Dionysos: The New God

Dionysos: The New God is the last book in the 12-volume Olympians series that chronicles the major gods and goddesses of Greek mythology. The whole enterprise is narrated by Hestia, the first-born child of Rhea and Cronus who eventually gives up her spot in the pantheon to Dionysos, and she gets her due as well. 

In many ways this book is the most straight-forward of them all, with the tales mostly following the main character with few tangents into related myths. Still, it is both highly engaging and informative, telling a tale about a god that shares many aspects with modern religions.

This book is rewarding as a stand-alone volume but it is also a clever send-off to the entire series, full of subtle references to past tales and characters. Dionysos differs from the other gods because his mother is a mortal woman and he grows up on Earth rather than Olympus. His early life is full of chicanery, as he was initially female and lived as a daughter raised by his mother's family before he transformed into a male and moved in with a band of satyrs. Along the way, he invented wine and became a god of celebration, fertilty, and madness. 

Dionysos is imbued with unique characterization, reflecting a complicated trajectory of life. He straddles multiple categories, such as immortal/mortal. female/male, and joy/madness, and his depictions, with two colored eyes, is appropriately beguiling. The flow and storytelling of this book are also superb, and I feel this book is a more than worthy coda to an excellent series. I am really looking forward to what O'Connor does next, which will be a four-book series entitled Asgardians, which will retell Norse mythology.

In addition to the Olympians series, artist/writer George O'Connor has created the American history journal account Journey into Mohawk Country and the dystopian future book Ball Peen Hammer, written by Adam Rapp. He also drew the political graphic novel Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy with author Daniel G. Newman. He speaks about his work on this last Olympians book in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read of this book have been glowing. In a starred entry, Kirkus Reviews summed up, "A by turns epic, amusing, and tragic caper that’s even more toastworthy (for obvious reasons) than its 11 predecessors." Bill Capossere wrote about it and the whole series, "They’re a treasure for all,  young or old, steeped in the stories or barely recalling them from high school."

Dionysos: The New God was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and more here.

Hephaistos: God of Fire

This is the 11th entry in the Olympians series, and I have reviewed every single one of them. Next year will bring the series to a conclusion (with the book focused on Dionysus), but I will stave off my future sadness with this volume. It was a wonderful read, keeping up with the high quality of the entire series.

Hephaistos: God of Fire mostly focuses on the eponymous god, but his tale is mingled with that of the Titan Prometheus. The Titan was present as midwife for the god's birth and was witness to Hera's casting him out of Olympus. As he grew up, raised on the island of Lemnos, he became quite adept at craftwork, building increasingly intricate and gorgeous objects. He used these objects to gain entrance back into Olympus. There, he eventually married Aphrodite and became embroiled in the tricky politics and family dynamics of the Olympians.

Fire figures in highly in this book, in that it is what powers Hephaistos's forge, and it is also a gift that Zeus takes away from humanity. When Prometheus steals fire and gives it back to humans, he is punished in two ways. First his family is visited with a misfortune that results in Pandora releasing a multitude of evils on Earth. Second, Prometheus is chained to a rock where an eagle comes and eats his liver each day. Hephaistos forging those bounds and speaking to the Titan become the narrative frame for the entire book.

Like other books in this series, Hephaistos reflects and displays the title character's personality well within its pages. He is crafty, complex, and not simply shown to be some hideous creature. The artwork and narrative work together seamlessly (like Hephaistos's adamantine net), and I feel this book is a highly compelling tale that would appeal to fans of mythology or just those who are into good action stories.

In addition to the numerous entries in the Olympians series, artist/writer George O'Connor has created the American history journal account Journey into Mohawk Country and the dystopian future book Ball Peen Hammer, written by Adam Rapp.

Hephaistos: God of Fire was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and more here.

Hermes: Tales of the Trickster

This tenth entry in George O'Connor's Olympians series continues an impressive streak of excellent graphic novels. Like the other volumes in this series, it is uniquely crafted to the god's personality, this time with a framing device that runs throughout the book, telling the tale of Argus the many-eyed guardian. Of course, there is a twist at the end, demonstrating just how tricky Hermes is.

There are several other tales told within this book, including the birth of Hermes, his antics against his brother Apollo, the origins of his helmet and staff, the birth of his son Pan, and the final battle against Typhon, the last child of Gaea. That last story is gloriously and horribly depicted, and I get the feeling from this book especially that O'Connor had a blast writing and drawing the whole thing.

Also, There's a great bit about dogs, too. I learned a bunch from this book!

It is meticulously researched, energetically illustrated, and smartly plotted. And like the other volumes in this series, it features lots of notes, drawings, and other interesting back matter after the main narrative. I love these books, and I have mixed feelings about the next two, excited to see them but also sad to know that they will complete the series. Luckily, I have a couple of years to deal with these emotions.

All of the reviews I have read of this book have been glowing. In a starred review from the School Library Journal Mahnaz Dar summed up, "Another stellar addition to graphic novel shelves." Kirkus Reviews also gave it a star and called it "Another crowd-pleasing, compulsively readable entry in this divine series."

Hermes: Tales of the Trickster was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and much more here.

Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt

Some might think a goddess in charge of childbirth, maiden women, the moon, and the forest, would be somewhat demure, but they would be very wrong. Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt tells the story of a goddess who is youthful, energetic, pristine, and downright deadly. This combination is becoming a common theme with this series, as Ares and Apollo have also been shown to be extremely beautiful but downright nasty as well. Perhaps I should not have been so surprised in the case of Artemis though. After all, she showed herself to be quite the badass when she assisted her mother Leto with delivering her own twin brother when she was little more than a week old.

The rest of the book does an excellent job in fleshing out the personality and characteristics of this complex character. And I have to say that the body count is pretty high. She and her brother Apollo slaughter the family of queen Niobe when she blasphemes against their mother. She turns the hunter Actaeon into a deer so he can be eaten by his own dogs after he dares peek at her while skinny-dipping. She tricks the twin monstrous giants Otus and Ephialtes into murdering each other. She also does in the mighty hunter Orion, who had became her compatriot but was so hurt when she refused his advances that he started to slaughter all the animals on Earth. The only respite from all the bloodshed in is in the recounting of the tale of Atalanta.

 

This is the ninth book in the Olympians series, and it is a very strong entry. I loved the way that a narrative was woven to connect all of these tales. I also loved how well the gods' personalities shine through in ways that reflect not just this book but also the other entries in this series. That all the books are this consistently excellent is amazing and commendable.

In addition to the numerous entries in the Olympians series, artist/writer George O'Connor has created the American history journal account Journey into Mohawk Country and the dystopian future book Ball Peen Hammer, written by Adam Rapp. He also has published a number of children's picture books. His work is typically excellent, and I very much appreciate his voice in the notes and back matter of the book. He gives great insight and humor about his choices. He speaks about his career in this interview.

Reviews I have read about this book have been very positive. Kelly Fineman enjoyed the book and also noted, "O'Connor's notes are engaging and provide background material for much of the art and writing." Library Linsey wrote that he "continues to artfully share his knowledge of Greek myth in another dynamic graphic novel representation." Kirkus Reviews cautioned readers, "Admire her—from a distance—and don’t dis her or her mom."

Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt was published by First Second, and they have a preview and much more here.

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Apollo: The Brilliant One

Apollo: The Brilliant One is the latest entry in George O'Connor's Olympians series. Like the other books, this one is full of a great array of Greek myths featuring the titular character, and the contents of the book mirror and portray his personality. This a a beautiful book to look at, and it is structured around a series of presentations by the Nine Muses.

In each story, we see Apollo in action, killing Python, establishing the Oracle at Delphi, becoming a  patron of the arts, getting revenge on mortals who dare compare themselves to him, and turning his attention to a number of females (always with disastrous results). There is also a sizable section about his famed son Asklepios, the first doctor. Even though he was beautiful and full of song, Apollo's stories belie a dark side that emerges with each tale. This is a complex, entertaining, and thoughtful book, well worthy of the series. And like the other entries, it features copious endnotes, footnotes, and additional references for further reading.

All of the reviews I have read for this book have been laudatory. Shelley Diaz gave it a starred review and called it "A shining example of a graphic novel that educates and entertains." Sarah Rachel Egelman wrote that it was "a fantastic and exciting introduction to this important god of ancient Greece." Kirkus Reviews commented positively about Apollo's portrayal as a tragic hero.

Apollo: The Brilliant One was published by First Second, who has a preview and much more available here.

Ares: Bringer of War

This seventh entry in the Olympians series, Ares: Bringer of War, differs from its predecessors in one way: instead of conglomerating multiple texts it is an adaptation of a single work The Iliad. Still, there are many stories and characters in here, and we get a great sense of the richness and relationships of ancient history and mythology. And, like the other books in this series, I really enjoyed how these myths are told in a way that captures the best aspects of superhero comics, including the bold colors, the expressive actions, and the bombastic narratives. Artist/writer George O'Connor puts so much detail, care, and love into these books, and the results are impressive. Because this book is the seventh in the series, I will tell you seven things I love about it.

1. The opening, which is perhaps the strongest one in the series. It is dramatic and powerful, and it demonstrates just how excellent O'Connor is as a storyteller. He sets up a scene, showing us glimpses of emotion and action, and then utterly drops the hammer with Ares' explosive entrance into the fray. The art and storytelling throughout this book is so dynamic and attractive, but the first scene is especially excellent. Check out part of it below:

 

Wow!

2. Its accessible sense of continuity. I love that this book builds on and refers to the characters and events on past volumes in this series, but it can also be read on its own without any confusion.

3. How the Greek gods are shown to be a bickering family. I think part of what makes this book work so well is how well defined all the various personalities are. It makes the gods relatable and interesting characters, and if you have read the other volumes you can also see the long threads O'Connor has woven with each individual narrative. Everyone has their unique motivations and stakes in this war, and their machinations are fun and fascinating to watch.

4. The complexity of Ares' personality. Rather than being a one-dimensional, large, angry hulk, Ares is shown to be a complicated character who is striving for personal pride and also to follow in his father's footsteps. He is a difficult character to root for, but ultimately he is strangely dignified.

5. The action sequences with Diomedes. A lot of other heroes like Achilles and Odysseus get more attention than him, but here O'Connor spotlights his impressive exploits. He is the only mortal to stab two gods in one day. That's a feat. Plus, I really liked the effect of his glowing eyes while wearing an enchanted war helmet.

6. The dialogue. A lot of adaptations of Greek myths feature stilted, faux Shakespearean language or people in distinguished British accents. Here, the characters speak in everyday vernacular, crack jokes, and speak  rather profanely. I can see how some purists may find this jarring, but I feel this modern take more clearly communicates situations and relationships and also points out just how petty some of those gods were.

7. The end notes. O'Connor provides an annotation list at the end of the book, explaining his artistic choices, teasing at the content of future volumes, and commenting on the narrative and myths. I love reading his cheeky commentary and also gaining insight into his creative processes while he demonstrates just how much of a geek he is.

Other reviews I have read about this book have been similarly full of praise. Kirkus Reviews gave it a starred review and wrote, "the sequential scenes present a typically lively mix of melodramatic action and strong reaction shots—enhanced, often, by not-exactly-Classical language." Lori Henderson had very positive comments about the nuances of the characters and plot and concluded, "Olympians continues to be an exceptional series, one that should be on every library and book shelf." Bill Capossere summed it up as "a wholly impressive work."

Ares: Bringer of War was published by First Second, and they have a preview and much more here.

Thank you for the review copy, Gina!

Aphrodite: Goddess of Love

I have been enamored with George O'Connor's Olympians series from the get-go, admiring his translation of Greek myths into more modern sensibilities and superheroic iconography. This sixth book in the series focuses on Aphrodite, and what I admire most about it is how O'Connor tackled the problematic original source material. He focuses more on what makes her formidable and powerful and only obliquely refers to her many ribald, scandalous stories. Her origins are different than those of the other Olympians, as she is almost a force of nature than a member of the Pantheon. And her origins are somewhat ambiguous.

In terms of the artwork, I admired how there are lots of classical references, such as the above sequence that called to mind Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, without being derivative or too literal. There is still a superhero comics flavor to the proceedings, but this volume is less bombastic and leans more on atmosphere and tone to tell the stories.

Perhaps that shift was necessary as Aphrodite's tales tend to be less about the typical male hero of Greek myths and more about choices, transformation, and relationships. Still, I think O'Connor packs a lot of emotion, humor, and personality into tales of the birth of Aphrodite, the Judgment of Paris, Eros's antics, and Pygmalion. This book might not feature the cinematic action of past volumes, but it does build on the stories and characters from those books. And I am impressed by how all of this continuity is being thread through volumes. I think it would be rewarding to young readers who read and revisit the series.

New York Times bestselling artist/writer George O'Connor has created a number of graphic novels in addition to these well received Olympians books about Zeus, Athena, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon. His first was the American history journal account Journey into Mohawk Country and his second was the dystopian future book Ball Peen Hammer, written by Adam Rapp. He also has published a number of children's picture books.

I felt that this might not be my favorite book in the series, but it is still well done and intriguing, a sentiment I saw reflected in other reviews. Jeff Provine wrote, "While not O’Connor’s strongest, Aphrodite serves as a great midpoint for the series," adding that it looks back at the origins depicted in the first book and also ahead to the future volumes that will feature the Trojan War. Amanda from Novel Addiction commented, "I'm glad the author chose to give us stories that show Aphrodite as a strong female lead instead of a lusty lady." Kirkus Reviews summed up, "This neatly nuanced take on Aphrodite shows respect for the ultrafeminine heroine."

Aphrodite: Goddess of Love was published by First Second, and they have copious resources available here.

Thank you for the review copy, Gina!

Poseidon: Earth Shaker

In this fifth book of his excellent Olympians series, George O'Connor tackles the mercurial god Poseidon. The ruler of the oceans and seas is a complicated figure, which reflects his relationship with humanity. He offers gifts and an avenue for travel, but he also is extremely dangerous and prone to lash out in anger. His children are almost all monstrous (some outwardly like the Cyclops, others in more guileful ways, like Theseus). In many ways the portrait O'Connor paints of him here is very passive aggressive: he appears amenable and friendly until he snaps and becomes vengeful, creating earthquakes and tidal waves for those who offend him.

Like other volumes in the series, this one also makes overtures where the Greek gods are likened to superheroes (or was that vice versa?), and I was impressed by how much continuity creating there is. Multiple myths, such as the stories of Odysseus, Theseus, the revolt against Zeus, and the founding of Athens, are all reconciled to try to create a larger picture and personality for the god. Also, this book makes more direct references (noted in the excellent endnotes) to other books in the series than I have noted in the others, and O'Connor seems more purposeful in creating a vast tapestry with all of these books.

Artist/writer George O'Connor has created a number of graphic novels in addition to the well received Olympians books about Zeus, Athena, Hera, and Hades. His first one was the American history journal account Journey into Mohawk Country. He also has published a number of children's picture books. He speaks more about his work on the Olympians series in this interview with the School Library Journal.

Like other books in the series, this book has been met with praise. The reviewer at Kirkus Reviews wrote that it was perhaps "not the best volume with which to start this first-rate series, but rousing reading for comics fans who like their heroes heavily muscled, unhappy and occasionally splashed with blood." Teacher Mary Lee noted that the Olympians books were very popular in her classroom and extolled this book for "the combination of great art and good storytelling."

A preview and more is available here from the book's publisher, First Second.

Thank you, Gina, for the review copy!

Hades: Lord of the Dead

This fourth graphic novel in The Olympians series seems to be about Hades but follows more the story of Persephone. The reasons for this focus are detailed in the interesting Author's Note that follows the main narrative. Persephone appears in so few Greek myths and almost never except in the underworld, even though she spends only half her time there. With her O'Connor finds a blank slate that he uses to paint a portrait of a slightly rebellious young woman who is happy to explore life on her own beyond the yoke of her overbearing mother. The oft-told tale of a god kidnapping a young goddess to make her his bride is a strange one, and it receives a fresh twist because of the author's insights.

The traditional high notes are here: Hades receives the Underworld as his domain after the defeat of the Titans. He seeks a wife and kidnaps the young Kore (who would change her name to Persephone). While Kore is with him, her mother Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and the harvest, grieves and the world falls into a state of barren winter. Hermes is finally sent to retrieve Persephone to revive Demeter and restore life to the Earth. But she has eaten a pomegranate, the food of the dead, and must remain in the Underworld for part of the year as consequence. This myth explains why there are seasons.

George O'Connor has created a number of graphic novels in addition to the well received Olympians books, Zeus, Athena, and Hera. His first one was the American history journal account Journey into Mohawk Country. He also has published a number of children's picture books. He keeps an online sketchbook of his latest projects here.

Reviews for this book have been overwhelmingly positive. Rob McGonigal wrote that "this is a great book and a solid series for any young adult interested in exciting stories that can springboard them into a world of literature." Madigan McGillicuddy described this book as "deliciously spooky" and "riveting." She also commented that it "adds a modern touch to the stories that the Greeks told about the Underworld." The tough critics at Kirkus Reviews awarded a starred review and called it "an outstanding addition to a first-rate series."

The book's publisher First Second provides an excerpt and discussion guide here.

Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory

With this third volume in a series about the ancient Greek gods George O'Connor accomplishes two herculean tasks: 1) He portrays Hera not as a mere shrew but as a strong and intelligent woman, and 2) he puts a fresh spin on the oft-told labors of Heracles (aka Hercules to most). Here he tells the story of her birth and how she came to marry Zeus, the most powerful but also most unfaithful, king of the gods. He also tells how her name came to be associated with the Greek demigod, a product of her husband's infidelity. Ultimately, "Hera's Glory" is spread through Heracles's amazing accomplishments.

O'Connor is an accomplished writer and artist who has published numerous graphic novels, including Journey into Mohawk Country, Zeus, Athena, and Ball Peen Hammer. He also has created a number of picture books, including the New York Times best-selling Kapow! He talks more about his work on the Olympians book series in this interview. He speaks about this book in particular in this interview with Kirkus Reviews' Julie Danielson.

Reviews of the Hera have been very positive. April at CSI: Librarian called the book one of her favorites of 2011, drawing attention to the meticulous detail O'Connor puts into all aspects of the graphic novel. In this detailed review, Michael May wrote about he was also impressed by O'Connor's attention to craft, even though he does have a slanted view of Hera and chose to leave out some of the more negative tales involving her. The reviewer at Good Comics for Kids raved about the artwork and stated that this volume only adds to "a truly perfect series."

An excerpt, teaching guides, and other resources are available here from the book's publisher First Second.

A big thank you to Gina for the review copy!

Zeus: King of the Gods

The gods, heroes, and monsters of mythology may have been the first superheroes, as some have written, and George O'Connor certainly casts them as such in Zeus. This book is one long narrative that tells the classical Greek version of creation. The world begins with Gaea, the proverbial Mother Earth who creates the Sky (Ouranos) in her loneliness and takes him as her mate. Gaea and Ouranos had many children, among them cyclops, giants, and the Titans. Kronos, the leader of the Titans, was unhappy with his tyrannical father and rose up and overthrew him. This cycle of violence would continue.

Kronos ruled the earth with his wife Rhea, but he feared his own children overthrowing him and so he ate them. Rhea was not thrilled with this situation but went along with her powerful husband five times. The sixth time, however, she could no longer go through with it, and she fed her apparently oblivious mate a rock made to look like a baby. The actual baby was hidden and grew to be Zeus, who would battle his father for control of the earth, learn to wield lightning bolts, and become the leader of his own pantheon of gods.

Reviewers have been very positive about this retelling of the classical myths. Michael May wrote that "the whole thing is a blast and a pleasure to read." John DeNardo opined that the book is informative and entertaining though light on characterization. J. Caleb Mozzocco called it "an all-ages book in the very best sense of the word" and said that "there are a great many pleasures to be had here."

George O'Connor has drawn multiple graphic novels, including Journey into Mohawk Country and Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess, the first sequel to this book. He has a sketchbook blog where he shows and talks about his work. For more information about his series of Olympians graphic novels, check out this blog about them.

The book's publisher First Second provides a preview here.

A great big thank you to Gina Gagliano for the review copy!

Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess

With the release of the Percy Jackson books and movie and the remake of Clash of the Titans, it seems like Greek myths are coming into vogue lately. This particular book is the second in a series called Olympians being published by First Second. It is written and illustrated by George O'Connor, a graphic novelist whose prior work includes Journey into Mohawk Country, an illustrated version of 16th century Dutch trader Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert's journals.
The art is done in a clean, energetic style that brings to mind superhero comics. There may not be lush or many backgrounds, but the characters fly into action and are definitely expressive.

Athena's tale retells a number of classical myths and includes many characters. The narrative is told by the Fates, three immortal women who spin the threads that make up people's and gods' lives. The story is framed as the tale of how Athena's aegis came to be in its final, glorious, and impenetrable form. The first tale is of how Athena was born, fully grown and armored, out of Zeus's head. The second details how she got the name Pallas and also how she received her aegis. The third is about the Gigantomachy, a great battle between the giants and the gods over the cosmic order of things. The fourth tale retells the adventure of Perseus, the demigod who slew Medusa and Cetus the sea monster and then became the founding king of Mycenae. The book ends with the tale of Arachne, a boastful weaver who engages Athena in a contest.

The back matter of the book is chock full of helpfulness, including a notes from the author page which tells about how O'Connor came to tell these stories. There are also copious footnotes providing more details about the background of the stories, a bibliography of recommended works, and discussion questions that some readers may find engaging. Also, in the guise of pin-up/info pages from comic books, O'Connor provides profiles on four of the major characters in the book.

Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess is a faithful retelling of classical Greek myths. Reviewer Andrew Wheeler said it may be a tad violent for some younger readers but called it "damn good comics about the original warrior woman." A wider range of reviews can be found at Goodreads. And for more information about the entire series, O'Connor writes a blog about it.

An excerpt, reviews, and teachers guide can be found at the book's official page at Macmillan.

Thank you again to Gina at First Second for the review copy!