Signal to Noise
Encyclopedia
Signal to Noise is a graphic novel
written by Neil Gaiman
and illustrated by Dave McKean
. It was originally serialised in the UK style magazine The Face
, beginning in 1989, and collected as a graphic novel in 1992, published by Victor Gollancz Ltd
in the UK and by Dark Horse Comics
in the US.
The story examines the relationship between image
s of an imagined World Apocalypse
and the experience of one man's personal, individual apocalypse. In it a film-maker learns he is suffering from a terminal illness
, and imagines a last film which he will never have time to make before he dies.
There have been two adaptations of the graphic novel into other media: in 1996, Gaiman adapted his own story for a BBC radio broadcast, with music by McKean; and in 1999, a stage adaptation written by Marc Rosenbush and Robert Toombs was mounted in Chicago with Gaiman's cooperation.
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...
written by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
and illustrated by Dave McKean
Dave McKean
David McKean is an English illustrator, photographer, comic book artist, graphic designer, filmmaker and musician....
. It was originally serialised in the UK style magazine The Face
The Face (magazine)
The Face was a British music, fashion and culture monthly magazine started in May 1980 by Nick Logan.-1980s:Logan had previously created the teen pop magazine Smash Hits, and had been an editor at the New Musical Express in the 1970s before launching The Face in 1980.The magazine was influential in...
, beginning in 1989, and collected as a graphic novel in 1992, published by Victor Gollancz Ltd
Victor Gollancz Ltd
Victor Gollancz Ltd was a major British book publishing house of the twentieth century. It was founded in 1927 by Victor Gollancz and specialised in the publication of high quality literature, nonfiction and popular fiction, including science fiction. Upon Gollancz's death in 1967, ownership...
in the UK and by Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
in the US.
The story examines the relationship between image
Image
An image is an artifact, for example a two-dimensional picture, that has a similar appearance to some subject—usually a physical object or a person.-Characteristics:...
s of an imagined World Apocalypse
Apocalypse
An Apocalypse is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament...
and the experience of one man's personal, individual apocalypse. In it a film-maker learns he is suffering from a terminal illness
Terminal illness
Terminal illness is a medical term popularized in the 20th century to describe a disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and that is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient within a short period of time. This term is more commonly used for progressive diseases such as...
, and imagines a last film which he will never have time to make before he dies.
There have been two adaptations of the graphic novel into other media: in 1996, Gaiman adapted his own story for a BBC radio broadcast, with music by McKean; and in 1999, a stage adaptation written by Marc Rosenbush and Robert Toombs was mounted in Chicago with Gaiman's cooperation.