Graphic Novel Review: Cormac McCarthy’s The Road: A Graphic Adaptation by Manu Larcenet

Posted on February 6, 2025 at 8:39 am by Gene Ambaum

Cormac McCarthy’s The Road: A Graphic Adaptation by Manu Larcenet. Harry N. Abrams, 2024. 9781419776779. 160pp. Includes Larcenet’s letter to McCarthy about the book at the end.

I’ve read a few graphic novels drawn by Larcenet that I really enjoyed — Ordinary Victories, plus a few volumes of Sfar and Trondheim’s Dungeon series — but both were drawn in a simpler style. The stark, realistic way Larcenet adapts McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic novel is stunning, and makes me feel like it’s time to look more deeply into his work.

The story follows a father and son struggling through a wasteland of ash and destruction, trying to get to the ocean and maybe some semblance of safety. The two are wrapped in stained, dark clothing. They’re also starving. The pair avoid others out to do whatever it takes to survive and struggle to be good guys.

The book is drawn in color, but it’s hard to tell on most pages. There’s a bit of color when the sun is up, and some when they’re able to risk a fire or light a lamp. But the most vivid color at the beginning of the book is from packaging, on a box of matches and a soda can, things left over from the way people used to live.

Worth noting: Larcenet apparently attempts to follow McCarthy’s novel and avoid any reference to the film adaptation. I haven’t read McCarthy’s book. If you have, please tell me if Larcenet manages to do this. It’s so unlike the film I feel like he succeeded, but I’d love an informed opinion.

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