Parable of the Talents: The Sci-Fi Classic Gets a Graphic Novel Adaptation

Octavia Butler is undoubtedly one of the greatest science fiction authors of all time, and it should come as no surprise that her work continues to be adapted in other media. Abrams ComicArts is following up its graphic novel adaptations of Parable of the Sower and Kindred with Parable of the Talents.

With Parable of the Talents in stores now, IGN can exclusively debut a new preview of this graphic novel. Check it out in the slideshow gallery below:

Parable of the Talents is adapted by writer Damian Duffy and artists John Jennings and David Brame, the same creative team behind the previous Kindred and Parable of the Sower adaptations. Here’s Abrams’ official description of the book:

Octavia E. Butler’s 1993 dystopian novel Parable of the Sower painted an alarmingly poignant picture of the year 2024, introducing readers to a world shaped by environmental disasters, economic instability, and social unrest. Following Lauren Olamina, a preacher’s daughter who develops a new religion, Earthseed, while travelling the dangerous and dystopian country, Duffy and Jennings bring the sci-fi classic to life with a beautifully drawn graphic novel adaptation. Now they are taking on the sequel to Butler’s stunning novel, The Parable of the Talents, which follows Lauren’s daughter, Asha Vere.

The Parable of the Talents continues Butler’s masterful story set against a background of a war-torn continent under the control of a Christian fundamentalist fascist state. Asha searches for answers about her own past while struggling to reconcile with her mother’s legacy—who was caught between her duty to her chosen family and her calling to lead humankind into a better future among the stars.

“Octavia E. Butler wrote Parable of the Talents as a warning for the future,” said Duffy in a statement. “Adapting Parable of the Talents from within the future she warned of has been a surreal and humbling journey. Fortunately, David Brame and John Jennings brought their significant artistic talents to bear, drawing images to help us move past dystopia, and down the path to hard won hope.”

Parable of the Talents is available in bookstores and comic shops now. You can order a copy on Amazon.

In other comic book news, Mike Mignola is returning to the Hellboy universe this summer, and we chatted with the creative team behind Spider-Man & Wolverine.

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