Agatha Christie- Graphic Novels

Have you discovered any of the graphic novels of Agatha Christie's works? Her crime novels, as well as being adapted into films, plays and on television, have been reworked into wonderful comic style books.

'Famed for her crime masterpieces, Agatha Christie's books have become the best-selling in the world, appealing to readers young and old for their ingenious plots and immediately recognizable characters.
The stories have also transcended the printed page, become bestselling audiobooks and award-winning films, plays and television series. Now words and pictures combine in an exciting new way of telling these stories -- full-colour graphic novels which enhance the original stories and offer a completely new way of enjoying some of the world's most popular and exciting mysteries.'
from agathachristie.com

Not all of her books have been adapted, but here is the list so far of graphic novels:

Hercule Poirot:

The Murder on the Links
Murder on the Orient Express
Death on the Nile
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
The Mystery of the Blue Train
The Big Four
Murder in Mesopotamia
Hallowe'en Party
Peril at End House
Dumb Witness
Cards on the Table
Five Little Pigs
Dead Man's Folly
Evil Under the Sun

Miss Marple: 

The Murder at the Vicarage

Non Poirot/Marple:

The Secret of Chimneys
The Man in the Brown Suit
And Then There Were None
Endless Night
Ordeal by Innocence

Tommy and Tuppence:
The Secret Adversary
 
As you can see, the list is rather Poirot heavy, with only one Miss Marple adaptation. Perhaps she or the stories doesn't come across very well in this format? There are also many of the classic stories, such as And Then There Were None.

I think it is great that the books have been relaunched, and it is a good way of keeping them up to date. Younger readers will enjoy them, and perhaps then go on to read the full length novel. I feel that the stories are so iconic, the shorter version books can easily be read alongside the novel.

I particularly like the way they have captured Poirot, exactly as I would imagine him!

Murder on the Orient Express (left) and Death on the Nile

Of course, in order to shorten the books the dialogue has been simplified a little bit but none of the plot has been lost. I think the best versions are those of stories set in Egypt, such as Death on the Nile. I love the drawings of the famous monuments, and they add to the atmosphere.

The only complaint I have is that flashback sequences don't work quite as well as they do in the books.

If you are looking for another format of your favourite Christie story, then why not try one of these? I am shortly going to have a blog post comparing the two, starting with Dead Man's Folly (with my favourite Ariadne Oliver). Keep an eye out for it!




Do you think you would enjoy these books? Or do you think that it is best to read the full length novels? Please leave a comment and let me know!