Demeter & Persephone: Spring Held Hostage [A Greek Myth]

Graphic Myths and Legends

by Justine Korman Fontes, Ron Fontes, Steve Kurth (Illustrator)

This graphic novel tells the story of Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest, and her daughter, Persephone. Demeter rules over a perpetual summer on earth, where crops, trees, and flowers grow in abundance. Persephone, young and beautiful, unknowingly attracts the attention of the lonely god of the Underworld, Hades. Hades kidnaps Persephone, and a frantic Demeter searches in vain for her daughter. Finally, Demeter retreats to her temple in mourning. The goddess's sorrow causes the crops to die and the ground to freeze. The first winter falls over Greece. As people begin to starve, the other Olympian gods and goddesses try to convince Demeter to accept a marriage between Persephone and Hades. But Demeter will not give up her daughter forever to the Underworld. Finally a compromise is struck: Persephone will stay with Hades for half a year (winter). When she comes back from the Underworld to spend half a year with her mother, spring returns to earth.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Mythology, Retellings, Greek Mythology, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy

48 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

About the author

Justine Korman is the author of over 600 children's books, including mega-selling adaptations of Disney hits like THE LION KING, plus her original popular GRUMPY BUNNY series for Scholastic.

Justine has been writing all her life. She worked part-time in publishing while earning her B.A. in English Literature, Phi Beta Kappa from New York University. While an editorial assistant at Golden Books, she met her future husband and partner, Ron Fontes, an artist in the Whitman Comics department, who moved on to mighty Marvel Comics.

When Justine started getting freelance writing assignments, Ron pitched in and a children's book writing team was born! Ron brought visual storytelling, theatre, and history; Justine enthusiasm, humor, and a straight-A attitude.

In 1988, the couple moved to Maine, where they have written everything from beginning readers and novelty books to historical fiction and graphic novels.
Justine's hobbies include fitness, juggling, gardening, cooking, and playing the ukulele. She also enjoys making movies with Ron.

The prolific couple's goal is to write 1001 children's books.

Reviews

[Kenny~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a lover of mythology and retellings, I was drawn to Demeter & Persephone by Ron Fonts for its promise of a beautiful story. While the narrative does provide a decent introduction to the myth, it felt far too surface-level to evoke any real emotional connection with the characters or plot. The lack of depth left me unfulfilled, which was a shame given the potential of such a rich mythological tale.

The art, though passable, was nothing to write home about and occasionally felt half finished or rushed which distracted from the overall experience. While it's worth a quick read if you want a basic understanding of the myth, it’s not a piece I’d recommend relying on for accuracy or detail. Disappointing, but it does have a sliver of charm for mythology enthusiasts.

[Utena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The myth of Hades and Persephone has always been a favorite of mine. There have been so many tales even now the whole myth is being reimagined even in romance novels. Always made the two of them fall in love, but I always wondered if he did love her in such a way. I could only fathom that his desire to have her had been that his life below had been lonely. All the other gods had their other half beside them. Hades had no one other than Cerberus and Charon, but never a queen. So, I can imagine that the moment he had seen her that he decided then and there she was the perfect goddess to take up the role of his queen. Now tales always seem to be uncertain about the number of seeds Persephone consumes. One says three and others say six. It just depends on who you hear the tale from.

3.9/5


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[Dominique · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel that retells the abduction of Persephone by Hades and the aftermath her absence from Demeter's side caused mortals.

I first heard of this book when I began doing research on Persephone for a book I was writing but it was hard to come by so I wound up not getting it. As it turns out, not reading back then was a good idea. There was a note in the front that listed that the authors and the illustrators were trying to make the story as visually and historically accurate as possible; but it seems they neglected one fact: Zeus, Poseidon and Hades drew lots to pick their domains, Zeus did not decide who got what like it was depicted in this story. Had it not been for that, I probably would have given this three stars instead of two.

Visually, the art was pretty. I liked how each of the gods were drawn. For the most part, the story was accurate.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've tremendously enjoyed 22 books in this series of 27 and will have read them all soon enough. All the rest range between 3.25-4.85 (this one) stars in terms of what they are, not in terms of grandiose literature. but THIS ONE SHINES BRIGHTEST. I assume it will continue to reign although the writing couple has two more I haven't gotten yet.

The husband and wife team injected so much adult humor, especially Hera's gripes about Zeus's infidelity, in such an objectively gray story and avoided being horny which is so difficult in an all ages book about magical happenings.

Despite, or maybe because of the duality/contrast, it remains my favorite love story in the entire Pantheon no matter who tells or draws it.

As for the appropriate art my highest praise would go to Ray Dillon of Golden Goat Studios who did a tremendous job coloring such a bipolar atmosphere!

[Andie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this for my classroom library. When I first learned this myth in school, the trick of the pomegranate seeds was the main focus, not the feelings of the characters. We all knew Zeus was a two-timing (three-timing, four-timing, five-timing??...) husband, but in school we didn't really get into a lot more of the details of the relationships. In this version, we get insight into everyone's thought bubbles and watch Persephone fall in love with Hades and make the choice to eat some seeds, no trickery required, and I think that's lovely. It was clear the authors did their research to make this portrayal as close to what the ancient Greeks probably told each other about this myth.

[Roger Gaboury · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this story but was underwhelmed by this version. Calling Dionysus by his Roman name Bacchus put me on guard. Plus, I was influenced by George O’Connor’s version of the myth in his graphic novel, Hades: Lord of the Dead. (Big props to all of O’Connor’s books in his Olympians series.) One thing the Fontes book did really well was bring forth the pathos of the Hades story: getting the short end of the stick when divvying you’re the realms (especially by his younger brother) and the emotional longing of the lonely Underworld god.

[Hannah Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is based on a Greek Mythology tale of how the love between a god and goddess became so.

I've heard of the story between Hades and Persephone and only an outline of how they've became one. Fontes did her research well and produced a spot-on described story about how Persephone was brought to the Underworld and fell in love. Thus, how Persephone emerges during the time of Spring and goes to the Underworld in Fall.

[F · Rating 2 out of 5]

The artwork was good and the adaptation was as accurate as I can remember but the book is not really fit for children. The main myth is not the problem but rather the actions of the gods [incest being the worst].
A knowledge of the Greek myths is a study in humanity's foibles as they give the false gods all the traits of man. The True God, as revealed in the Bible, is holy, righteous, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. Oh that men would know Him.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Demeter and Persephone”
“So each WINTER, Persephone ruled in the underworld with handsome Hades. And each SPRING, when the seeds sprouted, the ever-young goddess returned to Earth.”

[p16, top frame: the speech bubbles are attributed to the wrong character.]

Very good series giving a generalised overview of the predominant myths and legends that have shaped our worldviews.
- - -

[Maria McNamee-Hirt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich

Great graphic retelling. Clear imagery, suitable for kids. No gore. Hits the significant points of the tale . Empathy, problem solving.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demeter and Persephone: Spring Held Hostage begins by giving background information on who Demeter is, which is the daughter of Persephone and Zeus. (Yes, Zeus has a lot of kids by a lot of different women and goddesses.) We then get information on Zeus and his two brothers - Poseidon and Hades. Zeus chose to rule the sky. Poseidon was granted the water. Hades was granted the underworld. We see all the gods and goddesses happy, but Hades is further isolating himself in loneliness. Hades tells Zeus that he wants a queen and that he has chosen Persephone as the woman he wants, so he kidnaps her.

At first Persephone doesn't like being in the underworld, and who can blame her? She was kidnapped and separated from her mother. However, she begins to grow accustomed to it, and seems to actually love it down there. Readers are treated to a tour of the underworld and what happens to good souls, bad souls, and so-so souls. Because she is in the underworld, the world is in winter, so she has to make the tough choice between staying with Hades or going back up to the world and returning Spring to mankind. When she returns, she gives the people the gift of agriculture, so that she can return to the underworld for half the year and not leave the people in dire need. This isn't my favorite of the Greek myths, but it does a good job explaining the seasons. Like other books in this series, it closes with a glossary and a guide for further reading. If your child likes comics and mythology, this is a good series and one that they will appreciate.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A graphic novel/ comic book version of the classic Abduction myth. I love this format - it is perfect for getting young children interested in the Greek and Roman myths! The writing was a little simplistic at times (the thoughts/ thought bubbles were kind of odd and repetitive at times), but it suits its intended audience - young children and/or struggling readers. The illustrations are a little bizarre at times too (take a close look at some of the chins and facial expressions), but overall it's pretty good. I would definitely recommend it to Elementary and Middle school students as a tool for learning about Greek and Roman mythology or just as a good transitional tool for struggling or picky readers.

[Jennifer Erwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I needed a graphic novel for my reading challenge. Unfortunately amazon's definition of a graphic novel is not the same as my own. So after two days of off & on searching in between my daily activities, I snagged this through Kindle Unlimited. It was the first thing I saw that was an actual graphic novel and not a novel that was graphic.

I have always loved mythology, and am familiar with the story of Hades & Persephone. I found this to be geared towards younger readers, and that's ok. Made for a quick read to get that item marked off my challenge.

[Amanda Inkenbrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short graphic novel would be a great choice for a classroom library. The mythology would interest fans of Percy Jackson, and the illustrations would draw in reluctant readers. Persephone's tour of the underworld and the various gods pleading with Demeter sneak extra stories into the larger one of the former's kidnapping. The glossary at the back is also helpful, particularly as it features a pronunciation guide.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

It claims to have been well-researched for accuracy in the myth's depiction, and not knowing much about the myth except the pertinent details, it would be hard for me to interpret this telling in terms of critical analysis.

[Austin Phadoungsyavong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think good this graphic book but why Hades (Demeter) marry Persephone make no sense me because he older than her younger from his family and same blood then I know that was long ago can marry like brother and sister now God.

[Lauren Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hades, handsome?! OK, that is just, odd. I never imagined Hades as handsome. Weird.

[Holliferous · Rating 4 out of 5]

a bit happier than the tale I grew up knowing but it's such a wonderful book to have for my son to read when he's older.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just okay.