Ray Bradbury’s unique style and voice shines through in The Illustrated Man. This collection is comprised of a series of short stories that are tied together on the back (literally) of the Illustrated Man, an enigmatic figure who is covered in tattoos. Look closely, and the inked images spin into tales of even stranger inklings.

Building on the lore and intrigue of The Martian Chronicles, Bradbury further adds to the cannon storyline of his peculiar multiverse. My favorite entries, including: “The Veldt,” “The Fox and Forest,” as well as “Marionettes, Inc.” all truly felt like stories etched onto the body of a mysterious vagrant. It is also this type of elevated, vivid, visually-driven horror that I could easily see being adapted into a Twilight Zone or Black Mirror esque creation.

Departing from the horror, tales like “The Other Foot” and “The Rocket” that play with tension but are ultimately hopeful and sweet, are also worth mentioning. Perhaps they are indicative of the Illustrated Man’s softer inclinations? That’s hard to say. After all is said and done, I was still left a bit frustrated at not really knowing who the Illustrated Man really was at heart (or gaping blackhole where a heart should be located). Thematically diverse, these stories ultimately do not add up to a greater sum as eloquently as The Martian Chronicles, though nitpicking aside are still quite entertaining.

Ultimately, The Illustrated Man is a good collection and has my recommendation. Bradbury wrote wholesome horror just as well as Agatha Christie wrote wholesome (murder) mystery, which is a tonally challenging milieu to pin down. Good stuff.

Rating: 3.5 stars