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Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas #1-4
Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
A delightfully bonkers graphic novel by Eisner-nominated artist Troy Little adapting Thompson's seminal book of the same name (in partnership with the Hunter S. Thompson Estate). Join Thompson's alter ego Raoul Duke on the mother of all Vegas benders, as he and his attorney Dr. Gonzo cover a motorcycle race, crash a drug-enforcement convention, and rack up obscenely large room-service bills, all while dosed to the gills on a truly spectacular assortment of mind-altering substances.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published November 10, 2015
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January 22, 2019
I was holed up in a luxury condo in Playa Jaco Coasta Rica with my personal trainer / bodyguard. My mission was to review Troy Little’s 2015 graphic novel of Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I’d need three cases of cerveza, two gallons of tequila and a lime. And a bag of chips. Damn it, how could I work under these conditions?
No help for it, the check was already spent and unless I wanted to be neck deep in abogados and on the take policia, I’d have to soldier on and deliver.
Little’s artwork would make this task easier, though, his work was light on the eyes. It helped, too that he stayed true to the good doctor’s vision. Thompson’s doctor of journalism degree and post grad work in gonzo imperialism was in top form too, and that was smooth work for the graphic novel team.
Seeing Dr. Thompson’s 1971 vision translated into 2015 vibes was cool but I could not get Johnny Depp’s narration from the 1998 Terry Gilliam film out of my mind. It was a bad trip and it was only getting worse, Little’s illustration of Dr. Gonzo brought that maniac into play, I was terrified and screamed at a cabana boy for more tequila and threw a pocketful of colones at the youth. He returned a short time later with a bucket of French beer and a frozen bag of peel and eat shrimp. Damn it! How was I going to catch the vision, translate this twisted hallucination into readable print for the readers? I knuckled down and trudged through.
I was looking for it and Troy Little delivered one of the best lines from the book, “this is not a good town for psychedelic drugs. Reality itself is too twisted” and the brilliant, meaningful quote about “riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave” and “so now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark”.
But now the weasels were closing in and from my bunker in Central America I could smell the ugly brutes.
Little captures Duke’s tireless and intrepid journalism, his brutally honest assessment of the decline of western civilization and does in fact mention a motorcycle race in the desert.
I made it through just in time as the last sliver of lime was cut, twisted and consumed. Troy Little’s interpretation of Thompson’s nightmarish American dream was intact. I can report it safe to read and admire. Hell – even enjoy it.
No help for it, the check was already spent and unless I wanted to be neck deep in abogados and on the take policia, I’d have to soldier on and deliver.
Little’s artwork would make this task easier, though, his work was light on the eyes. It helped, too that he stayed true to the good doctor’s vision. Thompson’s doctor of journalism degree and post grad work in gonzo imperialism was in top form too, and that was smooth work for the graphic novel team.
Seeing Dr. Thompson’s 1971 vision translated into 2015 vibes was cool but I could not get Johnny Depp’s narration from the 1998 Terry Gilliam film out of my mind. It was a bad trip and it was only getting worse, Little’s illustration of Dr. Gonzo brought that maniac into play, I was terrified and screamed at a cabana boy for more tequila and threw a pocketful of colones at the youth. He returned a short time later with a bucket of French beer and a frozen bag of peel and eat shrimp. Damn it! How was I going to catch the vision, translate this twisted hallucination into readable print for the readers? I knuckled down and trudged through.
I was looking for it and Troy Little delivered one of the best lines from the book, “this is not a good town for psychedelic drugs. Reality itself is too twisted” and the brilliant, meaningful quote about “riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave” and “so now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark”.
But now the weasels were closing in and from my bunker in Central America I could smell the ugly brutes.
Little captures Duke’s tireless and intrepid journalism, his brutally honest assessment of the decline of western civilization and does in fact mention a motorcycle race in the desert.
I made it through just in time as the last sliver of lime was cut, twisted and consumed. Troy Little’s interpretation of Thompson’s nightmarish American dream was intact. I can report it safe to read and admire. Hell – even enjoy it.
Read
January 13, 2021I'm not a reader of graphic adaptations of books that I enjoy, as I prefer to read books as how they were intended to be read. But, given on how much I enjoy the source material of Hunter S. Thompson's classic novel about the degradation of the hippie movement and the illusion of The American Dream, as well as the movie adaptation directed by Monty Python veteran Terry Gilliam and starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro as the two anti-heroes, which has become one of my favorites. So I decided to try and see what this book had in store in terms of adaptation.
The words and style of the novel are left relatively the same, and if you want to read my review on the original book, go here. But I'll be mainly focusing on the art of Troy Little to see if it's worthy of Hunter's time and effort. Now, if it were up to me, I probably would've had Ralph Steadman (Hunter's original artist) or Skottie Young do the graphic adaptation of the novel, but luckily Little's passion for the original book shines through and one could tell from the style of the book that Little didn't want to give the readers a bad taste when he went to adapt the source material (or should I say, give a worse taste than the book already gives you), his zany and cartoony style does Hunter's madcap and offbeat style justice.
There's also the depiction of the characters themselves. Hunter, or Raoul Duke, is depicted like a deranged tourist, one that would probably have people giving him the stink eye either due to his appearance or mannerisms, but one that you would also most likely have a beer with, Oscar Zeta Acosta, or Dr. Gonzo, is rather 'normal' looking, or, I should say, as normal as a hulking, deranged man could be. Little's depiction of them shows them as people, but also as the over the top, larger than life cartoons that they garnered through this book.
To end off this review, it's a book that captures what made the book great to begin with, in all its depravity and decadence.
The words and style of the novel are left relatively the same, and if you want to read my review on the original book, go here. But I'll be mainly focusing on the art of Troy Little to see if it's worthy of Hunter's time and effort. Now, if it were up to me, I probably would've had Ralph Steadman (Hunter's original artist) or Skottie Young do the graphic adaptation of the novel, but luckily Little's passion for the original book shines through and one could tell from the style of the book that Little didn't want to give the readers a bad taste when he went to adapt the source material (or should I say, give a worse taste than the book already gives you), his zany and cartoony style does Hunter's madcap and offbeat style justice.
There's also the depiction of the characters themselves. Hunter, or Raoul Duke, is depicted like a deranged tourist, one that would probably have people giving him the stink eye either due to his appearance or mannerisms, but one that you would also most likely have a beer with, Oscar Zeta Acosta, or Dr. Gonzo, is rather 'normal' looking, or, I should say, as normal as a hulking, deranged man could be. Little's depiction of them shows them as people, but also as the over the top, larger than life cartoons that they garnered through this book.
To end off this review, it's a book that captures what made the book great to begin with, in all its depravity and decadence.
September 20, 2015
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a long strange trip this has been.
That's about all I have to say about this one.
What a long strange trip this has been.
That's about all I have to say about this one.
June 3, 2016
*4.25 stars*
Update: re-read this in June 2016. Still awesome.
I'm a big fan of Hunter Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I read the book multiple times and sometimes I watch the movie even if I know it by heart.
Overall I really enjoyed this graphic novel and the art is STUNNING.
I didn't give it five stars because sometimes there was too much text in a page but I will probably buy this as soon as it is out, it was sooooo good.
*ARC / review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thanks again*
Update: re-read this in June 2016. Still awesome.
I'm a big fan of Hunter Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I read the book multiple times and sometimes I watch the movie even if I know it by heart.
Overall I really enjoyed this graphic novel and the art is STUNNING.
I didn't give it five stars because sometimes there was too much text in a page but I will probably buy this as soon as it is out, it was sooooo good.
*ARC / review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thanks again*
July 9, 2018
This is a book for the fans of the movie or the book, it takes the book and adds graphics which reminded me a lot of the movie, it's a well crafted coming together of the two mediums. Does it bring anything new though? Not really which is a real shame, I was hoping to pick up on some bits I had missed before. It captures the madness perfectly and I really enjoyed just how Thompson was drawn, the scenes where he shouts were well done.
If you have never read the book then I recommend reading that before you start this... unless you have tasted a bit of adrenochrome then sit back and enjoy all the pretty colours.
If you have never read the book then I recommend reading that before you start this... unless you have tasted a bit of adrenochrome then sit back and enjoy all the pretty colours.
March 29, 2016
This is an interesting artifact, but it's no substitute for the real thing. Little is smart enough to use huge chunks of Thompson's prose in this adaptation, which helps, and his style, once you get over the shock of its not looking like Ralph Steadman, is pleasantly cartoony, but this book is ultimately just riding on the coattails of Hunter's best-known work. As I said, his style is a little jarring at first. The artwork is reminiscent of Jimmy Gownley or Bill Watterson with maybe a touch of Roger Langridge. This is good work and everything, but I think, if one is interested in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, one is better off reading the original.
August 17, 2019
I read the book over a decade, or close, ago and only once, so it's hard to compare. I've seen the movie many many times, mostly during my teens years... yep... And from all those foggy memories this might be closer from the movie then the actual book. Anyway this was funny! Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas might be one of the craziest drug trip cult book/movie pop culture of all time. This is wild! The art was well done and really participate in creating this strange and intoxicate ambiance. A very unique story, not for everybody that's for sure, but if you like it, or don't mind going out of your zone, this is definitely a piece of anthology right here! (and don't stop here, the movie has to be seen (Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro), and the book has to be read!). Classic!
May 5, 2021
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas collects issues 1-4 of the comic series that is adapted by Troy Little from Hunter S. Thompson's original book.
Raoul Duke, Thompson's alter ego, and his attorney travel to Las Vegas in the1970s to cover The Mint 400 - a huge race in the Vegas desert. The duo wind up in many misadventures while completely intoxicated and searching for The American Dream.
I originally read Thompson's timeless tale back in 2005 and have seen Terry Gilliam's movie adaptation starring Johnny Depp multiple times. I was very curious how this adaptation would play out. I was very pleasantly surprised with how well this book translates into comicbook form. I still found myself narrating the book in Depp's voice but I loved the cartoon art for this over-the-top story. All the classic stories from the book are presented in the comic adaptation and it was fun seeing them showcased in this art style. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Hunter S. Thompson and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Raoul Duke, Thompson's alter ego, and his attorney travel to Las Vegas in the1970s to cover The Mint 400 - a huge race in the Vegas desert. The duo wind up in many misadventures while completely intoxicated and searching for The American Dream.
I originally read Thompson's timeless tale back in 2005 and have seen Terry Gilliam's movie adaptation starring Johnny Depp multiple times. I was very curious how this adaptation would play out. I was very pleasantly surprised with how well this book translates into comicbook form. I still found myself narrating the book in Depp's voice but I loved the cartoon art for this over-the-top story. All the classic stories from the book are presented in the comic adaptation and it was fun seeing them showcased in this art style. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Hunter S. Thompson and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
September 19, 2015
I want to thank NetGalley for letting me borrow this graphic novel. OMG what a trip. I have watched this movie at least a dozen times and have loved the craziness each and every time. Johnny Depp does such a great job at weird and Benicio Del Toro is MAD in the film. Because of the movie I have been wanting to read the original. This was a great way to read the book and see my favorite scenes from the movie.
If you haven't heard of this book or movie let me give you a refresher.
Duke is the main character. You could say he is Hunter S. Thomspon the author but in character form. Hunter is mentioned a few times in the book. Then there is the Attorney. He is apparently Samoan but he could also just be a big Hispanic guy. I'm not sure and neither is Duke. So the two make their way to Vegas on the excuse that there is a dirt bike/ buggy race that needs to be covered. Duke is a journalist. I have no idea if Duke really is a journalist or if the Attorney is able to pull all these strings to get fake badges or what. While reading this story you feel like you too are on drugs.
Back to the review. Duke and the Attorney are on a TON of DRUGS. The entire time they are in Vegas they get into one pickle after another. All while being completely drugged out on uppers and downers. I'm surprised they lived through this whole ordeal.
This could be magical realism or a contemporary fantasy. Who knows. That's the beauty of the book. It's like reading Entertainment Weekly or watching the Kardashians. It's for entertainment only. You will not learn anything new from reading this graphic novel. You will however, laugh out loud and be completely confused.
If you love the movie or the book or both...check this graphic novel out.
If you haven't heard of this book or movie let me give you a refresher.
Duke is the main character. You could say he is Hunter S. Thomspon the author but in character form. Hunter is mentioned a few times in the book. Then there is the Attorney. He is apparently Samoan but he could also just be a big Hispanic guy. I'm not sure and neither is Duke. So the two make their way to Vegas on the excuse that there is a dirt bike/ buggy race that needs to be covered. Duke is a journalist. I have no idea if Duke really is a journalist or if the Attorney is able to pull all these strings to get fake badges or what. While reading this story you feel like you too are on drugs.
Back to the review. Duke and the Attorney are on a TON of DRUGS. The entire time they are in Vegas they get into one pickle after another. All while being completely drugged out on uppers and downers. I'm surprised they lived through this whole ordeal.
This could be magical realism or a contemporary fantasy. Who knows. That's the beauty of the book. It's like reading Entertainment Weekly or watching the Kardashians. It's for entertainment only. You will not learn anything new from reading this graphic novel. You will however, laugh out loud and be completely confused.
If you love the movie or the book or both...check this graphic novel out.
September 2, 2015
This is the graphic novel version of the book and a weird story of a trip to Las Vegas. A trip in more ways than one.
I hadn't read the print version of the story so this was an excellent way to acquaint myself with the book.
The artwork is good although there are long paragraphs of text instead of speech bubbles. The story hits the ground running and we are plunged into a crazed drug- hazed drive to Las Vegas. Then a stop is made to pick up a hitch hiker and are given the back story. How did the main character come to be driving to Las Vegas with his attorney and a car load of drugs?
And then we are taken on the drive down to Las Vegas and to the racing event they are supposed to be covering and from there we follow the story as the two men explore the city, accompanied by a range of drugs and hallucinations.
It is a hair raising novel to say the least. The graphics are brilliant in the way they convey the insanity of the ride. Quite an exhilarating but nail biting read.
As I read it I was waiting for the crash because there was no way this story was going to end quietly but it kind of ended as it started.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
I hadn't read the print version of the story so this was an excellent way to acquaint myself with the book.
The artwork is good although there are long paragraphs of text instead of speech bubbles. The story hits the ground running and we are plunged into a crazed drug- hazed drive to Las Vegas. Then a stop is made to pick up a hitch hiker and are given the back story. How did the main character come to be driving to Las Vegas with his attorney and a car load of drugs?
And then we are taken on the drive down to Las Vegas and to the racing event they are supposed to be covering and from there we follow the story as the two men explore the city, accompanied by a range of drugs and hallucinations.
It is a hair raising novel to say the least. The graphics are brilliant in the way they convey the insanity of the ride. Quite an exhilarating but nail biting read.
As I read it I was waiting for the crash because there was no way this story was going to end quietly but it kind of ended as it started.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
August 16, 2016
I was always curious about Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but a novel about two men going on a drug binge while spending a weekend in Vegas just didn't sound like something I wanted to invest my time in.
I happened to stumble onto this graphic novel while making a quick stop at my library. I had no idea it was a graphic novel. I really enjoyed reading it. The art was awesome, and it did a great job of disorienting you at times so that you fit right into the book. I will not be picking up the novel, but I'm glad that I at least know the gist of it now. 4/5
I happened to stumble onto this graphic novel while making a quick stop at my library. I had no idea it was a graphic novel. I really enjoyed reading it. The art was awesome, and it did a great job of disorienting you at times so that you fit right into the book. I will not be picking up the novel, but I'm glad that I at least know the gist of it now. 4/5
January 16, 2016
This was totally outrageous. A thrilling crash course on drug abuse and subversion. The artwork was amazing, the writing could be better, I mean, considering the nature of the subject matter did a lot to make the characters come off a littl flat and two-dimensional. But all in all, it was a cool read.
November 14, 2015
I received a copy of this for free from NetGalley
Brilliant art. This was just as weird and wonderful as I had hoped it would be.
Brilliant art. This was just as weird and wonderful as I had hoped it would be.
November 14, 2017
10 things I learned from reading this:
1.) Hunter S. Thompson's entire life should probably be told in the graphic novel format.
2.) Drug logic is what Mr. Spock would call "highly illogical."
3.) If Hunter S. Thompson is telling you that you're messed up, then you are really off the rails.
4.) Everything that happens in this story is the consequence of a lack of moderation.
5.) Just when you think that none of this story is going to make any sense you will encounter a section that is cogent, enlightened, and a truly accurate reflection of its time period.
6.) It would be totally bad ass to travel everywhere with your own personal attorney, especially one that can seemingly, magically produce knives from thin air.
7.) I will never know what happened to Lucy.
8.) You could get a hamburger for 29 cents and 5 tacos for a dollar at the time this was written.
9.) If I had to spend a weekend in Vegas with Hunter S. Thompson there is a very strong possibility that he would have been knocked out and chained up in the trunk of the red shark within two hours.
10.) I know I promised you 10 things but I could only think of 9. It feels like I'm missing something or like I am supposed to comment on the American Dream and how Vegas is its antithesis but whatever. You'll just have to settle for 9.
1.) Hunter S. Thompson's entire life should probably be told in the graphic novel format.
2.) Drug logic is what Mr. Spock would call "highly illogical."
3.) If Hunter S. Thompson is telling you that you're messed up, then you are really off the rails.
4.) Everything that happens in this story is the consequence of a lack of moderation.
5.) Just when you think that none of this story is going to make any sense you will encounter a section that is cogent, enlightened, and a truly accurate reflection of its time period.
6.) It would be totally bad ass to travel everywhere with your own personal attorney, especially one that can seemingly, magically produce knives from thin air.
7.) I will never know what happened to Lucy.
8.) You could get a hamburger for 29 cents and 5 tacos for a dollar at the time this was written.
9.) If I had to spend a weekend in Vegas with Hunter S. Thompson there is a very strong possibility that he would have been knocked out and chained up in the trunk of the red shark within two hours.
10.) I know I promised you 10 things but I could only think of 9. It feels like I'm missing something or like I am supposed to comment on the American Dream and how Vegas is its antithesis but whatever. You'll just have to settle for 9.
August 30, 2021
Turning Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas into a graphic novel feels almost tantamount to sacrilege, but Troy Little embraces the drug-fuelled mania of this infamous road-trip and delivers a fun tribute to the madcap antics of America’s favourite gonzo journalist. Little’s cleaner art style can’t touch Ralph Steadman’s brilliant cartoons, however.
November 20, 2023
It’s fine. Just not my cup of tea. Graphic novel version was weird. Spent most of my time trying to keep my kids from reading it 😂. I’m told I missed out on some great prose by not reading the written version.
January 21, 2019
Not a replacement for the original book, but an interesting graphic novel adaptation. It felt more like I was reading the movie. The art was acceptable and worked fine.
August 27, 2019
This was a nostalgic read for me. 18 year old me was obsessed with the movie, adult me however not as much.
May 6, 2020
A pretty faithful retelling of Tompson's book in graphic format. This format seems ideal for this book and I enjoyed it quite a lot, probably better than I did the original.
December 6, 2020
3.5/5
October 19, 2015
Wicked adaption!
I love the original story of Fear and Loathing by Hunter S. Thompson. Also loved the film that starred, Johnny Depp. Now I have another story to love!
The illustrations bring to life the one-of-a-kind character, Raoul Duke and his dodgy lawyer, Dr. Gonzo. These two are on a drug-fueled adventure of epic proportions through Las Vegas. Between the drugs and paranoia, you get a mish-mash of things going on, and yet the all make sense and work.
This is definitely one of those stories that you will either love or hate. I guess it depends on if you are a fan of these kind of stories, and I don't mean graphic novels, I mean the content. I like those topics in stories, so it was a great read for me. Highly reminiscent of what I already know to be the story, but with more drugs and misadventures.
If you're a Hunter S. Thompson fan, check it out. I think Troy did a great job of adding to these characters.
I love the original story of Fear and Loathing by Hunter S. Thompson. Also loved the film that starred, Johnny Depp. Now I have another story to love!
The illustrations bring to life the one-of-a-kind character, Raoul Duke and his dodgy lawyer, Dr. Gonzo. These two are on a drug-fueled adventure of epic proportions through Las Vegas. Between the drugs and paranoia, you get a mish-mash of things going on, and yet the all make sense and work.
This is definitely one of those stories that you will either love or hate. I guess it depends on if you are a fan of these kind of stories, and I don't mean graphic novels, I mean the content. I like those topics in stories, so it was a great read for me. Highly reminiscent of what I already know to be the story, but with more drugs and misadventures.
If you're a Hunter S. Thompson fan, check it out. I think Troy did a great job of adding to these characters.
March 15, 2016
I thought this was a smart adaptation of the original. I really love when full length novels or even movies are adapted into comics. Expressing the same ideas across mediums often lends a fresh perspective to a classic and I felt that with this version. The art style was there and over all I just really got a kick out of it. I would definitely recommend it. Not to mention the actual art and color scheme really set this up to be a beautiful print.
November 4, 2015
Actually I loved this graphic novel much more than the book, that I didn't like at all even if it was the first example of the so called "Gonzo Journalism".
Questa graphic novel mi é piaciuta molto molto di piú del libro, che per essere precisi non mi é piaciuto per niente, pur essendo il primo esempio di quello che poi veniva chiamato il "Gonzo Journalism".
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND DIAMOND BOOK DISTRIBUTORS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Questa graphic novel mi é piaciuta molto molto di piú del libro, che per essere precisi non mi é piaciuto per niente, pur essendo il primo esempio di quello che poi veniva chiamato il "Gonzo Journalism".
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND DIAMOND BOOK DISTRIBUTORS FOR THE PREVIEW!
November 3, 2015
Well, what can I say? I loved the art. I haven't read Thompson's book and never had any desire to, but it's one of those books always on the classic or must-read book lists. Now I can finally feel like I'm not missing out but don't have to put myself through the torture of actually reading the book. What a horrid story. I hated it and can't fathom why this is a "classic". I'm glad to have experienced it in the graphic novel format, though.
November 9, 2015
This is a wonderful adaptation of Thompson's classic novel. Troy Little's art does what Steadman's art did in the original text...but without being derivative in any way. And this is actually a more cohesive and understandable adaptation than Gilliam's film version. We are discussing this book for an upcoming publisher spotlight on Top Shelf for The Comics Alternative.
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January 4, 2016It's really hard for me to separate my distaste for the subject matter from Little's graphic adaptation. The art, while initially off-putting due to its cartoonishness, eventually persuades the reader that it is entirely appropriate to the work. But I have never connected with/appreciated/respected drug culture, so as a whole the book had little positive impact on me.
January 17, 2018
Best thing about this is that it's a bit quicker than the book. However, the very thing that makes it quicker (less text) removes or diminishes the few meaningful parts of useful social commentary. What the reader/viewer is left with is a graphic novel of debauchery without historical or social context.
December 22, 2021
Very nice visualisation of Hunter S. Thompson's perfect takedown of the American Dream. What made Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas so good though was the personal visualisation. Troy Little does a tremendous job and has an exceptionally gifted art style, used tremendously within, but the best bits of Fear and Loathing were the fear and loathing the mind conjured up on its own, without guidance.
May 13, 2016
"We're looking for the American Dream, and we were told it was somewhere in this area."
August 9, 2018
The art is dope but a 5-day bender in Vegas can only stay interesting for so long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews