Age of Bronze Volume 2: Sacrifice (New Edition)

Age of Bronze #2

by Eric Shanower

First time in full color! Multiple Eisner Award-winner ERIC SHANOWER'S epic version of the Trojan War continues with brilliant tones by colorist JOHN DALLAIRE . High King Agamemnon faces an impossible choice. If he wants victory over Troy, he must sacrifice the life of his eldest daughter. The editors of Publishers Weekly selected AGE OF SACRIFICE as a Best Book of the Year.

Collects AGE OF BRONZE #10 - #19

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Greek Mythology, Classics

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2004

Reviews

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything you could want to know about the Greek/Troy war. Very recommended

[Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second volume covers the failure of the first campaign against Troy and Agamemnon's attempt to gather the Greek kings together again for a second campaign against Troy. With the help of Odysseus and Nestor, he is able to do so, but in order to get the blessing of the gods, he must make a terrible sacrifice. The author does a great job of humanizing the story of the Iliad as we get to see the relationships and interactions behind the characters that appear in that story. I read the new edition which is in full color. It's well worth the extra cost to get the color version.

[Ed Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second part of this retelling of the Trojan war. I read volume 1 in the original B/W and volume 2 in the later color version. Not sure which I prefer. They are both nice.

This is still mostly a bunch of guys waiting around trying to go to war but getting delayed. Still, it is a pretty compelling story, ending with the story of Iphegenia in Aulis.

I've mostly encountered the characters in this story in stand-alone stories. (Paris, Helen, Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, Achilles, Ajax, Castor, Pollux, Priam, Cassandra, Odysseus, and many more ....) It's nice to see them all together in context.

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing story of the Iliad characters (or historical figures, if you rather) preparing for the Trojan war. I had no idea that there were so many stories concerning this part of history, so this was a very rewarding read. I learned a lot more about all my favourite Homeric characters.

There are numerous interesting plot developments and character developments, as well as insights into the political and religious/spiritual systems of the ancient Greeks.

Shanower maintains his attention to detail in the artwork.

The book suffers slightly from having a more disjointed narrative than the first. The plot focuses mostly around "the sacrifice" (which I won't spoil here) and less on the actual Greek/Trojan conflict.

[Terence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much more to say here than I did in my review of volume 1, A Thousand Ships, except that his plot for this chapter closely follows Michael Kakogiannis's Iphigenia (which is not a bad thing, I liked that film).

It's just...uninspiring.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beginning of a gorgeous and wonderful retelling of the Trojan War. The characterizations are rich, the art is stunning and the details are meticulous. The author has clearly done his homework and is more than deserving of all the accolades, nominations and awards he has received for this series. Actually, he deserves more than those he’s already gotten. I simply cannot praise this enough.
This particular edition is improved, if that’s even possible, with the edition of full color throughout.

[riddbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful and cinematic graphic novels I’ve ever read. The story is fantastically rendered and the DRAMA???? Simply unparalleled. As someone wholly unfamiliar with the story of the Trojan War, I’m constantly on the edge of my seat. Prophecies, sacrifices, betrayals…there is not a boring moment. The comic is also visually stunning, and the composition of certain key moments is absolutely breathtaking.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beginning of a gorgeous and wonderful retelling of the Trojan War. The characterizations are rich, the art is stunning and the details are meticulous. The author has clearly done his homework and is more than deserving of all the accolades, nominations and awards he has received for this series. Actually, he deserves more than those he’s already gotten. I simply cannot praise this enough.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second of seven projected volumes, Shanower continues his top-notch epic of the Trojan War. Considering that the Greeks never even reach Troy at the end of this book, this book could have been slow and plodding. Instead it is utterly absorbing. Put simply, I cannot think of any possible way this comic could be better. Some of the best comics of the past ten years.

[Komuniststar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ako se pitate kako prepričat poznatu priču, a da bude napeta, infornativna i zabavna zgrabite ovaj naslov. Napisa bi i duži osvrt, ali nemam vremena, jurim da vidim ca je dalje bilo!

[Ariadna Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know the writing is good when you actually pity Agamemnon

[Tue Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good continuation. Occasional typos spotted, though.

[Orsoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Sacrifice and the preceding volume of Age of Bronze in one sitting, and can honestly state that it was one of the most enjoyable reading experiences of the last few years. Though I was familiar with most story elements (having been quite infatuated with Greek mythology as a youth) the presentation of events and pace of the storytelling kept me riveted throughout. Shanower's Age of Bronze is a tour de force, an incredible achievement by a singular creative voice, and something that ought to be part of school curricula the world over. I hope to one day shake Shanower's hand and tell him how much I enjoyed his epic adaptation.

Regarding this volume, I was intrigued by the author's interpretation of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, depressed at witnessing the trauma experienced by Kassandra and her twin brother as children, and moved to tears by Iphigenia's fate. The way Shanower stages this part of the story is masterful, a scarily believable depiction of the events as they may have transpired, and a tragedy in the truest sense of the word.

Iphigenia's fate reminded me of Shireen's death in Game of Thrones, and the eerie parallels between Odysseus' reflection on his role in the coming war and Tyrion's assessment of his role and talents in 'Valar Morghulis' (GoT Season 2, Episode 10) have me convinced that someone on the GoT writing team was inspired by Age of Bronze.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words to describe my love for this graphic novel! I loved it! The art, the characters, the setting! Eric did a splendid job presenting to us Bronze Age Greece.

This story is not for everyone thought. It might feel slow, some of the character designs look similar and it's hard to recognise who is who and if you aren't into historical fiction, then you won't enjoy it.

But I would like to focus on some specific elements that I liked. First of all, Achilles, a hero who I was never fond of, is so well-written that I can't help but respect him! Him taking responsibility for his actions and him promising to protect Iphigenia, so she wouldn't be sacrificed, are two of my favourite scenes of him. Not to mention his relationship with Patroclus, which is openly erotic.

Then, it's Agamemnon. The course of him and his decision of sacrificing or not his daughter was done greatly and realistically. Not wanting, and finally deciding to do this, only to change his mind, but it was late and not even Achilles could protect her… I could feel his pain in every page.

Oh, and of course, Odysseus. I mention him mainly because he was my favourite hero back when I was little and he still is. I always admired his intelligence and cunning and these traits are shown here whenever he has to assist Agamemnon.

Volume 3 is up next!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm no art critic -- I like the art here just fine, and it certainly doesn't detract from the story. But the amazing accomplishment here is the writing. Shanower has pulled together the entire story of the Trojan War from various sources, including the Iliad, Virgil, and Greek mythology, in order to relate the entire epic from beginning to end. Not only is this great writing, but it's good research, and a fabulous retelling of the story of the war in one narrative arc over several volumes.

He deserves particular praise for the way in which he incorporates the gods' influence without directly involving them. The result is a realistic flavor that just feels right -- much more immediate and personal, and without the sense that fate is dictating everything.

This particular volume focuses on Agamemnon's sacrifice of his daughter Iphigenia, as well as a disastrous raid in Mysia, where a young Achilles mistakes the first land he sees for Troy. I'm looking forward to continuing the story.

[Amalia Carosella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still not a huge fan of Achilles. And Agamemnon pretty much has only one redeeming quality. The focus so far is still more on them than Menelaus or Helen (which makes sense considering the subject of this particular swath of the story.) But I think Shanower is doing a great job of making these figures into more complex characters -- and again, the art is just phenomenal from the historical perspective. On top of that, there's a great name pronunciation and glossary of characters in the back!

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Shanower remakes the Iliad based on a decade or more of research into Bronze Age Achaeans and Akkadians, itself predicated on archaeological finds and photographs. This means that his 2D pen-and-ink cartoons are semi-reliable representations of the world: Troy, for example, is a modest-sized town with crenelated outer walls and an inner palace court for the reigning lords (King Priam and Queen Hecuba). The world is comprised of a loose, ever-shifting confederation of such towns with the roads between beset by looting bandits, the seas by raiding pirates, and the laws of hospitality enforced to the reasonable extent of one's oil and wine stores. You may build your empire through intermarriage alliances, charisma, and personal physical strength or be a farmer/fishmonger/craftsperson and pay regular tribute to the local keeper of the peace. Be married in your midteens, for you will likely be dead by 40.

Those who can seek out the colored version of this work will prefer it for the recreations of costume and decorative detail omitted in the original. It's only a modest difference though, inasmuch as the art style throughout seems more intent on the clarity of graphic illustration than evoking action, mood, or other artistic flourishes. The lack of shading, grading, tone, and (for the most part) dramatic camera angle appears to have been a deliberate point of emphasis for Shanower. The costumes are distinctive, but the faces and body-types are pretty much the same.

To the author's credit, he includes an afterword that explicates his narrative choices: drawing from and ironing out the inconsistencies between the oral tradition of the Iliad and Odyssey as set down by Homer, but also contemporary mythology, and its antecedents from Virgil, Shakespeare, etc. Shanower hopes here to weave an internally consistent, plausible, and natural retelling true to the time period and free of supernatural elements. In other words, Paris and Helen are bratty adolescents making impulsive, selfish decisions who whine constantly. Menelaus mopes and minces. Achilles is a vainglorious homosexual. Agamemnon is a pompous schemer. Hector and Aenaeas... are sensible, upstanding dudes. Most of the women get short shrift in the first few books (ho-hum at home, I suppose, if you're not a gassed-up oracle or priestess). Of all the characters, Odysseus comes across as having the greatest arc, but in such an epic tale with so great a cast, it should come as little surprise that each member of the cast is as two-dimensional as the art. Scenes are likewise abrupt and dialogue somewhat stilted. There's just too much to cover and too little time.

In this volume, Agamemnon struggles to keep his loose confederation of Achaean allies together. For one thing, reliance on inexperienced Achilles leads them into a disastrous attack on the wrong town. For another, bad weather and neglected harvests necessitate a multi-year hiatus. Moreover, it would appear that women must be martyrs for men to be heroes. Who said conducting an extended military campaign would be easy? (Shut up, Odysseus, no one's listening to you.)

[Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

“GO! The wind blows seaward now! Your way to Troy is open! Go on! I hope you all die in the war you’ve created for yourselves!”
—

So I had *wanted* to try to get the first one in this series, and the online catalogue listed this as an omnibus with the first three volumes. This was not that; it was just volume two. And I decided to read it anyway, because it’s not like I don’t know what happens. It’s the Trojan War! And even if I didn’t know, this edition comes with a handy-dandy recap of the previous installment, so you get the highlights.

The idea behind “Age of Bronze” is that it’s a retelling of the Trojan War, but aside from name and events, it’s trying to be historically accurate to the time period in which the events are supposed to have taken place. That means instead of classical Greek armor and fashion, it’s even further back, with outfits and arms that look a little odder, but are true to the Myceanean period.

Also, there aren’t really any supernatural elements. Which is… I’m always a bit mixed whenever an author decides to do “Myths, but without the actual mythological parts”, generally because very often writers use that as an excuse to do whatever they feel like, the original stories being only vague outlines. Shanower is able to get around this problem, because (thus far, at least) the storyline follows the myths very closely, and the deviations are minor.

This installment covers a few years–the arrival of Paris and Helen at Troy, the raid on Mysia, up until (as you can probably guess by the title) the sacrifice of Iphigenia. The result is quite grim–as is the original story.

[To be clear, there are some pretty rough elements here; if you know mythology, you know that, but in case it’s not clear–it’s not a happy-go-lucky comic.]

I’m not sure if the ‘taking out the myths’ bit is going to work in every instance–I’m not sure if it works every time here. The story still works, because Shanower is working really hard to develop the characters enough that their decisions make sense for their situations. And unlike something like “Troy”, he doesn’t just write characters like Agamemnon as being stupid jerks to move the narrative forward. Agamemnon does some horrible things, yes (‘cause, y’know, Iphigenia), but it’s not just because he’s a horrible person–he has a whole breakdown about being part of a cursed bloodline, and what will his men do if they think he’s keeping them from attaining glory.

If there is one huge thing that really bothers me, it’s that looking into this series…it’s unfinished. Shanower started making these comics back in 1998, and it still hasn’t been finished. I don’t know where to find more of these, or when he plans to finish it, if he plans to finish it. At this point, I think it might be taking longer than the war itself, which is… interesting.

But it’s a cool little attempt to tell the story of the Trojan War in a historical context.

[Rick Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second volume of Age of Bronze significantly shifts to the Achaean perspective of the war. After the Achaean armies united under the High King Agamemnon set sail for Troy in the first volume, things don't really go their way. Mistaking the shores of Mycia for Troy, Achilles leads a vanguard to smash the local forces and severely wounds the Mycian king Telephus. Learning that Telephus is a son of revered hero Heracles, the Achaeans are able to sue for peace though it comes at the cost of many slain on both sides including Telephus' own wife and the Achaean king Thersander. While Agamemnon and Odysseus are able to placate Telephus, the morale of the Achaean troops takes a significant downturn. As the Trojans deal with their own internal crisis involving Paris' disastrous mission at Lacedaemon, the Achaeans war effort seems prematurely doomed. To placate the gods, Agamemnon is presented with a choice regarding a blood sacrifice of his eldest daughter Iphigenia. Shanower leans heavily on the famous play by Euripides ("Iphigenia in Aulis") which depicts the tragic events that lead towards the Trojan War finally starting. The story has immense emotional heft to it, with the dialogue as written by Shanower being sharp and moving.

What I like most about Shanower's take on this story is that even though he strips away the mythical aspects of Homer's Iliad, it still has much of the romanticism to it. The story is tragic irrespective of characters like Apollo and Artemis, and it's apparent in the human reactions by characters like Lycomedes chewing out Achilles for abandoning his daughter and Clytemnestra rebuking Agamemnon for shirking his duty as a father and husband. Odysseus, who was presented with a prophecy that he would return home only after twenty years abroad and would be unrecognizable upon his return, states that he can barely even recognize himself after just four years of service. It's this very human component to the conflict that makes for such fantastic storytelling, and Shanower is really able to get these moments to shine. The artwork by Shanower is also really great for the most part, with all the weapons, clothing and architecture being depicted with utmost care. My only gripe with the artwork is that a lot of faces look similar, so it can be a bit of a challenge to distinguish characters, especially with black & white artwork where context clues can get lost. But Shanower's writing is sharp enough to create sufficient context, and the rather linear approach to telling the story makes it easy enough to follow. Overall, this was a major improvement over the already solid first volume, largely since there is much more drama involved.

[Dominick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shanower's ambitious take on the Trojan War continues, featuring some excellent realistic (more or less) art, though telling who is who remains a challenge both because there are so many characters and because several look fairly similar, Shanower's laudable efforts to differentiate them notwithstanding. There are some impressive sequences, and some notable devices (e.g. the constant sussurus of the wind delaying the departure from Aulis that serves basically as horizontal gutters across many pages). The ambiguity about whether the gods are real or not is also interesting. On the one hand, there is no concrete evidence of this, only the claims of various characters to (for instance) prophetic ability or divine parentage. Kalchas, especially, is interesting as a character who sometimes seems to be making stuff up to appease whoever he is talking to, but who also, at times anyway, really seems to have prophetic ability. On the other, all the prophecies either come true or, we know, will come true, since we already actually know the story. Maybe Shanower's going for something like what Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell did in From Hell: I made it all up, and it came true anyway. The action does seem to hang fire. This is at least in part because a big chunk of the book is taken up with Agamemnon vacillating about whether he will sacrifice Iphigenia (a question which remains tantalizingly ambiguous at the end: Odysseus tells Klytemnestra that the gods intervened at the last second and spared her, carrying her living body elsewhere to continue life--not impossible if the gods are real, of course, but Odysseus is very much capable of lying to achieve his ends, and in this instance, the story is designed to appease Klytemnestra). Nevertheless, after a while, one almost wishes he'd just do it and have done, so the plot can continue--and if i feel this way reading the collected edition, I wonder how this must have felt to those reading the serialized version. Anyway, very well executed, always gorgeous to look at, but perhaps a bit ploddingly paced.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really compelling version of this story. Some things are better seen than read. This graphic novel shows the return of Paris to Troy with Helen and the re-gathering of the Greeks at Aulis. My issues with this graphic novel are basically the same as the first one. The black and white drawings can be a bit hard to psrse at times (although there are some incredible full page spreads) and the characters start to look the same. It’s a challenge to differentiate so many different characters, and Shanower does manage to give each of the main Greek warriors their own distinctive look, but the Trojans all kind of bleed into each other. I suppose the enemy does all look the same through the eyes of the attacker, but Homer didn’t homogenize the Trojans...

There are some incredible moments of pathos in the second half of this volume which focuses exclusively on the Greeks and their fateful sacrifice at Aulis. There is no ‘good guyk or ‘bad guy’ in this episode, and we get to see the suffering of all involved. But we also can see how these events shaped the characters into those who we meet in Homer’s Iliad. The personalities and the histories that shape them perfectly encapsulate proud Achilles, angry Agamemnon, and scheming Odysseus.

One final complaint about an otherwise incredible book: there are no page numbers. Shanower has clearly consulted a vast array of primary sources and research material to piece together this story, but the publisher doesn’t allow readers to treat this text in the same way. I’d love to be able to assign this graphic novel in a class on the Trojan War, but without page numbers, how could I give the students clear instructions on where to start and stop?

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Shanower is crafting one of the medium's masterpieces here, and more people should be paying attention. Sure, the Greek names can be hard to keep track of (I can handle the Achaeans for the most part; the Trojans are harder for me), but Shanower's ability to give his characters life and distinctiveness does make it so much easier. Even if you forget Odyseus' name, you can easily remember that the bearded, slightly balding man is Agamemnon's most trusted advisor. And, honestly, when you sit down and tear into a book as substantial as this one (over 220 pages), you DO start to remember them.

But enough niggling over the names. Because Age of Bronze is about more than the characters involved in the story (although the characters do inform everything that happens) - it's about fate and grand sweeping epic movements of man. It's FILLED with ridiculous amounts of detail, right down the types of metal and wood and building styles were used at the time.

Shanower's script is perfect, nailed the right emotional chords, slipping in bits of humor, and explaining the motivations of every character. I think that off all Age of Bronze's many positive qualities, the fact that every character's motivation is believable and even supportable is probably the book's most compelling attribute.

And Shanower's art is among the most gorgeous, detailed and clear to ever appear on a comics page. Superb, timeless work here.

[Mrs Steinmetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 2, satu dari beberapa seri bergambar by Eric Shanower. Meski cergam, Eric menyertakan map like lazimnya (high) fantasi seperti legendarium Tolkien & Paolini. Terjemahan Lulu Wijaya mudah dipahami tapi terkesan kaku. Apa apa yang pernah gue bayangin dari nonton film Troy rasanya tidak selalu pas dengan plot & twist cergam ini.

Setelah 18 tahun lewat dan re-read, sungguh mengesankan mengasah kembali memori dari legenda Yunani paling terkenal yang pernah gue kecap & nyaris lupa--hingga tahun ini muncul demam Helen coz film Odyssey akan rilis tidak berapa lama lagi, dengan satu dua perubahan pada diri Helen yang cukup mengganggu tapi mau gimana lagi, suka suka Nolan lah.

Buku bagus adalah buku yang menyertakan map, daftar nama dan lokasi di halaman belakang, bahkan lebih bagus lagi ditambahkan silsilah dan daftar pustaka. Pembaca yang gandrung pada silsilah seperti gue akan senang sekali bisa mengecek lagi memori dari sebenarnya kek gimana sih hubungan keluarga Agamemnon dan Menelaus dengan tokoh tokoh krusial like Helen, Iphygenia, Odysseus, Ajax, Achilles, Priam, Hektor, Paris. Dan bonusnya menemukan bahwa misal Telemon ayah Ajax dan paman Achilles itu ternyata juga memperistri Hesione saudari dari Priam. Atau Odysseus dekat dengan duo Agamemnon dan Menelaus sebab istri istri mereka bersaudara--cucu cucu Oibalos.

[Koen Claeys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Shanower continues his sweeping, historically grounded retelling of the Trojan War in "Age of Bronze : Sacrifice".

In this volume, the actual siege of Troy proves to be an incredibly frustrating and failing endeavor for the Greeks, stalling before it even properly begins. The campaign is repeatedly derailed by severe setbacks, including one grandiose mistake. Continuous blunders and internal political friction perfectly showcase how fragile and chaotic this massive military alliance truly is.

Reading through these events made me think about how much our lives are often completely predetermined by our own backstories and the actions of multiple generations before us. The Greek rulers, despite all their power and political plotting, seem to have virtually no say or control over their predetermined fate.

This series remains to be no easy read, as it requires close attention to keep track of the dense political schemes and massive web of characters. However, it remains deeply fascinating and rewarding literature. The dramatic buildup to the inevitable sacrifice makes it a gripping continuation of the saga, and it leaves me eager to see how the war unfolds in the next volume.

[Merin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In volume two of this series, you get a glimpse of some of Agamemnon and Menelaus' background, particularly the curse on their family that seems to require that they "consume" each other. The "consume" in one case - that of Tantalus, who killed his children, cooked them, and served them to the gods - is quite literal, while in all the other cases it typically means that they either killed each other, or did something that made one of them kill themselves. It's really quite the dark family that Helen married into (and we find out that there's a curse on her and her siblings as well, which says they'll marry evil men), which I hadn't realized. I'd heard the story of Tantalus - he's one of the mythological characaters in the Percy Jackson books - but hadn't realized that he was Agamemnon and Menelaus' great-great-whatever grandfather.

This book gets its title from the sacrifice that Agamemnon must give Artemis - the life of his daughter, Iphigenia, as she was the "most beautiful thing from Mycenae fourteen years ago" when Agamemnon made his promise to the goddess. However, there's much hand-wringing and ideas to escape and run and everything else he can come up with to escape it, so I give him credit for that. At least it wasn't just a "eh" moment for him; he had to go through a lot before he finally consented, and then he only did consent because the army was all up in arms (literally) and would have killed her anyway. Iphigenia also decides that it's her "moment of glory", so decides she'll just submit. Clytemnestra, Agamemnon's wife (and Helen's sister) obviously doesn't consent at all; it's from her that we hear about her and Helen's curse, while she's railing away at Agamemnon. She's got quite the spine, let's just say that.

We also get our first introduction to the homosexuality present in this story, with Patroclus and Achilles. Nothing was terribly graphic, but Achilles does say "forget you" to his wife (and son, although he has to pause a moment to think about that, at least) and run off to his father's land with Patroclus. Gotta love it. Odysseus was his normal clever, creative and amusing self, and it was funny to see him try to get away from Agamemnon and get back to Ithaka to see his wife and child (it's been four years since the start of the first volume, and he hasn't been home at all in that time). Agamemnon wasn't having any of it, which made it all the more funny. Odysseus even tells him that, since the suitor's debt (which is what has all these Greeks gathered in the first place, and is making them have to sail to Troy to try to fetch Helen back) was his idea, and as a result he got his wife Penelope out of the deal, he doesn't even have to be there. There's also a portion devoted to Agamemnon's irritation with Palamedes, who keeps undermining Agamemnon without even realizing that he's doing it. (Odysseus is also annoyed with Palamedes, and it's this irritation that Agamemnon uses to keep Odysseus in Mycenae.) At one point, all of the men are playing this game, and are content, not fighting, etc. Agamemnon, who's been caught up in the whole "I must sacrifice my daughter" thing, hasn't realized what's been keeping them busy, but it turns out that Palamedes invented the game, which just further irritates Agamemnon, even though he was the one who'd told Palamedes to find something to keep the men occupied. Poor Palamedes just can't catch a break.

There were some really LOL moments in this volume, particularly when Odysseus tells Agamemnon that he needs to promise all the soldiers that they'll get Helen, and that they need to advertise just how beautiful Helen is in order to motivate them. So there's a picture of Odysseus standing on a ship yelling out, "And wait until you see the breasts on her!" which made me crack up, because of all the men there, Odysseus (and possibly Achilles) is the least interested in Helen. And, of course, Menelaus' reaction to this is basically a *facepalm*. Also, when Agamemnon refuses to sacrifice his daughter, Odysseus basically says, "Well, screw you and your popsicle stand, I'm going back to Ithaka!" And of course Agamemnon can't have that - Odysseus is so clever that he pretty much saves Agamemnon's butt throughout this volume - so in order to keep Odysseus from leaving, he has to write to Clytemnestra and ask her to send Iphiginia to the camp so they can get on with it. Odysseus is really too clever for his own good.

My favorite part was probably this bit below. Menelaus throws this giant tantrum because Agamemnon has decided that they won't sail for Troy until after the winter, and runs off screaming into the hills in anger,

Odysseus: What's the matter with Menelaus?
Agamemnon: Odysseus, don't ever fall in love with your wife.

And right after this is when Palamedes accidentally undermines Agamemnon by saying that he's going hunting to find his men some meat, and won't they do the same? So, grumbling, Agamemnon and Odysseus head off into the woods because neither one of them can stand Palamedes and certainly can't have him one-upping them.

Agamemnon: Hunting hedgehogs in the dark...
Odysseus: I hope he trips and breaks his neck.

I also enjoyed the bit where Agamemnon basically called Helen a whore and told Menelaus that he should have kept a closer watch on her and not left her at home with Paris, and then none of this would have happened and they wouldn't HAVE to go to Troy or wait out the winter, or any of the other things that they've gone through just because Helen ran off. Gotta love that older brother irritation with his younger sibling. Only Clytemnestra has a clue that perhaps Helen wanted to run off with Paris; it just shows how arrogant Menelaus and Agamemnon are. Of course, Agamemnon might have a clue, of course, but hasn't said anything to his brother, while Menelaus remains convinced that Helen was kidnapped. Honestly, if I were Helen, I'm not sure WHICH guy I'd choose. Menelaus has no backbone, but Paris is basically nothing but a good-looking, arrogant ass. In my opinion, Helen would be better off on her own!

[Terry Mulcahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historically accurate illustrations. Helen of Troy as she likely was. All the heroes presented as human beings first, but heroes in legend. A story based on a synthesis of all the myths, all the stories, not just of war and battles, but human dramas, the human sacrifices, human misery, treachery, and love. Vol. 1 was good; this volume is even better. It's a spell-binding story of humanity's earlier years. Have we changed? Some things have changed. Perhaps our essential being has not. Look at base politicians dividing us. Look at rumors, lies, hypocrisy, and false gods in the here and now. Look at the war in Ukraine, homelessness, and madness. Look at desperate people fleeing war-ravaged countries seeking asylum. Look at ignorance and greed welcomed, indeed, championed as good things. Has it always been so, and will it ever change? There are good things in the world, and good people, but all that can be wiped out. All of that can be forgotten. On balance, most of all of humanity must lead the way with their essential goodness. There is no evil alone. Evil is what we do, what we allow. Have we learned nothing since the Age of Bronze?

[Edward Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 2 tells the story of the Greeks preparing for their upcoming attack on Troy to reclaim Helen from Paris, Prince of Troy. Achilles meets up with his true love, Patroklus, Odysseus begins his time away from home and King Agamemnon is forced to make the greatest of Sacrifices to insure that the Gods sail with them and insure a future victory.

Excellent story and great artwork though I would like to have seen the panels in color as was the case in Volume 1 rather than the black and white. Maybe if it sells enough the publisher will spring for adding coloration.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shanower made the decision to not have the gods physically present in this telling of the tale. Certainly the people claim to get messages from the gods, but they are not actually seen, which gives it a more realistic feel.

(Paris, who was responsible for stealing Helen from her husband Menelaus, is a total prick. Although Helen is rather insufferable, so they're well suited to one another.)

[Luana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true feat of the genre, nay of the medium itself! The artwork is phenomenal, the many disparate sources are woven into the narrative perfectly, and Shanower manages to make the, uh, rather leisurely paced events of the Iliad feel like an epic in the truest sense. The revelation of the extent of Agamemnon's curse was so insane it almost became comical. I also vaguely knew Herakles was a shit but WHAT a shit!

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly this volume does much to make Agamemnon a sympathetic character, which is something I haven't seen much of before. He's quite easy to make into a stock villain but is very human in this chapter, which I think is successful in fulfilling a far-reaching prophecy without actually needing the gods themselves to make an appearance.