Once Upon A Time Machine Volume 2: Greek Gods & Legends is this totally unique trade paperback graphic novel. It’s like a wild mashup of Greek mythology comics, but with a twist — set across all kinds of different worlds, from Earth to outer space, even other planets (I think) where things get seriously weird.
Inside, you’re getting 224 pages of short crazy comic stories by different artists, each one pulling in legends like Icarus, Odysseus, Apollo, Zeus, and a ton of other Greek gods and monsters. The thing is, you can’t really judge what’s inside just by looking at the cover — because every story is totally different, with completely different illustration styles. And as you can see, the cover’s a trip!
On the right, you’ve got Zeus clutching a thunderbolt, and on the left, a one-eyed Cyclops. You can also see Medusa, the winged horse Pegasus, a half-man, half-horse centaur, and a bunch of other wild figures. But honestly, that’s just a teaser — the stories inside are all over the place, and that’s part of what makes this comic collection so unique.
I’ll admit, some of the comics in Once Upon A Time Machine: Greek Gods & Legends are complete duds, and a few are honestly kind of confusing (at least to me). But then, boom, there are a few that totally blow your mind and make it all worth the read.
Like the opening comic story about Icarus, but instead of a kid flying too close to the sun with wax wings, it’s about a kid named Icarus going on a space mission with his dad. I won’t spoil it for you, but trust me, it’s even more out there than the Icarus myth from Greek mythology.
So yeah, this graphic novel is a wild ride through Greek gods and legends, often with a crazy sci-fi spin that makes everything feel fresh and weird. If you’re into Greek mythology, space, or just some seriously mind-bending storytelling, you gotta check this out.
Once Upon A Time Machine: Greek Gods & Legends
So, after you get through that first story about Icarus, you’re kind of left hanging — like, where’s this all going? Honestly, you won’t really know until you flip through the rest of the book.
Once Upon A Time Machine Volume 2: Greek Gods & Legends throws a lot at you — some stuff you’ll find interesting, but a lot of it just kind of sucks, so it’s a bit of a rollercoaster ride.
After the 12-page Icarus tale, there’s this story called Theseus and the Metrotaurus. And man, it’s almost like they threw in a total junk comic right after a decent one — didn’t like it at all. No dialogue, so it’s some kind of incomprehensible silent story, and the art? Pretty rough. Felt like 13 pages of filler that didn’t really need to be there, honestly. There are quite a few others like that too — stuff that could’ve been cut without missing much.
Then things pick up again with The Slaying of the Psuedors (Odysseus). Now we’re back on track, and this one’s totally wild — think bizarre sci-fi Greek myth adaptation, with Odysseus arriving back in Ithaca in a way that’s completely strange and compelling all at once. It’s like the myth took a strange turn into another trippy universe, where all his loved ones have mutated into wild creatures and monsters. I told you so — this book gets extremely weird, and there’s more to come, as this is only the third story of thirty in total.
The next story in Once Upon a Time Machine: Greek Gods & Legends is titled “Footsteps,” focusing on Hermes. The artwork leans heavily into a Marvel-inspired style — bright, bold, and action-packed — making the visuals truly stand out. While the illustrations are impressive and eye-catching, the story itself feels somewhat forgettable, lacking the same memorable punch as the artwork. Nevertheless, it remains a visually exciting read that leaves you eager for the next adventure.
Alright, so the next batch of comics in One Upon A Time Machine: Greek Gods & Legends didn’t exactly blow me away — titles like Arachne, Persephone, Hyperion, Flying Horse Style (Pegasus), and Aphrodite were kinda boring…
But then, out of nowhere, a true hidden gem drops: Daphne. And guess what? It’s about Apollo’s obsession with Daphne, but in the modern world. Sounds cool enough, right? I gotta say, I was hooked — this 12-page story totally pulled me in. It’s fresh, clever, and just plain fun. Definitely one of the big highlights in this collection of comics.
I’m not going to go through all thirty stories in Once Upon A Time Machine Volume 2: Greek Gods & Legends, but I’ve got to mention this one that stood out to me: a modern spin on Jason and the Argonauts. It’s fresh and totally adds a new twist to the classic adventure. Honestly, that’s just one of the many reasons this book is worth picking up. The creative twists and imaginative storytelling make it a pretty cool read all around.
Another story that really caught my eye in Once Upon A Time Machine: Greek Gods & Legends was this one called The Long Bow (Telemachus). It’s a 12-page tale tucked at the near the end of the book. It’s got that slick sci-fi twist on Greek mythology that just pulls you in — definitely one to check out if you’re into weird spins on classic legends.
Once Upon A Time Machine Volume 2: Review
In conclusion, Once Upon A Time Machine: Volume 2 offers a wild and eclectic collection of thirty short comic stories drawn from the vast and varied universe of Greek mythology. The anthology’s diversity means some tales shine brightly, while others fall flat, resulting in a mixed reading experience. I found myself genuinely enjoying only a handful of the stories, but those few were enough to remind me how Greek myths can be brought back to life through inventive illustrations and clever storytelling.
What makes this collection particularly intriguing is its range — some stories are brief, sometimes consisting of only punchy one-page illustrations that evoke a quick burst of mythic magic, while others delve more deeply into character and plot. This wide variety keeps the reader on their toes, though it also results in somewhat inconsistent quality of the storytelling. Despite this, the stories I connected with showcased inventive interpretations and a playful approach to familiar myths, which I appreciated. The downside is that some entries felt rushed or lacked depth, detracting from an otherwise engaging concept.
Overall, Once Upon A Time Machine: Greek Gods & Legends is a chaotic but interesting comic collection that will appeal to readers who enjoy quick, visually-driven mythic tales and are open to a broad spectrum of storytelling quality. While only a few standouts won me over, those moments reaffirmed my love for Greek mythology’s timeless stories, told here with creative flair. It’s a worthwhile read for fans of comics and mythology alike, offering both flashes of brilliance and moments of utter trash.
Here’s the back cover of Once Upon A Time Machine Volume 2: Greek Gods & Legends, edited by Andrew Carl and Chris Stevens. It provides a quick rundown of what the book is all about. Honestly, if that were all I read, I wouldn’t have guessed it was for the comics found inside this book — still, the synopsis sounds pretty intriguing.
Once again, if you’re into quick, eye-catching mythic tales packed with chaos and a splash of creativity, this collection of Greek mythology-inspired stories has some hidden gems. Just don’t expect most of them to be winners — some stories are pretty random. But honestly, that’s part of the charm. The thrill comes from discovering one or two standout moments amid the chaos. Overall, it’s a wild, imperfect snapshot of Greek mythology at its quirkiest — messy, unpredictable, and surprisingly weird.
I’m giving Once Upon A Time Machine (Volume 2): Greek Gods & Legends a 6.5 out of 10. It could’ve easily been a solid seven if they trimmed some of the fluff. A few more standout stories instead of just settling for mediocrity would’ve made a big difference. That said, the Icarus comic alone makes it worth the exploration.
Check Price & Availability: Once Upon A Time Machine (Volume 2)
Note: Although this is Volume 2 of Once Upon a Time Machine, it is the only book in the series dedicated to Greek Gods and Legends. The first volume focused on fairy tales!
If you’re into these kinds of comics, you’re gonna love the tons of other Greek mythology comics & graphic novels out there — full of epic adventures and awesome art!
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