rltinha's review against another edition
5.0
Masterfully done. As did the Achaeans, Shanower took his time and, with the help of the gods, he certainly delivers.
chadstep's review against another edition
3.0
I spent some time on this and found it to be not only wonderfully comprehensive and a good composite of the story of Helen of Troy, but wonderfully documented--a great glossary of terms, an extremely thorough map of the characters, and dialog that was modern but not too "pop" for a re-telling.
However, the art was disappointing--very much in the style of 70's comic book work (a la Ka-Zar) with Kim Dietch influences, which I'm not a fan of, personally. I mean, Conan-style drawings are one thing, and Frank Miller another, but it isn't all that stylistically attractive to read for a visual person like myself. Not to knock it, it is better than the Compass Books versions of the Boston Massacre or the Hercules/Greek gods clip-art style graphic novels, but I think Shanower packs a lot into the artwork that the words describe and/or the words over-tell what's already in the artwork.
Some quite violent scenes and graphic nudity makes me concerned to show this to kids under 10, but, then, the story is very complex as opposed to other re-tellings, like Mary Pope Osborne or Geraldine McLaughlan's works on similar topics and anyone under 10 might be lost altogether in the story's complexity.
However, the art was disappointing--very much in the style of 70's comic book work (a la Ka-Zar) with Kim Dietch influences, which I'm not a fan of, personally. I mean, Conan-style drawings are one thing, and Frank Miller another, but it isn't all that stylistically attractive to read for a visual person like myself. Not to knock it, it is better than the Compass Books versions of the Boston Massacre or the Hercules/Greek gods clip-art style graphic novels, but I think Shanower packs a lot into the artwork that the words describe and/or the words over-tell what's already in the artwork.
Some quite violent scenes and graphic nudity makes me concerned to show this to kids under 10, but, then, the story is very complex as opposed to other re-tellings, like Mary Pope Osborne or Geraldine McLaughlan's works on similar topics and anyone under 10 might be lost altogether in the story's complexity.
casualblasphemy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting take on the Iliad, or at least a part of the Iliad.
I feel it goes more in -depth than the Iliad in parts, but I haven't read it in a while too.
I feel it goes more in -depth than the Iliad in parts, but I haven't read it in a while too.
misssusan's review against another edition
3.0
honestly i'm PRETTY SURE the primary thesis of age of bronze is destroy all men
like there'll probably be some stuff about glory and the remaking of the greek model of hero and all that stuff from the iliad but so far?
destroy all male characters of age of bronze
3 stars
(iphigenia, my poor baby ;_;)
like there'll probably be some stuff about glory and the remaking of the greek model of hero and all that stuff from the iliad but so far?
destroy all male characters of age of bronze
3 stars
(iphigenia, my poor baby ;_;)
rouver's review against another edition
3.0
Shanower made the decision to not have the gods physically present in this telling of the tale. Certainly the people claim to get messages from the gods, but they are not actually seen, which gives it a more realistic feel.
(Paris, who was responsible for stealing Helen from her husband Menelaus, is a total prick. Although Helen is rather insufferable, so they're well suited to one another.)
(Paris, who was responsible for stealing Helen from her husband Menelaus, is a total prick. Although Helen is rather insufferable, so they're well suited to one another.)
rahulporuri's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
luana420's review against another edition
5.0
This is a true feat of the genre, nay of the medium itself! The artwork is phenomenal, the many disparate sources are woven into the narrative perfectly, and Shanower manages to make the, uh, rather leisurely paced events of the Iliad feel like an epic in the truest sense. The revelation of the extent of Agamemnon's curse was so insane it almost became comical. I also vaguely knew Herakles was a shit but WHAT a shit!
maria_zoulia's review against another edition
5.0
I have no words to describe my love for this graphic novel! I loved it! The art, the characters, the setting! Eric did a splendid job presenting to us Bronze Age Greece.
This story is not for everyone thought. It might feel slow, some of the character designs look similar and it's hard to recognise who is who and if you aren't into historical fiction, then you won't enjoy it.
But I would like to focus on some specific elements that I liked. First of all, Achilles, a hero who I was never fond of, is so well-written that I can't help but respect him! Him taking responsibility for his actions and him promising to protect Iphigenia, so she wouldn't be sacrificed, are two of my favourite scenes of him. Not to mention his relationship with Patroclus, which is openly erotic.
Then, it's Agamemnon. The course of him nd his decision of sacrificing or not his daughter was done greatly and realistically. Not wanting, and finally deciding to do this, only to change his mind, but it was late and not even Achilles could protect her… I could feel his pain in every page.
Oh, and of course, Odysseus. I mention him mainly because he was my favourite hero back when I was little and he still is. I always admired his intelligence and cunning and these traits are shown here whenever he has to assist Agamemnon.
Volume 3 is up next!
This story is not for everyone thought. It might feel slow, some of the character designs look similar and it's hard to recognise who is who and if you aren't into historical fiction, then you won't enjoy it.
But I would like to focus on some specific elements that I liked. First of all, Achilles, a hero who I was never fond of, is so well-written that I can't help but respect him! Him taking responsibility for his actions and him promising to protect Iphigenia, so she wouldn't be sacrificed, are two of my favourite scenes of him. Not to mention his relationship with Patroclus, which is openly erotic.
Then, it's Agamemnon. The course of him nd his decision of sacrificing or not his daughter was done greatly and realistically. Not wanting, and finally deciding to do this, only to change his mind, but it was late and not even Achilles could protect her… I could feel his pain in every page.
Oh, and of course, Odysseus. I mention him mainly because he was my favourite hero back when I was little and he still is. I always admired his intelligence and cunning and these traits are shown here whenever he has to assist Agamemnon.
Volume 3 is up next!
foxwrapped's review against another edition
3.0
More of the Trojan war myth/drama! This one focuses on Ipheginia, so ah very dramatic. As I continue on with the Age of Bronze series, I feel like it becomes more educational, and less emotional for me. But, i do want to be educated about this story, and this comic is a great way to do that! But the excitement is wearing off a bit.