I honestly didn't know what to expect before reading this, but I was pleasantly surprised. It has been awhile since I saw the movie adaptation so I can't say how this book compares, but the more memorable scenes were done well. The art wasn't really anything new and different to look at, but it worked with the story. I'm curious to see how this graphic novel compares to the actual novel, though since there's no way they could have included everything. Overall it was an entertaining read.

Whether this is a new or old adaptation what is interesting is how wonderfully balanced it is within the worlds of both Hunter Thompson’s original work and the seminal Terry Gilliam film starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro. “Hunter Thompson’s Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas” [Troy Little/Top Shelf/176pgs] makes one realize how close that adaptation was and the brilliance of the world. In this specific interpretative vision, the impact and swirling mechanisms of the drug elements specifically ether and the ameryls are perfectly rendered as is the excessive emotional ramifications within Gonzo and Duke despite everything that is happening to them. While the political texture might be a little bit dated and the technology different, the inherent abandon party structure and need for revolution is every bit as powerful in ink and color as it has been in other formats. The story has not changed. You’ve seen it through and through but it is, as life, a great wine it just keeps getting better with age, just as long as the artist who represents it respects the world and the image giving it his spin. Little here recognizes the lexicon while definitely not watering down any aspects of this. This adaptation does it justice.

A

By Tim Wassberg

I requested to 'read this now' on Netgalley, though I then waited too long to download it, and instead received the title through an inter-library loan after it was published.

I never read the book, and I think I fell asleep during the movie. Still, both are lauded enough that, after looking at the artwork on the cover, I decided to give the graphic novel version a try. Based on what I know (which, as I said, is little), this version is a solid, accurate representation.

I did enjoy the artwork quite a bit; the expressiveness of the characters, especially during their drug trips, was captured very nicely. That kept me engaged, though there was an awful lot of text. I might have preferred the text spaced out over more panels, but I understand why it was not.

I suspect fans of the original book will enjoy this.

Fabulous, zany adaption of a fabulous, zany book. It's Hunter S. Thompson, so you know what you're getting. It is abridged, so you are missing the full gonzo, but the essence of the story is there. Highly recommended.