Blurb

In a companion volume to his award-winning adaptation of The Odyssey, the incomparable graphic novelist Gareth Hinds masterfully adapts Homer’s classic wartime epic.

More than three thousand years ago, two armies faced each other in an epic battle that rewrote history and came to be known as the Trojan War. The Iliad, Homer’s legendary account of this nine-year ordeal, is considered the greatest war story of all time and one of the most important works of Western literature. In this stunning graphic novel adaptation — a thoroughly researched and artfully rendered masterwork — renowned illustrator Gareth Hinds captures all the grim glory of Homer’s epic. Dynamic illustrations take readers directly to the plains of Troy, into the battle itself, and lay bare the complex emotions of the men, women, and gods whose struggles fueled the war and determined its outcome. This companion volume to Hinds’s award-winning adaptation of The Odyssey features notes, maps, a cast of characters, and other tools to help readers understand all the action and drama of Homer’s epic.

Review

The Iliad is my favorite story. Has been for a while. I have read a few different translations over the years. I am also a comic book nerd. And yet it took me six years after it was released to get to this graphic novel version of the greatest war story ever told.

This is easily the shortest version of the story I have read yet. That was by design. It was made to be easily consumed. This is The Iliad for the masses. The focus is on the story more than the meter. The beauty of the poem is replaced by the ambient of the graphic art. I haven’t read reviews, but I could see purist not liking this version. I’m cool with it. Both the long form poem and the abridged graphic version are worthy art, even if varied slightly.

I have been asked before why The Iliad is my favorite book. My answer has been because I think it is a fascinating character study of the reader and who it is they sympathize with the most. Some praise Achilles for his sheer greatness. Some Patroclus for his bravery. Odysseus for his clever ways. Nestor for his wisdom For me, it is Hector, for his sense of duty. Knowing he was going to die an unnecessary death, and still carrying out his duties.

Hinds offered this up in his author notes:

Why do we still read The Iliad?

First, because it is universal. As archaic or foreign as the world of The Iliad may initially seem, we quickly recognize the humanity in the characters portrayed by Homer. Angry arguments driven by pride turn into personal tragedies to which I think we can all relate. Humanity is on display in all its nobility and pettiness and violence and tenderness. It is, simply, a powerful story.

That. What he said.

5 out of 5 stars.