Rating: 
Summary: Stunning art, strong story
Review: This is an amazingly fresh look at the ancient story of the Spartans at Thermopylae. Do not trick yourself into thinking this is a comic book, or an illustrated book for kids. This is literature and art. I highly recommend this book to everyone. The art is beautiful, the story is compelling.
Rating:
Summary: FIRST RATE GRAPHIC NOVEL
Review: This is one of the better comics I have read in awhile. Miller uses his canvas to great effect in showing large scale potrayals of the famous battle of Thermopylae and his terse dialogue fits the Spartan character and is contrasted with the more artificial dialogue he gives the Persians. The coloring is also first rate. My only negative is he could have given more explication of the background of the Persian-Greek conflict. It is still very enjoyable to read and look at.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: This sounded like an awesome idea, Frank Miller's graphic genius takes on the tale of the battle at Thermopylae in 480 B.C., when 300 Spartans met the armies of Persia at a small pass and held them long enough for Greece to mobilize. Be warned however, that while Miller has retained the bare bones of the story, he's recast it in his standard good vs. evil method which oversimplifies both sides in the battle. Indeed, the battle is presented as the climax of the Grecian general's destiny rather than part of a long-running struggle. This is a story about the Spartans and the honor, glory, etc. and not a simple history-as-comic. The Persians are portrayed as exotic barbarians seeking to lay waste to advanced civilization and the rule of law. This is a very stylized vision of the Greco-Persian conflict, and Miller's Persians certainly don't bear any resemblance to the historical Persians. At times, the internal logic doesn't really hold up either, as when the Greek king violates the accepted "rules of war" and kills the initial Persian messengers and then go on to wax poetic about the primacy of law. While a bit problematic in that sense, Miller's visuals are awesome as usual--especially in this coffee-table book format. The panels are beautiful, brilliantly colored in dark tones and lots and lots of blood. It'd be neat to see Miller take a stab at some Persian mythology from the Shahnameh (Book of Kings).
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Summary: Miller reinvents the standard once again
Review: Time and time again Frank Miller has reinvented his work while staying faithful to his unique characteristic story telling abilities. With 300, Miller has crossed from his usual crime and sci fi storytelling taking a historical epic that rivals the glory and breadth of Ben Hur, BraveHeart and Spartacus. Miller's illustrations are beautiful in its grotesque simplicity. Varley's colorings are thematic and subtle. I don't know how historically accurate this book is, but with my limited knowledge of ancient history it seemed that Miller did his research using references to Athenian homosexuality and city state rivalry.
Rating:
Summary: Frank Miller does it again!
Review: Too often, a writer will peak so early in his career that all later works pale by comparison, as he labors in mediocrity for the remainder of his life. That's what I used to think was happening to Frank Miller. After producing some of the finest comic literature ever written in the 1980's (his early work on Daredevil, Batman Year One, and Dark Knight Returns), he had in the 1990's put out some okay material (Sin City, Elektra Returns, that "Spawn vs. Batman" thing, to name a few) but nothing that approached the greatness of his early work.The wait is over. "300" is nothing short of amazing. Here Frank Miller does for historical drama (is that a category of comics?) what he earlier did for superhero comics. The pacing, characterization, dialogue, storyline, drama, and action of "300" are perfect, and there's even a touch of romance as well. I can't believe Miller has written a comic with such depth in only 88 pages. And the story is (by and large) a true one. Did I mention the art? It blew me away. Frank Miller's usual gritty style tells the story beautifully apart from any captions or world balloons. (Even if I have not appreciated his writing as much in the early '90s, his artwork has never suffered, and it is as good here as it's ever been). This is one of the best comics I've ever read. It will stand in my collection alongside the "Dark Knight Returns" and Alan Moore's "Watchmen" as one of the greatest comic achievements ever. "300" does for comics what "Gladiator" did for movies -- although I think "300" is a little bit better. This book cements Frank Miller's already well-stablished place as one of the greatest comic writers of all time. As I write this review, I notice that there are no copies in stock at Amazon.com. All I can say is, keep logging on to see if any become available. Check Amazon Marketplace Sellers, Auctions, zShops, and ebay if you have to. If you are a comic collector (and especially if you've read any of Frank Miller's works in the past) do whatever you can to GET THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: This is a must have!
Review: Truly commendable work by Miller, although one can perhaps expect no less from the creator of "Ronin" and "Batman:The Dark Night Returns". I love the format too (14" by 10.25" coffeetable book in "landscape" printing). I am a fan of the old '60's movie "The Lion Of Sparta" starring Richard Egan, although I haven't been able to view it in years (can't seem to find a copy in any format!). I also have (a very worn out copy of) the Dell comic book adaptation. It's great to be able to compare both works (Dell's and Dark Horse's), a testament to the changing times and socio-culural differences between two eras. Whereas the Dell version was highly simplified and straightforward (e.g. a "cleaner" form of art typical of comics published during that era), Miller's work abounds with dark, "grim and gritty" and not-so-straightforward themes which, although fairly commonplace today, would probably have been banned in the 60's! What can I say? In spite of these major differences, the underlying theme of heroism and bravery, right vs. might, David vs. Goliath et al are intact in both versions. These are also slightly reminiscent of themes found in "The Seven Samurai"/"The Magnificent Seven"/"The 13th Warrior". Miller's version, as may be expected is much more "deep" (e.g. in the movie, Ephialtes' treachery resulted from his physical advances being spurned by Phylon's fiance, hence his selfish desire for vengeance. In "300", his motivations are much more, shall we say, "forgivable".) which audiences and readers now would demand. In a nutshell: Get this book! And if you can, try to get a copy of the 1962 Dell comic as well, along with a copy of the "Lion Of Sparta" video (if anyone ever finds this, let me know okay?). I really wish they eventually do a remake of this.
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Summary: Heroes of Old Come Alive in the Rousing Tale of the "300"
Review: When you've conquered the comics medium with gritty, film noirish tales as Frank Miller has done time and time again, what project could you undertake which would simultaneously shock and thrill your audience? How about a Classics Illustrated-style retelling of a little-known episode in ancient history? In retrospect, using the comic form to tell the story of Leonidas and his 300 Spartan's stand against Xerxes and his Persian hordes is an absolutely brilliant idea, but for the life of me I do not know how Miller managed to pitch this to the corporate suits and get them to put it out in an oversized hardcover edition to boot. Anyone want a coffee table book filled with blood and gore? Put your hand down, Hannibal Lecter. "300" is an absolutely stunning recounting of the heroism of the ancient Spartans as they stood and fell before the might of the largest armed force on the planet. Fans of Xenophon and Thucydides will instantly recognize the ancient Greece depicted herein; the furious discipline of the bristling phalanx, the oppressive heat of the campaign, the rhythmic thud of the marching battalions. Leonidas gleams like the hero-kings of old always do in our imagination, noble and cruel. This simple tale of how one man refused to allow the glory of Greece to fade before a barbarous horde is punctuated by breathtaking battle scenes, glorious heroism, and base treachery. This is truly the power of the comic book medium, a power well-remembered by those of us who dropped the melodrama and tissue paper plots of the X-clones long ago. Bravo, Mr. Miller, and thanks for recalling us to a nobler, bolder, though hardly more savage age. Get this book now, and your coffee table be damned.
Rating: 
Summary: Visually Impressive but Historically Inaccurate
Review: While Frank Miller fans will definatelly enjoy the imagery and bold rendition of this most famous of ancient battles, if you are a history buff or an admirer of the classics or even a military/strategy enthousiast, this book is NOT for you. I found it too gorey and too.. cartoony - no pun intended - in exactly the same manner that a Hollywood producer will oversimplify and downright missinterpret a classic novel, in order to maximize entertainment value. The Spartans look like cavemen, the Persians look like a cross between Zulu warriors and Amazonian tribesmen and, generally speaking, the whole story has become the litterary equivalent of your television screen with the saturation setting at maximum. Instead of wasting your money on this, I would recommend buying the paperback edition of "Gates of Fire". Without a single illustration THAT book will offer you the most unforgettable mental images, proving once again that 1000 words are worth way more than a single image!
Rating:
Summary: Welcome to the age of mythology
Review: Within the pages of this hardcover collection is some of Frank Miller's finest work to date. Courage, honour, compassion in the golden age of Sparta and Greece all visually described in Miller's bold, cinematic style. While the tale of Thermopylae is well told in Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire and elsewhere, sometimes nothing beats visual imagery to draw a reader into a tale.
Rating:
Summary: 300
Review: You must commend Frank Miller's accuracy in displaying what happened at Thermopylae. Though actual speeches and accounts aren't available (since all 300 Spartans were slain), Miller does a fine job imbuing this story with the intensity that personified Spartan life. One who is familiar with the the history of Herodytus will immediately appreciate this mainstream effort to tell a brilliant story of courage, honor, and duty. In 300, the depiction of the battle of Thermopylae is astonishing. Miller manages to make an already compelling tale jump to life (with the help of Lynn Varley's colors). Hopefully this story will bring the rich history of greece to more people. The best stories come from history, and 300 is an excellent account of one of the greatest battles of all time.
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