Niourk

by Stefan Wul, Olivier Vatine (Illustrator)

Overview

On a post-apocalyptic Earth, where mankind has regressed to a handful of primitive tribes hunting and foraging for a meager, oppressed existence, a lone black child, shunned by other members of his tribe, sets out on an epic journey to what used to be known as New York, land of the gods! Written by Stefan Wul, author of cult favorite Fantastic Planet, illustrated by acclaimed French comics artist Olivier Vatine, this unusual hero's journey is a memorable examination of a child's compassion -- and the human race's cruelty.


   • Post-apocalyptic sci-fi from the author of Fantastic Planet!

   • First time published in English!

   • Inspiring story, phenomenal artwork - European graphic novels at their finest!

   • Discover the mystery of the fate of Planet Earth!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781630089764
Publisher:	Dark Horse Comics
Publication date:	02/13/2018
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	59 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Stefan Wul was the nom de plume of the French science fiction writer Pierre Pairault. He was a dental surgeon, but science fiction was his real passion. Most of his books reflect that, showing a deep knowledge of scientific data. Pairault retired from dental surgery in 1989, but remained active in the French science fiction scene.

He published eleven novels between 1956 and 1959 and a twelfth in 1977. One, Le Temple du Passé was translated into English, as The Temple of the Past in 1973. His fame outside of French-speaking countries is instead due to the animated adaptations of two of his novels by the animator and film director René Laloux. Oms en série, which Laloux filmed in 1973, was translated into English in 2010 and published under the film's title, Fantastic Planet.

Editorial Reviews

02/26/2018
Vatine (Cixi of Troy) brings a classic of European literature to English readers in this evocative graphic novel adaptation of the 1957 French SF novel by Stefan Wul. Dark Child—a young black boy living in a kind of nouveau primal tribe on a post-apocalyptic Earth—journeys across a landscape reclaimed by wilderness following nuclear disaster. After he and his tribe eat an irradiated squid, they get increased strength and intelligence, but only Dark Child escapes eventual death by radiation poisoning. Alone, Dark Child walks to the mysterious place known as Niourk—New York. An encounter with human survivors, descendants of Earthlings who fled to Mars, accelerates his evolution into a superbeing who can reshape reality. Vatine’s rendering of future Earth is filled with wild and weird organics and dreamlike, alien visions, juxtaposing mundane objects (a shopping cart, the Brooklyn Bridge) against fantastical ones. Rich colors and sharp printing highlight the excellent production value. With visual echoes of Planet of the Apes and Jack Kirby’s Kamandi (although the original source novel predates both), this strange and poignant story imagines humankind’s steps to the brink of annihilation and back again. Fans of the genre will find Vatine’s optimistic twist on standard tropes provocative. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 04/01/2018
In the far, far future, the oceans have mysteriously receded and the denizens of Earth have regressed into groups of primitive tribes foraging for survival. With resources rapidly dwindling, there is little hope until a lone child outcast ventures into a fabled city of the Gods and discovers technology far beyond his understanding. Convinced that he has been chosen to lead his people, and accompanied by a tame bear, the boy sets out on a quest toward a northern promised land known as New York. That's when the gigantic, intelligent cephalopods arrive, and a little bit later, some robots. Based on the novel by French author Wul, the man behind the cult hit Fantastic Planet, and beautifully adapted by Vatine (Trio Grande: Adios Palomita), this epic and idiosyncratic adventure renders big ideas about the human capacity for compassion, cruelty, and survival. VERDICT Even the most widely read sf dystopia aficionado won't see all the twists and turns. A total thrill from start to finish.—TB

Library Journal