You’d think there’d be tons of graphic novels about Homer’s The Odyssey, right? While there are a few out there, I was curious about how this kids’ book would hold up in comparison. I’ve already done The Odyssey: Graphic Novel Review, but honestly, I wasn’t a huge fan of that version. The illustrations were pretty unique, but overall, it felt forgettable — I can’t even remember much about it now.
So, here we have another take on The Odyssey, this time by Diego Agrimbau and Smilton Roa Klassen. And I have to say, it’s actually a pretty solid choice for kids who aren’t super familiar with the famous Greek myth. It tells the story of Odysseus as he tries to make his way back home to Ithaka after the Trojan War — which, as you probably already know, the Greeks won using that clever Trojan horse trick.
Homer’s The Odyssey graphic novel does a pretty good job of bringing the story to life. It features all the big characters: Athena, Poseidon, Odysseus, Polyphemus, Circe, Penelope, and Antinous — and you can see them all here on two pages in the book. Overall, it’s a fun, easy way for young readers to dive into this epic adventure.
Homer’s The Odyssey: Review
In this version of Homer’s The Odyssey, the story kicks off with Odysseus stuck on Calypso’s island, longing for his wife Penelope. Calypso wants him to love her, but all Odysseus can think about is Penelope, whom he hasn’t seen in years.
Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, Penelope is dealing with a different kind of trouble — she’s being pressured by a bunch of suitors trying to win her over and marry her. Tired of the chaos, Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, decides he can’t wait any longer and sets off on his own journey to find out what happened to his father.
Then, we learn that after the Greek victory in the Trojan War, things didn’t get easier for the heroes. The gods weren’t done with them. Agamemnon, for example, was betrayed and killed by his wife, while Odysseus was still trapped on Calypso’s island, held against his will.
It takes Zeus stepping in — after Athena demands it — to send Hermes to tell Calypso to let Odysseus go so he can return home. Calypso agrees, but Poseidon, the god of the sea, is still furious. As Odysseus’s ship is sunk in a storm, he’s thrown into the ocean and washes up on land inhabited by the Phaeacians — a place with beautiful women and a peaceful life.
Odysseus even enters their Athletic Games in honor of the Gods where he wins respect and approval from the king. Odysseus also tells of the hardships he has faced along the way. From storms to meeting the Lotus eaters to the island of the one-eyed cyclops.
After escaping from the Cyclops, Odysseus lands on the island of Aeolia, home to the god of the winds. There, he’s given a special bag of winds by Aeolus, with Zephyrus, the west wind, left free to help him on his journey. But things go wrong when some of his crew get curious and open the bag as they’re nearing Ithaca — and that stirs up a storm, blowing them way off course.
They end up stranded on a land filled with terrifying giants called the Laestrygonians, who have a taste for human flesh. Odysseus suffers heavy losses there, but eventually, he finds himself on another island, where he meets the enchantress goddess Circe.
Homer’s The Odyssey graphic novel takes you through all the unforgettable moments of the Greek myth. I won’t spoil everything, but one highlight is definitely when Odysseus passes by the sirens — those enchanting creatures whose song is too tempting to resist. It’s just one of those epic scenes that really impresses.
Odysseus finally makes it back home to Ithaca, and he does it in total legendary style — pulling off an impossible to win a contest set by Penelope that no one else could even dream of. It’s a pure hero moment and it just shows why he’s one of the greatest heroes of all time.
So, you’re looking for a top graphic novel about Homer’s The Odyssey? Here’s my take. Honestly, I’m not gonna say that this is the most epic graphic novel out there on this topic — I think Homer himself would totally agree with that. But for kids, it’s a pretty solid read. I’d rate it around a 6.5 out of 10, though I’m giving it from my much older perspective. It’s got its ups and downs, but overall, it’s an okay pick.
While the characters in Homer’s The Odyssey can feel a bit forgettable and unremarkable — similar to what I experienced when reviewing this graphic novel about The Odyssey — there are no major flaws. The illustrations are decent, though somewhat standard and familiar.
Overall, this graphic novel offers a gentle introduction to Homer’s Odyssey, making it especially suitable for kids aged 12 and under who are new to the story. If you’re looking for a fun way to introduce young readers to the amazing adventures of Odysseus, this could be a great choice. P.S. I’m still hunting around to find the best graphic novel version.
You may also want to check out my review of THE ODYSSEY graphic novel: Usborne’s take. There is also this ULYSSES Heavy Metal graphic novel, that is out of this world!
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Here are some more Greek mythology graphic novels and comics you might like as well.
If you enjoy everything about Odysseus and his adventures, you should also watch some of these 33 Movies based on The Odyssey (and Adaptions) — they’re a great way to truly experience the classic Greek myth.
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