Customer Reviews

Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath

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I love it when a classic tale gets revamped and retold so when I saw Alexis E. Fajardo's readable re-working of the northern European epic of Beowulf into his own graphic novel Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath, I knew I had to pick it up.

Like a modern, American version of Astérix, Fajardo imbues his tale with humorous anachronism, archaic invocations of the Norse gods: "by Odin's eye!" and a character list long enough to fill a mead hall. However, his quick-handed illustrations and flowing narrative never lose the reader in a mire of swamp snakes as they try to sort out where these ancient people's allegiances lie in a constantly shifting landscape of survival and migration. I think his mix of old and new should appeal to readers young and old alike.

Neither as violent nor as graphic as the original saga, this graphic novel diverges widely from the original text while managing to remain faithful to the general atmosphere of the era. The characters of Gertrude (the half-dragon mother to twins Grendel and Beowulf) and the jaded, world-weary Dragon are perhaps some of the most humorous and well-developed characters though younger readers should easily be able to relate to the impetuous actions of hormone-driven the Geats, Danes and Heathobards.

With an ambitious twelve-part series in the works, Fajardo sets the stage in Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath for Grendel and Beowulf's travels across Europe and all the great civilizations of the old world, like China, Mesopotamia, Hellas (Greece) and the Kievan Rus (Russia). For each subsequent graphic novel he proposes a retelling of these cultures' classic sagas, all with our two twin heroes at the center of the action, of course. The next title in the series is set for a voyage to medieval France and a few centuries' jump to the future in Kid Beowulf and the Song of Roland.

An illustrated Cliff's Notes version of the Beowulf passages you were assigned to read in incomprehensible Olde English for your English Lit course, this isn't; you certainly won't be able to write your term paper on the original after reading just this.

However, if you've got a passion for the classics and medieval European culture and enjoy seeing them updated in a humorous light, then this graphic novel is for you. I see more and more graphic novels being used to teach the classics today, both at the high school and collegiate level; so if you find yourself railing against the fact that "kids these days" never pick up a book anymore, much less one of the classic epics that comprise a part of European culture, then this comic is a great way to get them hooked. I for one was ready to jump into the next in the series, but unfortunately I'll have to wait until it's published!

What a joy to see a historic story line with age-old concepts and character studies re-introduced to a rather jaded public - both young and old! Alexis E. Fajardo as author and artist has taken a very large bite of the apple in bringing Beowulf back to the fireside. His ideas for future such books is very encouraging, and I look forward to seeing his wonderful illustrations and reading his marvelous dialogues. All in all a brilliant start on what I hope will be a very successful series. I wish Alexis a very long career in his writing and illustration.

I was amazed at the original twist on this ancient tale. The illustrations are gorgeous! I can't wait for the sequels.

Even having next to no knowledge of the original myth, I found this graphic novel very entertaining. Fajardo does a good job of mixing witty, dry humor with mythology, and both the characters of Beowolf and Grendel were unexpected and refreshing. My favorite moments, however, came from the subtle wit of the side characters. I think the Dragon and Nagling, the sword, are my favorite characters so far. I can't wait to watch this story progress!

This delightful read is great for all ages. I have not read the original epic poem, Beowulf, so I found the prologue very helpful. The illustrations are wonderful, the emotions of the characters really leap off the page. I can't wait for the next book, I'll be reading it right away!

A clever adaptation of a timeless classic. Great storyline, and beautiful illustrations. This will be enjoyed by those knowledgeable of the Beowulf storyline, as well as those who are unfamiliar with the legend. Highly recommended.