Get ready to appreciate middle initials, it’s time for So You Want To Read Comics a weekly feature where we take a look at a single topic, then offer a pair of comic book recommendations for new readers, based on that topic.  This week we’re taking a look at the works of Philip K. Dick.

Philip K. Dick’s impact on the world of not only literature but entertainment as a whole is hard to quantify. His works not only helped usher in the postmodernism movement as well as laying some of the groundwork for the cyberpunk genre.   Known for being deeply philosophical and how they tackle themes like identity, reality, consciousness, humanity, and personality, Philip K. Dick’s stories have long been a fertile source of content for those wishing to adapt.   Over 20 of his works have been adapted into film.  Blade Runner, A Scanner Darkly, The Man In The High Castle, Total Recall, and Minority Report, can all be attributed to this one author.  His stories have also been adapted to television, radio, video games and yes, comic books.

Here are a couple of comic book recommendations for those who have enjoyed Philip K. Dick’s stories, or their various adaptations.

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?

Writer: Philip K. Dick
Artist: Tony Parker
Publisher: BOOM! Studios

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Most likely better known for it’s loose adaptation, Blade Runner,  Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Was originally published in 1968 and told the story of Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who is tasked with tracking down and killing 6 renegade androids who look exactly like humans.  It’s probably one of his most well known stories and it just so happens that BOOM! Studios adapted it into a 24 issue series.  What makes this adaptation so unique is that it didn’t really cut anything.  A lot of the original prose even makes it in via narration boxes and extended dialog sequences.  The added artwork and change in format helps enhance the story especially for those who have already read it. This series finds a nice balance between a traditional book and a comic book and helps to not only introduce fans of Philip K. Dick to comics, but also the vice versa.

THE ELECTRIC ANT

Writer: David Mack
Artist: Pascal Alixe
Publisher: Marvel Comics

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Based on a short story originally published in 1969,  The Electric Ant is the comic book adaptation of the story of Garson Poole.  Garson is a robot who realizes he has the ability to change reality around him, or maybe just his perception of it?  What follows is a harrowing tale that challenges what we think is real and what isn’t.  Also touching on themes of free will and purpose.  The Electric Ant is a comic book series that will leave the reader questioning a lot of things, which is one of the hallmarks of Philip K. Dick’s writing.  While not as complete of an adaptation as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The Electric Ant manages to make the jump from traditional prose to comic book well, while also shining new light on things by giving it a visual element.

What did you think of these recommendations?  Do you have some suggestions of your own?  Let us know in the comments section below.

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