The War of the Worlds: Thunder Child is written by Matthew Hardy and Rob Jones and published by Titan Comics. Artwork is by Kevin Castaniero, colours by Simon Gough and letters by Rob Jones. Main cover art (left) is by Tim Dowler.
The War of the Worlds: Thunder Child is available from June 30, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
This story follows the exploits of the crew of the eponymous ironclad torpedo ram, the HMS Thunder Child. Set alongside the events of Wells’ novel, this tale unfolds against a backdrop of strange occurrences and creeping terror, culminating in the Thunder Child’s final heroic showdown with the invaders from Mars.
Review
H.G. Wells’ iconic novel War of the Worlds has seen countless adaptations over the years, from films to TV shows to albums and even a stage show. Now, courtesy of Matthew Hardy and Rob Jones, War of the Worlds is getting the comic book treatment with this new graphic novel that takes a different approach and focuses on the perspective of the HMS Thunder Child and its crew.
In the original book, the titular ship only makes a brief appearance during an epic battle with the Martian machines but here it takes centre stage. If someone is going to bring a fresh voice or POV to a beloved piece of literature, note the many cinematic retellings of books such as Dracula or Frankenstein, sometimes it is best to approach from an entirely new angle, and that is where this comic really comes into its own.
The book quickly and confidently establishes the core crew members of the ship, each character bringing their own personality to the table in a way that seems faithful to the time period and unique to them. As events worsen and the Martian invasion grows more intense, we see the crew pushed to their absolute limits in an engrossing manner that humanises the people that have never had a voice in the story until now.
The story is occasionally broken up by extracts from H.G. Wells’ original book which effectively reinforces the respect and admiration the team have for the source material while continuing the thematic core that the comic keeps leaning on. Hardy and Jones also make the bold choice of taking the crew off the boat and putting them amongst raging land battles with the Martian attackers. This decision does the simple but effective job of taking this crew’s singularly unique perspective of the invasion and put it headfirst into the dreaded reality of the book we all know.
However, where this book really shines is with Kevin Castaniero’s artwork which excels during the quieter character driven moments as much as it does during the bloodshed and violence. The brooding reds that indicate the oncoming aliens to the deep blues of the night sky, the vivid colours along with the viscerally detailed illustrations make the visuals just as engaging as the writing.
The War of the Worlds: Thunder Child is a truly brilliant bit of work that doesn’t just pay homage and embrace H.G. Wells’ classic book but expands upon it in way that feels fresh. The choice to focus on something that made up just a minor part of the source material help flesh out and ground the events of the original text, breathing new life into a story that has been around for years.
Verdict
The War of the Worlds: Thunder Child is a must-read for fans of the classic novel. It presents a fresh perspective on the original story, with fantastic artwork and writing that both respects and expands the source material in a genuinely compelling manner.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also members of the Forbidden Planet Affiliate Program.
