A graphic novel that explores the lives of two of the most influential fantasy writers? Sign me up! The Wizard (a version of Gandalf) and Mr. Lion (a version of Aslan) come across as very pedantic which drew me out of the experience at times, but the book on the whole is wonderfully informative. This is an approachable introduction to Lewis and Tolkien, and humanises them in a way most biographies fail to do. The section on the war was especially powerful and gives an important backdrop to the serious trauma both writers went through as young men. Paired with the painful losses both experienced at a young age, it's incredible how the pair managed to maintain their creative spirits. I also really enjoyed the Portals. The first one had me worried that these extra scenes would be pitched at too high a level for many readers, but they provide a concise history of genre that adds important context to the spheres in which Tolkien and Lewis were writing. These are especially useful for thinking about their influence and innovation as well as their long term impact. The literary examples also double as a bibliography of sorts, making the Portals helpful for those wanting to read core texts in the field. The Mythmakers is a great academic introduction to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as it is accessible, clearly presented, and supplemented by unique artwork. It's factual (besides the heartbreaking imagined ending), but the tone isn't dry (there are even some hilarious and memorable fun facts like the time the writers dressed as polar bears to a get together that wasn't even a fancy dress party!), and would be a great source for older school students or early university students in particular.

Having read and loved the Narnia books by C.S Lewis and the Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien, The Mythmakers caught my eye when I was looking through the graphic novels section of a bookshop I found on a city trip. As I flipped through the pages I saw how well designed and full of information they were. Although I didn’t buy it immediately, I kept thinking back to seeing it and eventually decided to order it online. I’m glad I did as after reading it from cover to cover I feel that I’ve learned so much about the lives of these influential authors and what influenced their work. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read a book by Lewis or Tolkien, is interested in classic literature and the roots of storytelling, or wants to try a historical biography told in a creative and visually engaging way. My highlight would be the colour palette, I really enjoyed the contrasting purples and yellows. If I had to give any criticism I’d say that sometimes the language used by the narrator characters, which seems to mimic the way that Lewis and Tolkien might have spoken to each other, is sometimes mildly irritating. This didn’t take away too much from my experience of reading it though. Overall I’d say this is the graphic novel format at its best: a use of words, images, characters, and page layouts combined to communicate an informative and engaging narrative.