MathFiction: Big Numbers (Alan Moore / Bill Sienkiewicz)

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

...
Big Numbers (1990)

Alan Moore / Bill Sienkiewicz
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
...

This comic book (written by Moore and illustrated by Sienkiewicz) was planned as a 12 issue series with a mathematics theme. Unfortunately, due to a lack of cooperation by the artist (and also a substitute artist) the series never got past issue 2. Rumors suggest that Moore may be arranging a television mini-series of Big Numbers.

Contributed by Marco Abate

Unfortunately never completed, this story would have combined chaos theory, the Mandelbrot set and ordinary life in Northampton, UK. The first two issues are fascinating and tantalizing; who knows what the whole work would have been if completed.

(Note: This is just one work of mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to Big Numbers

According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:

Strange Attractors by Charles Soule (author) / Greg Scott (Illustrator)
The Phantom Scientist [Le Chercher Phantôme] by Robin Cousin
Numbercruncher by Si Spurrier (writer) / PJ Holden (artist)
1963 by Alan Moore
The New Warriors (Issue #4) by Fabian Nicieza (writer) / Mark Bagley (artist)
Tre per zero by T. Sclavi (writer) / B. Brindisi (artist)
Storm: The Chronicles of Pandarve by Martin Lodewijk (writer) / Don Lawrence (artist)
The Adventures of Topology Man by Alex Kasman
It was the Monster from the Fourth Dimension by Al Feldstein
To The Power Against by Carrie Smith (writer) / Stephanie Lantry (Artist)

Ratings for Big Numbers:

Ratings

Have you seen/read this work of mathematical fiction? Then click here to enter your own votes on its mathematical content and literary quality or send me comments to post on this Webpage.

Mathematical Content:
1.5/5 (2 votes)

Literary Quality:
4/5 (2 votes)

Categories:

Genre	Science Fiction,
Motif
Topic	Chaos/Fractals,
Medium	Graphic Novel/Comic Book/Manga,

Home All New Browse Search About

Where are the new works of mathematical fiction?: As you can see from this chronological listing, this database includes many works of mathematical fiction for each year from 1990 to 2025. Strangely, only two are listed for 2026, so far. Either less mathematical fiction is being published than in previous years or I'm just having more trouble finding it. If you know of any works of fiction that should be added to this list, especially recently published ones, please let me know. (Keep in mind that I do not include self-published works or children's fiction that just covers elementary mathematical concepts.) Thanks!

(Maintained by Alex Kasman, College of Charleston)