Beowulf - Hardcover

Garcia, Santiago

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1534301208 ISBN 13: 9781534301207

Publisher: Image Comics, 2017

Synopsis

SANTIAGO GARCIA and DAVID RUBIN unite to bring forward the myth of Beowulf, which has endured for a thousand years, inspired an epic poem, become a foundational piece of English literature, and influenced generations of authors: from J.R.R. Tolkien and Seamus Heaney to a multitude of Hollywood screenwriters.

BEOWULF tells of the tale of a Scandinavian hero in lands that would become what is now Denmark and Sweden. A monster, Grendel, has arrived in the kingdom of the Danes, devouring its men and women for over a decade until Beowulf arrives to save them.

GARCIA and RUBIN faithfully follow the original story for a new version that is neither revisionist nor postmodern, but captures the tone and important details of the poem, translating its potent, epic resonance and melancholy into a contemporary comic that isn’t standard swords and sorcery or heroic fantasy fare, but rather an ancient story with a modern perspective that remains respectful of the source material.

About this title

Review

LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED) -- Just when it seemed that this 1,000-year-old Old English epic poem by an anonymous author, detailing the adventures of the legendary Scandinavian hero Beowulf, has been translated and adapted in every conceivable fashion, along comes this stunning graphic retelling to breathe new life into the story. After a dozen years at the mercy of the monstrous Grendel, a Danish kingdom is saved with the help of Beowulf. But our protagonist isn't merely altruistic, he sees an opportunity to gain greater glory for himself by dueling the beast. And it's this conflict in his character that writer García (On the Graphic Novel) and artist Rubín (The Hero: Book One) exploit in order to bring a fresh, modern spin to the text. García's script hews closely to the events of the original, inventing only some dialog and moments of reflection to deepen the characters, and Rubin's dynamic illustration combines slightly cartoonish figures with moments of visceral horror and expert pacing. VERDICT Whether you're a fan of Beowulf or new to the work, this beautiful retelling should stir the imagination and remind us why people have been reading the poem for a millennium.-TB

Edition details

• Publisher: Image Comics
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1534301208
• ISBN 13: 9781534301207
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 200