Life House

By Pete Townshend

Book Overview

An original graphic novel based on rock music legend Pete Townshend's 1970 screenplay of the same name, which inspired The Who's 1971 globally bestselling and universally beloved album, Who's Next.

Set in a Dystopian future where music has been outlawed, Lifehouse follows a small band of rebels who stage an underground concert in an effort to undermine a tyrannical leader... and free Britain and all of humanity.

This graphic novelization is co-written by Doom Patrol's James Harvey and Spider-Man Noir's David Hine with art by both Harvey and Australian visual artist Max Prentis, lettering by Michah Myers, and inks by Eisner Award winning artist Mick Gray. It is edited by former Managing Editor of Heavy Metal Magazine, Hannah Means-Shannon, and features a massive Vinyl LP format (12.25" x 12.25"). This is a must-have for any serious music collectors, rock fans, and pop culture aficionados

Originally envisioned as a sci-fi rock epic to follow-up The Who's chart-topping song, "Tommy," and put aside 50 years ago--in favor of Who's Next songs like "Baba O'Riley," "Won't Get Fooled Again," and "Behind Blue Eyes"--Life House will finally take center stage.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1534397604
• ISBN13: 9781534397606
• Release Date: January 2024
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Length: 172 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 12.3" x 12.3"
• Age Range: 16 years and up

Customer Reviews

Touching and Synesthetic

This is an eerie but tenderly rendered drama by the rock literary master himself. The central character Ray, frazzled, searches the vast wasteland countryside for his missing teenaged daugther, Mary, all the while staying in touch with his distraught wife Sally by mobile phone. Along the way he picks up a young hitchhiker, Rayboy (a literary device to communicate flashbacks to us of Ray's younger self), has run-ins with a schizophrenic Stephen Kingish "Caretaker" side of himself (presumably?) and also intercepts radio transmissions from Hacker, a visionary DJ who organizes the "Lifehouse" concert, an event designed to save humans from themselves in this desolate landscape through the sharing of personal and life-affirming music. Who fans and loyal Pete Townshend followers will both understand the references to the Who's Next musical interludes (Baba O'Riley, Behind Blues Eyes, Going Mobile, etc) and recognize the continuing character of Ray (to be found also in Townshend's "Psychoderelict" radio play). Readers outside this tight circle may find the play (taken on its own) opaque and difficult to follow. Some may find the dialogue too sparse and enigmatic, but the play's spare text effectively reinforces this story's sense of desolation. Despite my own minor frustrations following the plot (and character devices), overall I found this play incredibly touching and sad... hopeless all but for a glimmer. I have not heard the recorded radio play yet and am sure it would lend me further nuanced cues to help me more fully appreciate and understand the story. Not only is this play incredibly moving, but it's also incredibly and sensitively tuned in to the future -- the thing Rayboy feared. From sharing music virtually to windfarms, this drama sent a chill down me. Within the book, Pete Townshend also provides a lengthy and illuminating introduction to the play -- a must-read in itself. I wish I could rate this book a five. But I'm confident that if I had had the benefit of audio accompaniment, I would be doing just that.

Excellent!

After 30+ years Lifehouse finally sees the light of day. While very different from its first inception this radio play ranks among Pete's best work. Its very similar in tone and style to his last "concept album" Psychoderelict. And if you enjoy reading the play I also recommend Pete's Lifehouse Chronicles CD set, which includes the radio play itself plus 2 CDs of original Lifehouse Demos and 2 CDs of more recent work on the project...

Pete is the man

Pete Townshend is of course a musical genius but he is also a very terrific writer Life house is a little better than Horse's Neck.But any one who is a fan of the who should buy this book and add it to their WHO collection.