This exhilarating graphic-novel edition of an ancient classic honors the spirit of the original as it attracts modern readers.
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reviews
Sep 29, 2011
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Jul 13, 2011
Jennifer
rated it: 
This is a pretty good adapation of Beowulf--certainly better and more faithful than some I could mention, in other media. Um. Hinds' graphic novel seems pretty clearly a labor of love, something he did because he cared and he really wanted to make it happen; that kind of captures my heart regardless of any issues I might have with a work.
The art is mostly wonderful; Hinds did a beautiful job on the backgrounds and the dragon. I'm not sure he did a bad job on the humans, actually; More...
The art is mostly wonderful; Hinds did a beautiful job on the backgrounds and the dragon. I'm not sure he did a bad job on the humans, actually; More...
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Mar 20, 2011
Jshifrin1
rated it:
A world wear monsters and dragons roam the earth terrorizing human kind there is a hero who was born to slay them his name Beowulf. This place exists in the graphic novel Beowulf by Gareth Hinds, based on the poem Beowulf. This book takes place in 1000 A.D. is about a warrior who slays beasts and monsters to defend his people. In the beginning of the book Beowulf enters as the prince of a far away land he has come to free Hrothgar’s great hall from the beast Grendal. This is just one example of
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Nov 04, 2011
Tiffany
rated it: 
Graphic remake of Beowulf. I will admit first, Beowulf is a particular favorite of mine, so my review reflects that. As a general rule, I do not like classics to be tampered with. With that being said, I enjoyed this book. There is something so appealing about a graphic novel (or tale, in this case) for both the English and Art geek in me. The graphics were very much done in Hind's own style, but he stuck to the story, which was a relief after the horrible movie version. Taken in two parts: the
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Mar 17, 2011
Jen
rated it: 
This graphic novel was included in the 2008 YALSA list. Gareth Hinds does graphics for computer games and apparently reinvents classics as graphic novels in his spare time. He’s done Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” and “King Lear” and just published The Odyssey in January. The illustrations of Beowulf and Grendel on the front and back covers indicate that the drawings will be dark and gritty. I’m hoping for a more creative classic adaptation than P&P&Zombies — something that could perhaps
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Jul 05, 2011
Robin
rated it:
This adaptation of Beowulf is confusing to say the least. A mix of colloquial and verse (yet not quite accessible to reader's at a simple level), a mix of serious drama and semi-comedic batman style onomatopoeic sound effects, and a mix of intense colour and hand drawn detail with flat planes of dull computer generated color.
The story itself follows along the lines of the traditional tale well enough except for some hitches along the way. Particularly the horrendous insertion of the More...
The story itself follows along the lines of the traditional tale well enough except for some hitches along the way. Particularly the horrendous insertion of the More...
Jan 25, 2012
Cwn_annwn_13
rated it: 
This is a portion of translations of Beowulf accompanied by art done in the comic book veign. I thought the art captured the feel of Beowulf very well. I actually went out of my to buy a hardcover edition of this after already having the trade paperback a few years back.
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Dec 18, 2010
Kelley
rated it:
Let me just say that I am completely biased when it comes to Beowulf. I love Beowulf! However, I felt that this graphic novel made the story more accessible and 'real,' in a way.
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Dec 18, 2010
Bob
rated it:
I've been meaning to look at this for a long time and noticed we had a copy at the library the other day. I read the collected hardcover edition. What I really liked about this graphic novel version of Beowulf was the artwork. It may not stack up to other great illustrators, but Gareth Hinds (the artist) did a great job of bringing a lot of Anglo-Saxon elements into his work, and I enjoyed the 'action' sequences. I thought they were a little hard to follow, but I think I miss some of the ability
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Dec 18, 2010
Andrew
rated it:
3Q 3P JS
Gareth Hinds' graphic novel representation of the epic of Beowulf adds a fresh take to the time tested story. While the story follows the text of the ancient story, most of the action is carried out by the dark illustrations of Hinds. The depiction of Beowulf as the eternal hero is capturing, but while reading it I could not help thinking about the deep and somewhat disturbing facial expressions of a man who is carrying the world's weight upon his shoulders. The story is v More...
Gareth Hinds' graphic novel representation of the epic of Beowulf adds a fresh take to the time tested story. While the story follows the text of the ancient story, most of the action is carried out by the dark illustrations of Hinds. The depiction of Beowulf as the eternal hero is capturing, but while reading it I could not help thinking about the deep and somewhat disturbing facial expressions of a man who is carrying the world's weight upon his shoulders. The story is v More...
Dec 18, 2010
Adam
rated it:
When I was a young fellow, I had a version of the famed epic poem that this graphic novel is based upon. I don't know if it was a translation, a gentling of the original for kids, or even a version on tape. I vividly remember, however, feeling that evil was incarnated in many ways within the beast, Grendel, and that in the writing & reading of what I read, I felt almost touched by the writhing darkness that the character was. Not "touched" as in "moved" or "emotionall
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Jan 25, 2012
Robert
rated it:
Gareth Hinds, The Collected Beowulf (Thecomic.com, 2000)
I'll start right off the bat by saying that The Collected Beowulf would have been an entirely more fulfilling read if Hinds' default font hadn't been so damned stylized. There were times when I spent two or three minutes on a single paragraph trying to puzzle out whether some letters were Ts or Fs, in places where both letters made sense. That sort of thing bugs me almost as much as heavy dialect that changes writing into anothe More...
I'll start right off the bat by saying that The Collected Beowulf would have been an entirely more fulfilling read if Hinds' default font hadn't been so damned stylized. There were times when I spent two or three minutes on a single paragraph trying to puzzle out whether some letters were Ts or Fs, in places where both letters made sense. That sort of thing bugs me almost as much as heavy dialect that changes writing into anothe More...
Dec 18, 2010
Becky
rated it:
You know how in most action comics, the hero gets neatly punched on the jaw -- no blood in sight? Not so this one, Beowulf the original superhero story, in all of its blood-spattering, tendon-snapping, bone-crunching glory. The text is a spare, lovely translation that precedes the three sections which follow Beowulf's three battles: the monster Grendel, Grendel's vengeful mother, and the dragon.
The art is incredible, with obvious command of anatomy and martial arts. The middle secti More...
The art is incredible, with obvious command of anatomy and martial arts. The middle secti More...
Sep 27, 2011
Christine
rated it:
Through detailed artwork, artist and story teller, Gareth Hinds creatively brings the classic epic poem of Beowulf to life on the pages of this graphic novel. The legend of Beowulf itself isn't a terribly exciting one, though. Beowulf is certainly heroic as he battles the formidable Grendel, Grendel's mother and a fearsome dragon before he ultimately perishes. If there is a lesson to be learned from Beowulf and his story, however, I'm afraid it escapes me, hence the three star rating.
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Jun 15, 2011
The main thing was about the structure of Danish society at the time and what was important to them - loyalty, physical strength, courage. The story itself was pretty basic: monster terrorizes kingdom, no one can destroy it, hero comes looking for glory, kills the monster and its mother; goes home loaded with treasure and prestige, inherits his own kingdom and rules wisely and fairly until the end of his life when a dragon begins to terrorize his kingdom, no one will face the dragon so Beowulf d
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Sep 14, 2011
LynnB
rated it:
In some ways this seems Beowulf-lite -- but although the original is better in many ways, this does bring the epic poem into modern-day readability. I would hope that possibly this would open some to read the original epic poem. The graphics are gory (but so is the tale). The drawn characters were too much like modern superheroes and evildoers to me, but I appreciated the story he was conveying in the artwork.
Feb 01, 2012
Franklin
rated it:
If you want warriors, battles, swordfights, and gore, this is it. Legendary hero Beowulf takes on the hideous monster Grendel. But there’s something even more terrifying on the horizon: Grendel’s mother. This story is a “classic” It’s actually thousands of years old, and its considered one of the most important pieces of English literature. And did I mention the monsters?
Nov 05, 2011
Blake
rated it:
Gareth Hinds’ Beowulf is a phenomenal adaptation and interpretation of the original. I’ve really never cared for the original; I know it’s significant, but I really think the text is boring. Hinds’ graphic novel, however, makes the story come to life in interesting and beautiful ways. It’s fascinating to see how Hinds’ adapted the religious and heroic motifs and symbols. It’s really quite good.
Dec 18, 2010
Diana
rated it:
Hinds sketches a new take on the oft told epic poem, Beowulf, in this gruesome graphic novel. Why wield away hours struggling through 3,183 lines of Old English when you can slog through a little text and blast past a cavern of dark, harsh and scary illustrations to pierce the tale. Essentially, Beowulf, hero of the Geats, encounters three antagonists: vicious monster Grendel, Grendel's vengeful mother and lastly a virulent dragon.
Hinds breaks the story into three books. He uses gory More...
Hinds breaks the story into three books. He uses gory More...
Jan 20, 2012
Ted
rated it:
True to the Scandinavian original, it is laconic. Most of the book is fight scenes. I found Grendel's mother to be pretty scary. All those teeth, you see. I liked the dragon, especially the bird-like snout. Birds are dinosaurs, after all.
The only thing I was puzzled by was, in one scene, what looked like the NYC skyline, replete with Twin Towers.
The only thing I was puzzled by was, in one scene, what looked like the NYC skyline, replete with Twin Towers.
Jan 12, 2012
Sandy
rated it:
Beowulf told in graphic novel form. There is not a whole lot of text, but they used an older translation for the text they did include. It's mostly there for when the art can't carry the story. The panels are sometimes hard to follow in the correct order, but this adaptation focuses on the action in the story.
Dec 18, 2010
Eric
rated it:
In the midst of the mead-hall that the great king Shield Sheafson builds for his soldiers to gather and drink and receive gifts from their lords lies a horrible demon, Grendel. Grendel offers these men, this city nothing but pain and death. For years this demon terrorizes the city until a warrior named Beowulf hears of the horrible tales of destruction. After much anticipation Beowulf takes to the city to try and defeat this slimy creature. Beowulf fights Grendel and the destruction begins. Afte
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Dec 18, 2010
Terri
rated it:
Beowulf saves the kingdom of King Hrothgar from the annual ravages of the monster Grendel, then defeats Grendel's mother before losing his own life in battle with a terrifying dragon. The epic poem with its three distinct sections lends itself well to the graphic novel format. Lovers of the classic will undoubtedly wish Hinds had focused a bit less on the gory battle scenes and abridged less, but the volume makes the poem more accessible to modern readers and will serve as a good introduction to
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May 09, 2011
Scott
rated it:
I didn't buy this to read the story, I was attracted to the illustrations. Hinds does a pretty good job on illustrating this classic piece.
The story moves along at a good clip, and the reader can grasp the sense of the story and get into the action through the fine artwork.
The story moves along at a good clip, and the reader can grasp the sense of the story and get into the action through the fine artwork.
Dec 18, 2010
Geni
rated it:
Graphic Novel/ 4Q/4P/4P/JSA **SPOILERS**[Review:] Drowning in Blues, Whacked with Reds and Dying in Pure Whiteness. The grapic novel is split into three books with their own look. The first tale-battle of Grendal the illustrated used earth colors, the second battle against the mother incorporated dark hues of blues and the third is reminiscent of mediocre dying grays. No use of color-which creates the biggest impact on the reader. While the layout is random, it does not matter because the violen
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Dec 18, 2010
Jody
rated it:
I love this book! The author does an excellent job of preserving the original poetic language and feel of the story while also modernizing it to appeal to a younger audience.
This is the traditional story of Beowulf but with the added illustrations, the reader is able to draw his/her own conclusions about certain aspects of the plot line. I didn't know if I would be able to follow what was going on with just pictures, but I found that it enhanced the many battles Beowulf faced. I t More...
This is the traditional story of Beowulf but with the added illustrations, the reader is able to draw his/her own conclusions about certain aspects of the plot line. I didn't know if I would be able to follow what was going on with just pictures, but I found that it enhanced the many battles Beowulf faced. I t More...
Dec 24, 2011
Reemawi
rated it:
The art was so darkly and gloomily colored, it was hard to see the pictures clearly. I've read the original, so I know the story, but I felt there was some confusing storytelling going on at one point in the novel.
Dec 02, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
The graphic novel is beautifully done. It stays true to the original text. Although it is not a substitute for the original, it is a fine place to start for a beginner, or a fun supplement for the scholar.
Nov 01, 2011
Sue
rated it:
i read grendel and wanted to read a quick version of beowulf - this graphic novel is beautifully drawn and very visual. a very quick summary of the story that hits the major points.
Dec 18, 2010
Sam
rated it:
Although this is not a verbatum version of the Beowulf saga, it is an excellent version for those unfamiliar with the original text/translation or for those who want to read a more accessible version of the story. The artistry is superb and illustrates the story well. Each of the sections has a slightly different feel to it, giving the reader a clear sense of divide between each of the epic challenges Beowulf faces. I did find some scenes difficult to follow but this is more related to the fa
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