The choice to use black and white with certain things with splashes of red is a good use of symbolism to the dangers of capitalism. The animals, like their historical communist counterparts, inherently understand the evils of capitalism. And also like the communists, they fail at being able to offer a lasting alternative.

I would recommend this adaptation, particularly to those that are fans of Animal Farm. It should not be used as a substitute but instead as a companion. I would have liked to see Napoleon as looking more different than Snowball- in the novel he is explicitly stated as being a Berkshire boar, with grey skin. I also usually visualized the pigs looking more and more human. It is shocking at the conclusion to seeing how far off the original message the group becomes. The art is simply fascinating.

This is really well done and a great Christmas gift for the classic literature lover in your life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gemini books for the ARC. Book to be published November 5, 2025.