Τα παιδιά της Επανάστασης

by Chris Jaymes, Ale Aragon (Illustrator), Αλέξης Καλοφωλιάς (Translator)

Ο αγώνας των Ελλήνων για ανεξαρτησία ήταν μια σύγκρουση που επηρέασε ολόκληρο τον τότε κόσμο.

Ο απόηχός του είχε επίδραση σε θεσμούς όπως το Χρηματιστήριο του Λονδίνου, και τα ιδανικά του κινητοποίησαν προσωπικότητες όπως ο λόρδος Βύρων, αλλά και ενθουσιώδεις απλούς Αμερικανούς που θέλησαν να διασχίσουν τον Ατλαντικό για να πολεμήσουν στο πλευρό των Ελλήνων. Η Ελληνική Επανάσταση, τέκνο του ελληνικού Διαφωτισμού, αποτέλεσε το έναυσμα για την κατάρρευση της Οθωμανικής Αυτοκρατορίας και συντέλεσε στη διαμόρφωση αυτού που γνωρίζουμε ως Δυτικό Κόσμο. Μια αναμέτρηση που, υπό μία έννοια, οι δυναμικές που την προκάλεσαν παραμένουν ενεργές μέχρι σήμερα.

Σε αυτή την εικονογραφημένη εκδοχή των Chris Jaymes και Ale Aragon, ο γιος του Σουλιώτη αρχηγού Κίτσου Μπότσαρη, ο Μάρκος, μεγαλώνει αιχμάλωτος στο παλάτι του Αλή Πασά. Δέκα χρόνια αργότερα, το 1821, επιστρέφει στη φωτιά της επανάστασης με σκοπό να οδηγήσει τον λαό του στη νίκη. Σε αυτό το ταξίδι προς την ελευθερία, θα σταθεί απέναντι στους δαίμονές του και θα γνωρίσει την αγάπη, την προδοσία, την εκδίκηση και τη δόξα. Τα Παιδιά της Επανάστασης είναι μια σκοτεινή αφήγηση ενηλικίωσης και εξιλέωσης, με φόντο την πάλη ενός λαού για ανεξαρτησία, και φέρνει στο προσκήνιο με πρωτότυπο τρόπο, μέσω μιας ιστορίας φαντασίας, ένα κομμάτι της παγκόσμιας ιστορίας που παραμένει σε μεγάλο βαθμό άγνωστο.

O Αμερικανός συγγραφέας/σκηνοθέτης Chris Jaymes δεν έχει σκοπό να διηγηθεί ή να καταγράψει με πιστότητα ένα κομμάτι της Ελληνικής Επανάστασης. Στέκεται με δέος απέναντί της, εμπνέεται από τις προσωπικότητες και τους ήρωές της, βασίζεται σε πραγματικά γεγονότα και δημιουργεί τη δική του περιπέτεια, με στόχο να κάνει γνωστό τον Αγώνα του 1821 μέσα από τη δράση, τη γοητεία και την ενέργεια του κόμικ σε όσους, πέρα από τα σύνορά μας, δεν τον ξέρουν ή γνωρίζουν ελάχιστα γι’ αυτόν. Να τους κεντρίσει το ενδιαφέρον γι’ αυτό το τόσο κοντινό, τελικά, παρελθόν μας που επέδρασε καταλυτικά στη ροή της παγκόσμιας ιστορίας.

Ο ίδιος, παρακινημένος από έναν Ελληνοαμερικανό φίλο του, ασχολήθηκε με το θέμα για δέκα ολόκληρα χρόνια. Μετά από σχολαστική ενασχόληση, μελέτη και βαθιά διερεύνηση των γεγονότων, ταξίδεψε από τα Ιωάννινα, το Σούλι και τη Γραβιά μέχρι το Ναύπλιο, τη Μάνη, τη Μονεμβασιά, τις Σπέτσες και την Ύδρα, πριν καταθέσει τη δική του ματιά και ιστορία, στην οποία έδωσε σάρκα και οστά η εξαιρετική εικονογράφηση του Αργεντινού δημιουργού Ale Aragon.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2019

Reviews

[Oneirosophos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Decent art, but still just another hard wannabe 300, with boring writing...

[Spyros · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest I expected a lot more by that book. Especially when hearing about its creators.After reading it my emotions were somewhat mixed.

The size enhances the epic ness of the reading process. The sketching doesn’t live up to my expectations . I am sure there will be people who enjoy this type of art but I wanted something less of Frank miller’s 300 and more realism in order to depict something with which the audience is not so familiar with as clearly as possible. That’s why I subtract one star. Especially for foreigners, this is a quite unknown period and many are not familiar with the fashion the technology and the architecture of that time . It would be nice if such things were shown through at least the comic book medium(I know this is not its purpose)

The story telling is engaging and the fact that there are more than three hundred pages, it helps it flow smoothly. I was confused at start with the narration but then I understood who was doing the talking.


So overall this is an enjoyable read, a bit uncomfortable due to its size(especially if you are a bed reader), but really an excellent effort with a theme which honors a less known historical period in the Greek history.

[Nicholas Diak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Chris Jaymes and illustrated by Ale Aragon, Sons of Chaos is an ornate graphic novel that tells the story Marcos Botsaris, who would become renown as a Greek hero during the Greek War of Independence during the 1820s. A historic epic in the same vein as Frank Miller’s 300, Sons of Chaos is gritty, violent, and yet engaging with the niche subject matter, making it both interesting and accessible to those not familiar with it. As with most historic stories, there are some liberties undertaken to portray Marcos’ rise from unconfident child to hero, a road rife with travesty and treachery, orchestrated by the cunning Ali Pasha who ruled from Ioannina. Jaymes’ narrative juggles portraying Marcos’ internal struggle as he finds himself with that of the struggle of his people against the Ottoman Empire. Aragon’s art is detailed, but reserved in its coloring, giving it a fine art approach in many of the panels which spread across the double pages, creating a visually engrossing read. The end result is that Sons of Chaos is an ambitious graphic novel that succeeds at bringing light to a historic time and place that isn’t quite as renown, yet has had a profound impact on the world today.

[Geo Kwnstantinou · Rating 4 out of 5]

the illustrations are so beautiful and the story is so well written.

[Petros Cheretakis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Graphics-wise ok but story-wise below average. Not a worthy 300 wannabe

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1821 Greece was under the rule of Ali Pasha, the brutal Ottoman dictator. This is the story of Marcos Botsaris, the son of a Greek leader that is captured and left in the dungeon for ten years. He is released and has help sneaking out of the palace. Marcos returns home to find friends and family that survived Pasha’s brutal attack ten years prior. Marcos is reluctant to fight but rises his place as a leader to fight for Greece’s freedom.

I have to admit that I never really heard of this war and was surprised when I read this book. I was thinking that this too place a long time ago, not as recently. This is a beautifully illustrated story of Marcos Botsaris. Marcos doesn’t want to fight but is thrown into this war. It’s heartbreaking what happens to him but everything took place to help shape him into the leader that his is destined to be.

The illustrations were amazing. They made me feel like I was right there with the characters. I am very curious to learn more about this war and how it shaped Western Civilization. I was surprised to learn that some Americans came to help the Greek fight. This is a great read for those that like their graphic novels but also to share this war and to get more people interested in the real history.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

[Chumba Tribes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is impressive, often compensating for a rather plain storytelling. Dark frames, desperate characters, an archetypically villain Ali Pasha and a kind of noir feeling contribute to a more than satisfying read. Don’t expect historical accuracy, it’s a graphic novel with all its magic and twists. The Greek edition features a masterful translation by Alex K, quality printing but really poor binding. The cover literally fell apart while I was reading it - on a table.

[Myrto Pirli · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked: great art, loved the characterization of Ali Pasha
What I didn't like: the hairstyle given to Markos Botsaris is not consistent with any hairstyle I have seen in pictures of the Greek Revolution, and it was a bit jarring. Also was a bit disappointed that in the Messolonghi siege they didn't include the story of Markos starting fake negotiations with the Turks to surrender the city, to give the Greeks time to prepare for the siege
Verdict: I liked it, and I recommend it.

[Tabitha Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully made graphic novel. Gritty, intense and a really amazing read. Highly recommend if you like the 300.

The graphics are stunning and the oversized format gives you an even bigger epic narrative to read.

I didn't know much about the war for Greek independence, but this was a pretty big deal! It's bloody, graphic, but really thrilling. I couldn't put it down.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writer profiles exceptionally the complex/ perverted character of Ali pasha , who actually is the protagonist of the story .
It is not historically accurate but I suppose that was not the purpose of the book.
The art is very interesting, fits the narrative and gives you the feeling of an era dark and violent.

[Derek McCaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to call this an intimate epic about a corner of history that I knew almost nothing about. Covering some key battles in the Greek war for independence from the ottoman empire, this gorgeous widescreen graphic novel ends up reminding us how important it is to remember history as we keep repeating it.

[GuyBanff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic Sex and War

This is an epic, yet personal tale of the Romantic nationalistic war years when Greece fought the Ottomans. Enough sex, violence, and intrigue for a dozen comics.

[Dimitrios Mistriotis]

Στο αγγλικό φόρματ το σχέδιο κάνει θαύματα. Από σενάριο θα μπορούσε περισσότερα.

Λόγω μεγέθους του βιβλίου και σχεδίου από απλή ανάγνωση κόμικ γίνεται μια "εμπειρία" που σίγουρα αξίζει.

[PANAGIOTIS MOUTAFIDIS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ωραίο σχέδιο υπόθεση ίσως περίμενα περισσότερα γύρω από την Ελληνική Επανάσταση

[Al Capwned · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tries too hard to look like Frank Miller's 300 (even the format is similar) but I don't really see the point in that. The scenario is also a bit confusing and the dialogue is not always that great.

[Η Cultσα · Rating 1 out of 5]

Μια κακή προσπάθεια αντιγραφής του 300 και μάλλον σύνδεσής του με τη νεότερη ελληνική ιστορία.

[Antonis Zavaliangos · Rating 3 out of 5]

No, I am not upset for the historical inaccuracies. The author explained himself clearly in the presentation of the book. I am OK (to certain extend) with the fictoonalizstion of history. The graphics maybe attractive for certain audience. I found them interesting but not extraordinary. What really annoyed me was the shallow approach of the perennial "coming to age" topic with repetitions and prosiness. Good effort but did not go far enough for me.