Beowulf: The Graphic Novel

Macho men versus monsters

This graphic novel follows the popular view of “Beowulf” as extolling the heroism, violence, and manliness of Beowulf and the other Scandanavians. Grendel and his mother are literal monsters here, but it was nice that they give Grendel’s mother a voice, emphasizing her maternal nature. This would be more appreciated, but the depiction of her as a strange sea monster is counter to the original language, which merely calls her “ides aglaecwif” or “noblewoman, avenging-woman” although the exact translation is subject to much scholarly debate. Despite the sexualized nature of Wealhtheow and Hygd, the novel does significantly nod to their power and agency as independent characters.
The novel’s message of praising Beowulf as a paragon of masculinity and a great leader is in line with some translations, like that of Heaney and Chickering, but the preface to the novel does acknowledge it is one of several valid interpretations that the text and scholarship have suggested. One part of this interpretation I particularly enjoyed was the presentation of the fight with Grendel as a team effort where his man dies in battle, rather than in the original where it seems Beowulf calmly watches as Grendel makes an appetizer of Beowulf’s soldier. As a graphic novel with it’s particular interpretation, it is entertaining and interesting. As good as Heaney’s translation, in it’s own way and genre.