Wednesday, March 7, 2007

300 by Frank Miller

  • Hardcover: 88 pages
  • Publisher: Dark Horse; 1098 edition (December 15, 1999)
  • ISBN-10: 1569714029
  • ISBN-13: 978-1569714027
  • List price: $30.00
  • I finished this book on Mar. 7
So, in honor of the movie coming out this week (which I'm super stoked about) and my love for graphic novels, I wanted to check this out. I however, being a broke college student had to wait for one of my more economically comfortable pals shelled out the $30. That seems like a lot for something that's under 100 pages, but fyi: it's totally worth it.
Miller's telling of the epic battle between 300 Spartans and approximately a zillion Persians centers around Spartan King Leonidas. He is an incredible badass and takes his army of cohort badasses to certain bloody death on the name of his beloved home. You've got to appreciate that. It kind of makes you feel guilty when you complain about jury duty. At least no one's asking you to spend your whole life training to die in a battle you have no hope of winning. I'm just saying.
The illustrations are complex and bloody and breathtaking. The books is also a sort of weird rectangle shape, and it's so big it doesn't quite fit in my bookbag. It does, however, have a nice heavy weight to it, which I appreciate. At the end there is also suggested reading, and I love things like that.
My only hope is that the movie is as interesting and entertaining as this. Having read this, I now have even higher hopes than before.

**Update** I saw the movie last night, and I know that this isn't 'movienerd' but I have to tell you that it was amazing. It was stunning and beautiful. I wanted to lick it. That is all.

3 comments:

Mark said...

This is the first I have heard about the actual story behind 300. I was going to totally pass it up, not even knowing that Frank Miller created the graphic novel seven years ago! Thanks!

A. Rivera said...

That is one thing I hate about graphic novels: some cost as much as a thick hardback and are often less than 100 pages. I try to borrow from my public library when I can, but if I want something latest (or special like a few of Miller's works), I have to shell out. Oh well. By the way, just discovered the blog. Looking good, will have to visit again. Best, and keep on blogging.

Carl V. Anderson said...

Wasn't the movie incredible!?!?! I gushed about it here:

http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=635

I'm in the process of reading the graphic novel right now. Its great and I love seeing how well they made the movie match so many of the panels.