Robot… A Graphic Novel (Lem, Klimowski, Schejbal, SelfMadeHero Publishing, 2011, London)
In the realm of science fiction as it relates to robots, a few names stand out among the more thoughtful originators. In the English-speaking world, Isaac Asimov’s renown is universal. In Poland, the name of Stanisław Lem is pre-eminent. At a recent event organised by the EU in London to celebrate Europe Day, the Polish Embassy chose to represent their country with a selection of Polish food and books, including a graphic novel featuring two of Lem’s short stories in English translation. Both date from the 1960s. The first, Uranium Ears, is a sci-fi retelling of Goethe’s fable, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. In the other story, The Sanatorium of Dr Vliperdius, an astronaut visits an asylum for robots suffering mental illness. This edition was first published in 2011 as part of Poland’s international cultural programme to mark its presidency of the EU. Its appearance in a showcase public event some 15 years later reflects the continuing stature of Lem as a Polish national cultural icon. Copies of ‘Robot…’ were prominently displayed on the Polish exhibition stand, alongside books devoted to works by Chopin, tourist brochures and Polish foods. As such, it offered a relatively rare but very welcome visibility to robots in a cultural and diplomatic setting.