Rock Island, Illinois -- 1929. Michael O'Sullivan is a good father and a family man -- and also the chief enforcer for John Looney, the town's I... read full description
reviews
May 10, 2011
Justin
rated it: 
Just read Ghost World, and now followed it up with another graphic novel that got made into a movie. I never saw Road to Perdition when it came out, but finally watched it a couple months ago, and was quite surprised at how much I loved it. This book, the source material for Sam Mendes' film, is considerably different than the film in many respects. As I did with Ghost World, I feel the film's modifications improved the story a great deal. A lot of the character relationships are much more f
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Nov 02, 2010
Danny
rated it: 
Over the course of an evening I read this novel, and it was the first graphic novel I had actually read. I feel like this story is heavily influenced by Japanese Samurai culture. O'Sullivan, the main character alongside his son, was previously a soldier learned in the art of war, and coming from a lower class Irish family he finds little opportunity after the war than through the same art, working with the mafia. He is skilled in his profession and is apparently unmatched, while still focusing o
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Oct 21, 2010
Tyler
rated it:
I saw the movie version of this years ago, and while I remember liking it overall, I don't really remember the particulars anymore, so it's hard to do a comparison. That said, I thought this was a solid, middle-of-the-road, interesting-but-unexceptional gangster tale. The note at the end of the book says the story is largely based on real events, which has me curious to find out how close the narrative was to what actually happened. But, the storyline itself, while dramatic, wasn't particularly
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May 12, 2010
Ice
rated it:
Originally published as a single-volume graphic novel in 1998, this is the comics work upon which the Tom Hanks movie is based. It's the story of Michael O'Sullivan, a feared and religiously inclined mob hit man who's brutally betrayed-and the fierce vengeance he wreaks. It's 1930 and O'Sullivan works for the Looneys, an Irish mob family with a stranglehold on the politics and businesses of a small Midwestern city. Curious about his dad's mysterious "job," Michael Jr. stows away in his
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Nov 28, 2009
Tom
rated it:
I loved the film Road to Perdition and loved the sequel book, Road to Purgatory, so when I saw Road to Perdition the graphic novel being sold used for two bucks, I thought I won a prize. I'm glad I read the book, but now I'm wondering if the movie did a terrible job adapting it or if the novel should have been adapted at all.
The book is very different from the movie, including the ending, which was night and day from the finale in the film. Jude Law's character isn't even in the nove More...
The book is very different from the movie, including the ending, which was night and day from the finale in the film. Jude Law's character isn't even in the nove More...
Sep 21, 2011
Jason
rated it:
The art in this graphic novel (the inspiration for the Sam Mendes movie of the same name) isn't exactly Dave Gibbons doing Watchmen (more like the sketchy black and white of From Hell), but the story is pretty solid. It's clear the movie followed a lot of Collins' ideas for the story line, but there are some significant changes in the film version, particularly in the last third of the plot, that make reading the graphic novel an essentially new experience even if you have seen the movie. I'd
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Nov 12, 2011
Mike
rated it:
It is rare to say that the movie is better than the book, but the film is better than this book. To be fair, I saw the film first, they aren’t quite the same, and so my expectations may have influenced my reception of this graphic novel. Still, I found the story less interesting and the telling less skilled. Collins overwrites, not allowing the pictures to do their share of the work, but having said so, I admit that the artist is not the best story teller. I think the movie plot improves on the
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Sep 18, 2011
Federiken
rated it:
Lo leí en la edición integral de Panini, pero marco esta porque es la única individual en castellano que encontré. En cuanto al contenido en sí: impresionante una de las mejores historias de gángsters que leí. Está bien, leí poco y nada del género. Pero lo conozco, como todo el mundo, de películas que abordan la época y la temática (aunque, lo admito, tampoco he visto tantas), y cómo encaran el tema del noble asesino en desgracia, cómo lo desarrollan y cómo lo narran, simplemente impecable. Sobr
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Jan 25, 2009
Jack
rated it:
I got this book as one of ten in a "Book Group in a Box" kit from the California Center for the Book. Sadly I won't be able to read it with the group of middle schoolers that are going to participate in the book group though.
This was a pretty good read and definitely beautifully illustrated, but felt that it suffered a bit for it's abruptness and ridiculously over-the-top and graphic violence. I had a similar problem with the movie: there's a lesson in this story about More...
This was a pretty good read and definitely beautifully illustrated, but felt that it suffered a bit for it's abruptness and ridiculously over-the-top and graphic violence. I had a similar problem with the movie: there's a lesson in this story about More...
Feb 17, 2009
Rachel
rated it:
In the 1930’s depression era, gangsters and mobsters were real and not just actors on popular T.V shows like The Sopranos. The graphic novel, Road to Perdition, is about a real life mobster story that took place in the TriCities area of Iowa and Illinois. Michael O’Sullivan, otherwise known as the “Angel of Death,” serves as the main hitman for Mr. Looney, a mobster and compatriot of Al Capone. When O’Sullivan shows up at your doorstep you know you have wronged Mr. Looney and you probably won’t
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May 18, 2008
Joe
rated it:
Solid story, immaculate art style, but still middle of the road. We've seen it all before.
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Aug 03, 2009
Hannah
rated it:
Let me just say that yes, I've seen the movie, and it was great, but I couldn't remember the plot of it for some reason. Well, here's the basis of the movie, and for a pen-and-ink drawn novel, the art is just... wow. It's very realistic, with details abound. I'm not too hot about the cover, it looks weird and its strange "happy" vibe doesn't match the story at all. The story isn't too engrossing, since it's a pretty straightforward revenge plot, but if you're looking for astounding lin
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Dec 22, 2011
Jelinas
rated it:
I watched the film version first, so maybe I'm a little biased, but I wasn't too terribly impressed by this graphic novel. I mean, it was pretty good, and the artwork was excellent, but it just didn't have the same impact on me as the film did.
Road to Perdition is a graphic novel about Michael O'Sullivan, an enforcer for the Looneys, an Irish mob family. The Looneys betray Michael and his vengeance is great. Along with his son, Michael Jr., he takes his revenge on the Looney family for More...
Road to Perdition is a graphic novel about Michael O'Sullivan, an enforcer for the Looneys, an Irish mob family. The Looneys betray Michael and his vengeance is great. Along with his son, Michael Jr., he takes his revenge on the Looney family for More...
Nov 05, 2010
Carly
rated it: 
2003
In the Prohibition Era, a time where America’s underworld provided the only real law, Michael O’Sullivan is the chief enforcer of the Looneys, an Irish mob family. He is a religious family man and ex-soldier, who became the most feared assassin of the time, nicknamed “Angel of Death”. One day his young son Michael Jr, determined to discover his father’s true profession, stows away in his father’s car, and accidentally witnesses murder. The Looneys, fearful that the boy w More...
Jun 18, 2008
Kevin
rated it: 
Michael O'Sullivan, Jr., has always been fascinated by the secretive job his father has with a local mob boss named John Looney. So, one day in 1930, Michael hides in the backseat of his father's car and travels with him and another man named Connor Looney (John's son) to his "place of employment" and winds up as a witness to a mob hit. As it turns out, the father he has always loved and respected is known in mob circles as the "Archangel of Death" for his skill as a hitman.
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Jul 25, 2009
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
rated it:
Saw the movie last night
and thought it might be interesting
to compare the movie with the graphic novel.
Book and movie were quite dissimilar.
I did not really like either. The book
was much more violent than the movie, but
I did find the book's ending more satisfying
than that of the movie.
and thought it might be interesting
to compare the movie with the graphic novel.
Book and movie were quite dissimilar.
I did not really like either. The book
was much more violent than the movie, but
I did find the book's ending more satisfying
than that of the movie.
Nov 05, 2010
Patrick
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 11, 2010
Nick
rated it:
Having read only one other graphic novel, The Watchmen, I came into this one with high expectations. Those expectations were not met, however it is not all bad. The story is enjoyable for the most part, and the illustrations are entertaining. The big wiff here is that the illustrator never met the author, and I feel like they are on two totally different missions. This is a rare occassion where I will recommend the movie over the book.
Aug 16, 2011
Epic. The story as told from the viewpoint of the son is a great idea. i can really relate to the kid, kuz i mean who cant? everyone wants to be proud of thier dads, but we all end up finding out some time in life that our dads are cowards and killers. . . well, most of us do. Its an awesome book. dont discount it just kuz its a graphic novel, the panels are amazing and the vatnage points are creative.
Nov 05, 2010
Andy
rated it: 
My first serious Graphic Novel read and it was very disappointing. A lot of the illustrations were very good, particularly the city building scenes, but a lot of the characters looked the same and it was hard to follow who was who. I thought the story was good but found it's telling very simplistic, almost childlike, is this how graphic novels are? I was expecting a better experience. Would not recommend.
Jan 22, 2011
Dan
rated it:
I really liked the film version of this graphic novel, so I read the G.N. after the film. No spoilers, but there is a MAJOR change in the film. I was left wanting more the end of the novel, and fully satisfied at the end of the film.
I also wat to purchase the "Lone Wolf and Cub" series because, in many ways, this is a American remake of the Japanese "ronin" story.
I also wat to purchase the "Lone Wolf and Cub" series because, in many ways, this is a American remake of the Japanese "ronin" story.
Jul 07, 2009
Sean
rated it:
The story is a bit different from the movie. The graphic novel is a bit choppier, they definitely polished it up for the big screen, but still a good gritty read. Any Dick Tracy fans will enjoy the action. Any history or true crime buffs will enjoy the historical references, and real historical figures (Netti, Ness, etc). Looking forward to the next volume.
Feb 25, 2010
Chuck
rated it:
This graphic novel features a very good story and excellent pen and ink drawings, and was the inspiration for the Paul Newman/Tom Hanks/Jude Law/Daniel Craig movie of the same name. The book is more violent than the movie, and the emphasis is more on revenge by the father, rather than saving the son from a violent future.
Mar 30, 2009
Christopher
rated it:
a man and his son wage a one-and-a-half man war against two crime families to avenge the murder of their family in the prohibition-era midwest. a great read, but i think they got the pacing better in the movie. and i'll eat my shoe if richard piers rayner didn't actually use paul newman as a model for john looney.
Sep 30, 2011
Richard
rated it:
I finally read this graphic novel after seeing the Tom Hanks movie about 5 years ago(see the movie if you have not...). Road to Perdition is a dark story about loyalty and revenge that is set during the 30s in the Quad Cities area of Iowa. The story is told from the point of view of the main character's son and is wonderfully drawn in black and white. Road to Perdition is about how one innocent event can trigger a series of violent and tragic events. The story follows the main character is Micha
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Aug 24, 2010
Vanessa
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book, thought it was an easy read. Something that could be put down but easily pick up again. Haven't seen the movie, but I can imagine it being really good, and easy to turn into a screenplay. Great plot and concept.
Sep 08, 2011
Noura
rated it:
3.6 but almost 4 so yeah.
Must read for any fan of Mob stories.
Although the plot was good it's the art that really drew me, I found it beautiful.
Maybe now ill watch the movie although I'm not much of a fan of adaptions.
Must read for any fan of Mob stories.
Although the plot was good it's the art that really drew me, I found it beautiful.
Maybe now ill watch the movie although I'm not much of a fan of adaptions.
Jan 03, 2009
G
rated it:
A very nice, quick read. When it comes to comics these days I find myself drifting toward more of the crime noir titles. This is probably the second best crime book after Miller's Sin City...at least the best that I've read so far.
Jan 24, 2012
Peacegal
rated it:
This is really my husband's type of story more than my own, but the storyline was tight and entertaining enough, even if the author did tend to repeat himself.
Mar 21, 2010
Troy
rated it:
An excellent story with stark, minimalist art. One can certainly see the influence of the Lone Wolf & Cub series on both the story and art, yet it remains its own work.
