Grab a Graphic Novel: Mythology
We’re highlighting our graphic novel collection by exploring tried-and-true cartoon classics, as well as fresh-off-the-press new releases. Pick up a graphic novel today!
Our Grab a Graphic Novel blog series presents our latest reads from the aforementioned collection. Available at all five libraries, the collection encompasses comics, manga and, of course, graphic novels — anything that uses pictures as an intrinsic part of the storytelling process.
For this month, we’re highlighting our Mythology graphic novels. These graphic novels range from junior level to adult, and take you on classic adventures with a new twist.
Junior Graphic Novels:
Orpheus in the Underworld by Yvan Pommaux
Summary: “Son of a muse, the young musician Orpheus has everything: talent, beauty, courage, love. Then, in a moment, everything is lost. His bride Eurydice is killed in a terrible accident on their wedding night. Armed only with his lyre, Orpheus enters the desolate Underworld, where no mortal has ever gone before. He’s determined to achieve the impossible–bring his wife back to life, restore their happiness, and ensure he’s never in danger of losing her again. This gorgeous book retells the tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice in a way newly relatable to young readers. Through its epic illustrations and captivating, carefully researched text, it earns its place in the canon.”
Athena: Goddess of Wisdom and War by Imogen Greenberg
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Summary: “From the moment she sprung from Zeus’s head, Athena was extraordinary. Even though some doubted her as a young goddess, Athena never backed down from a fight. Poseidon wants to be the patron god of a nearby city? Well, so does Athena! And she’s going to outwit him and found Athens. Perseus doesn’t know how to defeat Medusa? No problem! Athena can give him the knowledge (and shield) he needs to take off her head. Odysseus is lost at sea, seemingly doomed? Not anymore! Athena can get him home. Follow the goddess of wisdom through her adventures with gods and mortals, discover the perils of crossing her, and see how she eventually learned to better understand and aid the human race.”
Oh My Gods! by Stephanie Cooke
Summary: “When an average girl moves to Mt. Olympus, she discovers her new classmates are gods and mythological creatures are actually real–as if junior high isn’t hard enough!
Karen is just an average thirteen-year-old from New Jersey who loves to play video games with her friends and watch movies with her mom. But when she moves to Greece to live with her eccentric, mysterious father, Zed, suddenly everything she thought about herself–about life–is up in the air.
Starting a new school can be difficult, but starting school at Mt. Olympus Junior High, where students are gods and goddesses, just might take the cake. Especially when fellow classmates start getting turned to stone. Greek mythology . . . a little less myth, a little more eek! And if Karen’s classmates are immortal beings, who does that make her.”
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Summary: “Since their mother’s death, Sadie and Carter have become near-strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, Carter has traveled the world with their father, the famed Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane.
One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings to the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.
Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that all the gods of Egypt are waking, and that Set now has his sights on them. To stop him, the duo embarks on a dangerous journey across the globe, one that brings Carter and Sadie ever closer to the truth about their family and its connection to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.”
Goddess Girls by David Campiti
Summary: “Athena always knew she was smart and special, but she didn’t realize that she was a goddess! When she’s whisked away to Mount Olympus Academy, she worries about fitting in and dealing with her dad, Zeus. Luckily, she meets the Goddess Girls and finds the best friends she’s ever had.”
Young Adult Graphic Novels:
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Summary: “After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.”
Thor: The Goddess of Thunder by Jason Aaron
Summary: “Mjolnir lies on the moon, unable to be lifted! Something dark has befallen the God of Thunder, leaving him unworthy for the first time ever! But when Frost Giants invade Earth, the hammer will be lifted — and a mysterious woman will be transformed into an all-new version of the mighty Thor! Who is this new Goddess of Thunder? Not even Odin knows, but she may be Earth’s only hope against the Frost Giants! Get ready for a Thor like you’ve never seen before, as this all-new heroine takes Midgard by storm! Plus: The Odinson clearly doesn’t like that someone else is holding his hammer — it’s Thor vs. Thor! And Odin, desperate to see Mjolnir returned, will call on some very dangerous, very unexpected allies. It’s a bold new chapter in the storied history of Thor!”
Draupadi: The Fire-Born Princess by Saraswati Nagpal
Summary: “Draupadi the princess is in love with Arjuna, the Pandava prince. But fate weaves strange events, and Draupadi finds herself wedded to five men–Arjuna and his four Pandava brothers. Draupadi’s life is complicated further by the Kauravas–her husbands’ wicked cousins–who try everything in their power to harm her and the Pandavas. As the fiery princess Draupadi’s terrible destiny begins to unfold, she goes from majestic queen with five warrior husbands to a poor servant girl. Evil waits around every corner and a terrible war looms overhead. Will the impulsive Draupadi brave the humiliation destiny has written for her? Will she lose everything she has loved?”
The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds
Summary: “Fresh from his triumphs in the Trojan War, Odysseus, King of Ithaca, wants nothing more than to return home to his family. Instead, he offends the sea god, Poseidon, who dooms him to years of shipwreck and wandering. Battling man-eating monsters, violent storms, and the supernatural seductions of sirens and sorceresses, Odysseus will need all his strength and cunning–and a little help from Mount Olympus–to make his way home and seize his kingdom from the schemers who seek to wed his queen and usurp his throne. Award-winning graphic artist Gareth Hinds masterfully reinterprets a story of heroism, adventure, and high action that has been told and retold for more than 2,500 years–though never quite like this.”
Adult Graphic Novels:
Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
Summary: “Persephone, young goddess of spring, is new to Olympus. Her mother, Demeter, has raised her in the mortal realm, but after Persephone promises to train as a sacred virgin, she’s allowed to live in the fast-moving, glamorous world of the gods. When her roommate, Artemis, takes her to a party, her entire life changes: she ends up meeting Hades and feels an immediate spark with the charming yet misunderstood ruler of the Underworld. Now Persephone must navigate the confusing politics and relationships that rule Olympus, while also figuring out her own place–and her own power.”
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Summary: “Neil Gaiman and Eisner Award-winning comics legend P. Craig Russell breathe new life into the ancient Norse stories in this comic-book adaptation of the hit novel Norse Mythology. Gaiman and Russell team with a legendary collection of artists to take readers through a series of Norse myths, including the creation of the Nine Worlds, the loss of Odin’s eye and source of his knowledge, the crafting of Thor’s hammer and the gods’ most valuable treasures, the origin of poetry, and Loki’s part in the end of all things–Ragnarök.”
Punderworld by Linda Sejic
Summary: “Hades and Persephone’s love-struck misadventures. The classic tale of Greek mythology, but 100% more awkwardly relatable. Hades is the officious, antisocial ruler of the Underworld; Persephone, daughter of Demeter, is an earth goddess of growth and renewal – they’ve been crushing on each other for the past two centuries. But when a festival (and a little liquid courage) present an opportunity to put an end to their Olympian will-they-won’t-they, a meddlesome pantheon and several titanic misassumptions threaten to give every god in the sky the wrong impression… and leave their romance dead before it can bloom.”
Valkyrie: Jane Foster by Al Ewing
Summary: “Jane Foster is back! For years, you knew her as Dr. Jane Foster, one of Thor Odinson’s most steadfast companions. Then you knew her as Thor, Goddess of Thunder, who took up the mantle when nobody else was worthy. Now Jane takes on a new role as Valkyrie, guide and ferrywoman to the dead! But her days of battle are far from over — especially when Marvel’s deadliest shot gets his hands on the sword of a god! With the Asgardian weapon Dragonfang in his hand, who is Bullseye targeting — and what is he really after? Jane must learn a hard lesson: Not every death can be prevented. And when a friend falls, Jane discovers that Valhalla is only one hall of the dead. The multiversal afterlife awaits!”
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