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Legend: A Graphic Novel
Graphic novel adaptation of Legend, with text by Stan Nicholls and artwork by Fangorn.
94 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
9 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
David Gemmell
204 books3,851 followersDavid Andrew Gemmell was a bestselling British author of heroic fantasy. A former journalist and newspaper editor, Gemmell had his first work of fiction published in 1984. He went on to write over thirty novels. Best known for his debut, Legend, Gemmell's works display violence, yet also explores themes in honour, loyalty and redemption. With over one million copies sold, his work continues to sell worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 22, 2023
A good graphic novel that I would recommend, (if you can lay your hands on a copy, as they are pretty rare).
Not a hardcover as Goodreads have it marked as. It is a large-size A4 paperback, though each page is quite thick paper. Beautifully illustrated. The only thing than knocked it down by 1 star was the way some of the text was aligned tricked my eyes into reading one or two sections out of order, but maybe that was just me being dumb, lol!
Not a hardcover as Goodreads have it marked as. It is a large-size A4 paperback, though each page is quite thick paper. Beautifully illustrated. The only thing than knocked it down by 1 star was the way some of the text was aligned tricked my eyes into reading one or two sections out of order, but maybe that was just me being dumb, lol!
May 11, 2021
ترجمه این عزیز دل که تموم شد
آرتای خوبی داشت ولی یه جوریه در حد فقط فهمیدن داستان به صورت گرافیک ناول و کمیک
نصف کتاب نیست لامصب
میشه اینجوری خوندش که بعد برین سراغ کتاب و عشق کنین
آرتای خوبی داشت ولی یه جوریه در حد فقط فهمیدن داستان به صورت گرافیک ناول و کمیک
نصف کتاب نیست لامصب
میشه اینجوری خوندش که بعد برین سراغ کتاب و عشق کنین
February 10, 2026
I feel so lucky to have a copy of this graphic novel as they are pretty rare now. It is a simple, quick read that scratches the itch of wanting to see Gemmell’s creations realised in a form that isn’t simple words and our imagination, but overall it falls very short of being anything special.
The art work is nice and matches the tone of the story and there are a few impactful full page pieces depicting some epic battle scenes, but the dialogue is very simple (there are maybe two decent, poignant moments), the story is thin compared to the novel with no real explanation as to who anyone is and how the intricacies of the world around them function and if you haven’t read the novel (I have of course) then you really would have no idea what is going on for the most part.
Why they didn’t do a series of something like 10 graphic novels to give the story the attention it deserves I’ll never understand, either that or just be happy with the novel alone and don’t bother with this at all.
One final thing, I really don’t like how Druss is depicted for the most part in this (a personal preference of course). His face and body are fine but the clothes he wears feels like the artist loved Norse mythology a bit too much. Massive Odin comparisons can be drawn and it really doesn’t work for me, though I forgive it slightly as it is from the early nineties.
Like I say, being such a massive David Gemmell fan I’m glad I have this, and I will treasure it, but I’ll be in no rush to recommend it to anyone, especially when I already have so many of his novels that I love so much and that I’m so eager for others to read.
The art work is nice and matches the tone of the story and there are a few impactful full page pieces depicting some epic battle scenes, but the dialogue is very simple (there are maybe two decent, poignant moments), the story is thin compared to the novel with no real explanation as to who anyone is and how the intricacies of the world around them function and if you haven’t read the novel (I have of course) then you really would have no idea what is going on for the most part.
Why they didn’t do a series of something like 10 graphic novels to give the story the attention it deserves I’ll never understand, either that or just be happy with the novel alone and don’t bother with this at all.
One final thing, I really don’t like how Druss is depicted for the most part in this (a personal preference of course). His face and body are fine but the clothes he wears feels like the artist loved Norse mythology a bit too much. Massive Odin comparisons can be drawn and it really doesn’t work for me, though I forgive it slightly as it is from the early nineties.
Like I say, being such a massive David Gemmell fan I’m glad I have this, and I will treasure it, but I’ll be in no rush to recommend it to anyone, especially when I already have so many of his novels that I love so much and that I’m so eager for others to read.
June 21, 2013
Familiar story of David Gemmell's first novel Legend, but with pictures! I'm a huge David Gemmell fan, so I definitely love the story, but the graphic novel felt a bit rushed to me. The artwork itself was great, it seemed to get the tone entirely correct and included lots of blood and gore, but there just didn't appear to be enough panels to tell the story properly. I found it sometimes difficult to follow and that's after having read Legend (the book) twice. I wanted it to include more of the plot details and nuances, but instead it had to rush through due to length. It isn't that this is a short graphic novel, just that there's a lot to condense and obviously things get missed. Definitely enjoyed it, and will probably read again at some point, but can only really recommend to big Legend fans.
June 30, 2021
Legend, the prose novel, is amazing, this is not. Half the plot is missing, the narrative leaps around without updating the reader as to what is happening; only someone who has read the book will know what and why.
Read the actual novel instead.
P.S. I began reading comics in 2021 and have found issues such as those presented here endemic to the medium. I have a few more left to go on "the pile," but I think my adventures with comic storytelling are coming to am end.
Read the actual novel instead.
P.S. I began reading comics in 2021 and have found issues such as those presented here endemic to the medium. I have a few more left to go on "the pile," but I think my adventures with comic storytelling are coming to am end.
May 27, 2020
I never heard of this or knew it existed. This graphic novel is based on the book by David Gemmell and the adaptation is spot on. The art is gorgeous and the writing is perfect. For a book I'd never heard of, it impressed me. I laughed more than once and finished it in a single sitting.
July 16, 2020
I loved the book. I jumped on this Graphic Novel ASAP. The art was glorious. But the story felt flat. Beside that i think only people who read the book can understand this.. that itself is a disadvantage.
May 28, 2023
A fine adaption of one of Gemmell's greatest books.
I loved the artwork style, characters all looked as I'd pictured them in my head, and while I wished it was a lot longer, fleshing out the story more, this is an excellent companion piece to the novel.
I loved the artwork style, characters all looked as I'd pictured them in my head, and while I wished it was a lot longer, fleshing out the story more, this is an excellent companion piece to the novel.
September 2, 2017
it's a work of love. I'm so glad I could read this! It has all the power it needs to pay respect to Gemmell's classic, and to fire up memories of that first reading...
September 29, 2019
Good adaptation of the book!
November 17, 2020
Great!
December 30, 2021
Stunning visuals. Excellent adaptation.
June 29, 2022
Probably my favourite book by the author just an excellent read all around
August 8, 2022
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
March 8, 2026
One of the formative comics of my childhood. Reading it again after 15 years or so just makes me appreceate the well-crafted story below by Nichols, following master Gemmell although the art is a little rough around the corners. A highly enjoyable ale of heroic fantasy!
July 24, 2015
Great story / ok art.
December 28, 2015
Didn't realise I'd selected the graphic novel version of this book but I have read it. As graphic novels go, it's good but I'm not a graphic novel fan. Not enough novel in them.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews