Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (Olympians Series #3)

by George O'Connor, George O'Connor (Illustrator)

Overview

The story of Hera, Queen of the Gods, and the heroes who won her favor.

Volume 3 of Olympians, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory, introduces readers to the Queen of the Gods and Goddesses in the Pantheon. This volume tells the tales of the many heroes who sought and won Hera’s patronage, most notably Hercules.

In Olympians, O’Connor draws from primary documents to reconstruct and retell classic Greek myths. But these stories aren’t sedate, scholarly works. They’re action-packed, fast-paced, high-drama adventures with monsters, romance, and not a few huge explosions.

O’Connor’s vibrant, kinetic art brings ancient tales to undeniable life, in a perfect fusion of super-hero aesthetics and ancient Greek mythology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596434332
Publisher:	First Second
Publication date:	07/19/2011
Series:	George O'Connor's Olympians Series , #3
Pages:	80
Sales rank:	63,386
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	9 - 14 Years

About the Author

George O'Connor is an author, illustrator and cartoonist. His first graphic novel, Journey Into Mohawk Country, used as its sole text the actual historical journal of the seventeenth-century Dutch trader Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert, and told the true story of how New York almost wasn't. He followed that up with Ball Peen Hammer, the first graphic novel written by playwright Adam Rapp, a dark, dystopian view of a society's collapse. Now he has brought his attention to Olympians, an ongoing series retelling the classic Greek myths in comics form. In addition to his graphic novel career, O'Connor has published several children's picture books, including the New York Times best-selling Kapow, Sally and the Some-Thing, and Uncle Bigfoot. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Reading Group Guide

For Discussion:
Hera is the goddess of marriage, yet her own marriage to Zeus is full of fights.
Who do you think is to blame for that, Zeus or Hera? (Watch out for lightning
bolts and giant snakes when answering this question.)
When Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Superman in the 1930's, they
consciously modeled him on Heracles. What are some aspects that Superman and
Heracles have in common?
Heracles and Jason are two of the greatest heroes of Ancient Greece, and are both
closely connected to Hera. But their respective relationships with her are quite
different. Why do you think that is?
Many of the names in this book will be very familiar to modern readers, like Atlas
and Heracles. What are some modern things that have names taken from Green
mythology?
Do you think it's fair that Hera punishes the children and girlfriends of Zeus? Is it
fair that Zeus keeps cheating on Hera?
The number twelve comes up often in the Greek myths. Heracles performs twelve
labors; there are twelve Olympians, and twelve Titans before them. Why is the
number twelve so important? What other numbers come up a lot in the Greek
myths?
Heracles is given a choice between a hard life, in which he would have to work for
everything but would be remembered forever, and an easy life, in which where
everything would be given to him. Did he make the right choice? What would you
choose?
Very few people believe in the Greek gods today. Why do you think it is important

that we still learn about them?

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Olympians:

“Definitely worth a visit for any young demigod.” —Rick Riordan

“Readers . . . will be delighted with this debut title in the Olympians series of graphic novels.” —BCCB, starred review

From the Publisher

Part of the Olympians series, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory recasts Hera as more complex than a vengeful, jealous wife. This graphic novel uses a skillful dynamic of text and image to present an outspoken, independent, and formidable goddess, detailing her relationship with Heracles, the son of Zeus and one of his many human mistresses. Over half of the text describes Heracles's adventures, from his infancy and role in the creation myth of the Milky Way to his completion of the twelve labors and eventual ascension into Mount Olympus. Throughout this journey, frames feature Hera's watchful observation, revealing her reactions and her role in the difficult path that makes him a hero and eventual deity. By complicating this relationship, the graphic novel offers both a uniquely visual retelling and a distinctive take on Hera's motivations. Furthermore, the text is ideal for classroom use, providing educational notes, character profiles, discussion questions, a bibliography, and reading recommendations. The mix of modern language into the classic tale, the story's adventure and romantic intrigue, and the realistic rather than cartoony image style will draw older teens interested in Greek mythology. Although at times, some gender stereotypes emerge in both image and text, the graphic novel's merit as an appealing educational tool outweighs its shortcomings. Through this gripping visual portrayal, readers can come to understand a different side of the goddess and why Heracles's name means "the glory of Hera." Reviewer: Meghann Meeusen

VOYA - Meghann Meeusen

With colorful graphics and informational text, readers are introduced for yet a third time to an important name in Greek mythology. In this, Volume 3 in the "Olympians" series, readers are introduced to the Goddess Hera, the wife of the great God Zeus. Here the story unfolds of the influence and power that the great goddess had on the heroes of the past including the young Hercules. The story includes the tests that Hera placed in front of Hercules in order for him to find a place on Mount Olympus. Readers are also provided with resources found throughout the book including a diagram of the Olympians family tree, important facts about Hera, and discussion questions that can be used for class. The graphics and content found throughout the novel are geared towards a Young Adult audience and can easily assist in reinforcing lessons about Greek mythology and the beliefs of the ancient Greek culture, Reviewer: BriAnne Baxley, MLIS

Children's Literature - BriAnne Baxley MLIS

Gr 7 Up—O'Connor does not give in to the typical representation of Hera as just a nagging wife; instead, he shows how the goddess of marriage struggles with Zeus's infidelity time and again. Through the story of Heracles, readers see not only how the hero made a name for himself, but also how the Greek gods viewed the lives of mortals and heroes, who play out competitions among the gods with their lives. Though some of the dialogue is a bit shallow and does not reflect the well-rounded picture readers have of Hera by the end of the story, the retelling of the myth accurately reflects several of the original source texts and gives Hera a somewhat vindictive sense of humor. While skipping some darker elements, such as the reason for Heracles's 12 labors and Hera's causing him to go mad and kill his wife and children, the stories are fairly represented, and several instances of Hera's wrath against her husband's lovers are depicted in a few short panels. This is an excellent addition to mythology sections, with action sequences that will appeal to readers of superhero comics. The art also leaves out darker elements. While violence is depicted, the action sequences brilliantly capture the quick movements and tense tone of combat without showing a gorier side. A family tree on the front cover and notes at the end make this useful for classrooms as well.—Alana Joli Abbott, formerly at James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

School Library Journal

Definitely worth a visit for any young demigod.

Rick Riordan

Readers . . . will be delighted with this debut title in the Olympians series of graphic novels.

starred review BCCB