The Death of Stalin (Graphic Novel)

by Fabien Nury (Created by), Thierry Robin (Illustrator)

Overview

The graphic novel that inspired the new Armando Iannucci movie which includes an all-star cast – Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jason Isaacs, Michael Palin, and Jeffrey Tambor.

Fear, corruption and treachery abound in this political satire set in the aftermath of Stalin’s death in the Soviet Union in 1953.
 
When the leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, has a stroke - the political gears begin to turn, plunging the super-state into darkness, uncertainty and near civil war. The struggle for supreme power will determine the fate of the nation and of the world. And it all really happened.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785863400
Publisher:	Titan
Publication date:	07/25/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	120
Sales rank:	514,982
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Fabien Nury – Born in France in 1976, Fabien Nury is a critically acclaimed comics writer.
 
Thierry Robin - Born in 1958 in Damery, Thierry Robin was first introduced to comics while attending the School of Fine Arts in Reims. His partnership with Fabien Nury has garnered critical and commercial success, first with The Death of Stalin and subsequently The Death of The Tsar.

Editorial Reviews

"Within minutes of starting to read the graphic novel, I knew I wanted to make the movie version." - Armando Iannucci, writer/director (The Death of Stalin, Veep, In The Loop, The Thick of It)

"Read the Death of Stalin and just loved it. I started laughing the moment he died!" - David Mandel, showrunner of HBO's Veep, writer of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, and SNL

"Oozing with sleazy, appalling chicanery, the narrative by writer Nury (I Am Legion) and artist Robin (Death to the Tsar) captures a turbulent and disturbing period with solid visual storytelling. Robin depicts the sordid goings-on with elegant caricatures that give a clear view of the complete and utter awfulness of the cast, adding enough historical flair to nail down the era. It’s proof of the theory that tragedy plus time equals (very dark) comedy." - Publishers Weekly

"Juicy and engrossing, this story speaks of a style in political machinations going back centuries and inspiring both revulsion and twisted admiration." - Library Journal

"It’s a fun take on history that’ll have you researching what’s true and what’s close to the truth. But the key is, through all the weird, the story is beyond entertaining. 9 out of 10" - Graphic Policy

"One of the better political comedies to grace the comics page in recent years... expertly handled by writer Fabien Nury and artists Theirry Robin and Lorien Aureyre" - Vulture

"If you like scathing black comedy with a lot on its mind, you can't do better than The Death of Stalin. 9 out of 10" - Capeless Crusader

It doesn’t matter if you’re into historical events, everyone needs to pick this novel up." - Yelling About Comics

"An entertaining novel" - Flickering Myth

"A wonderful political thriller with some insight to the state of the USSR at the time of Stalin’s death" - Rogues Portal

"A fascinating examination of insanity and treachery" - Multiversity Comics

"The book is visually striking and unexpectedly cinematic" - Shelf Abuse

"A fantastic, satirical take on the course of events." - Grovel

From the Publisher

★ 09/01/2017
Having murdered millions of his countrymen without cause, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin (1878–1953) suffered his own end entangled in the fear he inspired. Inert from a stroke, Stalin remained unexamined for hours since his staff thought him drunk and dangerous. When deemed ill, his highest political associates put off assisting him, and his doctors proceeded ineptly since he had arrested the top physicians on ungrounded suspicions. But his actual death was only the beginning of a spy vs. spy-type power struggle among the Communist Party's Central Committee over who would now lead the nation. This darkly funny, satirical version draws on real events, originally reported only partially and with contradictions. Nury's (coauthor with Robin, Death to the Tsar) script finds excellent realization in Robin's strongly etched characterizations, crafted in sepia/grey splashed with blood-red. VERDICT Juicy and engrossing, this story speaks of a style in political machinations going back centuries and inspiring both revulsion and twisted admiration. Teens and adults following the current political scene will appreciate the background about our most powerful national frenemy. Note the forthcoming film from Armando Iannucci.—MC

Library Journal

01/01/2018
Gr 10 Up—The cinematic quality of this graphic novel is evident from its first page, which portrays a cast of secretive, scheming politicians; a dying tyrant; and messy family politics. All the while, the fate of communism hangs in the balance. The visuals depict long, darkened hallways and conversations observed from far above, regimented order and chaos coming in equal measure. Shadowy artwork with the slightest sparks of Soviet red adds to the spy film feel. But for all the intrigue, the story is simple. Joseph Stalin has a debilitating stroke: his henchmen scramble to deal with it, conceal the circumstances of his death, silence his family, and keep their tenuous power over the Russian people in place without their figurehead. Some sex, violence, and strong language make this an appropriate read for more mature teenage readers. VERDICT Overall, there's more mood than content in this slim, slick volume, which makes for an intriguing if incomplete read.—Emilia Packard, Austin, TX

School Library Journal