Description

“From New York Times bestselling and award-winning creator John Hendrix comes *The Mythmakers*, a graphic novel biography that explores the deep friendship and creative collaboration between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. This compelling story follows their journey from childhood to literary greatness, revealing how their bond helped shape some of the most beloved works of fantasy literature.

Through a combination of narrative storytelling and comic panels, Hendrix traces their early years, from idyllic childhoods to the horrors they faced on the battlefields of World War I. Their first meeting at Oxford in 1929 marked the beginning of a friendship that would influence their thinking on mythology, faith, and the artistic value of fantasy literature—at a time when fantasy was often seen as a genre meant only for children.

The graphic novel delves into how their creative fellowship developed, including their participation in the Inklings, a literary circle that fostered camaraderie and intellectual discussion. Their friendship was not always smooth; Hendrix also explores the conflicts and differences that led to a period of estrangement before their eventual reconciliation. The book closes by highlighting how Lewis and Tolkien’s contributions to literature revitalized the imagination of the 20th century after the devastation of two world wars.

Presented in a style similar to *The Faithful Spy*, Hendrix combines prose with illustrated storytelling. The narrative is often framed as conversations between a wise wizard and a humorous lion, making complex ideas accessible and engaging. Additionally, the book uses “gateway” sections that lead readers to back matter, where deeper discussions on themes such as mythology, world-building, and the role of faith in storytelling are explored. This allows the main story to remain fast-paced while offering additional insights for those interested in a more academic perspective.

Some of the key ideas examined include:

– Tolkien’s approach to world-building
– The connection between their faith and creative works, known as the “Theology of Creation”
– The meaning and impact of true friendship
– The relationship between mythology and modernity
– The significance of fantasy as a literary form
– The power of creative communities like the Inklings
– A comparison of storytelling techniques in *The Lord of the Rings* and *The Chronicles of Narnia*, highlighting differences in their use of symbolism and allegory
– The contrasting creative styles of Lewis and Tolkien, with Tolkien’s meticulous world-building versus Lewis’s faster, more intuitive storytelling approach
– Logos vs. Mythos: Lewis’s inspiration drawn from images, while Tolkien’s was rooted in language
– The blending of different mythological influences in their works

The book also includes an author’s note, endnotes, a bibliography, and an index, making it a rich and informative resource for readers of all backgrounds. *The Mythmakers* is an insightful exploration of two literary giants whose friendship and vision transformed the landscape of modern fantasy storytelling.”