The graphic novel adaptations of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians the Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel seems to rely on you having read the full novels. In fact, most of the graphic novel adaptations feel this way. However,
you can still follow the action, but sometimes things fell assumed or feel missing. They are good books, but not great in my opinion. I will still read him, as I like the comfort of the reading level and the story itself, but I will not be OMG THEY ARE AMAZING. Robert Venditti does a good job of adapting Riordan’s novels and I do recommend them. I even have a special needs cousin (around 10 or so) who is reading Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief with his grandmother. Therefore, all ages and abilities can enjoy.
The story is Percy Jackson is a young boy in private school, he has trouble learning, is a bit of a “screw up” and has a loyal best friend. When he learns he is half-god he is sent to a camp for the children of the Gods. And here Percy learns of a big “no no” has happened with his birth: Zeus, Poseidon and Hades swore they would never have another half-human/half-god child, but Poseidon has broken that promise. Due to this, and the fact Percy is blamed for stealing Zeus’s thunderbolt and something from Hades, he must go on a quest to find the real thief. There is a slight open ending, but also, for the most part, it is wrapped up. If you have seen the movie there is a piece of the puzzle you might now, but is not adresses her. And not having read the novel, I am not sure if same said something is addressed.
Greek mythology is partly rewritten but keeps with the spirit of things. One of the pieces that differ from myth, movies and possibly the book is the interpretation of the looks of the characters. Such as, instead of making Ares a “smooth looking God” he reminded me of a villain in The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (only not as goofy). And from what little Greek Mythology I still remember, it seems as if Riordan has created his own twists to them.
And, with this book, I wonder how close the adaptation is to the novel. I know it and the movie have a few spots not matching. I want to know if Percy (being around 12-13 years-old) is like the hero of the book, could he and his friends fight the villains and find the missing lightning bolt. I know that in the graphic novel Grover, best friend of Percy, is a young Norville “Shaggy” Rogers looking character, where in the movie he is a young man of color. These and the other parts of the book would make a great English paper comparing how the three differ. And because of that, if you have a reader who is not “into reading” but likes adventure movies, you can either “novel it” or “graphic novel it.”
The illustrations and art of Jose Villarrubia and Attila Fuaki are the icing of the cake for me. While dark, they are not depression or dreary. They are detailed, odd colors bringing the myth alive. It is sophisticated and has an almost cartoon quality to them. Everything has a classic graphic novel feeling.
