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readthesparrow's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Gore, Death, and Body horror
ericthec's review
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 against another edition
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
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.
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.
jhouses's review
2.0
Una revisión de la saga nordica muy personal y que no terminó de gustarme ni por dibujo ni por guión, sin llegar a decir que es malo.
droar's review
3.0
Beowulf à la 300. Very visually interesting and vibrant. I can't say I particularly enjoy the story of Beowulf, but this is certainly an arresting way to tell it. There is tons of gory violence & some brief monster sexuality stuff which was... weird. In general, not my thing, but pretty and well executed.
osqar7's review
4.0
Para mi gusto, han intentado ser demasiado fieles al poema épico original, por lo que ha quedado una novela gráfica un tanto atascada, encorsetada... le falta cierta fluidez y cohesión.
Por otra parte, el dibujo de Rubín es absolutamente excepcional, como nos tiene acostumbrados, el diseño gráfico es una pequeña obra de arte y el acabado y presentación son deliciosos.
Definitivamente, merece la pena.
Por otra parte, el dibujo de Rubín es absolutamente excepcional, como nos tiene acostumbrados, el diseño gráfico es una pequeña obra de arte y el acabado y presentación son deliciosos.
Definitivamente, merece la pena.
alrautio's review
5.0
This is a fantastic piece of art, both with the dark and vibrant re-imagination of the characters and with the style of the illustrations. It stays very truthful to the original work, the Norse Epic Beowulf. Just breathtaking. I cannot say I have ever read a graphic novel, but I am very impressed by this particular work. I think I chose a great starter, and I feel as though I may have ruined graphic novels as I feel the quality is hard to come by.
kmfeeney's review against another edition
5.0
I want to start by saying I know nothing about Beowulf. I think I saw the weird Sean Bean movie version but I don't remember much. So I don't know how faithfully this is adapted. I enjoyed the story but what makes this a 5 for me is the artwork. The monsters are straight up terrifying!
It's beautiful and gory. The blood! The organs! The muscles! 😍😍😍
It's beautiful and gory. The blood! The organs! The muscles! 😍😍😍