Age of Bronze, Vol. 2: Sacrifice - Hardcover

Shanower, Eric

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1582403600 ISBN 13: 9781582403601

Publisher: Image Comics, 2004

Synopsis

• While Trojan prince Paris returns to Troy with Helen, the Achaean fleet mistakenly attacks Mysia, then is scattered by a storm. High King Agamemnon gathers the army again, but for the fleet to sail, the gods require the life of Agamemnon's eldest daughter, Iphigenia.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 9 Up–If you have fans of A Thousand Ships (Image, 2001), then read no further: just order this book immediately. Shanower has mastered the history, archaeology, literature, and mythology of the Trojan War, and is busy distilling the results into seven graphic novels. He understands human psychology, dramatic pacing, narrative structure–and he can draw. Sacrifice begins by recapitulating the story thus far. Paris sails back to Troy, just as self-regarding and shortsighted as when he left. Thrilled with his own prize (Helen), he has no understanding of the political complications. Priam does, but he is swayed by the machinations of Helen and by Hecuba's generosity. Not only are the major characters (Achilles, Klytemnestra, Odysseus) complex, but even a minor player like Telephus is carefully developed. Shanower's graphic decisions are admirable, and some pages (like the tormented Agamemnon's recitation of his family history) are brilliant. There's more sensitive material in this volume: incest, nudity, violent death–all in the sources–but no one will be checking out Sacrifice for its few dicey scenes. This work demands close engagement and thoughtful response: it makes the Trojan War both unbelievably distant in a vivid historical past, and compellingly present in our own age.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Publishers Weekly:

Starred Review. This second volume of Shanower’s award-winning series offers readers an intense retelling of the saga of the Trojan War using multiple literary and historical sources as a springboard. Shanower is the rare talent who can adapt such a well-known work and not only make the dense material accessible, but utterly compelling. Each panel drips with detail and epic scope, yet the characters are never lost in the fray. The Greeks of yore are refreshingly depicted as ethnic in appearance, and a mind-boggling amount of research has been expended on the story and visuals. This collection opens with Paris, Prince of Troy, returning home with Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, as his stolen paramour, unconcerned that she is wed to a king who is determined to reclaim her. Paris’s father, Priam, reluctantly welcomes Helen to his land. Meanwhile, the inexperienced warrior Achilles leads a bloody assault on an island which he mistakenly believes to be Troy. Bitter sibling rivalry, obsessive lust, full-scale battles, simmering homoerotic tension, and drama and intrigue on every page combine to create a stunning addition to the literature of the Trojan War.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Image Comics
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1582403600
• ISBN 13: 9781582403601
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224