Graphic Novel Review: Beowulf by Santiago Garcia and David Rubin

Posted on June 6, 2024 at 6:09 am by Gene Ambaum

Beowulf by Santiago Garcia and David Rubin. Translation by Sam Stone and Joe Keatinge. Image, 2018. 9781534309197.

I read this version years ago and loved it; reading Zach Weinersmith and Boulet’s Bea Wolf made me want to reread it. This time I finally bought a copy for myself. I’d forgotten how great the art looks in this large-format graphic novel. The battle scenes still wowed me.

Beowulf, Hrothgar, Vikings, Grendel, Grendel’s mom, the dragon — they’re all captured in cinematic layouts and drawings that seem organic. If you read the John Gardener version as a kid, and/or if you’re waiting for the next Head Lopper book from Andrew MacLean, find a copy of this.