Hades and the Helm of Darkness Graphic Novel

Heroes in Training Graphic Novels #3

by Joan Holub (Creator), Suzanne Williams (Creator), Glass House Graphics (Illustrations)

Hades is the center of the (under)world in the third book of the graphic novel adaptation of the popular Heroes in Training series!

The Underworld usually isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun place—except for Hades. He loves the dark and even the stinky smell of sulfur! But there is one thing that Hades is not a fan of…dogs. And when Zeus and his fellow Olympians encounter Cerberus—a mean, snarling, three-headed dog—Hades must conquer his fears and tame the dog in order for everyone to continue on to the Underworld and drop off their Titan prisoner, Oceanus, back where he belongs!

With magical water that makes one forget, hot beds of lava, and another epic battle with two more Titans standing in their way, can Zeus and his heroes make it out of the Underworld with everyone intact?

New readers and old fans alike will enjoy these full-color graphic novel adaptations of the long-running Heroes in Training series.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Mythology, Fantasy

144 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2022

About the author

NY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades venture into the Underworld in search of the Helm of Darkness. They are also hoping to run into Hera who was separated from them in their quest to find the trident. But opponents from the last quest are on their heals and won't make things easy for them.

Holub does a great job of taking the main crux of the classic Greek myths and making them into kid-friendly adventure stories with a good dose of humor, and adapting this into graphic novel form was a stroke of genius.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some magical battles but everyone ends up ok, only some doggy slobber to deal with.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pythia, the oracle of Delphi, send the young olympians out on another quest. This time they get sent to the underworld, cross the Styx River that stinks of sulphur. As they battle two titans to retrieve the helm of darkness, they encounter a three-headed dog and other adventures. Throughout their quest, all of them are bothered by the smells of sulphur except Hades. The three headed dog they encounter, also takes a special liking to Hades. As they battle together, they discover that their magical powers, though useless on their own, actually work when united.

I do enjoy this graphic novel series and the growth of their characters as they learn more about themselves and their friends.

[Raven Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

The myth of the Olympians made in a modern tone, with the original setting. Focus on the story of the Hades character makes sense, but the humor and trying to be "cool and hip" fell flat for me. While some of the "facts" are there, the story of Zeus and his siblings is tossed onto its head and does not always work. However, a reluctant reader will enjoy it as things are straight forward, fairly uncomplicated, and boldly bright and fun illustrations.