Bob Dylan Revisited: 13 Graphic Interpretations of Bob Dylan's Songs

by Bob Dylan

Rendered in striking, explosive graphic form, many of Bob Dylan’s most famous songs―illustrated as they’ve never been before. For the last forty years Bob Dylan has never ceased to be one of the most creative and inspired musicians in the world. Mesmerized by the power of his lyrics and intrigued by the possibilities of translating his powerful, enigmatic personality into art, thirteen leading graphic artists banded together to create this unusual testament to the universality and transcendent vision of an American musical genius. With their vibrant, unexpected colors and dynamic, cinematic imagery, this group has assembled in Bob Dylan Revisited one of the most provocative interpretations of Dylan’s music in decades. These artists capture the tender emotions, the ineffable sadness, and the romantic overtones of Dylan’s classic songs, at the same time reflecting the moral and political urgency of his music. Each artist’s style surprisingly complements Dylan’s lyrics and offers an irresistible window through which to reconsider one of America’s most enigmatic artists. A deeply respectful and brilliant homage to the extraordinary influence of Bob Dylan.

Featured inside: Nominated for two 2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards: Best Anthology; Best Short Story ("Hurricane" by Gradimir Smudja).

Genres: Music, Graphic Novels, Poetry, Comics, Nonfiction

98 pages, Hardcover

First published November 16, 2009

About the author

Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, poet, and, of late, disc jockey who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. Much of Dylan's most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when he became an informal chronicler and a reluctant figurehead of American unrest. A number of his songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements. His most recent studio album, Modern Times, released on August 29, 2006, entered the U.S. album charts at #1, making him, at age sixty five, the oldest living person to top those charts.

Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature (2016).

Reviews

[Maxime Hons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik vind het een heel leuk concept om teksten van een muzikant tot leven te wekken met beelden in een stripstijl. Dit werkte ook gewoon goed omdat Bob Dylan zijn muziekteksten lezen als een gedicht. Ik vond wel niet alle stijlen even interessant en ze verduidelijkten de teksten ook niet altijd even goed. Dit is ook wel best logisch aangezien er veel verschillende kunstenaars in voorkwamen. Ik merk gewoon dat stripstijl toch niet zo mijn ding is, maar dit boek geeft wel een mooie appreciatie voor Bob Dylan’s muziek weer.

[Pablo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una curiosidad probablemente solo apta para seguidores de Bob Dylan, entre los que me encuentro. Como es habitual en cualquier obra de varios autores como esta, el nivel de las historias es desigual. Las mejores, para mi gusto, las de Lorenzo Mattotti, Dave McKean y Alfred.

[York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads no me deja ponerle 4.5 estrellas, así que ni modo, le tocan 5.

Tenía algunos años buscando éste... libro? novela gráfica? homenaje?

Varios ilustradores famosos, y extraordinariamente talentosos, se dedican aquí a plasmar en imagenes lo que relatan las canciones de Dylan. Las más representativas están aquí. Desde Blowin' in the wind hasta Not dark yet. Y qué pasa? Pues hay de todo como en esas películas del estilo de New York I Love You. Algunas canciones rayan en la obra de arte (tal es el caso de Desolation Row a cargo de Mr. Sandman Dave McKean) y otras que son aun más personales que las canciones, entonces es difícil conectar con ellas.

Sin embargo es un experimento hermoso y que vale la pena. Ver esta extensión del legado de Dylan. Encontrar que los pasajes que te evoca son parecidos para muchos de nosotros.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously, a super fast read, but just what I needed. I'm in a post-Lehane daze right now and needed something transitional. Two graphic novels later, this one was the better of the two, much better. All of these songs are firmly entrenched in my mind, like many people, but seeing them through an artist's eyes was mesmerizing. Some I liked more than others, but each of them captured the essence of the lyrics in a way that enhanced them, not detracted from them. This is probably only for the hardcore Dylan fan, but perhaps anyone who loves poetry and art should attempt this graphic novel. It's definitely worth the time.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bunch of world class graphic artists pick a Dylan song each and illustrate it. Amazing stuff. I loved them all, but Lay, Lady Lay really moved me.

[Francis Mayfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich weiß viel zu wenig über Kunst und kann viel zu wenig zu den Interpretation der Künstler* innen sagen, damit es als eine sinnvolle Bewertung des Buches gewertet werden kann. Trotzdem mochte ich „Hurrican“ , „Knockin on heavens door“ und „Positively 4th Street“ am meisten.

[Draco Sanguinis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es interesante el concepto de adaptar canciones a comics, lo cual lo hace divertido.

[Deviant Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow! Reading this while simultaneously listening to the songs was one hell of a trip. The soulful interpretation of Not dark yet is my favorite, but this entire publication is a gem: it shows how each different artist understands his poetry in their own special way and I can get a sense of who they are as individuals because the illustrations are so distinguished, honest and introspectively beautiful. I wish I had a physical copy to call mine but I’m glad I came across this online and I’ll revisit it many times just to look at the lovely art. 5 enthusiastic stars, and pleasepleaseplease publish other volumes with more Dylan songs!

[Rogue Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody must get stoned!
I mean...Everybody should read this book!
Bob Dylan is one of those musicians who literally everyone can relate to in some way. He captures pain and beauty so masterfully. He's done and written it all. He is a musician who has lasted the test of time, everyone knows he's one of the greats. I may be biased because I'm a fan; but I really feel that his music changes a persons life and the way that they perceive or connect with something.
This book features 13 visual interpretations of Dylan classics. Each one is better than the last, and it's almost impossible to choose a favorite. I was a little bit bummed at first, because my personal favorite song didn't make it into the book; and that's really the only thing anyone could complain about in this book - their jam didn't make the cut.
This also lead to a conversation between my Dad & I about how he was never a fan of Dylan, Joan Baez, or Pete Seger in the 60's and everything I learned about them in a rock music history class I took. Obviously I should have been born in the 70's with my siblings, instead of the late 80's. But I digress.
And oh my goodness it is so hard to choose which interpretation was my favorite! Knockin' on Heaven's Door might have to take the cake for me though. It was everything I wanted, and the pictures just fit perfectly.
Anyway, if you've never listened to Bob Dylan, do it. Do it now! One thing I learned in that rock music history class was that during Dylan's heyday, the voice singing, the band, none of that mattered. It especially didn't matter to Dylan if other bands were singing his songs, because the song is the vessel of the message. He is by no means the greatest singer to have ever graced the planet, but he is one of the greatest songwriters we will ever know, right up there with Lennon & McCartney.
So go check him out, listen to the songs while you go through the book, and enjoy. :)

[Sarah]

Overall this was not a good read. While there are some flashes of brilliance (Dav McKean stands out), I just found this collection to be lacking. Often they tried to illustrate the 'plot' of the song however Dylan just don't lend himself to that kind of storytelling. What you get are illustrations (that may or may not be pretty and may or may not be cohesive) with lyrics lettered in. And maybe if you are a die-hard Dylan fan that will be enough to move you. But I was unimpressed. If you enjoy song lyrics adapted into visually stunning short stories, put down this sad piece and grab a copy of Comic Book Tattoo based on lyrics by Tori Amos.

[Tom Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of interest to Dylan fans, and those into contemporary poetry. Set up as a graphic novel, illustrations bring a visual interpretation to Dylan's songs and poetry. Artwork by various artists.

[Ryan Bastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a creative way of visualizing some of Bob Dylan's most memorable lyrics. The artwork is really cool, but there's more to look at than actually read.

[Chuck]

Flashes of brilliance and then not so much... A whole lot like Dylan himself.