Watership Down: The Graphic Novel is a survival and adventure graphic novel written by James Sturm and illustrated by Joe Sutphin, adapted from the novel of the same name by Richard Adams. The novel was published by Ten Speed Press on October 17, 2023.
Characters[]
Sandleford Warren:[]
- Hazel
- Fiver
- Bigwig
- Threarah
- Blackberry
- Dandelion
- Pipkin
- Acorn
- Hawkbit
- Toadflax
- Buckthorn
- Silver
- Captain Holly
- Bluebell
- Scabious
- Pimpernel
Cowslip's Warren:[]
Nuthanger Farm:[]
Efrafa:[]
- General Woundwort
- Vervain
- Hyzenthlay
- Blackavar
- Captain Bugloss
- Nelthilta
- Charlock
- Captain Mallow
- Marjoram
- Captain Campion
- Captain Chervil
- Groundsel
- Thrayonlosa
Other animals:[]
Folklore:[]
Development[]
According to Sutphin's Instagram, the book has been in progress for over 3 years and developed mainly during the COVID pandemic.
Reception[]
The graphic novel received positive reviews for its faithfulness to the original novel.
Differences from the Novel[]
- The scene where Fiver wakes up Hazel by crawling on him in a panic is cut out and is instead replaced by Fiver telling Hazel about his dream at the start of the second chapter.
- Silverweed, despite his role in other adaptations, does not appear in this graphic novel. Nildro-hain, Strawberry's mate, does not appear in this adaptation. Neither does Moneywort, one of two sentries, the other being Marjoram, working under Chervil.
- As of this adaptation, Speedwell is the only original Sandleford rabbit not to appear in a single adaptation.
- Unlike other versions of Watership Down, romance is absent from the graphic novel.
Trivia[]
El-ahrairah with Hazel.
- When Hazel dies, true to the original novel, he is taken by El-ahrairah instead of the Black Rabbit of Inlé seen in other adaptations.
- On page 61, there is an error. The text suggests Acorn is on the left. This is proven by the character design sheets. The panels then begin zooming onto the rabbit on the right whom Bigwig apparently bites. However, Hawkbit, who is apparently now on the left, then says, "Acorn, you're bleeding!" who is now supposedly the rabbit on the right. The text should have said "Hawkbit, you're bleeding!" instead. In the book, it was also Hawkbit who was bleeding, from the neck, as he was shown being licked by Acorn.
Gallery[]
Covers[]
The French cover.
Sketches[]
Images[]
| Watership Down media |
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Print media Watership Down (1972) • Tales from Watership Down (1996) • The Graphic Novel (2023)
Animated media Film (1978) • TV series (1999-2001) • Miniseries (2018)
Video games Unten Am Fluss (2001)
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