Review of "Olympians: Hades, Lord of the Dead," by George O’Connor

Review of

Olympians: Hades, Lord of the Dead, by George O’Connor, ISBN 9781596434349

Five out of five stars

 The ancient Greeks worshipped many gods, each of which filled specific roles in the management of human affairs. They also had an elaborate view of what happens to a person after they die, their essence is transported by Hermes to the banks of the river Styx. The ferryman Charon then comes to transport the departed to the other side where they enter the kingdom of Hades, the final destination of the dead. By drinking the water from the river Lethe, the remainder of the person loses all their memory and becomes a mindless wraith that simply exists.

 This graphic novel contains a thorough description of the Greek view of the consequences of death as well as how Hades, the king of the realm of the dead, managed to acquire his queen Persephone. As is always the case within the Greek legends, the gods argue and fight amongst themselves, exhibiting human emotions while they use their mighty powers over human events.

 A great way to introduce one of the most complex legends in Greek mythology, this book can serve as a reference text for classes in Greek mythology. The combination of images and great dialog gives the reader a great deal of knowledge about how the Greeks interpreted the actions of the natural world.