Believe me, Eddie Campbell’s Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever is an absolute blast from start to finish. After diving into Doing the Islands with Bacchus, a later book in the Bacchus series that totally blew me away, I knew I had to go back and read the very first book. And wow, what an experience it is! It packs so much into its pages, delivering a fresh, unique twist on classic myths that keeps you hooked from the moment you turn the first page.
Honestly, if you’re new to the Eddie Campbell’s Bacchus series, this one’s the perfect starting point. You get the lowdown on Bacchus himself — why he’s also known as Deadface — and how he masterfully weaves ancient Greek legends into his wild adventures. The flow is seamless, and the storytelling never falters.
Now, I’ll admit, when I first stumbled upon these comics about Bacchus (Dionysus), the god of revelry, I wasn’t sure they’d be my thing. The dude Bacchus looks pretty rough — kind of like a worn-out sailor — and the black-and-white art style made it seem like a dark, moody read. But man, was I wrong. Beneath that gritty exterior lies comic gold. Honestly, I believe the Bacchus comic series might just be the ultimate Greek myth comics out there — seriously, that’s not an exaggeration. You really need to check it out.
In Immortality Isn’t Forever, Bacchus crosses paths with some pretty out-there characters — Joe Theseus, the Eyeball Kid, and more — and a lot of the story revolves around these encounters. Plus, as you’d expect, Bacchus often takes a trip down memory lane, sharing tales of the old days that are told in a way so fresh and captivating that you’ll never see it coming. It’s a wild ride through territory you never expected the graphic novel to delve into.
So, here’s a quick rundown of what Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever is all about — trust me, if you’re into Greek mythology, you’re definitely going to want to check this book out. You really can’t go wrong with it.
Eddie Campbell’s Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever
Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever tells a pretty sophisticated story, and I mean that in the best way. It drops you into a world where you meet Joe Theseus, the same Theseus who defeated the Minotaur. But here’s the twist: Theseus isn’t just a mythic hero. He’s been around since ancient times, just like Bacchus himself. There’s some serious history between them, and Bacchus and Theseus still hold a grudge against each other — and honestly, for good reasons. You see, Theseus is also the guy who abandoned Ariadne after escaping the Labyrinth. Bacchus ended up meeting Ariadne and making her his own. Talk about old wounds. Things start to heat up when Bacchus is out drinking with some old friends.
Some villains burst into the bar to take down Bacchus, but when they storm the place where he’s kicking back with his friends, they’re in for a shock they’ll never forget. The story kicks into high gear with surprises around every corner, making it a wild ride through myth, memory, and mayhem.
In Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever, we discover a world where most of the Greek gods have met their end — turning the mythic landscape upside down. We also get an inside look at how Simpson, a close friend of Bacchus, managed to escape the underworld after Hades was tragically eliminated. It’s a captivating twist that adds depth and intrigue, revealing just how unpredictable and layered this mythic universe truly is.
You’ll also meet the Eyeball Kid, the son of Argus — the guy famous for having a hundred eyes. The story is totally wild and over the top. The Eyeball Kid is so crazy that he ended up causing the downfall of most of the Olympian gods. He even had an affair with Hera — yes, Zeus’s wife and the queen of marriage — which is pretty shocking! But what really triggered Zeus’s downfall, along with most of the other gods, is just mind-blowing! I don’t want to spoil it, but trust me — wow, wow, wow…
You’ll even catch Bacchus reminiscing about the legendary Theseus and the Minotaur myth, revealing how it all began with a queen’s secret desire — and how she was infatuated by a stunning bull sent by Poseidon.
Theseus ultimately defeated the Minotaur and escaped the labyrinth, sailing away from Crete with Ariadne, who had given him the ball of thread to find his way out. However, he ended up abandoning her on the island of Naxos, a moment that haunts the tale and adds a darker twist to his hero’s journey.
Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever isn’t just about retelling ancient stories — it’s got a fresh, modern twist. The Eyeball Kid, for example, has his own daring mission and desires in this story, to the point where he even hijacks a plane!
Imagine this: Joe Theseus is on that plane too, and suddenly, it crashes in the heart of South America. Amidst the chaos, Joe and his girlfriend Jeannie manage to escape with their lives. But now, they’re on the run in the wild jungle. Things take a dark turn when Joe, feeling overwhelmed, decides that Jeannie has become a burden. In the middle of the dense jungle, he makes a cold-hearted choice to leave her behind. It’s like history repeating itself — Joe reliving the same cruel betrayal he once did to Ariadne, only this time, in a completely different place and time.
Joe Theseus gets a lucky break when he crosses paths with a wealthy South American landowner. She thinks he’d make the perfect pool boy — and also someone who can keep her safe. It’s a strange, unexpected turn, but things only get crazier from there. The Eyeball Kid even shows up and ends up becoming the chef.
Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever is so wild and full of imagination that you can’t help but wonder: does Eddie Campbell, the artist behind these comics, somehow draw his creative power straight from the Greek gods? That’s because the imagination in this book is completely out of this world!
Review of Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever
Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever truly shines as a standout gem in the world of Greek mythology comics, carving out its own unique place among the very best. Book 1 is the kind of graphic novel that draws you in with bold storytelling, compelling characters, and an imaginative reinterpretation of ancient legends. Just like Doing the Islands with Bacchus, it offers a fantastic mix of Greek myth and modern attitude that’s hard to find anywhere else.
The characters — Bacchus himself, Simpson, Joe Theseus, and the Eyeball Kid — are incredibly intriguing, each bringing their own quirks and personalities to the table, making the story feel lively and unpredictable. The way the fall of the Olympian gods is reimagined is nothing short of mind-blowing — creative, extremely wild, and totally gripping.
Sure, the first book has moments of extremely plain comic panels, but that doesn’t detract from the overall masterpiece it becomes. For me, I’d rate Bacchus: Immortality Isn’t Forever a 9 out of 10. It’s an incredible book, super enjoyable, and a must-read for fans of mythology with a modern twist.
I highly recommend starting with Immortality Isn’t Forever before exploring Doing the Islands with Bacchus or diving into Eddie Campbell’s other Bacchus comics. It’s a fantastic introduction to the characters and a perfect springboard into even more epic adventures. Once you finish, you’ll be hooked — eager to explore the rest of the brilliant Bacchus series. Trust me, you’ll find yourself wanting to read more and more.
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