The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien (A Graphic Novel)

(Hardback)

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From New York Times bestselling, award-winning creator John Hendrix comes The Mythmakers, a graphic novel biography of two literary lionsC.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkienfollowing the remarkable story of their friendship and creative fellowship, and how each came to write their masterworks

Through narrative and comic panels, Hendrix chronicles Lewis and Tolkiens near-idyllic childhoods, then moves on to both mens horrific tour of the trenches of World War I to their first meeting at Oxford in 1929, and then the foreshadowing, action, and aftermath of World War II. He reveals the shared story of their friendship, in all its ups and downs, that gave them confidence to venture beyond academic concerns (fantasy wasnt considered suitable for adult reading, but the domain of children), shaped major story/theme ideas, and shifted their ideas about the potential of mythology and faith.

The Mythmakers also shows the camaraderie and the importance of the social/literary circle of friends called the Inklings, and how the friendship of these two great men fell apart and came together again. Hendrix concludes describing how the writings of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien had re-enchanted the 20th century, after two World Wars. In writing aimed at scholars, adults, and young people, these two tweedy academics altered the course of storytelling and embraced the concept that fantasy writing for an adult audience was an accepted form of literature.

The format is similar to The Faithful Spy: prose interspersed with images and narrative comics. The narration is often conversations between a knowledgeable wizard and a comical lion. Through brisk conversation between these two friends, they explain some of the bigger ideas in an approachable and entertaining way. Throughout the story, there are gateways that lead readers to the back matter where certain themes, such as how myth/fantasy evolved or the art of world-building, are discussed more fully. This device keeps the main story flowing quickly and smoothly for those readers not interested in the more academic ideas behind the narrative. Among the ideas covered in the narrative and back matter:

Tolkiens world-building
The Theology of Creation linking their faith to their writings
The meaning of real friendship
Notions of modernity and mythology
The value of fantasy
The power of a creative community
An exploration of the different kinds of storytelling in Narnia and The Lord of the Rings, both relying on the Myth as a storytelling device, but differing in the use of allegory vs. symbolism
The creative differences of Lewis and Tolkien: the high standards of Tolkiens fiction and the faster and more immediate approach of Lewiss
Logos vs. Mythos: Lewis created from images, Tolkien created from language
The mixing of mythologies

Also included are an authors note, endnotes, bibliography and index.

Reviews

***STARRED REVIEW***
"With expressive artwork bringing the key figures deep emotions powerfully to bear while also evoking iconic moments from their beloved books...that passion makes the telling that much more meaningful for readers, who will come away with a nuanced understanding not only of the writers but of the importance of storytelling on the whole."

Author Bio

John Hendrix is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator. His books include the young adult graphic novel The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler (a YALSA Nonfiction Excellence in Nonfiction Award Finalist) and the picture books Go and Do Likewise!: The Parables and Wisdom of Jesus, Shooting at the Stars: The Christmas Truce of 1914, Miracle Man: The Story of Jesus, and Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, A Civil War Hero. He is also the author-artist behind the adult books The Holy Ghost: A Spirited Comic and Drawing Is Magic: Discovering Yourself in a Sketchbook. He is chair of the MFA Illustration and Visual Culture program in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. Hendrix lives in Webster Groves, Missouri.