Graphic Novels To Die For: Part 9

Frank Miller’s powerful graphic novel 300 isn’t exactly a Greek literary ‘classic’, but it did set out how to go about translating the many dramas and tragedies of Ancient Greece into a compelling visual format. On the strength of reading 300 it seemed worth taking a quick look at a graphic novel based on a genuine Greek classic, The Odyssey.

Otherwise, our expectations for yet another ‘graphics classic’ weren’t high after scanning a succession of low budget titles aimed at re-selling comic book versions of Shakespeare and Homer into classrooms. For the most part these ‘classics’ have delivered middle of the road graphics and offered disjointed accounts of the original material.

Marvel are behind this particular version of the story of Odysseus’ epic voyage back from Troy. As a result, the artwork is in a completely different league to the rushed efforts found in so many recent graphics classics. Greg Tochinni’s images skip the murky, dismal greys of such adaptations and drop us into a clearly visualised, brightly coloured Mediterranean world. Everything is draw with flowing lines and the colours are so gleaming they can reasonably be described as lurid.

The Odyssey (Marvel Illustrated)

The story itself also benefits from Roy Thomas’ comic writing skills, as the lengthy tale of Odysseus’ voyage is condensed without ever losing the main narrative thread. (Not an easy task with the original stretching to 416 pages).

Those already familiar with Odysseus’ story may wonder what a graphic version of The Odyssey has to offer them. Fortunately, the straightforward answer is that the exceptional figure work, vibrant colours and skilled narration combine to make the title well worth a further run through the story. Especially when such a dramatic presentation succeeds in turning the whole tale into a genuine pageturner.

The Iliad (Marvel Illustrated)

There are several other literary classics in the Marvel Illustrated series. These include The Three Musketeers, Pride and Prejudice, The Last of the Mohicans and The Iliad. Some are better written than others, but they all offer the same professional graphics as found in The Odyssey.

Among these The Iliad set the artist and writer the hardest task, because the title inevitably draws comparisons with Eric Shanower’s Age of Bronze series, which presents the events of the Trojan War as a series of graphic novels. (The Age of Bronze is currently on Book 3. The series offers an excellent, and detailed, account of much of The Iliad in B&W).

Age of Bronze, Vol. 1: A Thousand Ship

While Marvel’s version of The Iliad isn’t quite as comprehensive or involving as the Age of Bronze series, the images are wonderfully drawn and very evocative. A regular reader of graphic novels might prefer the greater subtlety of Shanowar’s account, but those new to either the Greek classics or graphic novels are likely to be impressed by Marvel’s vivid presentation.