Hey there, graphic novel fans! In this post, I’m reviewing Usborne’s “THE ODYSSEY,” an interesting children’s take on the epic adventures of Odysseus as he tries to find his way back home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
The story pretty much starts with Athena, the goddess of wisdom, feeling a twinge of pity for our clever hero who’s stuck on Calypso’s island.
Athena, wanting to lend a hand, decides to mask herself as a wise old chieftain named Mentes and heads over to Ithaka. Here, she meets Odysseus’s son, Telemachus, who’s still grappling with his father’s mysterious absence. Athena reassures him that his father is far too wise to be dead and stirs up some courage in him. She advises him to sail to Sparta and seek out King Menelaus, who was one of the last guys to hang out with Odysseus after the Trojan War.
With renewed hope, Telemachus embarks on this own quest. When he meets Menelaus, the king shares that the last time he glimpsed Odysseus was back on the shores of Troy. The king tells him that during his own voyage home he happened to discover the old sea god, Proteus, who revealed the shocking truth: Odysseus is being held captive by Calypso on the far-off island of Ogygia.
However, Odysseus would soon be set free when Hermes, the messenger god, enters the picture. He’s been sent by Zeus to deliver some big news to Calypso — that she has to let Odysseus go. Even though she’s head over heels in love with him, Calypso knows it’s now time to set him free.
THE ODYSSEY (USBORNE): Graphic Novel
Get ready for an epic journey packed with adventure, heartache, and the search for home! This graphic novel generally sticks to the classic tale of Odysseus, with some minor twists along the way. Plus, there’s a super cool map that shows all of Odysseus’s travels in this fun Usborne children’s edition.
The action starts when he leaves the island of Calypso. Poseidon spots Odysseus and stirs up some serious trouble in the ocean. His raft is falling apart as a result, but just in the nick of time, the goddess Leucothea swoops in. She hands him a magical veil that’ll keep him safe and points him towards the island of the Phaeacians, letting him know the king and queen will have his back.
As his raft gets destroyed by the waves, he fights his way through the storm for an exhausting nineteen days and nights before finally washing up on a shore.
There, he’s greeted by a mysterious woman — who just so happens to be Athena in disguise. Without him even realizing it, she makes him invisible as they stroll through town, and it’s like he’s a ghost — nobody notices a thing. She then guides him right to the king and queen, revealing him again just in time to shock them with his sudden appearance.
The next day, he gets to watch the island’s best athletes go head-to-head. He even steps up to the plate and hurls the biggest discus, smashing the old record!
The king is curious about the mysterious guy’s backstory, so Odysseus shares his wild adventures. First up, he talks about the land of the lotus eaters, where his crew got so chill they didn’t want to leave. Some of them even had to drag the others away to keep moving! Then there was the time they landed on the island of the cyclops, where they had to pull off a daring escape.
He remembers climbing a staircase carved right into the cliffs, which led to the palace of the king of the winds.
With Eurylochus, Polites, and five of his guys, he entered the grand palace and scored a bag filled with winds to help them sail back home to Ithaca quickly. But, of course, the crew couldn’t resist opening it. The wild winds they unleashed sent them right back to the king of the winds, who thought they were cursed by the gods!
After that chaotic detour, they finally got going again, and after six harsh days, they landed in a new place — but it was crawling with man-eating giants! So, yeah, they took off quick from there!
They stumbled upon yet another mysterious island, and much of the crew decided to check it out. Before long, they found themselves in this huge, fancy banqueting hall. But Eurylochus had a gut feeling about the place and stayed hidden because he didn’t trust the women there. Soon after the guys had eaten, things took a wild turn — they ended up getting turned into pigs! Eurylochus, scared out of his mind, went back and told the others what had happened.
Odysseus, eager to uncover the truth, set out to witness the events for himself. During his journey, he encountered Hermes, who gifted him a magical herb to shield him from any sorcery. Upon arriving at Circe’s grand palace, she offered him a drink intended to transform him into a swine. However, Odysseus stood resilient, protected by the herb. Taken aback by his immunity, Circe quickly recognized him as Odysseus — the only mortal clever enough to escape her cunning traps.
Impressed, she agreed to turn the guys back into their original selves. Odysseus then asked her how to get home, and all she could tell him was that he needed to make a trip to the underworld first. That’s where he had to meet the blind prophet, Teiresias, who could help him out. So, Odysseus visited the underworld!
Odysseus couldn’t believe his eyes when he spotted his mother chilling in the underworld. Talk about a sad reunion!
But the journey back home was anything but smooth sailing. First up were the sirens — these magical creatures loved to sing sweet songs that lured sailors and their ships right onto the rocks. But our hero was one step ahead. He had his crew stuff their ears with wax and had then tie him to the ship’s mast. That way, he could soak in their enchanting tunes without getting the urge to jump overboard.
Next, they faced the terrifying whirlpool of Charybdis, followed by the monstrous Scylla.
Then they happened upon an island where the sun god Hyperion kept his prized cattle. He warned his crew not to touch them and made them swear an oath, but once he dozed off, they couldn’t resist the temptation. Big mistake! Hyperion got super angry and scared them off the island.
Their ship ultimately wrecked at sea, and it was then that he washed ashore on Calypso’s island. From there, she helped him finally make his way back to Ithaca!
When Odysseus had reached Ithaca, Athena, the wise goddess, emerged from the shadows to greet Odysseus. With a knowing glance, she warned him of the treacherous suitors who had invaded his home, their greed consuming them like a dark tide. To cloak him in anonymity, she shrouded him in the guise of an old beggar, a mere phantom of his former glory.
With newfound resolve, Odysseus made his way to the humble hut of Eumaeus. There, he was not met with suspicion, but with warmth, as the faithful swineherd welcomed him as a stranger. Within those walls, Odysseus learned of the trials his beloved wife, Penelope, endured in his absence and of young Telemachus, who had embarked on his own perilous journey in search of his father’s whereabouts.
Then, as if drawn forth by the very threads of fate, Telemachus emerged, shimmering into existence like a vision from a dream. The air was thick with destiny, and from the shadows, Athena revealed the father to the son.
The suitors who believed they could act with impunity had no clue about the whirlwind that was about to descend upon them! Just like the legendary tales of Odysseus, in this Usborne children’s adaption of The Odyssey, he returned with a fierce determination to reclaim his home, reunite with his beloved family, and restore his legacy.
What followed was an electrifying showdown filled with vengeance and justice that would be talked about for ages to come!
USBORNE: THE ODYSSEY (Review and Rating)
I’d rate Usborne’s The Odyssey by Russell Punter (author) and Fabiano Fiorin (illustrator) a good effort and give it 6.5 out of 10. I was on the fence about giving it a 7, but honestly, Odysseus just didn’t pop enough for me. This legendary hero deserves a look that really grabs you, something that makes him unforgettable.
It’s a decent read for kids who aren’t too familiar with epic Greek myths, but it just lacks that “wow” factor I was hoping for. There are definitely some stunning pages sprinkled in, but a few average ones bring it down a bit. I enjoyed the flow of the story, but it really could’ve used…
Honestly, when it comes to Usborne’s “The Odyssey” and this other uniquely illustrated graphic novel of The Odyssey, I’d say they’re pretty much on par with each other. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but I think the Usborne version might be a bit more fun for kids to read. Just my two cents!
Check Availabilty and Pricing: THE ODYSSEY Graphic Novel (Usborne Graphic Novels)
The Odyssey: Top Entertainment
If you’re captivated by the timeless Greek myth of the Odyssey, you won’t want to miss out on exploring its cinematic interpretations! Check out these 33 Movies based on THE ODYSSEY including adaptations.
Each Odyssey related film and TV series offers a unique perspective on Odysseus’s incredible journey, bringing ancient themes to life in thrilling and imaginative ways. Go on a cinematic adventure and discover how filmmakers have creatively reimagined the Odyssey throughout the years!
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