Democracy

Papadatos and Di Donna, artists of the acclaimed and bestselling Logicomix, team with writer and academic Kawa for an incisive and entertaining visual history of the roots of democracy. This journey is a saga comparable to epics such as Frank Miller’s 300 and Eric Shanower’s Age of Bronze, with a touch of Jack Kirby’s wondrous mythological civilizations. Greek hero Leander functions as the entry point, giving the book striking immediacy and personality as it traces the historical transition from his society’s utter faith in the Greek gods to the beginnings of modern politics. Papadatos’s lively and energetic art illuminates battles, alliances, political machinations, and vivid personalities, and Di Donna’s intense coloring is gloriously rich without a touch of gaudiness. For those interested in further background, the extensive back matter features useful commentary on both legendary and historical figures and concepts. Like Logicomix, this is a brilliantly realized stealth education. (Sept.)