The Case of Alan Turing: The Extraordinary and Tragic Story of the Legendary Codebreaker

Despite his heroics, however, Turing led a secret life as a homosexual; haunted by the accidental death of a young love, he got briefly engaged to Joan Clarke, a fellow cryptanalyst, until he told her the truth. After a young man with whom he was involved stole money from him, he went to the police, where he confessed his homosexuality; he was charged with gross indecency, and only avoided prison after agreeing to undergo chemical castration. Tragically, he committed suicide two years later, by ingesting cyanide through a poisoned apple.

The particulars of Turing’s achievements were only made known in 2012, following the release of once-classified papers. Authors Liberge and Delalande used this information to create a biography that is scientifically rigorous yet understandable for the lay reader. It’s also a meticulous depiction of World War II, and an intimate portrayal of a gay man living in an intolerant world.

Delving deeper into Turing’s life than The Imitation Game, this graphic novel is a fascinating portrait of this brilliant, complicated, and troubled man.