All-Action Classics No. 3: The Odyssey

by Ben Caldwell, Homer

Overview

An exciting approach to the classics: vibrant, appealing graphic novels that bring beloved stories to a new generation of kids.

Shipwrecks, angry gods, magical lands, beautiful nymphs, and siren songs: this vivid retelling of Homer’s legendary Greek epic follows Odysseus on his long, arduous journey home from Ithaca after the fall of Troy. Done in comic-book style, it features the highest-energy kid-grabbing details and plot twists, all dramatized in brilliant, action-packed images. It’s the perfect way to introduce kids and fans of graphic novels to one of literature’s great works.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454938156
Publisher:	Union Square Kids
Publication date:	02/11/2020
Series:	All-Action Classics Series , #3
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	659,742
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Ben Caldwell is an American creator known for his work in comics, toy design, animation, and children's books. His comics include the award-winning Prez and Dare Detectives. Other projects include the how-to series Action! Cartooning and the Carrie Kelley graphic novel. Caldwell lives in Wyomissing, PA.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 6 Up—It is nearly impossible to condense such an enormous story into 123 pages, but Mucci manages to hit all of the action-packed highlights. These include many of the adventures that Odysseus had on his long voyage back home from the Trojan War, such as his dangerous encounters with Circe, Calypso, the lotus-eaters, the Cyclops, and the sirens, as well as his detour into Hades. The colorful artwork skillfully captures the dynamic action, and artistic touches like making the gods translucent in the world of men are especially eye-catching. With its fast pace and cartoony yet cinematic artwork, this adaptation will entice reluctant readers. In a bit of savvy marketing, the last page directs readers to the Action Cartooning website to learn more about the story of Odysseus and to see additional artwork, which should generate interest in the other books in the series.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

School Library Journal

Classic works are often reimagined as comics, frequently as an attempt to make stodgy old books attractive and palatable to younger readers. With its action-packed story line and grand adventures, The Odyssey is a natural choice and here translates extremely well to this medium. Mucci's retelling of Odysseus's epic journey back to Ithaca is accompanied by boisterous cartoon art in a dazzling array of candy colors. Readers familiar with the tale will recognize all of the encounters and should appreciate its quick plotting and easy digestibility; for those unfamiliar, this creates a solid starting-off point. Though the colorful patina and square-jawed heroes are enticing, the lettering tends to the ornate, rendering it at times difficult to decipher. While this may frustrate those trying to figure out perhaps-unfamiliar Greek names, it shouldn't detract from the story as a whole. This makes a natural choice for Percy Jackson fans clamoring for what to read next, in both subject matter and high-action pacing. A brisk, energetic read. (Graphic classic. 10 & up)

Kirkus Reviews