My notes for this graphic novel adaptation are “Art pretty story good existential screaming survival,” which sums up nicely. 

John Jennings and Damian Duffy’s adaptation of Parable of the Sower is my first encounter with the story. And Jesus Christ on the cross is it harrowing. Lauren’s journey runs parallel to ours, about fifteen minutes to the left. In a USA devastated by climate change, gun violence, and wealth inequality (sound familiar?), Lauren’s family huddles in a gated community. Billionaires explore Mars (sound familiar??). Lauren realizes that no one around her wants to face the truth—something’s gotta give, change is inevitable, and they must prepare. Her premonition bears fruit, and the fragile peace is shattered when drug-addled pyromaniacs burn the neighborhood down. Lauren and the two other survivors walk the empty highways northward, and Lauren shares her new philosophy that God is Change, and, by changing, we can shape God. She calls it Earthseed. 

Reading the comics was a RIDE. The only thing missing was sourcing the constant fires to climate change, electrical companies, and gender reveal parties. While Butler’s other heroines deal in survival, this theme was ever-present here. Especially since Lauren is so young. The novel will let the reader forget her mere eighteen years for a bit before slamming Lauren’s youth into the narrative and reminding you of the colossal unfairness of it all: how no young person should deal with this; how the older generation is failing their children. 

Duffy and Jennings’ art brought the story to visceral light. The harshness of the world translated to harsh lines on characters’ faces. The fires were eye-searingly bright. I could hear the crackling. While the art lasered directly into my tender face, the story missed a couple beats. Thankfully, my wife has read Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, so I could ask her why the stepmom was like that or if we’re really supposed to not know Lauren’s father’s fate. 

All in all, Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation is a solid piece of art. If you want a crash course on Butler’s novel, I do recommended. I’ll reserve my five stars for the book, where all my questions are answered satisfactorily.