USS Callister is a Faithful Reproduction of Black Mirror’s Iconic Episode (Review)

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A popular episode of the sci-fi series Black Mirror has been adapted into a thrilling and unsettling graphic novel, capturing the same energy as the original. Black Mirror, created by Charlie Brooker, is known for its thought-provoking stories that explore the potential downsides of technology. The show became very popular, leading Netflix to become its home in 2016 and invest in more episodes. One of the most acclaimed episodes to come from the Netflix partnership is “USS Callister” from season four.

The story of “USS Callister” centers on Robert Daly, a programmer who helped create a hugely popular virtual reality game. Feeling overlooked in his own life, Daly builds digital copies of his coworkers and puts them inside the game, essentially making them the crew of his own personal starship where he’s in complete control. This critically acclaimed episode of Black Mirror has now been adapted into a full graphic novel by Neil Gibson and Silvano Beltramo, staying remarkably true to the original narrative.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

PROS CONS
Faithful adaptation to the source material Not much difference with original episode
More fantastical elements work in comic form Lack of resemblance to actors can be jarring

USS Callister Hits All the Same Points as the Original

If you’re familiar with the “USS Callister” episode of Black Mirror, you’ll know what this graphic novel is all about. It hits all the same story points – from Daly feeling undervalued to the contrast between the real world and the disturbing virtual reality he controls within the Infinity game mod. While it’s been a while since I watched the original episode, the story quickly came back to me as I read. It’s a very familiar adventure, and I have to give the author credit for staying so true to the source material.

If you already know the story, this book won’t offer many surprises. The biggest difference is that the characters don’t resemble the actors who played them in the TV episode – which is understandable, and not really a criticism. However, the book loses some of its impact without the incredible performances, like Jesse Plemons’ portrayal of a chillingly inhuman character. While Daly is still a frightening villain in the book, Plemons brought a unique and special quality to the role that’s missing here.

USS Callister Doesn’t Reinvent the Wheel, But it Works

This isn’t a bad graphic novel at all – in fact, it has some strong points. The scenes depicting Daly’s digital world are particularly striking, with the artist using classic comic book techniques. The book cleverly distinguishes between the digital and real worlds by making Daly’s virtual space bright and colorful, almost like a classic sci-fi adventure, which ironically highlights how trapped he actually is. It’s clear the creators have a genuine passion for both this story and the sci-fi comic tradition.

It’s a little disappointing to read a book version of a story when you already know everything that happens. Even though it’s been years since I saw the “USS Callister” episode, nothing in the book felt surprising. While it’s not bad that the book stays true to the original, it makes me question why they decided to adapt it. If the goal was simply to have fun with the story, it succeeds. However, it doesn’t really add anything new compared to the episode from ten years ago.

Overall, this adaptation really works. It’s a solid story, and the creators did a great job of bringing everything fans loved about the original live-action episode to the comic book format. Even someone unfamiliar with the Black Mirror episode would likely enjoy it, while dedicated fans will appreciate seeing this story reimagined. It doesn’t break new ground, but Black Mirror – USS Callister is a remarkably faithful comic adaptation, and fans should find it satisfying.

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2026-01-22 20:42