Guan Yu: Blood Brothers to the End (Graphic Myths & Legends)
The Graphic Universe series continues to scour world culture for various heroes of myth and folklore, this time offering a look at Guan Yu, a Chinese superwarrior circa 2,000 years ago. Here chronicled is his first meeting with his “blood brothers” and his various battles both with and against them, battles that helped to shape ancient China. The importance of honor and loyalty are highlighted over Guan Yu’s physical and strategic prowess, intrigue is given weight equal to fighting, and the bloodshed is kept (mainly) offscreen, meaning the battles are depicted mostly in single panels rather than in more involving multipanel sequences. Most effective, though, is the unfolding of Guan Yu’s life, charted not by his incredible triumphs but by his failures, which provide readers used to infallible heroes with a worthwhile change of perspective. A glossary and further suggested readings are appended. Grades 4-6. --Jesse Karp--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.