Discovering this Jason and the Argonauts Dell comic based on the classic movie was an awesome and totally unexpected find! Interestingly, there’s also a Clash of the Titans comic, which makes you wonder — why should you dive into the comic if you’ve already seen the movie? Well, let me tell you, it’s worth it for some cool twists that add new layers to the story and really deepen your understanding of that legendary film.
That 12-cent “Jason and the Argonauts” Dell comic made in 1963 might sound super cheap, but it’s actually pretty rare now, so you’ll probably need to spend a bit to get your hands on a copy. Is it worth it? Only you can decide, but personally, I’m glad I snagged one. It might even turn out to be a smart little investment in time!
In this comic review, I’ll give you a rundown of what to expect from the Jason and the Argonauts Dell comic. I’ll provide some details on how it compares to the movie and what new twists it offers. Plus, I’ll explain why it’s a fun collectible for fans of the film and Greek mythology. If you’re a classic movie buff or a collector, this comic is definitely worth exploring!
Jason and the Argonauts: Dell Comic Review
In the Dell comic “Jason and the Argonauts,” it begins with a prophecy for Pelias, like you see in the movie. He learns of Zeus’s will and hears about the legendary Golden Fleece at the edge of the world.
The prophecy says Pelias will take over Thessaly by killing King Aristo and taking his crown. But it also warns him he’ll eventually lose that crown to one of Aristo’s kids. So, in response, Pelias decides to eliminate the family — killing two girls, a boy, and their father — to secure his future power and rule.
The seer’s prediction comes true. Pelias does kill Aristos, the king of Thessaly. Then he spots a girl with an infant entering the Temple of Hera, and he starts to think she might be the one he’s been searching for. She’s praying to Hera, and the goddess is listening. Despite this, Pelias kills the girl — only to find out right afterward that it’s actually the boy who’ll one day take his revenge.
No god can save Pelias from the one-sandaled man, Jason, who’s destined to come after him. Zeus has decreed that Jason must succeed Pelias, and there’s nothing Pelias can do to change that.
Jason and the Argonauts Dell Comic: Jason in Olympus
Jason grows up into a fine young Greek man, and before you know it, he ends up meeting Hermes, the messenger god. But here’s the interesting part — the movie and the Dell comic have a pretty big difference.
In the Dell comic, Hermes flies Jason to Olympus in a shimmering chariot, where he meets more Olympian gods, including Zeus and Hera.
In Olympus, Jason looks pretty tiny, like a small chess piece, compared to the massive gods, who tower around him. This is where he finds out that the Golden Fleece is real and that it can be found in the land of Colchis, at the edge of the world. No Greek has ever sailed that far, but Jason’s not going to let that stop him.
Jason informs the gods that he will handpick his own crew of Greek champions to accompany him on the adventure of a lifetime. As you can see, the “Jason and the Argonauts” Dell comic follows the story much like the movie.
Jason and the Argonauts Dell Comic: The Greek Heroes
Jason’s pulling in all kinds of Greek heroes for his quest for the Golden Fleece. Hercules, the famous hero, is eager to join the team. There’s also Hylas from Dryopian, a place I hadn’t noticed or heard of before, who really wants in too. Hylas believes that if he can beat Hercules at something, Jason would have to let him come along, even though Jason just sees him as a mere boy among men.
Hylas beats Hercules at disc throwing by using his wits and earns his spot as one of the Argonauts.
Hercules, after losing, is ready to head back to Thebes, but Jason refuses to leave him behind. Acastus, the son of Pelias, also makes the cut after winning the contest for slingers.
At this stage no other names of Greek heroes are mentioned in the Dell comic, whereas the Jason and the Argonauts movie does mention Castor and Polydeuces.
Lastly, Argus, the best shipbuilder in Greece, was also allowed to join the crew after he asked to become a crew member. It’s his payment requirement for building the ship. Argus reveals that he placed the ship’s figurehead at the stern, which was a first for him, but he felt it would be like having someone friendly watching over the crew.
Jason thinks it might have been orchestrated by Hera, Queen of the Gods. So, he agrees to accept the ship. Jason welcomes Argus aboard as a crew member and also tells him that the ship he built would be called the Argo.
Jason and the Argonauts Dell Comic: The Epic Voyage
A memorable moment in both the Dell comic and the movie occurs when Hylas and Hercules arrive on the Isle of Bronze. They find themselves at the Foundry of the Gods, once the workshop of Hephaestus.
Hercules seizes a golden javelin, which is actually a large brooch, but this act awakens Talos. Just like in the movie, Talos is driven to kill in retaliation for the theft, adding to the deadly tension of the scene.
After their eventual escape, the Argo arrives in Phrygia, where Jason and his crew encounter Phineas, the prophet who has been blinded by Zeus for abusing his gift of prophecy. To compound his torment, Phineas is also plagued by the relentless assault of two maddening harpies.
Jason and the Argonauts Dell Comic: The Golden Fleece
As Jason and the Argonauts are about to pass through the treacherous Clashing Rocks, salvation arrives in the form of the colossal Triton emerging from the depths of the ocean. With mighty strength, Triton pushes back the raging rocks, preventing them from crushing the Argo and its crew. Once safely through, Jason encounters Medea, a stunning woman from Colchis.
As the Argonauts draw nearer, the quest for the Golden Fleece is about to unfold into even more thrilling and perilous scenes. The adventure ultimately leads Jason to the legendary Golden Fleece. In the Dell comic “Jason and the Argonauts,” as well as in the 1963 film, Acastus is shown as being ensnared by the multi-headed Hydra.
Is this correct grammar? Jason and Medea end up escaping with the Golden Fleece, but their relief is short-lived. In the comic, King Aeetes is shown in the presence of Jason, Castor, and Polydeuces. That’s when they are startled to see skeletal warriors rising from the ground around them. Will they all find a way to escape? Who is doomed?
I’ll admit, I have a spoiler — since the comic closely mirrors the movie, it’s no big secret.
Here it is: only Jason survives, by plunging himself off a cliff into the ocean below…
Review of Jason and the Argonauts: The Dell Comic and More
I would rate this Jason and the Argonauts Dell comic a 6 out of 10. It’s certainly not a masterpiece, but it’s still worth flipping through. The main drawback is that it felt too short. Some of scenes jumped abruptly from one to another without enough narrative flow to keep things engaging. It seemed as though the writer assumed readers were already familiar with the Jason and the Argonauts story from the classic 1963 film, so they chose not to retell it in detail. Additionally, the illustrations were rather average — nothing particularly epic or memorable.
I’m glad I read it, but I paid quite a high price for the experience. I’m not sure how much 12 cents in 1963 was worth, but I imagine it was very affordable — perhaps the cost of a few lollies. Back then, this would have been an awesome comic for kids. Nowadays, though, it’s more of a nostalgic relic. Still, it’s definitely worth keeping in mind and preserving in our collective memory of Greek mythology comics and graphic novels.
For those eager to delve deeper into the myth of the Argonauts, the graphic novel “Jason and the Argonauts: Kingdom of Hades” offers an exciting adventure. Remarkably, in the world of comics, the Argonauts venture into Hades — the Underworld itself! This story provides a fresh twist on their legendary journey, making it a compelling read for both mythology enthusiasts and comic fans alike.
Fans of unique storytelling might enjoy “The Last Argonauts: Silence of the Gods,” which offers a completely different imaginative take on the Greek myth. There’s also an ARGONAUTS sci-fi comic set in space!
Jason and the Argonauts by Mythology Graphics could be a fun choice for kids interested in Greek mythology. Very young children might also enjoy Jason and the Golden Fleece by Nel Yomtov.
If you’re interested in a more factual approach, “The Jason Voyage: The Quest for the Golden Fleece” provides a real-life perspective on the classic myth.
You may also be interested in checking out my Jason and the Argonauts Movie Myth Tribute, featuring a whole cast of new Argonauts you’ve probably never heard of. While this Dell edition stays closer to the film itself, the tribute offers some unique and memorable highlights of its own. Dive in and discover new legends — both on the page and in the myth!
Alternatively, here’s a heartfelt tribute to Nancy Kovack (Medea), the talented actress who brought Medea to life in the iconic 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts.
Now, back to the Jason and the Argonauts Dell comic. If you’d like to add a copy to your comic collection, check out eBay, as they frequently have one or two for sale. Keep an eye out for a good deal, and if you can find a decent copy for under $40, you might have found a real treasure. Happy hunting!
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