Krishna: Defender of Dharma: A Graphic Novel (Campfire Graphic Novels) - Softcover

Taneja, Shweta

Softcover

ISBN 10: 938074112X ISBN 13: 9789380741123

Publisher: Campfire, 2013

Synopsis

Evil Rakshasa Kalanemi is back on Earth, this time appearing as Kansa, the tyrant king of Mathura. To vanquish him and his horde of evil monsters, Lord Vishnu comes to Earth in his eighth avatar - Krishna, the defender of dharma. Since his birth, Krishna valiantly fights evil monsters, showing courage and valour. But as he grows up and becomes a councillor of the race of Yadavas, he observes that the real struggle in this age is not with magical monsters but with evil kings and warriors. Accompany this wise and courageous hero on his journey on Earth as he conquers evil to put mankind back on the path of righteousness.

About this title

About the Author:

Shweta Taneja heard her first mythological tale the traditional way—orally. Since then, magical, mythical stories have always captivated her as a reader and listener. However, as a writer, she did not always create fiction. During her hectic working career as a journalist, her creative instincts were limited to her personal diary. For seven years she ran after people looking for stories—news stories. One day, however, she decided to create her own stories instead, and officially began writing graphic novels.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 4-8-Krishna is born as an avatar of the god Vishnu, fulfilling a prophecy that will ultimately bring down the power-mad King Kansa and help restore dharma and the rightful social order. He battles demons, warring clans, and influences events in order to reestablish order in the land. Those familiar with Western mythology will find many familiar echoes in this ancient Indian tale of a hero who must fulfill a destined role, who seriously espouses justice, but who is still quick to engage in acts of cavalier violence, and who has a range of powers and abilities for every occasion. It feels important to couch the story in such a context, because otherwise readers might find the protagonist's balance of social engineering and rakish behavior as alien as his blue skin and ambisexual allure. The artwork is colorful, with flourishes that help heighten the grandeur of the characters and the scale of the events, and Krishna's legendary charisma is aptly portrayed. The details of his adventures are given particular focus, and the story seems to have been crafted by someone who is invested in the source material, but the overall narrative is discursive and lacking in balance or structure. The last act feels particularly rushed, and the moral variegations of the Kurukshetra battle are difficult to untangle. As a retelling of a legend, this narrative effectively establishes the personality and reputation of a godhead; as a recounting of a story enmeshed in an active faith, it raises more questions than it answers.-Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NHα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Campfire
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 938074112X
• ISBN 13: 9789380741123
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152
• Illustrator: Nagulakonda Rajesh