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Laika (comic)
Encyclopedia
Laika is a graphic novel
by Nick Abadzis
that gives a fictionalized account of the life and death of the eponymous dog
, the first living creature launched into outer space
.
The graphic novel tells the story of Laika from multiple points of view: from that of the ambitious Sergey Korolyov
, Chief Engineer responsible for the launching and construction of Sputnik 2
; to that of Yelena Dubrovsky, official trainer of the space-bound dogs; to that of Oleg Gazenko
, scientist; and finally from the viewpoint of Laika herself, who had lived as a stray on the streets of Moscow
.
The graphic novel concludes with a real-life statement of regret by Oleg Gazenko, made in 1998: "Work with animals is a source of suffering to all of us. We treat them like babies who cannot speak. The more time passes, the more I'm sorry about it. We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of the dog".
writing that Abadzis "has fashioned a poignant and accurate portrait of the lives Laika touched in the three years leading up to Sputnik II’s launch. His characters — including the dog — are as real as the story he’s telling: animated with complex personalities, flaws, humor and emotion." The Space Review called it "an entertaining but also educational overview of the life of an unwitting space pioneer", while another review states that "reading Laika is the sort of experience that you won’t forget any time soon".
The book also made the 2008 Young Adult Library Services Association
"Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens".
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
by Nick Abadzis
Nick Abadzis
Nick Abadzis is a British cartoonist, comic book writer, and graphic novelist. He currently lives in New York, having moved from his previous home in London in 2010.-Early life:...
that gives a fictionalized account of the life and death of the eponymous dog
Laika
Laika was a Soviet space dog that became the first animal to orbit the Earth – as well as the first animal to die in orbit.As little was known about the impact of spaceflight on living creatures at the time of Laika's mission, and the technology to de-orbit had not yet been developed, there...
, the first living creature launched into outer space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
.
The graphic novel tells the story of Laika from multiple points of view: from that of the ambitious Sergey Korolyov
Sergey Korolyov
Sergei Pavlovich Korolev ; died 14 January 1966 in Moscow, Russia) was the lead Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1950s and 1960s...
, Chief Engineer responsible for the launching and construction of Sputnik 2
Sputnik 2
Sputnik 2 , or Prosteyshiy Sputnik 2 ), was the second spacecraft launched into Earth orbit, on November 3, 1957, and the first to carry a living animal, a dog named Laika. Sputnik 2 was a 4-meter high cone-shaped capsule with a base diameter of 2 meters...
; to that of Yelena Dubrovsky, official trainer of the space-bound dogs; to that of Oleg Gazenko
Oleg Gazenko
Oleg Georgovitch Gazenko was a Russian scientist and the former director of Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow honoured with the Demidov Prize in 1998. One of the leading scientists behind the Soviet animals in space programmes, he selected and trained Laika, the dog who flew on the...
, scientist; and finally from the viewpoint of Laika herself, who had lived as a stray on the streets of Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
.
Theme
Abadzis notes that his intention was to avoid anthropomorphism in portraying the central canine character. Thus Laika's traits of trust and eagerness to please are portrayed through her non-verbalised behaviour, and the reactions of the more sympathetic humans with whom she comes in contact. Mistreated as a young dog, Laika shows a need to gain human affection and approval that ironically leads her through a harsh training regime to death in space. Even the empathetic Yelena accepts that animals will die in the space programme, though bitterly regretting that her "special dog" is the one to be sent with no hope of survival. Many of the incidents portrayed by Abadzis, such as Laika being taken home by a senior officer to play with his children shortly before the launch, are recorded as having actually occurred.The graphic novel concludes with a real-life statement of regret by Oleg Gazenko, made in 1998: "Work with animals is a source of suffering to all of us. We treat them like babies who cannot speak. The more time passes, the more I'm sorry about it. We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of the dog".
Reception
Laika was well-received, with the New York PressNew York Press
New York Press was a free alternative weekly in New York City, that was published from 1988 to 2011. During its lifetime, it was the main competitor to the Village Voice...
writing that Abadzis "has fashioned a poignant and accurate portrait of the lives Laika touched in the three years leading up to Sputnik II’s launch. His characters — including the dog — are as real as the story he’s telling: animated with complex personalities, flaws, humor and emotion." The Space Review called it "an entertaining but also educational overview of the life of an unwitting space pioneer", while another review states that "reading Laika is the sort of experience that you won’t forget any time soon".
Awards
- 20082008 in comics-January:*January 9: Teen Titans: The Lost Annual, delayed since 2003, is published.*January 23: Hellblazer #240, marking the 20th anniversary of the series, is released.-February:...
:- Won for "Best Publication for Teens" Eisner AwardEisner AwardThe Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
. - Nominated for "Best Reality-Based Work" Eisner AwardEisner AwardThe Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
.
- Won for "Best Publication for Teens" Eisner Award
The book also made the 2008 Young Adult Library Services Association
Young Adult Library Services Association
The Young Adult Library Services Association , established in 1957, is a division of the American Library Association. The mission of YALSA is to advocate, promote and strengthen service to young adults as part of the continuum of total library service, and to support those who provide service to...
"Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens".