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Graphic Myths and Legends
Odysseus: Escaping Poseidon's Curse [A Greek Legend]
After finally winning the decade-long war against the Trojans, Odysseus, captain of the Greek Army, only has to guide his men back home, across the sea. Yet the journey will prove just as perilous as the battles they have just won, as they encounter the monstrous, man-eating Cyclops, the irresistible song of the siren, and the wrath of an angry Poseidon, god of the sea. Are he and his men destined to die at sea? Or can Odysseus's cunning, strength, and courage bring them safely home?
48 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 2007
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80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews
September 17, 2021
It's all about the journey but it doesn't conclude.
March 17, 2025
Should have stuck to a specific part(s) of facet- this took on too much for the short format.
Since I can't choose between the two:
Thomas Yeates the best male (and the most prolific) and Anne Timmons is the best female artist of this series of 27
Since I can't choose between the two:
Thomas Yeates the best male (and the most prolific) and Anne Timmons is the best female artist of this series of 27
January 27, 2020
This little book skilfully condenses Homer’s Odyssey into a slim, fast-paced graphic story. The series has a “40 page format” (though this one actually has 45 pages), so it can only cover longer tales such as The Odyssey by a lot of condensing.
Firstly, it reorganises the epic into strictly chronological form, eschewing the original’s complex structure.
Secondly, it focuses exclusively on Odysseus’s journey home to Ithaca from the Trojan War, so it excludes Telemachus’s trials and journeys; and Odysseus’s showdown with the suitors and reunion with his wife and son.
Thirdly, it omits or drastically reduces some key episodes. For example, Odysseus’s encounter with the man-eating Laistrygonians, to whom he loses eleven out of his twelve ships (the biggest single loss by far of his whole ten-year odyssey), is glossed over in half a page and only as a reported incident. True - it’s one of the least memorable encounters in the original but being as it causes such a significant loss, it really requires slightly fuller treatment than it receives here.
Other notable omissions are the trip to the Underworld (which works, as it’s not integral to the plot elements included here and would have broken the narrative flow) and Odysseus’s time with the Phaeacians (which also works here, though if page count had allowed, the book would have benefitted from its inclusion.).
On the whole, though, this book does an excellent job, and the drawings are great. I think it would be pretty compelling to a child, even one who knew nothing of the original. It’s a great story and it’s well retold. The series includes other Greek myths but also Norse and English myths as well. It’s possible that the shorter myths might fare even better, since there will have been less need to condense the material.
Firstly, it reorganises the epic into strictly chronological form, eschewing the original’s complex structure.
Secondly, it focuses exclusively on Odysseus’s journey home to Ithaca from the Trojan War, so it excludes Telemachus’s trials and journeys; and Odysseus’s showdown with the suitors and reunion with his wife and son.
Thirdly, it omits or drastically reduces some key episodes. For example, Odysseus’s encounter with the man-eating Laistrygonians, to whom he loses eleven out of his twelve ships (the biggest single loss by far of his whole ten-year odyssey), is glossed over in half a page and only as a reported incident. True - it’s one of the least memorable encounters in the original but being as it causes such a significant loss, it really requires slightly fuller treatment than it receives here.
Other notable omissions are the trip to the Underworld (which works, as it’s not integral to the plot elements included here and would have broken the narrative flow) and Odysseus’s time with the Phaeacians (which also works here, though if page count had allowed, the book would have benefitted from its inclusion.).
On the whole, though, this book does an excellent job, and the drawings are great. I think it would be pretty compelling to a child, even one who knew nothing of the original. It’s a great story and it’s well retold. The series includes other Greek myths but also Norse and English myths as well. It’s possible that the shorter myths might fare even better, since there will have been less need to condense the material.
June 4, 2018
“Odysseus: Escaping Poseidon's Curse” (Graphic Myths And Legends) by Dan Jolley, Thomas Yeates (Illustrator)
Most enjoyable (although significantly reduced) retelling of the ancient tale.
Very good series giving a generalised overview of the predominant myths and legends that have shaped our worldviews.
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Most enjoyable (although significantly reduced) retelling of the ancient tale.
Very good series giving a generalised overview of the predominant myths and legends that have shaped our worldviews.
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February 19, 2025
It's good if you're just getting into mythology & need a good summary. The Graphic Novel format was cool compared to my usual, but I would have enjoyed a more thorough story. It'll be good for my elementary reader who has finished the Percy Jackson series & wants to know more about the "real" stories.
September 21, 2025
Watched the movie Troy lately and so wanted to know more especially as Brad Pitt's Achilles is a twat and Sean Bean as Odysseus an odd choice seeing as Sean Bean dies in almost every movie he makes.
With little screen time other than the Trojan Horse idea, this little graphic novel was a great way to explore more of this Greek hero and a slightly lesser twat.
With little screen time other than the Trojan Horse idea, this little graphic novel was a great way to explore more of this Greek hero and a slightly lesser twat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2024
Adding this to my Goodreads bc I had to read the whole thing with a student and it was fun. Basically it's just the plot of the sea of monsters and now I am helping him write an essay about the cause and effects of Odyssey winning the Trojan War
December 5, 2018
These graphic novels remind me of the Classics Illustrated of my childhood. Good introduction to a classic story.
December 5, 2018
These graphic novels remind me of the Classics Illustrated of my childhood. Good introduction to a classic story.
December 10, 2012
Genre: I placed this title in my reading log under Graphic Novel Junior Books
Summary: Odysseus, the King of Ithaca embarks on a journey home from a war he did not wish to fight. During his voyage, he encounters many mythical creatures and Gods that turns his trip into a traitorous battle of survival.
Critique:
(a.) A great novel filled with color and adventure. The definite strength lies within the illustrations which were depicted using pencils and inks of high-color design. The illustrator used historical and traditional sources to shape the visual details of this title.
(b.) Calypso greets Odysseus as he floats ashore in rough seas on page 39. You can see her lightly gray castle, which looks likes its miles away, when in all actuality, its right behind her. The robust clouds in the sky are breathtaking and the straight lines that surround the clouds give the impression of strong wings. The colors are bright but in a dark sense. Even the green plant is bright but dull.
(c.) I am not sure who is responsible for the placement of the narrator text boxes or mini frames but these did confuse me at times because I did not know which way or frame to follow. Starting on page 6 there is actually a large frame and two mini frames, I had to take a minute, read each frame to realize which way I was to go. I was only confused when there were pages that had a large frame and multiple mini frames enclosed. Another example can be found on page 21. As mentioned before, I read over them all a couple of times, then when I realized the correct route to follow; I started at the beginning of the page and went on.
Curriculum Connection: This is wonderful tale dealing about Greek Mythology that I think would capture the minds of young readers. This in my opinion would be an excellent title to read in English, where many activities, such as vocabulary, can be derived from.
Summary: Odysseus, the King of Ithaca embarks on a journey home from a war he did not wish to fight. During his voyage, he encounters many mythical creatures and Gods that turns his trip into a traitorous battle of survival.
Critique:
(a.) A great novel filled with color and adventure. The definite strength lies within the illustrations which were depicted using pencils and inks of high-color design. The illustrator used historical and traditional sources to shape the visual details of this title.
(b.) Calypso greets Odysseus as he floats ashore in rough seas on page 39. You can see her lightly gray castle, which looks likes its miles away, when in all actuality, its right behind her. The robust clouds in the sky are breathtaking and the straight lines that surround the clouds give the impression of strong wings. The colors are bright but in a dark sense. Even the green plant is bright but dull.
(c.) I am not sure who is responsible for the placement of the narrator text boxes or mini frames but these did confuse me at times because I did not know which way or frame to follow. Starting on page 6 there is actually a large frame and two mini frames, I had to take a minute, read each frame to realize which way I was to go. I was only confused when there were pages that had a large frame and multiple mini frames enclosed. Another example can be found on page 21. As mentioned before, I read over them all a couple of times, then when I realized the correct route to follow; I started at the beginning of the page and went on.
Curriculum Connection: This is wonderful tale dealing about Greek Mythology that I think would capture the minds of young readers. This in my opinion would be an excellent title to read in English, where many activities, such as vocabulary, can be derived from.
July 12, 2016
When I saw this graphic novel adaptation of the Odyssey I was sure there was no way they could do the story justice. The Odyssey is an epic journey that takes years for Odysseus to make. The graphic novel is just 48 pages. However, pretty much everything is covered just in a lot less detail than the original. Odysseus still encounters the lotus eaters and Circe and the cyclops and Calypso and the sea monsters. He still loses all of his men on the journey and has to overcome many obstacles. The only area I thought wasn't adequately covered was his return home. The story actually ends before he gets back to Penelope and pretty much leaves you hanging with just a promise that Odysseus will triumph in the end. Overall the graphic novel works for an introduction to the story for middle grade readers who love mythology.
January 17, 2012
No, this isn't Homer's Odyssey. At 48 pages, it isn't even close. And actually, it really is 39 pages of story with a few additional pages of glossary, index of terms and such. The art is effective but uninspired, the writing is direct. For younger readers or teens who must work with the story with limited skills, this is a fair entry point into the epic. Fans should check out other titles in the series, and then move onto the much longer graphic work of Eric Shanower in Age of bronze.
September 21, 2012
Not bad, but the ending was a total letdown. After chronicling Odysseus' journey pretty well, the author abruptly ends the story as Odysseus returns home to battle Penelope's suitors with the author's dismissive, "But they would be no match for Odysseus!" (The end.) Oh well, it's a short and accessible graphic novel for my less than attentive students.
April 30, 2009
To be an ancient cannon story, this short graphic novel was actually interesting,the pictures and the way they described the characters were pretty cool.
August 31, 2016
Part of a collection of Mythology Graphic Novels I picked up for my classroom. Good for helping to build background knowledge but not necessarily great. Kids will devour these.
May 17, 2015
Great artwork, but the story could have been stronger.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews