If artist Frank Miller drew a run of the comic “Prince Valiant,” it might look something like Ben McCool and Mario Guevara’s “Nevsky: A Hero of the People.” Not only is McCool and Guevara’s medieval graphic novel based on actual historical events like Miller’s “300,” but it has comparable stylized violence and glossy polish as well.
The similarities between the two techniques end there however. McCool and Guevara ink their characters and settings in vibrant colors such as blues, reds, and greens that really pop off the page. They rely very little on the dark colors and shadows that Miller uses to create depth. Plus, instead of pouring on blood and guts by the bucketful, their book eschews Miller’s explicit imagery in favor of a more restrained method for showing violence. Despite the multiple large battles in “Nevsky: Hero of the People,” the gore in them never feels excessive.
This graphic novel also differs from “300” because it takes a grounded approach to its title character, Alexander Nevsky, portraying him as a heroic leader and genius military strategist without overly embellishing his exploits. Nevsky defends the Russian countryside by using a believable combination of bravery and smarts against both Mongolian hordes and Teutonic knights who attempt to conquer and enslave his people. Much like the Persians in “300,” Nevsky’s enemies possess a blinding overconfidence, except their armies and weapons don’t live in the realm of fantasy. As you might expect, their arrogance is something that Nevsky capitalizes on with his brilliant battle plans.
What’s fascinating about “Nevsky: A Hero of the People” is that it’s not simply based on real events. McCool and Guevara are actually adapting Russian director Sergei Eisenstein’s famous 1938 film “Alexander Nevsky.” For those who are unfamiliar with Eisenstein’s movie, the graphic novel includes interesting written pieces at the beginning and end that provide appropriate historical context. They describe the circumstances that led Eisenstein to shoot “Alexander Nevsky,” its glowing reception in Russia, its important cultural significance, and its vital impact on Eisenstein’s career.
As tribute to this great picture, the authors bring Eisenstein’s sprawling epic to life on the page, creating a compelling and immersive experience. Its only real detriment is that at points the dialogue between the characters feels a bit stiff and old timey, although that seems to be a function of the faithfulness of their adaptation. Aside from that minor stumbling block, “Nevsky: A Hero of the People” is a fun, fast, surprisingly educational read.
“Nevsky: A Hero of the People” is available on Amazon and at shop.idwpublishing.com.