But what makes this book worth reading is his grasp of how comics work, and what devices he can use from the medium’s sphere to communicate both facts and emotions. Writer Jim Ottaviani has worked extensively in science labs (and has a master’s degree in nuclear engineering), which enables him to understand complex concepts and convey them accurately. If the person asking the questions cannot determine which of the interview subjects is a machine, artificial intelligence has been achieved. And one of the interrogated parties is a computer. Rather than the kind of dialogue portrayed in a film like Ex Machina, the test consists of a simultaneous, text-only interrogation of two parties by a third party, none of whom is in the same room. The name of both comes from the test Turing developed to determine whether a machine has truly achieved artificial intelligence. Computer science buffs, comics fans, and history aficionados will be captivated by this riveting and tragic story of one of the 20th century’s most unsung heroes.Originally published on Tor.com, this biography of the brilliant, pioneering and tragically closeted computer scientist Alan Turing may share a title with the 2014 film that also covers Turing’s life, but neither is an adaptation of the other. While Turing’s achievements remain relevant decades after his death, the story of his life in post-war Europe continues to fascinate audiences today.Īward-winning duo Jim Ottaviani (the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Feynman and Primates) and artist Leland Purvis (an Eisner and Ignatz Award nominee and occasional reviewer for the Comics Journal) present a factually detailed account of Turing’s life and groundbreaking research-as an unconventional genius who was arrested, tried, convicted, and punished for being openly gay, and whose innovative work still fuels the computing and communication systems that define our modern world. His code breaking efforts led to the cracking of the German Enigma during World War II, work that saved countless lives and accelerated the Allied defeat of the Nazis. The Imitation Game presents a historically accurate graphic novel biography of Turing’s life, including his groundbreaking work on the fundamentals of cryptography and artificial intelligence. Selected as a 2017 ALA/YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens: NonfictionĪward winning authors Jim Ottaviani and Leland Purvis present a historically accurate graphic novel biography of English mathematician and scientist Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.Įnglish mathematician and scientist Alan Turing (1912–1954) is credited with many of the foundational principles of contemporary computer science.

The Imitation Game by Jim Ottaviani