The Ring of the Nibelung, Vol. 2

The Ring of the Nibelung #3-4

by P. Craig Russell

Presents a comic book adaptation of Wagner's "Ring Cycle."

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Music, Mythology, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Philip Craig Russell was the first mainstream comic book creator to come out as openly gay. Since 1972 his work has won multiple Kirby, Harvey, and Eisner Awards, and Cartoon Crossroads Columbus presented him the Master Cartoonist Award in 2019.

Reviews

[Greta G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent and fairly faithful adaptation for comics of Wagner’s epic cycle of operas The Rhinegold (Das Rheingold), The Valkyrie (Die Walküre), Siegfried and The Twilight of the Gods (Götterdämmerung). Wagner wrote his magnum opus, which is based on Norse sagas, over the course of about twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. It was first performed as a cycle in 1876. The author, award-winning artist and storyteller P. Craig Russell, planned this graphic novel adaptation as his career opus, working nearly 20 years until its completion.

“With seven notes Wagner teases us into thought and propels the action of the story. My challenge was to convey the same information in a way as unique to the visual form as Wagner’s was to the musical.”

From this:


Came this:


I’ve neither a strong interest in opera nor in fantasy, but Russell managed to hold my attention and admiration till the very end. Listening to Wagner’s famous ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ (https://youtu.be/P73Z6291Pt8) will never feel the same again.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Αισθητά βελτιωμένος στο σχέδιο του δεύτερου τόμου, ο Ράσελ δίνει φοβερά μονοσέλιδα και γενικότερα μια περισσότερη λεπτομέρεια ακόμα και στα δευτερεύοντα καρέ. Η ιστορία ενδιαφέρουσα, την εκτιμώ κυρίως γιατί αποτελεί βήμα για να ασχοληθεί κάποιος περαιτέρω με γερμανική μυθολογία (και σε αυτή συμπεριλαμβάνω και την σκανδιναβική). Εδώ βλέπουμε το sub-plot με τις κόρες του Wotan, τις Βαλκυρίες και συγκεκριμένα με μία από αυτές, ως μεταβατικό στάδιο της ιστορίας του δαχτυλιδιού.

Άξια αναφοράς είναι η έκδοση της Helm. Μέχρι στιγμής αψεγάδιαστη, με πολλά έξτρα (storyboards, αρχικά εξώφυλλα, προσχέδια με μολύβια/μελάνια, πληροφορίες από τον ίδιο τον Ράσελ σχετικά με την διαδικασία διασκευής της όπερας, άρθρα του εκδότη σχετικά με την όπερα αλλά και από που είναι εμπνευσμένη με εκτενείς αναφοράς στα αντίστοιχα κομμάτια μυθολογίας). Ειδικά τα πρόσθετα σχέδια στο τέλος του τόμου είναι για τοίχο. Μια έκδοση όπως θα έπρεπε να είναι, με μόνο λυπηρό το γεγονός ότι ήταν η πρώτη τους σαν εκδοτική και δεν ήξεραν ότι δεν θα εκτιμηθεί στην χώρα όπως της άξιζε.

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final volume of THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG can be summed up in a single word: stunning.

The story itself can be silly at times, utterly ridiculous at times, yet it can also be heartbreaking and soul crushing.

But the real strength here is P. Craig Russell's incredible art. I've been following this guy since the 70s, and I've never seen better work out of the man. But equal praise must be bestowed on the colourist, Lovern Kindzierski and letterer (yes, really!) Galen Showman because, instead of simply workmanlike colouring and plodding type, both have worked hard to take Russell's already high quality art and elevate it. The colours and especially the type work with the art to bring a synergy to all the elements and all serve the story and the individual scenes.

This is the comic form being used to its full potential that is far too rare.

Having no knowledge of Wagner's original work, I have no idea how close this hews to the original, but I can say this adaptation is simply a stunning achievement in its own right.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't really too into this. I had to do some research after because a few characters really remind me of the Lord of the Rings books and I guess Tolkien loosely based his books on these stories.

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG the art on this is just beautiful and fits the story perfectly. Amazing telling of this classic Norse myth. Very recommended

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Totally sucked into this all over again. Very familiar but I was truly in suspense.

Forgot to play Wagner again. Listened to Miles Davis Live Evil instead.

[Marquise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent adaptation overall, it covers visually what the opera couldn't; and the last stretch complements the music nicely. I do recommend once more to read the 4 volumes with Wagner's music, you won't regret it.

The first volume is still my favourite from a storytelling perspective, though the second is arguably more dramatic and gripping. In this second volume, I got the impression that Siegfried is less sympathetic, mainly because he's fairly bratty at the start and you don't get the same sympathetic vibe from him as from his father Siegmund (of whom he's a blonde version, physically). And same could be said for Brunhilde, who comes off as more crazed than you'd expect.

[David]

More P. Craig Russel goodness. The visual flow was incredible in this story. I didn't even notice myself turning the pages. And the last ten pages was the visual equivalent of the crescendo to one of Wagner's operas. I had Tanhauser going through my head while taking it in.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mime raises Siegfried, grandson of Wotan, and attempts to use his naivety and strength to steal the ring from Fafner, unaware the boy is destined to save and marry Brünnhilde - yet the curse writhes in their fates, threatening not just their happiness, but the balance of all realms, god and mortal alike. Russell, Mason, Kindzierski and Showman craft an enthralling and climactic finale, its artful use of expression and colour a stunning conveyance to behold by any generation. Can the realms withstand the scope of the ring's curse, or shall its evil destroy all in its reach?

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful artwork but somewhat lacking In The character and story department.... Personally I blame Wagner.

[Sarah Yasin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book.

[Chris Fluit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good the second time around.

[Nassia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, amazing work by Russell, a master of the comic book form.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

P. Craig Russell's art is absolutely lovely, rich and lively. Each character's personality is clear on their face and in their movements - and there's something in the drama of the landscapes and figures that lend themselves perfectly to this rendition of Wagner's Ring Cycle.

This volume went straight into the story and did not have a forward or afterward, as volume one did. This isn't necessarily a problem, though I probably would have enjoyed more sketches and studies. Both volumes together are a great primer and/or introduction to the operas themselves, and I would recommend them to anyone who wanted to familiarize themselves with the story and characters before watching or going to see the operas themselves.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

P. Craig Russell takes risks and you can tell when one of his books is a labor of love.
He does both in this adaptation of an Opera... who knew you could sell Opera to comic book fans? Well, apparently P. Craig Russell did and he gives us fans a beautiful book with fantastic art.
I don't think I've ever been dissapointed in one of the books he's adapted, and I'll continue to be a fan of his for as long as he keeps em coming or for as long as I'm still around. Whicever comes first, place your bets folks.
He also takes risks with his "Night Music" graphic novels, but that's a review for another day.

[Carlos Eguren · Rating 5 out of 5]

209/365

Un preludio donde se nos explica cómo Brunilda, la valquiria favorita de Wotan, acaba defraudando a su querido padre, cuando el dios, para cumplir los deseos de su esposa, pide que sacrifique a un humano que estaba destinado a ser un héroe. Tal acto acabará propiciando el nacimiento, no obstante, del héroe que podría salvar a los dioses... o precipitarlos hacia su fin.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vibrant illustrations make the story come alive. Though at times the translation from foreign music to written dialog is clumsy, it is nevertheless an entertaining and epic read. It makes for a beautiful and approchable adaptation.

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume follows a young adult Siegfried. It has a stronger narrative than the first, but Siegfried is pretty dang unlikable and gets hoodwinked a bit too easy. Probably works better on stage where you won't question it as much. Russell's artwork carries the story.

[Hunter Johnson]

(see above)

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for the same reasons as the previous volume. Definitely worth the read.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

*loaned to LDW May 19 2012

[Matthew Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Same thoughts as my review for vol. 1. Absolutely stunning. Wish someone would animate this.

[Joao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Segundo volume da adaptação do Épico "Anel dos Nibelungos" de Richard Wagner, à banda desenhada, um projecto que demorou cerca de 20 anos a realizar.

[Alain DeWitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very innovative way to introduce difficult material to a new audience. Beautiful and accessible. Winning combination.

[Jean-Pierre Vidrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume continues to superbly adapt Wagner's operas. The story picks up here on something of a joyous note, but turns dark before long. It is an opera after all.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent graphic novel adaptation of Wagner's classic operas.