Greek oral tradition
Greek epic The Odyssey is based on an ancient oral epic tradition. This is the most outstanding work of Greek epic, next to the Iliad, is attributed to Homer – a Greek blind singer and reciter of legends. The plot of the story begins after the end of the ten-year Trojan War – the ancient city has been conquered and destroyed. Odysseus – a cunning strategist – tries to return to his native island, Ithaca, to his longing wife Penelope and son Telemachus. At that time, however, he does not know that a long and dangerous journey awaits him, during which his strength and courage will be subjected to many tests. The gods decided that the way home would be difficult and full of temptations … Portrayed in an unusual way and presented in a characteristic frame, the adventures of the heroes are an element of an ideal comic book.
Functional edition
The originator and author of the series is Luc Ferry, while Clotilde Bruneau is responsible for the script. Among the collaborators, it is also worth mentioning Dider Pola (artistic direction), Giovanni Lorusso, Giuseppe Baiguer (drawings), Scarlett Smulkowski (colors), Fred Vignaux (cover) and Ernest Kacperski (translation). Tom Odyseja was substantially consulted with dr hab. Aleksander Wolicki, assistant professor at the Institute of History at the University of Warsaw (numerous publications, including Literacy in Ancient Greece. The Anthropological Model and Historical Sciences , confirm the lecturer’s competence in the discussed matter). The reviewed volume was divided into four parts: The Wrath of Poseidon, the Sorceress of Circe ,Penelope’s trick , Odysseus’s Victory . Despite the volume – almost 200 pages – the comic is read quickly, but the analysis of the graphic layer can significantly extend the reading. The publishers have already got us used to the fact that the comics from the World of Myths series delight with their visuals and draw the reader into the world of gods and people.
Appendix for a scientist
The Odyssey was also enriched with a scientific study by Luc Ferry, in which the adventures of Odysseus were analyzed in detail. Concepts such as: Homeric laughter, nostalgia, Charon’s boat, siren singing were discussed. The expression “[to be] between Scylla and Charybdis” is also explained in detail. This addition is an extraordinary part of the volume and enables the development of the interests of the reader – both teenagers (also high school graduates) and adults (students?). Four volumes were published in the Świat mythów series : Antigone , Daedalus and Icarus , Iliad and the reviewed Odyssey . On the other hand, Gilgamesh and Oedipus are in preparation .
