The Epic of Gilgamesh

by Kevin H. Dixon (illustrator), Russ Kick (Introduction), Kent H. Dixon (Translator)

THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH is the Uhr epic--the hero's journey, quest, and education--inscribed onto damp clay tablets several millennia before Odysseus or the priest of Ecclesiastes found their voices. Sumerian versions of the epic date back almost 5000 years. It is a Bildungsroman of a bad king learning to become a proper human being and therefore a wise king, and to do so, besides defeating lions and monsters and surviving great physical and emotional suffering, he must face, and answer, the first (and last) great mortality.Translated into English and presented here in its entirety as a graphic novel, this version of THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH is a father/son project by scholar and translator Kent H. Dixon and his son, the comix artist Kevin Dixon, who bring a fresh take on this great work. The reader is slowed down by the artwork and visual jokes and the artist's wry hat-tippings to various masters (Crumb and Gilbert Shelton alongside Schultz and Capp, Popeye and Krazy Kat, Uderzo's Astérix and Hergé's Tintin), and then, once the reading pace has shifted into lower gear, having all these aspects complementarily drawn out, makes for an especially satisfying counterpoint to the low-key, the wise and cynical and morally sophisticated, and sometimes sublimely Olympian humor.

Genres: Comics, Classics, Graphic Novels, Mythology, Fiction, Poetry, Graphic Novels Comics

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2018

Reviews

[Drew Canole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A father-son team up in this adaptation. Kent provides a brand new translation/retelling of the tale and his son Kevin provides some wonderful Comix style artwork that at times reminds one of R. Crumb. Actually, this adaptation is more like what people probably expected of Crumb's Genesis (Crumb ended up doing a very straight-laced adaptation).

Here the artwork at times is really goofy, but the attempt is to bring out the humour present in the original story that gets lost in stuffy translations and college classrooms.

[enricocioni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read the Epic of Gilgamesh before picking up the Dixons' version, and I wonder if I would have felt all these things if my first experience of it had been a text-only translation with scholarly notes, as opposed to this graphic adaptation. The geek in me would have probably enjoyed having a bit more commentary on alternative translation options, possible interpretations for the weirder lines and scenes, and how the story illuminates our understanding of Mesopotamian society and vice versa. However, all these things would have also created a greater distance between my heart and mind on one side and the story on the other, and my emotional response wouldn't have been as strong. Similarly, I often find it difficult to visualise things when I'm reading, and Kevin Dixon's lively, meaty illustrations meant I didn't have to worry about that and could just relax and enjoy the story.

So: there are no scholarly notes and the illustrations ease some of the work the reader's mind must do, which makes the Epic of Gilgamesh more accessible and emotionally effective, but it's also worth noting that Kent Dixon's text is a full, unabridged translation, not a simplified update for a modern reasership: it is a rich and strange stew of poetic turns of phrase, Shakespearean insults ("son of a fish", "old fur frog"), grandiloquent speeches and invocations, and vivid sensory imagery (one of my favourites, to describe a selection of decaying loaves: "a rainbow of bread going bad"), made even richer and stranger by the comic-book sound effects and occasional cuneiform inscriptions in Kevin Dixon's drawings. Similarly, Kevin Dixon's drawings are not simple visual correlates to his father's words: they slow you down and compel you to dwell on this or that passage, literally drawing out certain sequences by filling in the gap between the lines, giving weight to moments that in a text-only version would be confined to only a line or two and might therefore be easy to read without realising their full emotional significance.

For my full review, head over to my blog, Strange Bookfellows: https://strangebookfellowsblog.wordpr...

[Petergiaquinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Mo Gilgamesh, mo bettah," as my favorite Youtube personality, that online scholar extraordinaire Doc Sweets of Thug Notes, just might say.

And I second that emotion and start off this review riffing on Sparky Sweets lest you think that I have a giant stick up my ass regarding all things Gilgameshian or that I lack a solid understanding of the aesthetics of the graphic novel or even mayhaps that I have no sense of humor. All to which, I say thee nay (to paraphrase another giant-killing, beer-quaffing hero of ancient myth who today is still prominently featured in comic books); however, I just didn't like the Dixons' graphic novel version of Gilgamesh very much, and that's too bad.

I appreciate what the Dixons have done, and if this new rendition of the epic helps introduce this earliest of heroic tales about the demi-god Gilgamesh and his beastie bestie Enkidu to a new generation of readers, then great, but as someone who has read Gilgamesh multiple times and each time is quite moved by this ancient tale that explores some of the biggest and most important questions about this thing called life, I found the Dixons' rendering to be a little off the mark both visually and in the narrative itself. What should be poignant throughout comes off as a little silly at times, even sophomoric as though I were watching an episode of the Three Stooges instead of reading one of the great world texts, and the Dixons' choice to incorporate the contents of that strange twelfth tablet at the end (what Doc Sweets refers to as "some kind of bullshit DVD extra") with Enkidu back to life on an exploration of the underworld as some sort of wild dream that Gilgamesh is having after his return to Uruk pretty much ruins everything.

Gilgamesh needs to end with the hero returning home to show his new friend Urshanabi the city of Uruk. Among other things, the Epic of Gilgamesh explores the idea of what makes a good ruler, and Gilgamesh is profoundly changed over the course of the story. The arrogant, imperious Gilgamesh at the start of the epic, ravishing the young women of his city and wastefully killing the young men, has no understanding of what his role as king should be. Over the course of the epic, he discovers his humanity, and by the end he is ready to return to this city which he now values, seeing it with fresh eyes and showing it off to the stranger Urshanabi. This is a chastened Gilgamesh who has suffered much and learned things about the world and himself, including how to rule over the people of Uruk. We never really see in the Dixons' retelling how profoundly Gilgamesh suffers or how profoundly he is changed. And the return to Uruk in this graphic novel shows us almost nothing about the hero at the end of his long journey before being overshadowed by the strange final story of Enkidu in the underworld.

Dixon fils is a brilliant artist, but again his style overemphasizes the humor in the tale more than the magic, the sex, or the suffering. Both the mighty Humbaba and the scorpion men look downright silly, and while the depiction of the Bull of Heaven feels right, Ishtar herself resembles a cross between Olive Oyl and Nancy (of Nancy and Sluggo), hardly the lusty Babylonian goddess who has brought so many men low. In fact, the gods in this retelling all look like a collection of goofy rejects from the Freak Brothers, and while that might work for Fat Freddy's Cat, it hardly seems the right choice for the Epic of Gilgamesh.


Just in case you are interested, here's a link to Thug Notes: Gilgamesh, which does a better job at balancing the silly and the serious in its look at this epic poem:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JrOk...

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard of The Epic of Gilgamesh before, yet never came round to reading it, or at least a translation of the tablets. This graphic novel version grabbed my attention in the bookshop. I don't always read graphic novels, but when I do... I can't even remember the last time I read on. Since this book entertained me a lot, I guess I'll have to shift my focus now and then to graphic novels.

This version was created by Kent H. Dixon (writer, translator, ...) and Kevin H. Dixon (illustrator). The book not only contains an introduction by the publisher, but also a word of explanation by its writer and its illustrator.

The table of contents summarises each tablet. At first, I thought I would have to go back and forth, which would of course be tedious and nerve-wrecking. It suffices to scan the TOC, to get an idea of what the story is about. Then you can read the book like any other comic book, so to speak. When needed, just consult the TOC.

The drawings' style is quite comical and helps to bring the story to life in a certain way. This style, however, also suits the expression of events like the flood, battles, ...

Gilgamesh was actually quite a prick as a king, submitting women to his desires and will. At some point, a man from the wild, Enkidu shows up and instantly becomes friends and a brother to Gilgamesh. Though not before having tried to best him, as Gilgamesh was the best and strongest of them all. Together they experience lots of great adventures, even go on a killing spree (the guardian of the woods, and several trees are also cut down for whatever reason, except for a raft). This arrogance wouldn't stop, not even after Enkidu's passing.

Even the gods would be appealed to for safe travels and favours, until at some point enough is enough.

The link with the flood myth, especially known with Noah's story in the Bible, even though the flood myth is used in various religions, was very apparent. And let's not forget the Underworld/Netherworld.

Metal and myths, religions, ... go hand in hand, as shown by the names of creatures:
* Abzu (or Absu, the metal band)
* Namtar (also the nickname of the drummer of Carach Angren)
* Nergal (also the nickname of vocalist/guitarist Adam Darski of the Polish band Behemoth)

So, whether or not you've read the poem of Gilgamesh, I recommend this graphical version, which gives a different perspective and view on the story. Such stories/books are a perfect way to try to learn more about the mythology behind it.

[Penni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not rating the storyline of the Epic of Gilgamesh.
I'm rating the excellent presentation of the most faithful translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh, in cartoon form.
If you want to read the Epic, I can't recommend a better format.

[Keen Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

There’s an episode of “Family Guy” where Peter and Brian go to the cinema and every time Peter thinks that the film is starting he realises that it is yet another false alarm as it’s just another credit for another production company. The start of this book was a bit like that, we got the introduction followed by the translator’s note and then the artist’s note before we get to the actual story.

This adventure is certainly the product of a highly fertile imagination and I can appreciate the importance of this story in historical terms. The art work is fairly strong for the most part, but I thought the lettering was a little lazy and as for the story itself well without getting into it too much, it really wasn't for me at all, but on the plus side, the pages smelled quite nice.

[Lynne Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the graphic book version of Gilgamesh, written and illustrated by the father-and-son team of Kent and Kevin Dixon. This is not a kids-friendly version of the story; this text is for grown-ups, and as such, makes for an excellent introduction of the world of Gilgamesh, the oldest story so far discovered in the West.

And this was a recent discovery, too! The clay tablets were unearthed in the 1800s, so there really isn't a long history of translations to work from. In the introduction, Kent Dixon explains how he compared various translations and learned part of the Assyrian syllabary, in order to put together his version of the text. There is some serious work and thought behind this book.

The story is about two best friends, the original DudeBros. Gilgamesh is a spoiled, arrogant king, despised by his subjects for his habits of claiming "first night" with virgin brides on their wedding nights, and rocking out with heavy metal drumming on the sacred temple drum. The Powers That Be decide that Gilgamesh needs a friend, so one is found - Enkidu, a wild man from the steppes brought up by animals. In order to civilize him just enough, he is introduced to a temple prostitute, and he promptly loses his virginity in a week-long sex orgy. And we've only just started!

The first half of the story is an epic buddy movie, with our heroes going on adventures, slaying monsters, cutting down sacred cedars, and pissing off the gods. Eventually they go too far, and the gods decide that Enkidu must go. He dies after 12 days of suffering, and Gilgamesh is driven mad with grief. Whereupon he goes on his Great Wander, climbing mountains, crossing poisoned lakes, and entering pitch black tunnels that everyone he meets warn him not to do. Nevertheless, he persists.

He finds his way to the Faraway and meets Utnapishtim, the one mortal the gods have made immortal. You and I know this guy under another name. He's Noah, from the Bible. He tells Gilgamesh his Flood story and it's the same as Genesis, except there's a different god involved and was written thousands of years before any of the biblical stories were set down.

There's more to it, but you can find out how it ends for yourself. The whole thing is a great, galloping read, and the cartoons really add to the tale. It's a wonder that the oldest story marries so well with one of our newest art forms. The art is bawdy, wicked and lots of fun. There are Easter Eggs as well, with other cartoonists being referenced. For example, one god appears as R. Crumb's "Keep On Truckin'" character, Mr. Natural. Keep your eye out for others.

If you, like me, know the story of Gilgamesh but have not actually read it, you can't do wrong with beginning your journey here. Enjoy the ride!

[Liam Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just a lot of fun to read. It is a complete translation including Boo XII. It is a good translation well suited comic book style writing. It modernizes the fight scenes and brings the saucy language out to make sense for modern readers like us. The pictures are great and a joy to look at in conjunction with the text. The pics don't make anyone or any god or creature glamorous. Instead there's an earthy roughness to everything. Enjoy!

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn. I like the translation a lot: old-timey sections, with some simplifications to make it more accessible. However, the art style is not really my thing. Also, the story did not age well. Very anti-women, but I don't know what I was expecting.

[Lisa Wynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun secondhand find! I have not read a single rendition/translation/version of Gilgamesh, but having gleaned the general idea from how it is often referenced, I couldn’t leave this curious book on the shelf. For such a relatively short text, graphic novelisation seems a really apt medium. The style leans into the bizarre, hilarious, and bawdy, but often has a moving gravitas all the same. I can’t compare it to other iterations of the tale, but as a graphic text it’s superb.

[Komuniststar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trajalo je dok nisam pročita. Usprkos prepoznatljivom, indi, stili crteža sam tekst ima tu tezinu pradavne literature ka je ipak pisana za druge kulturne obrasce, makar nasi pocivaju na njima. Sve u svemu zanimljivo iskustvo citanja.

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 5 out of 5]

World's Oldest Story in One of its Newest Storytelling Formats (found via #ASMR)
Review of the graphic novel edition by Kent H. Dixon (writer) and Kevin H. Dixon (illustrator)

Purely by chance it has become a Gilgamesh discovery year for me after I picked up Stephen Mitchell's "Gilgamesh - A New English Version" (2006) from an Audible Daily Deal and then was intrigued enough to follow up with a reading of Andrew George's more scholarly "The Epic of Gilgamesh" (2003) in a Penguin paperback.

Then in a further chance encounter I was watching / listening to one of Canadian ASMRtist* Chycho's videos on YouTube called Comic Book Reviews & Recommendations: Epic Of Gilgamesh, Origin of Magnus, True Believers... [ASMR] and discovered that a newly published 2018 graphic novel version exists as well. Chycho introduces the book from about minute 3:00 to 11:00 in the video (a very good introduction).

Kent Dixon produced his rendition from other previous sources but did learn some cuneiform writing in order to crosscheck his version against the original. This includes newly discovered fragments of Tablet V. Kevin Dixon does the illustrations in a style that is somewhat reminiscent of the work of Robert Crumb. The flexibility of the style allows for discrete shout-outs to various cartoonists and comics artists throughout the work. For instance in one panel very far in the background there is a distinctly Snoopy like dog in the window. You likely will recognize other characters throughout the work in background cameo roles. I definitely noticed some Popeye & Olive Oyl like figures and others like the Katzenjammer Kids. A few others are drawn in cubist like styles reminiscent of Picasso. The number of visual puns that you will recognize will depend on your own comic book and art visual memory so everyone's experience will be an individual one.

Overall this was a hugely entertaining rendition of the Gilgamesh epic which may not replace scholarly literary versions but which is definitely worthy to stand or be shelved beside them.

*ASMRtists is the term for YouTubers who produce soft-spoken and/or soft-sound videos that induce the Autonomic Sensory Meridian Response (a tingling sensation that flows down from the head through the spine) in those who experience it. It is a relative rare phenomenon but which has a very dedicated fan following. Some people who don't experience the nerve sensation, still follow ASMR videos for their relaxation / sleep inducing properties.

[Sumit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book greatly exceeded my expectations - a collaborative work between a translator (Kent Dixon) and his illustrator son (Kevin Dixon), this brings new life to an all-new translation of the oldest known written story in human history, the epic of Gilgamesh. The story comes from Ancient Sumeria, originally written on 12 clay tablets in cunieform, around 2100 BC. It tells of Gilgamesh, 2/3 god and 1/3 human, his discovery of true love when he meets Enkidu and travels with him to the ends of the earth, his unrelenting sorrow when he loses Enkidu, and his subsequent depression and struggle with his own mortality. Before encountering this edition, I've tried to read an entire translation of the story multiple times, but never made it all the way through - in those attempts, the story felt disconnected in places, and I felt I was missing significant context. The illustrations in this volume brilliant fill those gaps, making the arc of narrative clear, providing endless contextual clues, and well as a bit of humor to keep the story moving; the provenance of the words is made clear, though, and there are even notes as to the tablet number the given page is translated from. If you've ever wanted to read the full story of Gilgamesh but have been daunted in earlier attempts, I'd highly recommend this volume -it's the most enjoyable and informative means I've encountered thus far.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so crazy to read something that was written in ancient Mesopotamia thousands of years ago and still find it funny, wise and so relatable. For me, aside from the ‘morals’ it invokes, story is just a wonderful reminder of how at a basic level we’re still all the same humans (years later) with the same fears and urges.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great story, and I liked the epic being reinterpreted as a graphic novel. It's such a fever dream of a story with so many side tangents and random things happening. It is fascinating to see the 'oldest' story that we can read to this day still mean something to me. So many depictions of men, women, gods, nature, animals and other aspects of life seem similar to how people wrote two thousand years ago, one thousand years ago, and one year ago. I think it is sad to see how 'little' people have actually changed over the years. Despite that, the story itself is so profound (to me) in that Gilgamesh is trying to find a way to avoid death. That happens more in the end, but that is what fascinates me the most about the story overall, since it is a universal fear that everyone has at one point in their lives.

In terms of the graphic novel... The father-son duo is very cool to see with the father providing his own 'translation'(I believe in the author's note he said that he used previous translations to make his own translation) and the son illustrating the entire graphic novel. However, the son, who illustrated this graphic novel adaptation of an epic poem, reminded me too much of Robert Crumb. The illustrations were masterful, sure, but it was so crude and disgusting to look at. The hairy men and the grotesque faces of many panels and pages were not pleasant to look at. This is disappointing, since the landscapes, the bold use of lines, the hand-written words, and the silly additional details such as a gag or the cartoon depiction of skeletons or insect-people, were all great. I really loved some of the style of the illustrator in some regards, but the faces and something about how the illustrator drew people was incredibly off-putting to me.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate it for introducing me to Gilgamesh, I still managed to glean an idea of the profundity of the story. However despite it being my introduction to the story I would not recommend this version to others. I think the idea of putting it in graphic novel form was a good one, but in the end I didn’t appreciate some of the crude illustrations. The author claims that sexual prudishness started with Augustine, and the Gilgamesh proves that ancients didn’t have such qualms. I can’t help but feel he doesn’t understand Augustine, or the history of sexual ethics (which certainly predates Augustine and even Christianity ) or the way that ancients talked about sex which was neither Victorian prudishness nor modern crudeness. The Aenead, the Iliad, the Old Testament Bible stories, or more recently the tales of King Arthur etc .

I wonder if I am being too arrogant to say, I wonder if the author really understands Gilgamesh .

There are other better versions.

[Rich Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great adaptation of the classic story that I first remember hearing about in middle school in a quick paragraph in our world history textbook mixed in with the repetition of the idea of the fertile crescent and cuneform. The teacher I had for that particular class was safe and very interested in facts, so the story itself wasn't discussed. After reading the origin of Enkudu, I can see why she skipped going more in depth on the story.

There are selections of this version that I would like to use in the classroom, specifically the myth that explains why snakes shed their skin and the great flood are quick, interesting moments in a book full of interesting dialogue and fun illustrations. I'll keep my eye on trying to see how we could squeeze the whole text in on our units around myth and storytelling.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This newest rendition of Gilgamesh, in graphic novel format, is engaging and filled with humor and fantastic imagery. For me, it was the best way to revisit Gilgamesh, and to marvel once again at the steadfast nature of the human condition. Though first recorded in clay at least 2000 years bce, the central themes resonate well to our present day. Our book group had the great fortune to discuss the book with Professor Dixon, who translated/collaborated with his son, the illustrator. I've read several renditions of Gilgamesh, but never enjoyed the story so much. And the illustration is masterful.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this retelling of the epic tale of how Gilgamesh seeks immortality. It seems as though it is unfinished. Like there should be more to the story.

Herein the artist depicts all the spectrum of the story. Visual art is combined with content to form a story that is truly epic.

Gilgamesh suffers many daggers of life and becomes angry with death so he travails the rivers of death to come to a place where he will eventually meet someone very like Noah, who built a boat to protect himself and creation from the destruction of a flood. But I'm this case it was a god without a capital G.

This comic was riveting. I wish there could be a retelling of Homer's epics in this form.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice way to familiarize myself with the story of Gilgamesh, because let's face it - I was never really going to read the original. There is something a bit mind-expanding about thinking about the first epic story ever written down by humans, and it is kind of fascinating to see themes and stories that would be use in later religious texts that actually date from well before the Christian era. There seems to be a good deal of paraphrasing and interpreting, but reading from a non-academic point of view, it made the story quite accessible.

[Jc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful translation, and illustration, of the epic Mesopotamian poem cycle. Gilgamesh and Enkidu have seldom had a more entertaining platform. If you are all curious about this story, which laid the ground for some of the Judeo/christian biblical writings, this is a great place to start. Even if you already have been introduced to Gilgamesh and the great flood, you will still find this a fun, eye-opening revisit.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written about 4000 years ago, the Epic of Gilgamesh is considered to be the first known work of literature. It tells the mythic tales of the King of Uruk, a Babylonian city found today in modern Iraq and his adventures with the gods and in the underworld along with his wildman friend Enkidu. While the original was written on 12 tablets, this version is told in the form of a graphic novel making this ancient work more accessible to the modern reader.

[Timothy Dymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cameos by 'Mr Natural' in this version of the Epic of Gilgamesh are my favourite bits of this adaptation. It seems appropriate that Robert Crumb's travelling mystic (of 'keep on truckin' fame) would have been present at the world's very first complete story. This is a entertaining rendering of the tale of Gilgamesh and Enkidu as a rip-roaring adventure. Fun to read - not a chore!

[Kitap Yakıcı · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow the visual homage to R. Crumb, as well as the earthy rendition of the story, complements and elevates what I've previously found to be a somewhat barebones story where most of the good stuff occurs on the first few tablets. I didn't like the artwork at first, but it drew me in, particularly in those places where the tablets remained silent.

[Dan Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. The Artist has a way with sound effects. It is interesting and engaging with a hint of whimsy in the drawings that does not take away from the mythic impact of this ancient story. I was engrossed in the narrative.

[Aiden McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book years ago, but this retelling in graphic form is incredible. The images are great and it tells the story in such a way that is thorough, but easy for someone unfamiliar with the Epic to understand. I definitely recommend this for anyone to take a gander at.

[Scott Eggerding · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Epic of Gilgamesh in graphic novel form was a whole lot of fun. What could be a short story with many hard to pronounce characters and little exposition takes on the mantle of the epic with outsized drawings, gore, sex, grief and loss. The archetypal hero’s journey is on full display.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dixons have brought this ancient story of life and death into a perfect form--one that can communicate the grand and lowbrow at once (see: the Bull of Heaven spraying manure). A wonderful, ribald translation of the world's first epic.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough to rate for me because I have always struggled to follow the Epic of Gilgamesh regardless of the format. Kevin Dixon is a good illustrator and his dad is a renowned scholar on this topic, but I just don't appreciate the tale.

[Amirah Tibbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent rendition

This was such a great read. It’s a fresh new take on a centuries old poem. Any graphic novel and/or mythology enthusiast should add a copy of this to their collection.