Messenger: The Legend of Joan of Arc

by Tony Lee, Sam Hart (Illustrator)

Acclaimed graphic-novel creators Tony Lee and Sam Hart present a dynamic retelling of the heroic and tragic tale of Joan of Arc.

It is 1424. France and England have been fighting for more than a hundred years, and Jehanne D’Arc experiences her first saintly vision. Even her parents think she's delirious—until her next vision allows them to save the village. From a small town to the besieged city of Orleans and on to the cathedral of Reims, Joan follows her faith and leads the French to victory after victory. But not everyone believes in the divine voices she hears. Some call her a heretic and want her burned at the stake. From the creators of The Legend of Robin Hood and The Legend of King Arthur comes a visually striking, action-packed story of a young woman facing the men who lead her country, her enemies’ deadly arrows, and her own fears, to become a heroine whose name would be remembered for centuries to come.

Genres: Graphic Novels, History, Biography, War, Comics, Nonfiction, Religion

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

A New York Times Best-selling Graphic Novelist, Tony Lee was born in West London, UK in 1970. Informed by a teacher that he had a comic book style of writing, (a comment meant more as an insult), Tony decided that one day he would write for comics.

Tony has written for a variety of mediums including Radio 4, The BBC, commerical television in both the UK and US, magazines and both local and national newspapers. He has also written several award winning local radio campaigns. In 1991 he wrote for a small press comics publisher, of which only one project, The Cost of Miracles in Comic Speculator News was ever printed, and remains his first printed commercial comic work.

Moving away from comics, he went back into trade journalism and media marketing/creation. His small press magazine Burnt Offerings was a minor seller on both sides of the Atlantic, and was the first esoteric magazine to interview mainstream creators like Terry Pratchett and Pat Mills.

Since returning to comics in 2002, he has written for a variety of publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics/Zuda, Games Workshop, Panini Comics, Titan Publishing, AAM/Markosia Enterprises, Rebellion/2000ad and IDW Publishing amongst others, writing a variety of creator owned titles and licenses that include X-Men, Spider Man, Doctor Who, Starship Troopers, Wallace & Gromit and Shrek.

He is the writer of the ongoing Doctor Who series of comics from IDW, beginning in July 2009, and his award nominated, creator-owned miniseries Hope Falls was collected by AAM/Markosia in May 2009. His next book with them, From The Pages Of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula': Harker, was released in November 2009 to critical acclaim.

Added to this, Tony adapted Pride & Prejudice & Zombies into a graphic novel for Del Rey Publishing, with art by Cliff Richards - this was a New York Times #1 Bestselling Paperback Graphic Novel for May 2010 - he is also adapting Anthony Horowitz's Power of Five series into graphic format for Walker Books, the first - Raven's Gate is due out in late 2010, and he has adapted four Horowitz Horror books with Dan Boultwood for Hachette Children's Books.

His other book with Walker Books, Outlaw: The Legend Of Robin Hood (drawn by Sam Hart) was released in 2009 and has already been awarded a Junior Library Guild: Fall 2009 Selection, and 'best for 2010' awards from both the American Library Association and the New York Public Library in the USA, among others. In March 2010 it was announced that it was also a finalist for the Children's Choice Book Awards. The next in the 'Heroes & Heroines' series, Excalibur: The Legend Of King Arthur by Tony Lee & Sam Hart is scheduled for March 2011.

Outside of comics he is writing several books for children.

Tony is represented by Julian Friedmann of the Blake Friedmann Literary, TV and Film Agency.

Tony is also an accomplished Bard and performer, and has held the High Bard chair of the East Sussex Broomstick Rally on several occasions. His lecture Creating Gods for fun and Profit and his series of lectures on Bards and Ritual Magic were received to critical acclaim, and he still lectures occasionally in London, the Midlands and Sussex. As a Covent Garden Street Performer in the 90's, he performed 'The Scarlet Blade' Street Theatre show at the Edinburgh Festival and at locations across the UK, convincing members of the public to act out an insane pantomime for his amusement.

Added to this Tony is an accomplished storyteller and lecturer on writing, and has performed at libraries, events and schools around the world including the 2009 Edinburgh International Book Festival, a 2009 tour of India for the British Council, and in 2003 around the Wadi Rum bedouin campfire in Jordan.

Tony currently lives in London with his fiancée, Tracy.

from: http://www.tonylee.co.uk

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

A simplistic version of the Joan of Arc story. The graphics were ok the text ok. Would be a good introduction to the topic but did not capture me like other graphic novels.

[Nicole Westen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a history or a biography but it did touch on the major points of Joan's story. A good read either way, and definitely a needed one, considering that I had someone in World History 101 class serious ask 'Joan of Arc? Wasn't that Noah's wife?'

[StrictlySequential · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is better than both Robin Hood and Excaliber combined- the team of Lee and Hart avoided everything I disliked about their first two adaptations.

Lee used flashbacks much better this time and wasn't confusing at all while Hart must have realized that whatever annoying computer art he was using made his work look sterile.

[Jonathan Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series by Tony Lee and Sam Hart, and this is no exception

I love their previous tale about Robin Hood, and I have ordered the next one - Excalibur - from the library.

This tale is about a real historical figure, but Tony Lee and Sam Hart do what they do best - bringing the legend to the page. This is more myth than history, and that is why it is so great!

[Freddie🏳️‍⚧️🐀 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been vaguely interested in Joan of Arc for a while, but honestly never found time to read her story. I think this book is a quite good little gateway drug into the story. It mixes modern storytelling with the period piece aspect quite well, updating it appropiatley. And also write religion quite respectfuly and thoughtfully.
However the art can be a bit fugly, it's obviously done digitally, but the result is really weird. It reminds me of modern weekly Marvel comic art with it's darks colors and realism. However it can look really fugly. The shading can be way too dark, yet there is alot of good color work, it's just theres too much use of black shading. The backgrounds at least are able to give an idea of where the characters are, but can be a bit bland and simple. The characters are the culprit for the fugliness. And Joan's anime hair is a bit strange. They also tend to float in panels.

Anyways yeah well written but with some weird character arc.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not well versed on Joan of Arc, so I can't speak to this book's historical accuracy, but it felt very informative and like a good overview of her life. The art style has a rough and gritty feel to it, that while not particularly "pretty", helps lend itself to the overall dark atmosphere and themes being presented.

I would have appreciated some kind of "character" overview section, given that many people had very little introduction or explanation but are nonetheless clearly important to the overall story (though I imagine this piece was intended as a supplement or introduction in and of itself and not meant to be all encompassing).

It was an enjoyable read and left me intrigued to learn more (especially given its presentation of Joan as a skilled tactician in addition to just the usual martyr/saint aspects).

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read anything regarding the legend or history of Jeanne d'Arc, La Pucelle d'Orléans. This graphic novel may be a good place to start, and there were some interesting graphic storytelling moments in it. One critique (that may not be possible to remedy) is that the male characters are poorly differentiated in the way they have been drawn. Of course, that's difficult because both clergy and soldiers have uniforms that, well, make their images "uniform" and indistinct from one another. That makes it hard to remember who is speaking to whom in the story.

I'd like to learn more about Jeanne d'Arc, though, so I need to find a proper biography.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love non-fiction graphic novels! They get even the most reluctant readers learning and hopefully more interested in picking up another source of information about the covered person. It doesn't matter what your format: youtube, t.v., picture books, smaller chapter books.... whatever just find some way of educating yourself and hopefully enjoying the process.

This graphic novel on Joan Of Arc is beautifully illustrated and filled with information about the horribly tragic heroin and her times.

[Elysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel was fantastic! I went with 4 stars instead of 5 because I would have liked to see a longer story. Joan's history as a military commander and all the battles she went through were gone over pretty quickly, and the story focused instead on her first hearing the voices and then her trial later. I would have been happy to read more of the middle. It still told the story quite well and covered the major points about her life. The writing and the art were compelling. There were a few single pages of Joan that were pretty epic, powerful images.

[han⚢ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

the art was a little ugly, and i would’ve preferred for the story to dwell on the battles, especially in orléans, but this was still a decent graphic novel depicting joan of arc’s life. did also like the fact that the artist didn’t try to beautify her; so many artists tend to do this, as if she could’ve only achieved what she did, and become a prominent figure in french history, by holding immense beauty. she was a strong, powerful woman, and beautiful or not, it matters little.

[Alexandra Medina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A good retelling of Joan's story, but I think the authors took some liberty in the story. The art is very dark and not my favorite. But it's overall a worthwhile read, especially for reluctant middle schoolers.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief graphic novel depiction of the highlights of Joan of Arc's life. I didn't love the art work but I do always appreciate the effort to bring stories into a graphic novel format.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great way to get a quick history lesson. I didn't know most of the facts about the famous saint contained in this graphic novel. I would love to see more books like this.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like the genre at all. Reviewed the book for a juvenile reader.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short overview with pictures. Meh.

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 3 out of 5]

A visual telling of the life of Joan of Arc, from her childhood (briefly) until God commands her to put Charles on the throne of France.

The art is kind of skritchy but the story is very well done. I enjoyed it.

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think they picked up a book about Joan of Arc before writing.

[Joan Wi88ows · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! Loved this! Ive always loved Joan of Arc, shes genuinely so cool. Not my fav art necessarily but still so good!!

[Andrew Gallini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Messenger: The Legend of Joan of Arc is a graphic novel representation of the events that take place in the legend. A young Joan receives a violent vision from god. Returning to her home village in France, she sees it being burned down by English soldiers. There she witnesses the murder of her older sister, who dies trying to protect her. Years later, she brings her vision to the King of France, who she asks for an army to be under her command to take out the occupying English soldiers.

Though the art style is one that one may be accustomed to if they are an avid comic book reader, Messenger does a wonderful job depicting the legend of Joan of Arc. Large battles are made in double spread, action scenes are depicted well panel by panel, and the visions from god that Joan receives look great as well. Onomatopoeias are illustrated with flashy word bubbles in order to give life to the drawings. The characters themselves look great as well. The soldiers are all dressed in garb that would be fitting to the setting and time, and anything flashy added is just meant to bring more style to the illustrations. This book would be enjoyed by any young adult reader who is looking for a strong female lead and a tragic ending with the backdrop of modern comic book illustrations.

[Zach Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan of Arc is one of the most important figures in history. Yet, her story often does not come across all that well sometimes due to the fact that it took place so long ago. It is hard to get all the names, places, and dates squared away in order to give meaning to Joan’s courageous acts. In this graphic novel, however, Joan’s story is told in a fashion simple enough to enjoy, while also in-depth enough to feel as if you are (finally) learning just how momentous of a figure she was.

The “easy part”, so to speak, of telling the story of Joan of Arc is that it is filled with enough great dramatic elements that it pretty much tells itself. The story is filled with great battles/adventure, high drama, and some very prudent issues regarding the role of the church in everyday life. Author Tony Lee & Illustrator Sam Hart do a great job of rendering this tale in a pleasing format both textural and visually.

The “tough part”, of course, is making Joan’s story seem like a narrative instead of a history lesson. It can be very easy to get bogged down in dates, countries, religions, and titles, and thus lose the heart of the story in the process. This is where “Messenger” really succeeds with flying colors…its ability to cover all the issues but make them exciting in the process. While reading this graphic novel, one feels as if they could be reading any other modern story.

Overall, I very much enjoyed “Messenger: The Legend of Joan of Arc” and would recommended it to any reader. If you don’t know her history and don’t want to read a thick volume to find out, this is a good place to start for any and all readers. The graphic format will appeal to youngsters, obviously, but as an adult I found merit and enjoyment in the work as well.

[SA · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover art really undersells the beauty of the artwork in "Messenger." I thought Lee and Hart did a fine job of telling Joan's story from her lived perspective, balancing the intensity of her faith and visions with her frailty and the limitations of her gender in the timeframe. I don't have a strong opinion on Joan D'Arc one way or the other, but this is a solid volume of accessible history. It's certainly the first time in awhile I've been able to put together any part of the nonsense that was the Hundred Years' War.

[American Mensa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Messenger: The Legend of Joan of Arc is a graphic novel by Tony Lee and Sam Hart that illustrates major events in the life of Jehanne d'Arc, better known as Joan of Arc. The detailed illustrations done by Sam Hart combined with the well-written events helped me to feel what the life of Joan of Arc was like. Personally, I have never read a true graphic novel, but this book has given me a positive introduction to comic styled books. Books like these break down huge hunks of text and offer a different presentation style that's fun and a change of pace. The aspect I appreciated the most was that it turned a history lesson into an exciting adventure entailing the trials of Joan of Arc. Messenger really inspired me to live a selfless life like Joan of Arc. It ties in the powerful importance of religion and shows how brave one can be when it comes to protecting a country in the face of overwhelming challenges. Overall, I rated Messenger: The Legend of Joan of Arc 5 stars, because of its beautiful artistic quality and carefully written phrases; I'm glad I read it.
review by Amanda T., 13, Greater Los Angeles Area Mensa

[Doc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a graphic representation of the Maid of Orleans's tale. If you are unaware of the one that came to be known as Joan of Arc then welcome to this abbreviated history lesson. If you decide to read this book there will be religious references, war, death, and a woman who must sacrifice much for her beliefs so be aware of all that just in case any of those things offend or bother you( though the book is not very graphic when it comes to dark and gory aspects of war.)

The art is kinda rough but considering the story takes place during the hundred year war I wouldn't expect a nice representation of the world with cute images and it helped keep the focus on the seemingly impossible odds Joan must try to overcome as God calls upon her services.

My favorite part of the book would have to be when Michael comes for Joan toward the end of the book. Each section of the story has a heavy orientation toward one color scheme or another but a purple color scheme gives way to yellow as fire and angelic presence erupt as destiny is finally fulfilled.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

France and England have been battling for more than a century when Joan of Arc arrives on the scene. Filled with digital artwork and detailed illustrations of battles as well as more tender moments in the young girl's life, this graphic novel version of the woman who heard God's voice and followed it will awaken an interest in its subject. But there is much intrigue involved, and the politics of those times--the fifteenth century--were complicated and involved church and state and powerful men. Some of these concepts and intrigues don't lend themselves well to a graphic novel. It might have been helpful to include more background or historical context for the story so that Joan's story might be seen in its best light. Still, the text and illustrations capture her innocence, devotion, and determination while demonizing those who doubted her.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as anyone, I'd grown up with the legend of Joan of Arc, the teenage girl who led the armies of France to victory against England a long, long time ago. But the extent of it was thanks to Bill & Ted. Here, we have a far more in-depth and emotional biography, covering her childhood through execution, and the immediate impact of that execution. The artwork is powerful and bold, much like the girl herself, and reflects how her life moved from war-torn (though idyllic and pastoral) as a child, to a driven frenzy of religious fervor and wartime administration at the highest levels. Through the force of her personality and convictions, she changed the tide of the war, although she was simultaneously manipulated by both sides of the battlefield. An engaging graphic novel, full of sympathy, it is a nice beginner course on the life of this divisive individual.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Joan of Arc is presented very clearly in the text of this graphic novel. However, it also requires some basic knowledge of the history of the time period, otherwise terms like Burgundians and dauphin will make understanding more difficult for some readers. The graphics are rendered in a blocky, angular style which fits the mood of the story but can make it hard to distinguish some of the supporting characters. Color scheme is also appropriately dark for most of the book but also contributes to some of the difficulties in distinguishing various characters. Overall, it is still a good addition to a collection in terms of strong female protagonists and accurate historical accounts.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dramatic graphic novel interpretation of the legend of Joan of Arc with good visuals and a thorough historical narrative. A note separating fact and invention would have been useful. See my full review here.

[Alsjem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in learning about Joan of Arc and found this graphic novel a very accessible way to do just that. The story is very involved and I think this version did its best to deliver it in a straight forward way. I'm left feeling that I may need to read more on the subject to really understand the full story.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. I don't know much about Joan of Arc, just bits and pieces of the legend, so this was all new to me. The art is beautiful, colorful and dramatic, and appears to be accurate for the time period as far as clothing and armor and such. (I'm no expert, but it looked realistic to me.) I'd really like to read the author & illustrators' other books, on Robin Hood and Excalibur!