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The Picture of Dorian Gray: A Graphic Novel
“Youth! Youth! There is absolutely nothing in the world worth having but youth!”
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a graphic adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic work, stunningly re-imagined by writer Ian Edginton and artist I.N.J. Culbard. This Gothic morality tale is the story of a man who, taken by his own beauty, pledges his soul in a desperate bid for eternal youth. But when his wish is granted, things go terribly wrong. A painting of Dorian begins to age in his place, while Dorian himself becomes a dangerous narcissist who destroys everyone standing in his way until the day he is forced to come face to face with the ugliness of his own conscience.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a graphic adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic work, stunningly re-imagined by writer Ian Edginton and artist I.N.J. Culbard. This Gothic morality tale is the story of a man who, taken by his own beauty, pledges his soul in a desperate bid for eternal youth. But when his wish is granted, things go terribly wrong. A painting of Dorian begins to age in his place, while Dorian himself becomes a dangerous narcissist who destroys everyone standing in his way until the day he is forced to come face to face with the ugliness of his own conscience.
122 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
208 people are currently reading
16978 people want to read
About the author
Ian Edginton
798 books148 followersEdginton sees part of the key to his success coming from good relationships with artists, especially D'Israeli and Steve Yeowell as well as Steve Pugh and Mike Collins. He is best known for his steampunk/alternative history work (often with the artist D'Israeli) and is the co-creator of Scarlet Traces, a sequel to their adaptation of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds. With 2000 AD we has written Leviathan, Stickleback and, with art by Steve Yeowell, The Red Seas as well as one-off serials such as American Gothic (2005).
His stories often have a torturous gestation. Scarlet Traces was an idea he had when first reading The War of the Worlds, its first few instalments appeared on Cool Beans website, before being serialised in the Judge Dredd Megazine. Also The Red Seas was initially going to be drawn by Phil Winslade and be the final release by Epic but Winslade was still tied up with Goddess and when ideas for replacement artists were rejected Epic was finally wound up - the series only re-emerging when Edginton was pitching ideas to Matt Smith at the start of his 2000 AD career.
With D'Israeli he has created a number of new series including Stickleback, a tale of a strange villain in an alternative Victorian London, and Gothic, which he describes as "Mary Shelley's Doc Savage". With Simon Davis he recently worked on a survival horror series, Stone Island, and he has also produced a comic version of the computer game Hellgate: London with Steve Pugh.
He is currently working on a dinosaurs and cowboys story called Sixgun Logic. Also as part of Top Cow's Pilot Season he has written an Angelus one-shot.
http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Edgi...
His stories often have a torturous gestation. Scarlet Traces was an idea he had when first reading The War of the Worlds, its first few instalments appeared on Cool Beans website, before being serialised in the Judge Dredd Megazine. Also The Red Seas was initially going to be drawn by Phil Winslade and be the final release by Epic but Winslade was still tied up with Goddess and when ideas for replacement artists were rejected Epic was finally wound up - the series only re-emerging when Edginton was pitching ideas to Matt Smith at the start of his 2000 AD career.
With D'Israeli he has created a number of new series including Stickleback, a tale of a strange villain in an alternative Victorian London, and Gothic, which he describes as "Mary Shelley's Doc Savage". With Simon Davis he recently worked on a survival horror series, Stone Island, and he has also produced a comic version of the computer game Hellgate: London with Steve Pugh.
He is currently working on a dinosaurs and cowboys story called Sixgun Logic. Also as part of Top Cow's Pilot Season he has written an Angelus one-shot.
http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Edgi...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
August 11, 2015
"If it were only the other way! If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that-for that-I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that!"A couple of years ago at the MET I picked up a copy of this book featuring some of Oscar Wilde's best quotes. I threw it out (sorry, Mom!) after marring it with my unnecessary scribblings, but based on the quotes it had from this book, I decided I'd give it a go.
One afternoon, Lord Henry Wotton visited his friend Basil and met his muse Dorian Gray, a physical paragon. After a long lecture from Harry about the importance of youth and beauty, Dorian's ego inflated. Basil painted a portrait of him and Dorian was enamoured with it. So much in fact that he unknowingly sold his soul for it.
Of course, the painting didn't retain the same beauty, but I'm not going to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it.
This was definitely the most quotable book I've come across. There aren't many characters, but they're all witty. The ending was so unpredictable and satisfying! There wasn't a moment where I didn't enjoy reading this. So far my favourite book of the year.
(As a side note, I didn't read the graphic novel. My edition just bore the same cover.)
October 24, 2018
For my review of the full text by Oscar Wilde, please link here.
Ian Edginton has written many screenplays, and graphic novels. Here he has done a workmanlike job of adapting Oscar Wilde's Faustian tale into a graphic narrative format. The accompanying monochrome illustrations are by I.N.J. Culbard, who is primarily a director of animated films. This is his first graphic novel. It is competent, but not attractive. The drawings are cartoon caricatures, bold and striking, but spare. There is little detail in any of the settings, although occasionally an impression of darkness is attempted in the outdoor scenes.
The cover picture is misleading. Not only is this is the only picture in colour, but it is the only illustration in the entire work which attempts the use of shades and tones without thick black lines around them. This style of illustrative technique is not to my personal taste.
Nevertheless, the novel captures the sense of Oscar Wilde's original, which has more of a play-like feel than most novels. It is Wilde's only novel, after all, and his plays are mostly what he is celebrated for. This graphic novel may possibly serve a function in introducing his work to a new audience who like this style.
Ian Edginton has written many screenplays, and graphic novels. Here he has done a workmanlike job of adapting Oscar Wilde's Faustian tale into a graphic narrative format. The accompanying monochrome illustrations are by I.N.J. Culbard, who is primarily a director of animated films. This is his first graphic novel. It is competent, but not attractive. The drawings are cartoon caricatures, bold and striking, but spare. There is little detail in any of the settings, although occasionally an impression of darkness is attempted in the outdoor scenes.
The cover picture is misleading. Not only is this is the only picture in colour, but it is the only illustration in the entire work which attempts the use of shades and tones without thick black lines around them. This style of illustrative technique is not to my personal taste.
Nevertheless, the novel captures the sense of Oscar Wilde's original, which has more of a play-like feel than most novels. It is Wilde's only novel, after all, and his plays are mostly what he is celebrated for. This graphic novel may possibly serve a function in introducing his work to a new audience who like this style.
September 12, 2018
I'm not going to lie. I hated the majority of the storyline but what propelled me to give this graphic novel 4 stars, was how atmospheric it came across. The illustrations were in black and white and most were very creepy. Could it be a good read for Halloween? *ticks that box*
Not read the original novel!
Not read the original novel!
August 3, 2025
This was a quick read The Picture of Dorian Gray shows to be careful what you wish for because it could come back to haunt you. I wish I could give the book more than five stars. Dorian's downfall was letting Henry influence him and Basil was telling Dorian the truth about life where Henry was telling Dorian what he wanted to hear.
September 9, 2017
This is my all time favorite book so of course I enjoyed the graphic novel. :)
April 14, 2021
Μια εξαιρετικά εικονογραφημένη έκδοση του αγαπημένου μου βιβλίου! Μια καλή πρόταση και για μικρότερες ηλικίες ,για μια πρώτη επαφή με τον μοναδικό Όσκαρ Ουάιλντ!
July 1, 2022
This book has a charm and comfort tp it in the first half and the second half just goes in a different direction
July 14, 2019
Not a good idea to try to put this novel into graphic form. Almost none of the aesthetic/literacy/philosophical/wit of Oscar Wilde's original version translated. And the facial representation of the stylized graphics was tremendously disappointing.
November 27, 2025
το είχα διαβάσει πριν από χρόνια... αυτή την φορά ήταν audio. καταπληκτικό!!
July 27, 2017
This was a rather short adaptation of the morality tale, so it ended up being more of an introduction than a complete retelling of the story. Some of Wilde’s biting wit made it into the story, but the black and white illustrations were rather simple and cartoonish. I hope that after reading this adaptation, young readers will then move onto the original.
June 27, 2018
*Línea 4b. Novela gráfica o manga*
Sigo pensando que no habrá imagen que pueda representar el retrato de Dorian Gray, pero me gustó la idea de los clásicos a las novelas gráficas. Incluso me dieron ganas de releer la historia.
Sigo pensando que no habrá imagen que pueda representar el retrato de Dorian Gray, pero me gustó la idea de los clásicos a las novelas gráficas. Incluso me dieron ganas de releer la historia.
April 14, 2014
A good adaptation of a great book. Edginton's script does a great job of condensing Wilde's novel without losing any of the flavor. I'm not a huge fan of the art, it was just a little too abstracted for my taste. But overall, a good job.
August 9, 2011
I found this Graphic Novel in the bargain bin at Banes & Noble. I wasn't familiar with this publisher but the cover art really drew me in. I enjoy seeing adaptions of classic books in the graphic novel format, I think its a great bridge to introduce readers to the graphic novel format.
Dorian Gray really does well in this illustrated format. Dorian is a young lord living the life of comfort his money and title afford him. His would probable been one of comfort, security , a few scandalous affairs maybe before a proper marriage. When Dorian's friend Basil does a stunning portrait of him , Dorian's thoughts turn to his mortality and the daily fading of his youth. In a impassioned outburst he pledges his soul in return for eternal youth.
In the beginning Dorian might have doubted the success of his plea but when he carelessly throws away the love of a young actress, a move that leads to her death, he begins to see the sins of his actions visible upon the painting. Years pass and as others age Dorian keeps his youthful appearance.
He also has cultivated a dark narcissism that leads him to more and more depraved acts. His own skin remains unblemished while his portrait becomes a haggard, evil visage.
Edginton does a great adaption of the novel even inserting some of the famous?favorite quotes from the source material. i really liked Culbard's stark black & White art. There is also a wonderful use of shading and movement in the art. A great adaption.
Dorian Gray really does well in this illustrated format. Dorian is a young lord living the life of comfort his money and title afford him. His would probable been one of comfort, security , a few scandalous affairs maybe before a proper marriage. When Dorian's friend Basil does a stunning portrait of him , Dorian's thoughts turn to his mortality and the daily fading of his youth. In a impassioned outburst he pledges his soul in return for eternal youth.
In the beginning Dorian might have doubted the success of his plea but when he carelessly throws away the love of a young actress, a move that leads to her death, he begins to see the sins of his actions visible upon the painting. Years pass and as others age Dorian keeps his youthful appearance.
He also has cultivated a dark narcissism that leads him to more and more depraved acts. His own skin remains unblemished while his portrait becomes a haggard, evil visage.
Edginton does a great adaption of the novel even inserting some of the famous?favorite quotes from the source material. i really liked Culbard's stark black & White art. There is also a wonderful use of shading and movement in the art. A great adaption.
May 13, 2014
This graphic novel has made me want to read the original. What lovely grimness. To be so full of vanity and sin, to live in perfect youthfulness.
Dorian Gray traded his virtue and innocence for youthful longevity. He prayed to a self portrait that he may keep his beautiful face and that he never have to whither and grow old and age. To be loved forever. Yet....With this trade he was unhappy.
I believe Harry to be the devil in disguise. How else could he have had so much influence on a person. This classis has a good moral. Be good to thy neighbor and thy self otherwise you will be lost and your soul will suffer.
Great graphics loved how pretty the illustrators made Dorian Gray.
Dorian Gray traded his virtue and innocence for youthful longevity. He prayed to a self portrait that he may keep his beautiful face and that he never have to whither and grow old and age. To be loved forever. Yet....With this trade he was unhappy.
I believe Harry to be the devil in disguise. How else could he have had so much influence on a person. This classis has a good moral. Be good to thy neighbor and thy self otherwise you will be lost and your soul will suffer.
Great graphics loved how pretty the illustrators made Dorian Gray.
July 25, 2018
Este libro lo leí cuando tenía aproximadamente 16 años, lo adoré con la vida y a pesar que el autor no es mi persona favorita (por toda su historia y su opinión acerca de las mujeres) siento que la forma en que está plasmada el arte, la belleza, la juventud y otros temas dentro de la novela no podrá superarse jamás. La historia ya la conocen pero leerla, es otra otra experiencia!!! Te consume y te hace reflexionar acerca de todo lo que crees.
January 9, 2022
A good adaptation. I have read the original and I found this a close adaptation, all the important bits were present. But why does Dorian have to have black hair in all these adaptations? Wilde wrote him as blond.
October 3, 2024
I give it like 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
I am left speechless, I am unaware of how to feel. Some parts he was just yapping but the rest was just pure gold. Was not expecting the ending to end like that. Poor Basil.
I am left speechless, I am unaware of how to feel. Some parts he was just yapping but the rest was just pure gold. Was not expecting the ending to end like that. Poor Basil.
August 7, 2017
Çizimleri hiç begenmedim. Sanki internetten kitabın özeti okunmuş öyle yazılıp çizilmiş gibi.
July 6, 2019
I didn’t enjoy the original novel and the graphic novel is only slightly better. It races through the muddled story & oversimplifies the already unpleasant characters, but there are pictures, so...
May 18, 2021
The unique plot and crisp writing style, embedded with deep philosophical constructs, all masked in simplicity reflect the expertise of Oscar Wilde. Just give it a read.
June 13, 2020
Not bad.. I liked the drawings: they seem to be simple and made in black and white, but they are very suitable for the story.. And the story itself is gorgeous but I guess everyone knows it..
August 11, 2015
Oh boy. A grudging 1.5 stars.
As a lover of the original novel, I am having a really hard time trying to find the good in this graphic adaptation. I feel like it has lost so much of Oscar Wilde.
The condensed plot just does not work for me. Dorian Gray is about a slow decay, and the pacing of a graphic novel really did not work for this theme. I also felt like there were parts left out of the plot, parts that evidently were key for me to set up the tension at the end of the novel. This is why I have always liked novels better than short stories, some stories need the buildup. This graphic novel lost a lot of that and the ending lost all impact.
The loss of the narrative voice was pretty detrimental to the story, I found. Dorian didn't feel that heinous to me. I had a hard time feeling the disgust towards his misdeeds that we feel in the novel. I remember hating all of Harry's extravagant, extreme ideas in the book, and felt their subtle sarcasm and irony was completely uninspired in this medium. I remember being angry with Dorian for being so naive as to take all of Harry's ridiculousness as truth. In the graphic novel, all of this was lost.
The artwork also really did not work for me. The black and white was really not period-appropriate for the time this novel was originally written in. The 1890s were full of decadence and indulgence that inspired Harry's selfishness. I imagined this graphic novel to be full of rich jewel tones and beautiful patterns, intricate details that the late Victorians saw so much beauty in. Beauty for the sake of beauty was huge in the 1890s. And yet the artist chose black and white, which totally washed out the story, and a simplistic drawing style that really did not match the extreme indulgence that characterize Harry and Dorian. It lost all of the period charm.
Furthermore, the gothic feel of the B&W is, again, historically, not within the literary trends of the time. The gothic period was beyond passé by the time this novel was published. Perhaps this style would have been better chosen for a Brontë graphic novel, but it just doesn't fit with the story or the contemporary trends of the original.
I realize this is a modern adaptation for modern tastes, but it just felt poorly researched and poorly planned. I didn't recognize so many feelings or themes from the original.
Points because Oscar Wilde.
As a lover of the original novel, I am having a really hard time trying to find the good in this graphic adaptation. I feel like it has lost so much of Oscar Wilde.
The condensed plot just does not work for me. Dorian Gray is about a slow decay, and the pacing of a graphic novel really did not work for this theme. I also felt like there were parts left out of the plot, parts that evidently were key for me to set up the tension at the end of the novel. This is why I have always liked novels better than short stories, some stories need the buildup. This graphic novel lost a lot of that and the ending lost all impact.
The loss of the narrative voice was pretty detrimental to the story, I found. Dorian didn't feel that heinous to me. I had a hard time feeling the disgust towards his misdeeds that we feel in the novel. I remember hating all of Harry's extravagant, extreme ideas in the book, and felt their subtle sarcasm and irony was completely uninspired in this medium. I remember being angry with Dorian for being so naive as to take all of Harry's ridiculousness as truth. In the graphic novel, all of this was lost.
The artwork also really did not work for me. The black and white was really not period-appropriate for the time this novel was originally written in. The 1890s were full of decadence and indulgence that inspired Harry's selfishness. I imagined this graphic novel to be full of rich jewel tones and beautiful patterns, intricate details that the late Victorians saw so much beauty in. Beauty for the sake of beauty was huge in the 1890s. And yet the artist chose black and white, which totally washed out the story, and a simplistic drawing style that really did not match the extreme indulgence that characterize Harry and Dorian. It lost all of the period charm.
Furthermore, the gothic feel of the B&W is, again, historically, not within the literary trends of the time. The gothic period was beyond passé by the time this novel was published. Perhaps this style would have been better chosen for a Brontë graphic novel, but it just doesn't fit with the story or the contemporary trends of the original.
I realize this is a modern adaptation for modern tastes, but it just felt poorly researched and poorly planned. I didn't recognize so many feelings or themes from the original.
Points because Oscar Wilde.
January 21, 2016
Oscar Wilde’s only novel, reinvented in into this graphic novel, tells the story of Dorian Gray who, so enchanted by a painting of himself, pledges his soul to it in a desperate bid for eternal youth. Whilst his portrait grows older, Dorian remains young, but he begins to grow twisted, narcissistic and ruins several other lives along his way.
When I was in Paris two years ago, I promised a friend of mine I’d start to read Dorian Gray whilst I was in the city. And, y’know, I kept that promise. Except… I put the book down soon after. So when I saw this graphic novel hovering in the library, I thought it’d be a great opportunity to learn the story and I think I got the gist of it.
The problem with graphic novels is that it doesn’t offer everything that I’d want in a novel. The minimalistic approach to the artwork meant that I didn’t have lavish descriptions of the surroundings, I didn’t get to know the characters very well, and there is literal showing and no description.
Don’t get me wrong, I did like reading it, but I gave it two stars for a few reasons:
1) The designs. The drawings were good, but they weren’t my favourite (compared to other graphic novels I’ve read), and the drawing of Dorian’s portrait was downright terrifying. I literally jumped at the dang picture more than one time.
2) As I just said, with the lack of description. I wanted more, and it didn’t deliver.
3) Just in general, it didn’t “wow” me. It “meh’d” me. I want a “wow” factor in a good book, especially a renowned classic (I mean, they’re renowned for a reason), and this just didn’t deliver I found, but I think that was the medium as opposed to the story/text itself.
It wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t brilliant. I wouldn’t re-read it, and I’m actually going to read the original novel and compare to the two. It was a good beginner, but just didn’t deliver. I wouldn’t recommend it, unless it’s for a younger reader (however, there’s probably an abridged version somewhere. Moreover, it is a very dark piece, so probably not the best material for a 10 year old). It was okay to pass the time, and I can see why some people like it. It just didn’t work for me.
When I was in Paris two years ago, I promised a friend of mine I’d start to read Dorian Gray whilst I was in the city. And, y’know, I kept that promise. Except… I put the book down soon after. So when I saw this graphic novel hovering in the library, I thought it’d be a great opportunity to learn the story and I think I got the gist of it.
The problem with graphic novels is that it doesn’t offer everything that I’d want in a novel. The minimalistic approach to the artwork meant that I didn’t have lavish descriptions of the surroundings, I didn’t get to know the characters very well, and there is literal showing and no description.
Don’t get me wrong, I did like reading it, but I gave it two stars for a few reasons:
1) The designs. The drawings were good, but they weren’t my favourite (compared to other graphic novels I’ve read), and the drawing of Dorian’s portrait was downright terrifying. I literally jumped at the dang picture more than one time.
2) As I just said, with the lack of description. I wanted more, and it didn’t deliver.
3) Just in general, it didn’t “wow” me. It “meh’d” me. I want a “wow” factor in a good book, especially a renowned classic (I mean, they’re renowned for a reason), and this just didn’t deliver I found, but I think that was the medium as opposed to the story/text itself.
It wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t brilliant. I wouldn’t re-read it, and I’m actually going to read the original novel and compare to the two. It was a good beginner, but just didn’t deliver. I wouldn’t recommend it, unless it’s for a younger reader (however, there’s probably an abridged version somewhere. Moreover, it is a very dark piece, so probably not the best material for a 10 year old). It was okay to pass the time, and I can see why some people like it. It just didn’t work for me.
March 7, 2022
A charming and eccentric young man named Dorian Gray falls into the temptation of eternal youth and beauty. He is swept into a social whirlwind when he journeys to London by the charismatic Henry Wotton who introduces him to the new and exotic pleasures of the city. Henry then introduces Dorian to his artistic friend Basil Hallward who paints a portrait of Dorian to capture the eternal essence of his unmatched beauty and grace. When the portrait is unveiled, Dorian vows that he would sacrifice his soul to remain as he is in the picture, no matter how deep he may fall to debauchery, sin and the wrath of old age.
We all have an image we would like to preserve of ourselves, but it is our actions that ultimately define who we are and who we are doomed to become. If a portrait could reflect your soul, would it reflect your physical body, or would it show you something hideous and otherworldly? After all, sin and corruption often hides behind beautiful faces. How different would the world be if we could see the nature of one's soul on display for everyone to see?
Dorian Gray is an artful and poetic masterpiece, dripping with philosophy and moral ambiguity. It's a venture into enjoying the best and worst that life has to offer. Art can be found in anything if one seeks to find it, and sometimes people find art in things that can only be described as evil.
We all have an image we would like to preserve of ourselves, but it is our actions that ultimately define who we are and who we are doomed to become. If a portrait could reflect your soul, would it reflect your physical body, or would it show you something hideous and otherworldly? After all, sin and corruption often hides behind beautiful faces. How different would the world be if we could see the nature of one's soul on display for everyone to see?
Dorian Gray is an artful and poetic masterpiece, dripping with philosophy and moral ambiguity. It's a venture into enjoying the best and worst that life has to offer. Art can be found in anything if one seeks to find it, and sometimes people find art in things that can only be described as evil.
November 25, 2018
I have not read the novel, but have loved the story for years. Found this at a thrift store and was pretty excited. I'm not a big fan of how it was drawn, nor how short it was. Like I said I haven't read the novel so I do not know how close they kept to the original but I found it very choppy, especially towards the end. I hope there's a different graphic novel of Dorian Gray that I can enjoy more.
March 22, 2018
I haven't read the novel and read this mostly to finally get the full story.
I did not feel as though a got the full story, more like a strongly abridged version. Obviously it would be shorter but the growth of the characters was not given time.
The artwork was nice, but it did not feel like it added much to the story.
I did not feel as though a got the full story, more like a strongly abridged version. Obviously it would be shorter but the growth of the characters was not given time.
The artwork was nice, but it did not feel like it added much to the story.
March 16, 2020
I haven't read many graphic novel adaptations, but l guess some novels don't really make much sense when they turn into graphic novels. And l'm afraid this is one of them. It was a waste of time, thankfully l doesn't take much time to finish it. That's a plus.
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March 16, 2013قصة مخيفه ، تلمس ذلك الجزء الخفى فى نفوسنا لشد ما يختلف تأثير قراءتها فى الصف الاول الاعدادى عن قراءتها فى الجامعة . طرق جرئ للنفس البشرية يعطيك قدرا لابأس به من الشجاعة .
August 16, 2014
I didn't really care for this book. I unexpectedly found it boring.
July 10, 2016
*Read in Spanish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews