The Last Argonauts, known in France as Les Derniers Argonautes, is an engaging three-part comic series that reimagines the legendary tale of Jason, after the silence of the Gods strikes fear into the world. It’s another awesome odyssey for the famed hero who once gathered a band of heroic adventurers to sail the seas in search of the elusive Golden Fleece.
This time, however, an older Jason embarks on a thrilling new quest alongside the last of the Argonauts. Their mission: to find the Orb of the World, a dazzling cosmic sphere with the power to restore harmony to the world.
Set against the backdrop of ancient times, when the Gods have withdrawn from humanity, the narrative explores the silence that ensued. What if the divine beings truly turned their backs on mortals? Would the people yearn for their voices once more? How chaotic would life become without their guidance from the Gods?
The Last Argonauts provides you with its own version of events. What happens is that Jason, the legendary Argonaut is called upon once again to go on a mysterious quest.
After the Greek Gods including Zeus, Athena, and Hermes abandon humanity to face calamity and despair, only Jason and the last Argonauts can restore balance to the world. Now, even though he is older and haunted by painful memories, Jason needs to step up for another incredible odyssey, leading a new band of unlikely heroes into uncharted territory.
This awesome comic trilogy of heroic fantasy immerses readers in a realm inspired by Greek mythology. It is rich with philosophy, action and emotion, melding epic storytelling with poetic depth.
The Last Argonauts is a fantastic Jason and the Argonauts adventure. Jean-Blaise Djian and Olivier Legrand are behind the story, with cool artwork by Nicolas Ryser.
The Last Argonauts (Issue 1): The Silence of the Gods
Picture this: long, long ago, the Greek Gods decided they’d had enough of humanity’s antics. That’s right! They hit the mute button on their celestial cousins and poof! Silence. Not one divine whisper left to tickle the ears of mortals. Can you imagine? A world without divine gossip? People were left floundering in complete chaos, like a cat in a swimming pool. Disasters? Despair? Lost Hope? Oh, you betcha!
Oracle or Madman?
To some, he was a madman — to others, an Oracle. However, humanity did have one way to get the Gods back on speaking terms. If people truly desired to hear their voices again, embarking on a quest to find the Orb of the World was the only surefire way of achieving it.
Curse uttered by a Satyr
Then there was a Satyr who foretold of a terrible curse! Could it be that this quest for the Orb of the World was even more perilous than the famous quest long ago — the one where the Argonauts searched for the Golden Fleece?
The Last Argonauts Crew
Now, enter our hero, Jason! Yes, legendary Jason — the one who swaggered through history with a group of heroic adventurers to snag that shiny Golden Fleece (which, by the way, is just as complicated as it sounds).
However, this time around, he’s not here to play with woolly wonders. Now he’s on the prowl for something even cooler: the Orb of the World — basically, the universe’s glittery stress ball that could restore the divine chats with the Gods.
But hold onto your helmets! Jason is no longer the dashing young lad of his youth. Nope! He’s turned into the ancient version of a grumpy grey-haired father who lost his kids at the hands of his wife, Medea, haunted by those extremely unpleasant memories, as anyone would. Yet Jason, driven by his knack for heroics and maybe a touch of nostalgia for the glory days when he was everyone’s favorite hero, he dusts off his heroic cape one last time.
Now Jason has another crew of Argonauts go in search for the Orb of the World. However, first he will need to find his old ship, the Argo.
Human Sacrifice in The Last Argonauts
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, dark forces are at work in the world. One woman stands accused of witchcraft, a scapegoat for the fears and uncertainties that plague her community. Some believe that sacrificing her might appease the wrath of the Gods and bring an end to the ominous silence that has fallen upon the land. Yet, there are others who question the validity of these claims, fearing that the true evil lies not in her, but in the minds of those who seek to blame her for their misfortunes.
The Argo Ship
The last Argonauts require access to the legendary ship called the Argo, which has been protected by powerful magical enchantments. Fortunately, the vessel is ready to set sail once more on an extraordinary new quest, this time in search of the mysterious Orb of the World.
The Last Argonauts (Issue 2): The Sea of Destiny
While at sea, the new Argonauts come under attack!
Take a look in the bottom right-hand corner. Who do you see? It’s the messenger God, Hermes! So the Olympian Gods are still around.
Jason is even forced to fight against a fierce-looking Minotaur beast!
Temptation of the Last Argonauts
Just like the original myth of the Argonauts, Jason and his crew are confronted with numerous perilous obstacles on their journey through unknown lands.
At one place, they find themselves being entertained by alluring women, whose enchanting laughter fills the air. However, beneath their beautiful exteriors lies a horrifying truth — these captivating figures are, in reality, hideous monsters in disguise, waiting to ensnare the unsuspecting!
The Last Argonauts (Issue 3): The Orb of the World
What is the Orb of the World, and what does it have to do with the Greek Gods? Will it bring the end to the silence of the Gods
When Jason and the Argonauts meet the Hyperboreans, they come closer to getting an answer. However, Jason starts thinking that they are nothing more than pawns in a game.
The Orb of the World
The Last Argonauts uncover significant truths about the Orb of the World. A grave crime was once committed against the Gods, compelling certain people to take extraordinary risks upon the Sea of destiny. Upon reaching a new land, they faced the formidable cyclopes in battle. After defeating these one-eyed giants, they established their new city.
Then, one day, a mysterious stranger appeared, presenting them with the Orb of the World — the source of their power and prosperity.
The question remains: What will the discovery of the Orb of the World ultimately lead to? Dive into “The Last Argonauts” to uncover its secrets and explore the thrilling journey that awaits within its pages!
The Last Argonauts Graphic Novel Series: Issues 1-3
These are the three comic issues of The Last Argonauts: Issue 1, “The Silence of the Gods“; Issue 2, “The Sea of Destiny“; and Issue 3, “The Orb of the World.”
The Last Argonauts: Review
I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Argonauts, and I found the premise of the story — centered around the silence of the Gods — truly fascinating. I thought the first issue was particularly engaging, as it depicted the chaos that befell everyone when the Gods departed.
The concept of the Orb of the World also piqued my curiosity; much like the mythical Golden Fleece, it held an allure that compelled me to learn more about it.
As far as I know, The Last Argonauts is not available as a hard copy edition in English, so you’ll have to seek it out online to read. However, it is definitely worth your time to find it and immerse yourself in the entire story.
I would rate The Last Argonauts a 7.5 out of 10. While the overarching concept was captivating, I found that many of the characters lacked the charm and warmth needed to create a deeper connection. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel a strong bond with Jason or any other character, except for a sense of sympathy for the witch who was about to be sacrificed.
The artwork was good but not extraordinary. It didn’t fully transport me to new lands or evoke the vivid imagery I had hoped for. I longed for a stronger connection to the characters and the settings portrayed.
After finishing the story, the scenery faded from my memory, even though I found the concept itself to be very powerful and extremely memorable. I also found the uniqueness of the story very fascinating! There were a few moments that left a significant impression on me, making it an intriguing read overall.
I highly recommend reading The Last Argonauts! This captivating adventure not only continues the legacy of the classic Jason and the Argonauts tale but also introduces new characters and challenges that will keep you engaged from start to finish.
Further Exploration of the Argonauts
If you’re interested in Jason and the Argonauts, I also recommend checking out Jason and the Argonauts: Kingdom of Hades (Review).
Movie fans of the classic film Jason and the Argonauts (1963) may also enjoy taking a look at my very own Jason and the Argonauts Movie Myth Tribute.
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