The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel: (A Modern Visual Adaptation of Homer's Epic Tale of Greek Mythology for Young Adults)

As a film student with a love for classic literature, Gareth Hinds’ graphic novel adaptation of The Odyssey was an absolute delight. This book is a masterclass in storytelling through art, and its breathtaking illustrations and unique style made it impossible to put down—I devoured it in just one hour! Hinds’ artwork is the heart of this adaptation. His vibrant, dynamic illustrations capture the epic scope of Homer’s tale, from Odysseus’ battles with the Cyclops to his perilous journey through Scylla and Charybdis. The watercolor and pen style brings a mythical yet grounded feel, with each panel bursting with emotion and detail. For instance, the stormy seas and monstrous creatures leapt off the page, making every scene cinematic. This visual approach not only enhanced the storytelling but also made the dense epic accessible and thrilling, even for readers new to the classic. The pacing and layout kept me hooked, blending action with quieter moments of Odysseus’ longing for home. As a visual learner, I found the art made the narrative flow effortlessly, turning a potentially intimidating text into an immersive experience. My only minor wish is for more behind-the-scenes notes on Hinds’ artistic process, but that’s a small quibble. For fans of graphic novels, mythology, or anyone seeking a fresh take on a classic, this is a must-read. Hinds’ The Odyssey is a visual triumph that made me see the epic in a new light. It’s a five-star gem I’ll revisit often!

I'm not a huge fan of graphic novels, but this version of "The Odyssey" is superbly done. Mr. Hinds's watercolours (I presume) are excellent. He is terrific at depicting the ocean in its many moods. The colours, especially the blues, are wonderful. He is able to present seascapes, landscapes, and characters' figures and emotions convincingly in a realistic style. The "panels" illustrate the narrative in constantly changing close-up, medium, and long shots, and in such a way as the story is relatively easy to follow, though it does help to know the events beforehand. The action sequences, such as Odysseus being tossed around in a storm at sea, or the episode with the Cyclops, create the requisite thrills. Though I give the book five stars because overall it is worth it, there are, in my opinion, a few problems with how the tale is told by Mr. Hinds. First of all, occasionally the thread of the narrative is lost from panel-to-panel when the view moves from a close-up to an extreme long shot. You may be scratching your head wondering exactly where you are in the sequence. This is not a constant problem, but it does occur. This glitch, a sort of editorial concern, could have been easily solved by a bit of narration to orient the reader. Secondly, occasionally it is difficult to discern the characters, to tell them apart, because they can look alike. Is that character Telemachus? Or? Mr. Hinds tries to alleviate this difficulty through costume but still, to me at least, distinguishing characters took some work from time to time. Thirdly, the violence of the graphics could be problematic for some parents. I bought the book to send to my grandsons but seriously considered withholding it because Mr. Hinds does not soften the very violent scenes of "The Odyssey". Contemporary films have nothing on the poem and Mr. Hinds's rendering of it when it comes to this aspect. The garish Cyclops sequence is an example, and so is the final slaughter of the suitors, which literally turns red with blood and gore. The famous Book XI, rendered here purposefully in only shades of grey, in which Odysseus descends into the Land of the Dead to consult the prophet Tiresias, involves drinking the blood of a slaughtered animal, and the characters' mouths turn red with it. At the very end of the story, there was, I think, no need to include a panel, however much in long shot, of the execution of Odysseus's female servants who had been traitors to him while he was away. As to sex: Calypso is very buff and voluptuous and there is a bed scene with her and Odysseus; the same for a nude Circe (her hair flows down to provide a strategic modesty). This is honest to the story and to relations between adult men and women, but, again, parents will need to decide how age appropriate this material is for their kids. In this respect, the question may arise from more curious younger readers why, if Odysseus is married and loves his wife, is he sleeping with other women. Saying this, one could respond with approbation that Mr. Hinds has not, at least, bowdlerized this founding, classic epic of Western literature and culture. You get the real goods in this version and you get them well presented. Finally, Mr. Hinds's note on how he read many of the English translations of the poem and incorporated some of the dialogue directly into his telling is worth reading.

I bought this book after doing another deep dive into the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou which is based of the Odyssey. I don't normally care for graphic novels but this one is very well done. It is a much easier read than when I had to read the book in high school.

My teenager hates (HATES!) to read but I really wanted him to get some exposure to the classics. Enter the graphic novel. He was initially dubious that he would like it but a couple of hours later, he came out of his room and told me what an incredible book it was. Being a big reader myself and very familiar with classical literature, I quizzed him to see if he really read it or was just stringing me along. He and I discussed the story and I helped give a deeper insight into some of the points that were kind of glossed over in the name of creating an easy-to-read “comic book”. Since purchasing this title, I’ve gone on to buy him several other classical lit graphic novels. I’m happy that he’s not staring at a screen and learning with me during our discussions, and he’s happy that I’m not harping at him to go outside or something just as distasteful for kids like him who forgot how to have fun that doesn’t involve a screen. Covid did our kids no favors and graphic novels seem to be a good (not perfect) way to get him interested in something educational and making him more well-rounded.

Mr. Hinds' version of the Odyssey is very attractive and he has obviously put a lot of effort into this production. I am a teacher and I bought copies of this graphic novels to give to my students. I have one concern about this work: Odysseus looks too old. He has long white hair. Now we can engage in the exercise of counting years. Including the time spent fighting the Trojan War (10 years) and the time spent on the journey back home (10 years) he must certainly have aged considerably (20 years total). We have to consider how old he was when he left for Troy. He could have been 20, older or younger. His only child is born as he is leaving. I am no expert on heroic age marriage customs, but I would suppose that people would have married young and had children soon after then, so 20 (in the absence of definitive evidence about his age, which I don't think exists) is probably a reasonable estimate. A great deal of the action recounted in the story takes place in the last ten years of his absence, much of it toward the beginning or middle of this period. To me it always seemed that Odysseus would be vibrant and striking in his appearance. Men in their mid-thirties (which is where I suppose O is in most of his adventures) are often at their most attractive; there may be some gray in their hair but their vigor is often unimpaired. Could we call this bracket of age the period of personal mastery when vigor is still high but there has been significant experience? A young princess, Nausikaa, falls in love with Odysseus and wants to marry him. Circe and Calypso are deeply attracted to him. The most telling evidence that Odysseus' appearance upon his return was youthful was that Athena disguises him when he returns to Ithaca by making him appear old. In Hinds/ graphic novel Odysseus does not look that different after Athena disguises him than he did before (he has a bushier beard). I risk incurring charges of "agism" but I think Homer (or whoever the author was) intended Odysseus and Penelope to be ageless; Odysseus is the only one who can string the bow and the suitors want Penelope no matter what her age is. I was really looking forward to an Odyssey graphic novel. I love the Iliad Miguel Sepulveda and Roy Thomas did for Marvel and I give it to my students. My basic strategy is to use it to try to "hook" my most challenging students. I ordered three copies of Hinds' Odyssey sight unseen but I'm honestly afraid my students will be confused by O's elderly appearance. But it's a marvelous accomplishment.

Grandson loved it

My son was struggling through the Odyssey and a friend recommended this book as a supplement. It really helped! Plus, I caught him reading ahead, so I think he also just liked the graphic novel version. He even recommended it to his friends.

Excelente

I bought this for myself years ago and loved it. Faithfull to the original, and such a tremendous work! Imagine over 200 pages of thoroughly illustrated images, well researched, several per page! You can see the love for the originialI introduced it to my 6 year old son half a year ago, and he reads in it every day. I have read it out loud for him 2 times all the way through. His favourite book of all books is the Illiad by Garerth Hinds (which I have read for him every day for months now at his request, some passages he just cannot get enough of). It also made me pick up the original Homer again, appreciating it in a new way

Es de excelente material, y las imagenes son muy claras y el texto muy legible.

One of my favourite stories illustrated in a graphic novel format. The art is exceptional and the story speaks again in a way I never expected.

Excellent

A must read ilustration book