Broken Frontier

A mighty Scandinavian warrior battles a horrific monster in this adaptation of the classic epic poem.

Before I proceed, I’d like to say what a pleasant surprise it’s been to have reviewed two different comics about Beowulf (counting Speakeasy’s modern update of the character). It warms this former English major’s heart to see the champion of the Geats make such a comeback in popular culture.

For those unfamiliar with the story, Beowulf: The Legend is based on the famous Old English poem of a Scandinavian warrior. Fulfilling an oath to his father, Beowulf travels across the sea to the realm of the Danes, a land terrorized by a monstrous creature called Grendel and his she-demon mother. In the mead-hall of King Hrothgar, Beowulf faces foes both human and inhuman, political intrigue, and that most deadly of perils—a pretty face.

Beowulf: The Legend is the first of several graphic novels that will chronicle and expand upon the hero’s life. In this inaugural volume, Stephen L. Antczak and James C. Bassett begin at the beginning by adapting the original poem. The creators recognize that many awkward or incomprehensible translations have given this adventure story a bad reputation. As such, their version is rendered in plain English, easily accessible and driven by the visuals whenever possible. They also choose to develop the story by focusing on the doomed romance and court intrigue surrounding Beowulf’s love for the king’s daughter, Freawaru, whose engagement to a tribal prince could bring peace to the land. The decision pays off and adds a relatable human element to the otherwise melodramatic atmosphere of battle and monsters. Both Beowulf and Freawaru are bound by duty and honor while the princess’ betrothed, Ingeld, and her mother, Queen Wealtheow, frequently plot against the presumptuous foreign hero for reasons of their own.

Andy Lee illustrates the story in a very distinct and expressionistic ink-and-paint style. Lee’s images are often simply the hint of a shape or figure scrawled across the panel or emerging from a blot of gray-shaded darkness. One can almost imagine the artist slashing his paintbrush at the canvas like Beowulf with his sword. The effect is one of primal immediacy but it also leads to a number of rather murky or unclear images. Battle scenes are particularly disorienting and characters are sometimes difficult to tell apart. The art style befits the character and world but a little more clarity or a stronger outline might benefit the story in future volumes.

The Legend is a promising start for the series but if accessibility and bringing the story to a new generation are the creators’ goals, there’s still some room for improvement.