Vic and Blood (iBooks)

    (iBooks, 2003)
™ and © iBooks

This is a unique compilation, collecting Ellison’s original Vic and Blood short stories (Eggsucker, A Boy and His Dog, and Run, Spot, Run), along with Corben’s comics adaptations. The prose versions follow the graphic versions, although Ellison in his introduction recommends reading them the other way around; he’s right.

Previously presented in black and white in two issues from Mad Dog Graphics, the comics version has been colored and benefits from it. Additionally, Corben has illustrated the prose version in a much more mature style (although it seems that these illustrations actually predate the comics adaptation).

Ellison apparently felt obligated to give the reader something new with the purchase, so he added Blood’s “Wit and Wisdom.” It’s appreciated but unnecessary. His introduction more than suffices for readers craving new material.

So read the stories, enjoy the art, then read the adaptations. While you’re at it, cue up the movie A Boy and His Dog for a true multimedia experience.

— Jack Abramowitz
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