Wizzywig
"They say What You See Is What You Get-- but Kevin "Boingthump" Phenicle could always see more than most people. In the world of phone phreaks, hackers, and scammers, he's a legend. His exploits are hotly debated: could he really get free long-distance calls by whistling into a pay phone? Did his video-game piracy scheme accidentally trigger the first computer virus? And did he really dodge the FBI by using their own wiretapping software against them? Is he even a real person? And if he's ever caught, what would happen to a geek like him in federal prison? Inspired by the incredible stories of real-life hackers, WIZZYWIG is the thrilling tale of a master manipulator-- his journey from precocious child scammer to federally wanted fugitive, and beyond. In a world transformed by social networks, data leaks, and digital uprisings, Ed Piskor's debut graphic novel reminds us how much power can rest in the hands of an audacious kid with a keyboard" -- from publisher's web site.
Stats for nerds
2recommend
2mentions
2people
2014–2026years
100% recommend
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- > The student admitted to the allegations, saying, "I started using computers when I was in the fourth grade and taught myself everything I know. I happened to be able to access the information and had nothing against the company."
A while back I read the excellent graphic novel Wizzywig about hacking, and my takeaway was that, at base level, a hacker is a lock picker with insatiable curiosity.
- I second (or third) Warren Ellis's stuff. Orbiter and Ministry of Space are a couple of good sci-fi books. Planetary's also pretty awesome, but it's more superhero-y.
Others off the top of my head:
Wizzywig by Ed Piskor - fictional account of a Kevin Mitnick-type hacker.
We3 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely - 3 bionically enhanced animals escape their captors and talk funny.
Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark - an immortal hitwoman with a conscience in a feudal society.
RASL by Jeff Smith - art thief is chased through parallel universes.
Casanova by Matt Fraction, Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba - more parallel universe hijinks, this time with spies.
