Age Of Bronze Volume 2 : Sacrifice (Age of Bronze)

Rating:
Summary: Builds on the excellence of the first vol.
Review: Here is the long awaited second volume of "Age of Bronze," the massive graphic novel covering the entire Trojan War story. The first collection carried the story to the launching of the first armada against Troy, while this one deals with the catastrophic results. The expedition is lost, mistakenly attacks friendly territories, and regroups... but what will the Greek army have to do to earn the gods' favor for a second assault?

As great as the first part of the story was, this one impoves on it considerably. Its fascinating to really *feel* the characters slowly come to realize the immensity of the struggle. The bravado of the first part is gradually turning to weariness, caution, and fear as the stakes become higher, and the sacrifices needed become greater. Characterization is impressive all around, and Cassandra's story is fully modernized and absolutely chilling. But its also fascinating to see how Shanower fearlessly takes on some of the classics of literature to tell his own story. The central part of "Sacrifice" is identical with Euripides's masterpiece, "Iphegenia at Aulis." Dangerous drawing so clear a comparison with such a classic, yet Shanower succeedes brilliantly, not simply rewriting it, but fitting it into the larger story.

This is not a good starting point -- anyone not reading vol. 1 will probably be lost -- but this volume is highly recommended, and not just for people who love mythology or graphic novels. Make no mistake... this is excellent literature.

Rating:
Summary: 202 pages of superbly detailed black and white art
Review: The second of a project seven volume graphic novel "Age of Bronze" series by Eric Shanower, Sacrifice continues the story of Homer's Illiad with 202 pages of superbly detailed black and white art. This outstanding graphic novel makes this legendary Hellenic myth come alive in an impressive "theatre of the mind" experience for the reader. Enhanced with a full color dust jacket, color endsheets, maps, genealogical charts, bibliography, and pronunciation glossary, Sacrifice is enthusiastically recommended reading, and the "Age of Bronze" series an appropriate and welcome addition to any school or community library collection. Indeed, the only drawback is an impatient waiting for the next volume to see how this deftly crafted retelling of this fascinating story unfolds.


Rating:
Summary: Even Homer would get a kick out of this
Review: This and the preceding volume of the projected seven-part series are an enjoyable, readable retelling of the story of the Trojan war with a brisk pace and well developed characters. Shanower does not limit himself to the material in Homer's works; he ranges throughout classic literature to tell the many interwoven stories that make up this greatest of all the epic tales. He tells the tale in a naturalistic manner: encounters with gods are depicted as dreams, and the supernatural events in Homer are rendered realistically. He adds credibility to many of the inexplicable aspects of the Homeric version. For example, whereas in Homer the Greeks have no motive for fighting a ten-year war other than to recover Helen, Shanower describes Troy's command of trade routes to the Black Sea and makes it clear that Agamemnon and his allies are after power and wealth, not just a runaway wife. Shanower adds dimension to many of the Homeric characters, especially Paris, whom he portrays as egotistical and foolish, and Agamemnon, who becomes an aggressive but canny politician. Although the violence is tame compared with superhero comic books, the characters are adults who do adult things, such as have sex with each other, and if you don't think children should see that sort of thing, don't buy this for them. (The sex is not explicit and the nudity very limited.) The dialog is not given an "ancient" or "classic" tone; rather, the characters speak in what would pass for everyday English. Although the drawings are black and white, they have a cinematic flair-Shanower changes the perspective from frame to frame to keep each page visually interesting. The many carefully rendered details of clothes, buildings, and everyday life give the story an even greater sense of realism. As I was reading it I thought, "This is really the way it might have happened."

Rating:
Summary: An Epic Story
Review: This volume continues the superb story that began in Age of Bronze: A Thousand Ships. Anyone who enjoyed the first book will want to check this one out, though be advised that the sex and violence escalates a bit. Homophobes, in particular, may be shocked at the relationship between Achilles and Patroklus, a relationship which is interpreted accurately in my opinion. Eric Shanower has done a masterful job of researching, drawing, and writing this series. It moves at a slow pace, but it is never boring. Rather, the story weaves here and there, developing the characters as it goes along. Paris is shown to be an self-centered fool. Odysseus is caught up in a war he wanted to avoid, despite his cleverness. And Agamemnon is a complex leader who decides to maintain his power at any cost. Fate is a prominent theme for these characters, just as it was for the ancient Greeks. These comic books are destined to become literary classics, in the same vein as Maus. Forget about the movie version and even the Iliad. Read these books!