《貝武夫》(Beowulf)是古英語中最古老而重要的一篇英雄神話史詩,在語言學方面是相當珍貴的文獻,更是其後無數創作的靈感來源:《魔戒》作者托爾金、1995諾貝爾文學獎得主謝默斯•希尼,乃至今日好萊塢與動漫,都可看見《貝武夫》的影響。完成於975至1025年間,長達3182行,敘述位於北歐的斯堪地那維亞半島,貝武夫所經歷的三場戰役──與怪獸格倫戴爾Grendel、格倫戴爾的母親,還有與巨龍的戰鬥──得勝並成為受眾人愛戴的英雄。
這本圖像小說由作家Santiago Garcia聯手知名繪者David Rubin聯手創作,忠於原始史詩,不修改或把它化為當代的設定,而是專注將史詩的可怖、悲壯、震撼與關鍵的細節。不同於一般常見的奇幻英雄漫畫,也並不只是將古老的故事圖像化,而是透過敘事與圖像的張力,成為深具藝術價值的作品,向原始創作致敬。(文/博客來編譯)
SANTIAGO GARCIA and DAVID RUBIN unite to bring forward the myth of Beowulf, which has endured for a thousand years, inspired an epic poem, become a foundational piece of English literature, and influenced generations of authors: from J.R.R. Tolkien and Seamus Heaney to a multitude of Hollywood screenwriters.
BEOWULF tells of the tale of a Scandinavian hero in lands that would become what is now Denmark and Sweden. A monster, Grendel, has arrived in the kingdom of the Danes, devouring its men and women for over a decade until Beowulf arrives to save them. GARCIA and RUBIN faithfully follow the original story for a new version that is neither revisionist nor postmodern, but captures the tone and important details of the poem, translating its potent, epic resonance and melancholy into a contemporary comic that isn’t standard swords and sorcery or heroic fantasy fare, but rather an ancient story with a modern perspective that remains respectful of the source material.