Metropolis – Thea von Harbou, Illustrated by Michael Kaluta (1998 Edition)
This visually stunning 1998 edition of Thea von Harbou’s 1925 novel Metropolis—the basis for her husband Fritz Lang’s legendary silent film—is elevated by the breathtaking illustrations of Michael Kaluta, a master of comic book and fantasy art. Kaluta’s noir-inflected, Art Deco-meets-steampunk style perfectly captures the dystopian grandeur of the original story, where the towering city of Metropolis is split between the elite “thinkers” in skyscrapers and the oppressed “workers” toiling in subterranean machines.
Von Harbou’s prose, though often overshadowed by Lang’s film, weaves a mythic tale of class revolt, technological hubris, and messianic symbolism, centered on the privileged Freder and the revolutionary Maria. Kaluta’s illustrations amplify the novel’s Gothic extremes: the eerie robot double, the collapsing Heart Machine, and the cathedral-like Yoshiwara nightclub, all rendered with chiaroscuro drama and intricate linework.
This edition bridges the cinematic and literary legacies of Metropolis, making it a must-have for fans of German Expressionism, sci-fi noir, and illustrated classics.
“Kaluta’s art doesn’t just illustrate the city—it breathes life into its gears and ghosts.”
