Rating: Summary: 300 is a great mix of comics & history! Review: Frank Miller has done it again. His writing is concise and to the point. But its his artwork that continues to be outstanding. The story of the 300 spartans has never been told better (except for Pressfields Gates book). Dark Horse has produced an exceptional hardcover and Lynn Varleys coloring has never been better. A great effort all around.
Rating: Summary: One of the most magnificent TBP's ever Review: Frank Miller shows his talent once again in this superb story. Excellent job from Lynn Varley too. A definite must for history lovers. Any other comments would spoil the magic of it..
Rating: Summary: Frank Miller does history Review: Frank Miller writes the story of 300 Spartans battling the entire Persian army during the Greek/Persian wars of antiquity. This is good stuff, but you should probably read Miller's classic "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" before "300", to see whether you like Miller's style or not. Despite the different setting the storytelling is very similar; Miller has a hard-boiled, "men are men" sort of style that seems to be present in whatever he writes. The book is based on the Battle of Thermopylae, and though I do not know how true to history the graphic novel is, it does make a gripping story.
Rating: Summary: Frank Miller does history Review: Frank Miller writes the story of 300 Spartans battling the entire Persian army during the Greek/Persian wars of antiquity. This is good stuff, but you should probably read Miller's classic "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" before "300", to see whether you like Miller's style or not. Despite the different setting the storytelling is very similar; Miller has a hard-boiled, "men are men" sort of style that seems to be present in whatever he writes. The book is based on the Battle of Thermopylae, and though I do not know how true to history the graphic novel is, it does make a gripping story.
Rating: Summary: Frank Miller does history Review: Frank Miller writes the story of 300 Spartans battling the entire Persian army during the Greek/Persian wars of antiquity. This is good stuff, but you should probably read Miller's classic "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" before "300", to see whether you like Miller's style or not. Despite the different setting the storytelling is very similar; Miller has a hard-boiled, "men are men" sort of style that seems to be present in whatever he writes. The book is based on the Battle of Thermopylae, and though I do not know how true to history the graphic novel is, it does make a gripping story.
Rating: Summary: A historical comic NOT to be taken lightly Review: I have been a fan of Frank Miller's work ever since his Dark Knight Returns 10th Anniversary edition was published (this is a definate must have for any comic book enthusiast)and through several magazine articles I learned of his latest venture, 300. I've always been a fan of ancient history and mythology and since I had heard little about the events on which this work was based I decided to pick the book up. There are only two words that can truly capture my reaction: BLOWN AWAY. The book's art is composed in a Miller's trademark gritty-poetic style, and Lynn Varley's colors add true, muted life to the pencilwork. The characters, though there are very few that the readers get to know, are shown to be not just characters but human beings and treated with respect. The plot itself is a little over-used (from the first page the reader can glean how it ends), but since it is true to life and true to the characters it packs a wollop. The ending itself is reminiscient of Braveheart, and exceptionally well done. The battle scenes are intense, and the dialogue and inner monologues held by the main character, Leonidas, are some of the best tough-guy lines I've seen in any movie or read in any book. If you like such films as John Wayne's The Alamo, Braveheart or Spartacus, if you are a true comic fan or are interested in ancient history (or perhaps all of these things) pick up 300. You won't be disappointed. Check it out and enjoy!
Rating: Summary: Batman Meets Herodotus--Batman Wins! Review: I was recently given a copy of Miller's comic book, "300", a Graphic Adventure based loosely on the Spartan defense of Thermopylae against the forces of the Shah of Persia, Known to the Greeks as Xerxes. Be forewarned: Do not try to use this comic to try to pass a pop quiz in History Class. Whilst Miller lifted the names and locations from Herodotus, that was about all that he lifted-the rest is about as historical as Baron Munchausen... I will instead say that, Whilst "Three Hundred" is definitely NOT history, it is a pretty good Comic...The artwork is what we have come to expect from Miller, and the storyline replays the same old pattern that Miller seems to be stuck in, ABSOLUTE GOOD vs. ABSOLUTE EVIL...a sophomoric attitude,yes, but perhaps approprate for a comic book level of understanding the world. Certainly Miller is no Philosopher or Historian, and I do not think he would or could claim to be either. He can, however, draw a good comic, with lots of action, adventure, and characters whose motivations are not discommoded with a lot of reflection or critical thought processes. Enjoyable reading which does not ask a lot of the Fanboy's brain whilst immersed in the story. (BAD Persians! GOOD Greeks!...) Perhaps "Batman" would have been a better protagonist to use with this storyline, some setting in another time and place certainly, with the disclaimer "LOOSELY based on the battle of Thermopylae"...for when a comic book artist aspires to historical scholarship, it is generally history which loses out, as we see in this case.
Rating: Summary: Miller shows he can still do it Review: I'd spent the last eight years or so ignoring Frank Miller, due to his insistence on beating "Sin City" to death. I can think of no other instance where a creator has so strongly turned me off of his work. When the "300" series was announced, I took notice, mostly out of shock. I was amazed that he was turning his attentions to such a large project, and in color! The result was a laudable piece of work, and it's made better in this oversize hardcover, due to the fact that the pages are presented in their intended format: wide-angle spreads, some as panoramic as a movie. Telling the story of the battle of Thermopylae is a BIG task, but considering he only had 6 issues, Miller does a serviceable job. The story was a bit lacking in some spots, but overall, I was impressed. It's not a scholarly study - rather, a historical drama. The Art... after seeing Miller do stark black and white with little detail for so long, I was doubting if he'd be able to recapture the feel present in so many of his classic works. His art for this story has so much depth, and it's made more powerful by Lynn Varley's coloring. A nice book overall.
Rating: Summary: Good comix Review: If you haven't read comic books ever since you were a child, this is a comix that the older you may enjoy. Writer/artist Frank Miller entertains the reader with dazzling graphics, bold storytelling, and great adventure. Miller is a master of this American art form and this book shows how entertaining good comix can be. The production values on this book will blow away your expectations based on what comic books looked like years ago. Much larger than a comic book, the large page size and the high quality color printing invite the reader to linger over each page. This beautifully produced book also showcases the brilliant color artwork of Lynn Varley. Varley's colors heighten the drama of Miller's bold storytelling. 300 is a comix book that you can leave out on your coffee table.
Rating: Summary: Machismo Par Excellance Review: It never cease to amaze me how awesome Frank Miller is as BOTH artist and storyteller. If you have had the pleasure of enjoying his earlier works, and honestly what comic book aficionado have not, this is a must have. If you seek a compelling story about unrelenting bravery and honour, this is definately also a book for you. In so many ways, 300 is a refreshing forray into traditional macho virtues and values, something rarely expressed in a sensible way in today's society. So for all the big boys out there, get 300, kick back in your favourite comfy chair and gush with delight as King Leonidas does the unthinkable at Thermopylæ.
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