Reviews

Beowulf by Santiago García, David Rubín

urbon_adamsson's review against another edition

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4.0

In terms of narrative, I think it's very well done. I'm not an expert on the story but I feel it's very well adapted. The visual sequence of events seems spot on.

This is a good adaptation of the original story. My only problem is the art itself. I like it, I think it's well done, but I think it could be better. Sometimes the panels are too messy and it's difficult to understand what is going on.

I think a story like this would benefit from cleaner illustrations with less visual noise.

Overall, still a very solid work.

chelsbels's review against another edition

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2.0

The art is amazing. However it is also the stories downfall, it relies too much on graphic illustration to move the narrative rather than dialogue or written narrative. There are 5 pages for each battle scene with no words at all. It’s defiantly missing a lot.

fede123t's review against another edition

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Too much gore and obscenity. I don't see much message, more than violent battles.

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a_writer_guy's review against another edition

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4.0

This basically takes all the boring explanation and chatter out of the story and turns it into incredible art that's wonderful to look at.

mayucita's review

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

readthesparrow's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

As a lover of Beowulf, I really quite enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation! The references to and reflections on the original poem were really interesting to see (for example, the final funeral scene with the opening lines of the OE poem). The reinterpretations of characters--such as Unferth as a childish, unsure boy--were clever and fresh.

The treatment of Brecca was interesting, too; while nothing is ever explicitly said, the potential for interpretation of García's adaptation is vast. Is Brecca Grendel? Were Beowulf and Brecca a little more than friends? Did Beowulf actually murder Brecca?

The art is gorgeous, too. I especially loved the monster designs (Grendel's Mother's design was my favorite; what can I say, I'm a sucker for monstrous women). The brutality of the fights come through loud and clear, with rich reds and splattered guts.

[NSFW] ||Grendel, uh... arriving at the beginning of the fight felt out of left field. I'm sure there's a reason for it--the English major in me is already running through several interpretations--but it's a detail that I'm still, personally, struggling to place.||

I have only two criticisms. The first is that this interpretation cuts out all of the female characters, such as Wealtheow, whose roles are vital to the politics of the story.

The second is a more practical one: the book is just. Quite large and very floppy, which made it a little difficult to read, physically.

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thebookishunicorn's review against another edition

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3.0

The art in this is absolutely stunning!

ericthec's review against another edition

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3.0

Transferring the medium of an epic old English classic poem of >3000 lines to a graphic novel is an impressive feat. The pages are oversized, a good fit for epic battles with Grendel and dragons. It loses a little in the telling as there are no added 3rd person text to fill in the gaps and distinguish the characters. The monsters look very similar. But overall a winner.

maverickminty's review

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

luanndie's review against another edition

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4.0

"Señor, mi nombre es Beowulf, hijo de Ecgtheow de los Wegmundos y vasallo de Hygelac, rey de los Geats. Catorce nobles guerreros y yo hemos cruzado el camino de la ballena. Venimos a matar al monstruo"

Los dibujos de David Rubín son perfectos para este tipo de historias. Tienen la visceralidad adecuada para trasmitir el horror de la batalla y un uso del color y la planificación de las viñetas que hace resaltar hasta los más mínimos detalles. Sus dibujos son tan expresivos que el diálogo es prácticamente innecesario. Por eso, mismo el guión en esta obra, aunque bien trabajado en cuanto a resumir la obra original, apenas destaca. Hay algunas frases lapidarias que refuerzan los dibujos, pero creo que poco se perdería de no estar presentes.

En resumen, un libro con una gran fuerza visual que acerca de forma bastante fiel la historia de Beowulf a nuevos públicos.