What do you think?
Rate this book
Epicurus: The Sage #Complete
Epicurus: The Sage
Presents the adventures of Epicurus the Sage and his sidekicks Plato and Alexander of Macdeon, who explore such myths as the philanderings of Zeus and the Trojan War.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
3 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
William Messner-Loebs
435 books38 followersWilliam Francis Messner-Loebs (born William Francis Loebs, Jr.) is an American comics artist and writer from Michigan, also known as Bill Loebs and Bill Messner-Loebs. His hyphenated surname is a combination of his and his wife Nadine's unmarried surnames.
In the 1980s and 1990s he wrote runs of series published by DC Comics, Image Comics, Comico, and other comics publishers, including DC's superhero series Flash and Wonder Woman among others. Additionally he has both written and drawn original creator-owned works, such as Journey: The Adventures of Wolverine MacAlistaire.
In the 1980s and 1990s he wrote runs of series published by DC Comics, Image Comics, Comico, and other comics publishers, including DC's superhero series Flash and Wonder Woman among others. Additionally he has both written and drawn original creator-owned works, such as Journey: The Adventures of Wolverine MacAlistaire.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 10, 2021
#ThrowbackThursday - Back in the '90s, I used to write comic book reviews for the website of a now-defunct comic book retailer called Rockem Sockem Comics. (Collect them all!)
From the March 1998 edition with a theme of "Sui Generis":
INTRODUCTION
A German centaur who fought in World War I. A shaman who talks like a 1940's detective. An inscrutable wanderer caught up in a domestic squabble on a bizarre planet that blurs the line between fantasy and science fiction. An easy-going Greek philosopher who tutors a young Alexander the Great and who finds himself caught up in the affairs of the gods.
It's readily apparent: these aren't your father's comic books. No superheroes. No tights. No precedents. The comics I'll be looking at this month are truly sui generis. Latin for "of its own kind," sui generis means unique or individual. ("The American Heritage Dictionary: Second Collegiate Edition," Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1985, p. 1216.) Cover shots of any of the following books could easily serve as the illustration for that dictionary entry.
FROM THE BACKLIST
EPICURUS THE SAGE Volumes #1-2 (DC Comics/Piranha Press)
Epicurus is a country boy who has come to the big city to become a star. But his isn't a run-of-the-mill rags-to-riches story. The big city is Athens, Greece. The time is the 4th century, B.C. And Epicurus' chosen profession is philosopher. History, philosophy, and a foreign locale. Any one of these three elements might turn off a typical comic book reader. Combined, I'm sure they drove fanboys away in droves. Is it any wonder EPICURUS THE SAGE didn't get past its first two volumes?
Actually, yes. And for two reasons: the creators and the sheer hilarity of the work.
Writer William Messner-Loebs and artist Sam Kieth are probably best known for their collaboration on THE MAXX (Image Comics & MTV). Their skewed take on superheroics was a true original in the genre thanks to Loebs's quirky dialogue and Kieth's even quirkier layouts and character designs. While I initially enjoyed the novelty of THE MAXX, I gave up on it several years ago, writing its story off as a sloppy and confused mess. I'm inclined to blame Kieth for THE MAXX's failure, as I have continued to enjoy Loebs's offbeat scripts on such superhero books as FLASH, WONDER WOMAN, and IMPULSE, as well as Loebs's writing and drawing on his own creations: the recent BLISS ALLEY (Image Comics) and the long-gone JOURNEY (Fantagraphics Books, et al). Regardless, I'll always best remember the Loebs and Kieth team for defying all genres with their earlier, short-lived satire of Greek philosophy.
The main advantage EPICURUS THE SAGE has over THE MAXX is that EPICURUS THE SAGE has all quirkiness of THE MAXX without sacrificing purpose, sense, or humor. Loebs and Kieth succeed in making history, philosophy and Greece funny. They do this by tearing the history, philosophy and Greek setting to bits. Believe it or not, properly shredded and combined with a healthy helping of mythology and a tablespoon of tomfoolery, the once-daunting ingredients congeal into a tasty and amusing concoction. Anachronisms, oversimplifications and outright lies abound, making EPICURUS THE SAGE extremely accessible, immensely enjoyable, and only marginally educational.
In an age and place where gods run roughshod over the population and people have gone gaga over the most outlandish philosophical ideas and theories, Epicurus is a voice of reason and moderation. While all the other philosophers sit and tie themselves up into intellectual knots, Epicurus is the man the common folks come to for assistance and action. Oh, and he works cheap. When Demeter, goddess of the Earth, shrouds the world in an unnatural winter while mourning the kidnapping of her daughter by the god of the underworld, it is up to Epicurus to bring back summer. When Zeus can't keep his fly zipped, only Epicurus can save the Paula Jones, Monica Lewinksy, and Kathleen Willey of his day from the wrath of Hera.
Epicurus is joined (and only occasionally sidetracked) in his adventures by the greatest succession of teachers and students of all time. First, there is the smug know-it-all, Socrates. He taught the airheaded -- but nice -- Plato. Plato mentored the arrogant prig known as Aristotle. And Aristotle has just been entrusted with educating a young hellion named Alexander. Alexander will later be dubbed "The Great" after conquering every inch of ground he ever saw. For Epicurus, dealing with this headstrong group of peers is usually more vexing than handling the gods.
Loebs's mastery of wit and slapstick combines with Kieth's wild art to create a very amusing and unique experience. Overall, the first book is much stronger than the second -- which is okay, since the second book is not available for order in PREVIEWS this month. While I may never pick up another issue of THE MAXX, I would be very interested in seeing Loebs and Kieth teaming up for a third volume of EPICURUS. Hey, I can dream, can't I?
Grade: B-
From the March 1998 edition with a theme of "Sui Generis":
INTRODUCTION
A German centaur who fought in World War I. A shaman who talks like a 1940's detective. An inscrutable wanderer caught up in a domestic squabble on a bizarre planet that blurs the line between fantasy and science fiction. An easy-going Greek philosopher who tutors a young Alexander the Great and who finds himself caught up in the affairs of the gods.
It's readily apparent: these aren't your father's comic books. No superheroes. No tights. No precedents. The comics I'll be looking at this month are truly sui generis. Latin for "of its own kind," sui generis means unique or individual. ("The American Heritage Dictionary: Second Collegiate Edition," Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1985, p. 1216.) Cover shots of any of the following books could easily serve as the illustration for that dictionary entry.
FROM THE BACKLIST
EPICURUS THE SAGE Volumes #1-2 (DC Comics/Piranha Press)
Epicurus is a country boy who has come to the big city to become a star. But his isn't a run-of-the-mill rags-to-riches story. The big city is Athens, Greece. The time is the 4th century, B.C. And Epicurus' chosen profession is philosopher. History, philosophy, and a foreign locale. Any one of these three elements might turn off a typical comic book reader. Combined, I'm sure they drove fanboys away in droves. Is it any wonder EPICURUS THE SAGE didn't get past its first two volumes?
Actually, yes. And for two reasons: the creators and the sheer hilarity of the work.
Writer William Messner-Loebs and artist Sam Kieth are probably best known for their collaboration on THE MAXX (Image Comics & MTV). Their skewed take on superheroics was a true original in the genre thanks to Loebs's quirky dialogue and Kieth's even quirkier layouts and character designs. While I initially enjoyed the novelty of THE MAXX, I gave up on it several years ago, writing its story off as a sloppy and confused mess. I'm inclined to blame Kieth for THE MAXX's failure, as I have continued to enjoy Loebs's offbeat scripts on such superhero books as FLASH, WONDER WOMAN, and IMPULSE, as well as Loebs's writing and drawing on his own creations: the recent BLISS ALLEY (Image Comics) and the long-gone JOURNEY (Fantagraphics Books, et al). Regardless, I'll always best remember the Loebs and Kieth team for defying all genres with their earlier, short-lived satire of Greek philosophy.
The main advantage EPICURUS THE SAGE has over THE MAXX is that EPICURUS THE SAGE has all quirkiness of THE MAXX without sacrificing purpose, sense, or humor. Loebs and Kieth succeed in making history, philosophy and Greece funny. They do this by tearing the history, philosophy and Greek setting to bits. Believe it or not, properly shredded and combined with a healthy helping of mythology and a tablespoon of tomfoolery, the once-daunting ingredients congeal into a tasty and amusing concoction. Anachronisms, oversimplifications and outright lies abound, making EPICURUS THE SAGE extremely accessible, immensely enjoyable, and only marginally educational.
In an age and place where gods run roughshod over the population and people have gone gaga over the most outlandish philosophical ideas and theories, Epicurus is a voice of reason and moderation. While all the other philosophers sit and tie themselves up into intellectual knots, Epicurus is the man the common folks come to for assistance and action. Oh, and he works cheap. When Demeter, goddess of the Earth, shrouds the world in an unnatural winter while mourning the kidnapping of her daughter by the god of the underworld, it is up to Epicurus to bring back summer. When Zeus can't keep his fly zipped, only Epicurus can save the Paula Jones, Monica Lewinksy, and Kathleen Willey of his day from the wrath of Hera.
Epicurus is joined (and only occasionally sidetracked) in his adventures by the greatest succession of teachers and students of all time. First, there is the smug know-it-all, Socrates. He taught the airheaded -- but nice -- Plato. Plato mentored the arrogant prig known as Aristotle. And Aristotle has just been entrusted with educating a young hellion named Alexander. Alexander will later be dubbed "The Great" after conquering every inch of ground he ever saw. For Epicurus, dealing with this headstrong group of peers is usually more vexing than handling the gods.
Loebs's mastery of wit and slapstick combines with Kieth's wild art to create a very amusing and unique experience. Overall, the first book is much stronger than the second -- which is okay, since the second book is not available for order in PREVIEWS this month. While I may never pick up another issue of THE MAXX, I would be very interested in seeing Loebs and Kieth teaming up for a third volume of EPICURUS. Hey, I can dream, can't I?
Grade: B-
October 30, 2018
A different way of presenting philosophy. Either life is meaningless or philosophy is. There is always a debate over the terms to be used.
June 21, 2020
Philosophy as it should be taught.
November 14, 2019
Recoge las dos primeras gráficas de Epicuro, más la historia en blanco y negro del recopilatorio Fast Forward, más una historia inédita. La sensación conjunta es que después de una primera entrega genial, el interés de la serie fue decayendo a cada entrega.
January 30, 2015
Old school Sam Kieth and William Messner-Loebs, repackaged and reprinted in '03 with an extra story and three pages of sketchbook material. I never really noticed how deeply the 1970s underground comix influences ran in Kieth's work before, which is odd because I've followed him somewhat religiously forever and it's plain as day here. Overall, he's had much better showings - both in the earlier stories, which were printed between '89 and '91, and the later tale which was created specifically for this TPB. He churns out a few gorgeous spreads but indulges his lazier side far too often, which gives the whole book a secondhand, unfocused flavor. The story is kind of rambling and really gets caught up in itself from time to time, but I guess that's to be expected when both lead characters and half of the supporting cast are Greek philosophers. When it gets away from informing readers of how wacked out most of these guys' theories really were and focuses on adventures through the era's mythology, it's great. Doesn't happen nearly as frequently as it should.
May 9, 2012
Writer William Messner-Loebs and artist Sam Kieth tinker a lot with history, including Greek gods and myths into the titular character's travels across Greece in search of students for his school of Moderation, but it is some darn funny tinkering. The writing is somewhat subtle for your typical comic book (or comics reader), but students of classic civilization, classical history, folklore, and mythology will likely get some laughs out of the representations of philosophers and the gods who poke fun at them.
Particularly amusing characters include the lisping Hades and his feminist wife Persephone; pompous Socrates and sycophantic Plato; and the surprisingly laid-back Aristotle. Other philosophers (and philosophies) make guest appearances, too, as does a very young and wild Alexander the Great, but they're all balanced by Epicurus himself, who tries to teach all of them the beauty of being a Moderate.
Not for everyone, perhaps, but if you enjoy some tongue-in-cheek humor that mocks the self-proclaimed intelligentsia, you'll probably find this to your liking.
Particularly amusing characters include the lisping Hades and his feminist wife Persephone; pompous Socrates and sycophantic Plato; and the surprisingly laid-back Aristotle. Other philosophers (and philosophies) make guest appearances, too, as does a very young and wild Alexander the Great, but they're all balanced by Epicurus himself, who tries to teach all of them the beauty of being a Moderate.
Not for everyone, perhaps, but if you enjoy some tongue-in-cheek humor that mocks the self-proclaimed intelligentsia, you'll probably find this to your liking.
June 7, 2020
Sam Kieth's artwork is a joy. The story was...okay? Not educational (b/c it was replete with, perhaps purposeful, mistellings), but kind of a cute, winking amalgamation of Greek myths/history?
(That art, tho! 💛)
(That art, tho! 💛)
August 28, 2013
If you have read or endured the Greek philosophers at some point in your education, you will really enjoy the fun in this graphic novel. The author pokes fun at the august Plato and Socrates, using Epicurus as the foil. These poor guys stumble though life finding that there abstract thinking does not always pan out in the real world. Very, very enjoyable!
Warning: nudity. Hey, this is the Greeks. Remember exercising in the nude gymnasiums.
Warning: nudity. Hey, this is the Greeks. Remember exercising in the nude gymnasiums.
December 5, 2016
For those who are fans of the old MAD magazine, this is in that genre. Irreverent and sometimes over the top. A satirical look at Alexander the Great and some of the philosophers such as Epicurus who are very loosely in the same era. They journey together and bounce ideas off of each other, reacting to circumstances within their historical characterizations, as we understand them. It's a fun read. I enjoyed it.
August 18, 2018
Not amazing, but I liked the idea of basically all the important thinkers and writers of Ancient Greece getting anachronistically put into Periclean Athens to discuss philosophy and interrogate myths (like being hired by Acrisius to find out why his daughter Danae is in a good mood after being locked in a tower). Sam Kieth's art, as usual, is cheesecake grotesquerie, in the best possible way. Big quibble: how could you have Alcaeus show up without Sappho?
May 27, 2016
A light-hearted graphic novel romp through a good portion of ancient Greek philosophy, following Epicurus on a mission to Hades for Persephone on behalf of Demeter (in none of whom Epicurus really believes, anyway!). Fun stuff!
November 24, 2017
A fun series of stories that blend historical periods inaccurately but seems to do a decent job of summarizing the various philosophies that emerged from Periclean Athens. Though it is perhaps a bit unfair to Aristotle.
June 13, 2018
Fun passion project from a very talented comic artist. His take on the Gods of Ancient Greece is idiosyncratic, and his playful revisits to the myths they populate are amusing. My favorite part was the early ribbing of major philosophers and schools.
September 15, 2010
Charming retelling of Greek myths with a cast of anachronistically assorted philosophers, including the eponymous Epicurus. Clever writing, beautifully rendered artwork.
September 26, 2011
One of my favorite graphics novels.
April 20, 2012
The title is somewhat of a misnomer since only the first story deals with Epicurus and the rest of the work deals with Greek Mythology.
May 2, 2012
I personally didn't like this book much at all. It has a lot of hard to understand words, and it didn't seem to follow a solid story to me. I felt like it was jumping all over the place.
October 6, 2013
This was great. I laughed all over the place. I loved the artwork and color of it. Just great. There needs to be more of these.
December 15, 2023
A very enjoyable romp through philosophy, history, and mythology. I particularly enjoyed how the great philosophers are drawn. Plato, for example. His name means broad, or wide and flat. Some writers assume he was a wrestler with a broad, flat chest. In these pictures, Plato no chest and no shoulders; Plato is presented as a nickname that Socrates has given him. Ha Ha.
Epicurus gets his fleshy reputation because he likes cheese, something that the other philosophers consider extravagant. And folks comment on how much he sounds like Democrotis. A then there are the Gods who show up and provide the action, and much of the plot. It's a lot of fun.
Epicurus gets his fleshy reputation because he likes cheese, something that the other philosophers consider extravagant. And folks comment on how much he sounds like Democrotis. A then there are the Gods who show up and provide the action, and much of the plot. It's a lot of fun.
Read
July 25, 2022Eeeee lo leí por el colegio, tengo examen de este libro , ¿entendí algo? No
August 23, 2022
Clever as ... Socrates? :)
November 24, 2017
Tengo que decir que no se muy bien cuantas estrellas ponerle, porque al principio me gusto mucho, y luego según se iba desarrollando perdí un poco el interes, pero no sólo se lo achaco al comic, creo que mi estado de ánimo también pudo influir.
En primer lugar, me gusta que nos acerca a filósofos, que a veces vemos tan inalcanzables, y vuelvo a decir lo de siempre con este tipo de cómics, creo que es una opción más que recomendable para la gente joven para no salir espantados por lo denso de su obra, porque te acerca a sus ideas: el mito de la caverna de Platón, etc, que a lo mejor de otra manera te parecen muy densas.
2.5 estrellas
En primer lugar, me gusta que nos acerca a filósofos, que a veces vemos tan inalcanzables, y vuelvo a decir lo de siempre con este tipo de cómics, creo que es una opción más que recomendable para la gente joven para no salir espantados por lo denso de su obra, porque te acerca a sus ideas: el mito de la caverna de Platón, etc, que a lo mejor de otra manera te parecen muy densas.
2.5 estrellas
September 17, 2023
Just never quite turned the corner for me, though I came in to it after talking with a friend briefly about Epicurus online and happily seeing mention of this.
The stories here are less about the philosopher (although Messner-Loebs takes a swing at a more nuanced notion of what exactly is pleasure), and instead are more of a campy take on Greek myth and epic lore. The cheesiness of the artwork for some weird reason reminded me that long ago under a bathroom sink we had a copy of "Little Annie Fannie" when I was growing up.
Do not read this if you have reason to believe you were Alexander the Great in a previous life.
The stories here are less about the philosopher (although Messner-Loebs takes a swing at a more nuanced notion of what exactly is pleasure), and instead are more of a campy take on Greek myth and epic lore. The cheesiness of the artwork for some weird reason reminded me that long ago under a bathroom sink we had a copy of "Little Annie Fannie" when I was growing up.
Do not read this if you have reason to believe you were Alexander the Great in a previous life.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews