Gulliver's Travels

Written in the 18th century, Swift's novel is a satirical look at life in that period through the adventures of Dr. Lemuel Gulliver. It has set the standard for biting, cynical, and crude literary irony, so it stands to reason that this modern retelling would follow suit. The contemporary Gulliver is a direct descendant of the original traveler and unwittingly shares his ancestor's fate when he falls from a helicopter and awakens on the island of Lilliput. From there, British cartoonist Rowson's pace is breathless: jokes, commentary, and wry observations are hurled at the reader one after another. It can be hard at times to absorb everything that is happening, and Rowson leans heavily on his readers having a firm grasp of the original story. The artwork is similarly frenetic. Strong composition and contrast anchor the pages and allow Rowson to pack his panels full of little details and subtle jokes.