The Best Comics and Graphic Novels About Mythology
Greek gods, Norse sagas, and world folklore retold with real power on the page.
By Web Admin
Mythology and comics were made for each other. Myths have always traveled as vivid images, and comics are sequences of vivid images, so it’s no surprise that some of the medium’s best work retells or reinvents the old stories, from Asgard to Olympus to the Shinto spirits of modern Tokyo. The best comics about mythology split roughly into two camps: faithful retellings that make you fall for the source, and bold reinventions that use the gods to say something new. This guide covers both, across Greek, Norse, Japanese and world myth, with picks for kids, teens and adults.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How we chose: picks come from current Amazon listings, checked against our own reading. We looked for respect for the source, art that earns the word mythic, and stories that work as comics rather than illustrated encyclopedias, and we favored editions you can order today. Prices and stock change often, so the buttons show Amazon’s current price.
| Pick | Best for | Why | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norse Mythology Vol. 1 | Best overall |
| $12.45as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTC | View on Amazon |
| Olympians Boxed Set Books 1-6 | Best for kids |
| $38.88as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTC | View on Amazon |
| Age of Bronze Vol. 1: A Thousand Ships | Best for history buffs |
| $18.58as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTC | View on Amazon |
| The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 1 | Best modern reinvention |
| $6.44as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTC | View on Amazon |
| Lore Olympus: Volume One | Best romance retelling |
| $10.48as of Nov 13, 2026 6:22 am UTC | View on Amazon |
| The Iliad: A Graphic Novel | Best classroom pick |
| $12.99as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTC | View on Amazon |
| Record of Ragnarok Vol. 1 | Best action manga |
| $11.24as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTC | View on Amazon |
| Noragami Omnibus 1 | Best Japanese myth |
| $12.77as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTC | View on Amazon |
Prices and availability change; check Amazon for today’s price. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Norse Mythology Volume 1 — Best overall
Neil Gaiman's retellings of Odin, Thor and Loki, adapted by P. Craig Russell and a team of artists.
Check price on Amazon$12.45as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTCWhy we like it
- Faithful to the myths, funny and grand
- Each chapter drawn by a different artist
- Short chapters suit dipping in and out
- Works for older kids and adults alike
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer / Artists | Neil Gaiman, adapted by P. Craig Russell / various artists |
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
| Collects | The first part of the adaptation (chapter list not stated in listing) |
| Pages | 160 |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; mythic violence, older kids and up |
Norse Mythology Vol. 1 — Gaiman and Russell, Dark Horse, hardcover, 160 pages
Neil Gaiman's 2017 prose book Norse Mythology retold the Norse myths with wit and warmth, and Dark Horse's comic adaptation, overseen by P. Craig Russell, hands each story to a different artist. The first volume covers the beginnings: the nine worlds, Odin's bargains for wisdom, and the schemes and wagers that leave the gods with their treasures, Thor's hammer among them.
It's the ideal starting point because it doesn't modernize anything. Loki is sly, Thor is strong and not very bright, Odin is wise and ruthless, and the stories land with the dry humor of the originals. The rotating art keeps every chapter fresh, though it also means the look shifts from story to story. Volumes 2 and 3 complete the adaptation, and Dark Horse also has a single-volume complete hardcover when stock allows.
Stock on this Volume 1 listing is thin, so if it's gone, Volumes 2 and 3 are easy to find and you can wait for the first to restock. For the superhero take on Asgard, see our best Thor comics.
Pros
- Faithful, accessible retellings
- Varied, high-quality art
- Suits a wide age range
Cons
- Art style shifts chapter to chapter
- You'll want all three volumes
- Limited stock on this listing
Get Norse Mythology Vol. 1 on Amazon
2. Olympians Boxed Set Books 1–6 — Best for kids
Zeus, Athena, Hera, Hades, Poseidon and Aphrodite, one dynamic book each.
Check price on Amazon$38.88as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTCWhy we like it
- Accurate myths told with superhero energy
- Notes and family trees for curious readers
- Six books in one gift-ready box
- Classroom favorite that adults enjoy too
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Creator | George O'Connor |
| Publisher | First Second |
| Collects | Books 1–6: Zeus, Athena, Hera, Hades, Poseidon and Aphrodite |
| Pages | 480 |
| Format | Boxed set of six books |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; all ages |
Olympians Boxed Set Books 1–6 — O'Connor, First Second, boxed set, 480 pages
George O'Connor's Olympians gives each major Greek deity a slim, beautifully drawn book of their own. Zeus covers the war against the Titans; Athena, Hera and the rest follow their own myths, from Hades and Persephone to Poseidon's feuds. O'Connor draws the gods with the bold, dynamic style of superhero comics, which makes them instantly exciting for younger readers.
What lifts the series above most kids' mythology books is that it doesn't simplify the stories into mush. The myths are told accurately, with notes, family trees and discussion questions in the back. That makes it a classroom staple, but adults who love myth will enjoy it too. The series runs to twelve books; this box holds the first six. Our best comics for kids guide has more for this age group.
Pros
- Engaging and accurate
- Great gift format
- Useful back matter
Cons
- Books are short individually
- Second box is harder to find
- Some myths softened slightly for kids
Get Olympians Boxed Set Books 1-6 on Amazon
3. Age of Bronze Vol. 1: A Thousand Ships — Best for history buffs
The Trojan War retold as human history, in meticulously researched detail.
Check price on Amazon$18.58as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTCWhy we like it
- Staggering historical and archaeological detail
- Draws on many versions of the legend
- Treats Achilles, Helen and Paris as real people
- Fine-lined black-and-white art
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Creator | Eric Shanower |
| Publisher | Image Comics |
| Collects | The opening of the series (issue range not stated in listing) |
| Pages | 224 |
| Format | Paperback (new edition) |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; violence and sexual content, older teens and up |
Age of Bronze Vol. 1: A Thousand Ships — Shanower, Image, paperback, 224 pages
Eric Shanower's Age of Bronze (from 1998) is a monumental retelling of the Trojan War. It starts well before the fighting, with Paris discovering he's a prince of Troy, and builds from there to the abduction of Helen and the gathering of the Greek fleet. Shanower weaves together Homer and many later versions of the legend, and grounds it in Bronze Age clothing, architecture and ships.
The gods stay off-stage, which makes this the most human telling on the list: the war happens because of pride, lust and politics. It's a dream project for serious myth and history readers, and it pairs well with our best comics for history buffs. Be aware that Shanower hasn't yet reached the end of the war, so the series is unfinished.
Pros
- Unmatched research and depth
- Clear, elegant art
- Rewards slow reading
Cons
- Series is unfinished
- Large cast takes concentration
- No gods, if that's what you want
Get Age of Bronze Vol. 1 on Amazon
4. The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 1: The Faust Act — Best modern reinvention
Every 90 years, twelve gods return as young people, are adored like pop stars, and die within two years.
Check price on Amazon$6.44as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTCWhy we like it
- Killer premise drawing on world mythologies
- Jamie McKelvie's clean, stylish art
- Twisty mystery from the first issue
- Complete story across nine volumes
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer / Artist | Kieron Gillen / Jamie McKelvie |
| Publisher | Image Comics |
| Collects | The first arc (issue range not stated in listing) |
| Pages | 144 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Reader age | Adults: sex, drugs and violence |
The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 1 — Gillen and McKelvie, Image, paperback, 144 pages
Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's The Wicked + The Divine (2014–2019) has one of the best premises in modern comics. Every ninety years, twelve gods from across world mythology, from Lucifer to Amaterasu to the Morrigan, are reborn in young people. They become wildly famous, perform for adoring crowds, and are dead within two years. When one of them is framed for murder, a teenage fan named Laura gets pulled into the Pantheon's world.
It's dazzling, tragic and very much a story about fame, art and youth. It's complete in nine paperbacks, and Image also sells a single-volume compendium if you're sure. Our Wicked + The Divine review covers the full run.
Pros
- Bold, original take on myth
- Finished series with a real ending
- Striking pop-art visuals
Cons
- Adult content throughout
- Large cast can be hard to track
- Pop-culture tone won't suit purists
Get The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 1 on Amazon
5. Lore Olympus: Volume One — Best romance retelling
Hades and Persephone reimagined as a modern romance among the Olympians.
Check price on Amazon$10.48as of Nov 13, 2026 6:22 am UTCWhy we like it
- Distinctive color-coded art style
- Modern, funny take on the Olympians
- Huge, devoted readership for a reason
- Thick print volumes collect the webcomic
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Creator | Rachel Smythe |
| Publisher | Penguin Random House |
| Collects | The opening episodes of the webcomic (episode range not stated in listing) |
| Pages | 384 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; covers sexual assault and abuse, older teens and up |
Lore Olympus: Volume One — Smythe, Penguin Random House, paperback, 384 pages
Rachel Smythe's Lore Olympus began as a Webtoon phenomenon and is now collected in thick print volumes. It retells the myth of Hades and Persephone as a modern romance: the gods have phones, sports cars and gossip columns, and Persephone, newly arrived on Olympus, catches the eye of the lonely King of the Underworld.
The art is the hook, with each god given a signature color and soft, painterly backgrounds. Underneath the romance, it deals seriously with trauma, consent and abuse, so it's better for older teens and adults than its pastel look suggests. It's a long series, but each volume is satisfying.
Pros
- Gorgeous, unique color work
- Accessible for non-comics readers
- Big volumes
Cons
- Takes liberties with the myths
- Heavy themes beneath the romance
- Many volumes to collect
Get Lore Olympus: Volume One on Amazon
6. The Iliad: A Graphic Novel — Best classroom pick
Homer's war epic, condensed and adapted by Gareth Hinds.
Check price on Amazon$12.99as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTCWhy we like it
- Clear, faithful adaptation of a hard text
- Gods shown alongside the human war
- Battle scenes with real weight
- Pairs with Hinds' Odyssey adaptation
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Creator | Gareth Hinds |
| Publisher | Candlewick Press |
| Collects | Complete graphic adaptation of Homer's Iliad |
| Pages | 272 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; battle violence, suits teens |
The Iliad: A Graphic Novel — Hinds, Candlewick Press, paperback, 272 pages
Gareth Hinds has built a career adapting classics for teen readers, and his Iliad is one of his best. It follows Homer's poem closely: the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon, the long middle of the war, and the deaths of Patroclus and Hector, with the Olympian gods meddling openly on both sides.
Where Age of Bronze reconstructs history, Hinds keeps the gods and the poetry front and center, which makes this the better companion for students reading Homer in class. It's also a straightforward way for adults to finally get through the story. Hinds' The Odyssey is the natural follow-up.
Pros
- Faithful to the poem
- Ideal for students
- Complete story in one book
Cons
- Condensed, so some episodes are brief
- Graphic battlefield deaths
- Less ambitious than the reinventions here
Get The Iliad: A Graphic Novel on Amazon
7. Record of Ragnarok Vol. 1 — Best action manga
The gods vote to end humanity; history's greatest fighters get one last tournament.
Check price on Amazon$11.24as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTCWhy we like it
- Gods from many pantheons in one ring
- Over-the-top, crowd-pleasing fights
- Each bout explores a god's mythology
- Easy to read a volume at a time
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer / Artist | Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui / Azychika |
| Publisher | Viz Media |
| Collects | Volume 1 |
| Pages | 200 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; graphic violence, older teens and up |
Record of Ragnarok Vol. 1 — Umemura, Fukui and Azychika, Viz Media, paperback, 200 pages
The gods have decided to wipe out humanity. A Valkyrie named Brunhilde talks them into one last chance: a series of one-on-one duels between gods and the greatest humans in history. The first bout pits Thor against the Chinese warlord Lu Bu, and from there gods from Greek, Norse, Hindu and other traditions take their turn.
It's pure spectacle and makes no pretense otherwise, but it does dig into each god's mythology for their fighting style and backstory. Fans of tournament manga will be hooked quickly. The series is still running, with new volumes on the way, and there's a Netflix anime adaptation. Our best fantasy manga list has more.
Pros
- Huge, fun fights
- Gods from many cultures
- Quick, addictive read
Cons
- Loose with the myths
- Long and ongoing
- Fan-service and gore in places
Get Record of Ragnarok Vol. 1 on Amazon
8. Noragami Omnibus 1 — Best Japanese myth
A minor god with no shrine takes odd jobs for five yen, and gets dragged into much bigger trouble.
Check price on Amazon$12.77as of Nov 13, 2026 9:38 am UTCWhy we like it
- Built on genuine Shinto belief
- Funny, then surprisingly moving
- Three volumes per omnibus
- Complete series in nine omnibuses
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Creator | Adachitoka |
| Publisher | Kodansha |
| Collects | Volumes 1–3 |
| Pages | 592 |
| Format | Paperback omnibus |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; action violence, teens and up |
Noragami Omnibus 1 — Adachitoka, Kodansha, paperback omnibus, volumes 1–3, 592 pages
Yato is a god nobody remembers. He has no shrine and no worshippers, so he scrawls his phone number on walls and takes any job for a five-yen offering. When a schoolgirl named Hiyori is knocked out of her body saving him, she ends up stuck between the human world and the hidden one, where gods, their weapon-spirits and malevolent phantoms are constantly at odds.
Adachitoka builds the series on real Shinto ideas about how gods depend on belief, and the world gets darker and deeper as it goes. It starts as action comedy and turns into something quite moving. Kodansha's omnibus editions collect the complete series three volumes at a time, which makes it an easy series to own.
Pros
- Finished series
- Great value per volume
- Rich, real mythology
Cons
- Slow-burn plot early on
- Thick omnibuses can be stiff to read
- Less known outside anime fans
Get Noragami Omnibus 1 on Amazon
More mythology comics worth knowing
- The Sandman — Neil Gaiman's dark-fantasy landmark weaves Greek, Norse, Egyptian and many other mythologies into one story. It sits on our best fantasy comics list.
- American Gods — Dark Horse's three-volume adaptation of Gaiman's novel, again by P. Craig Russell, about old gods fading in modern America.
- Thor by Walter Simonson — the superhero version of Norse myth at its most grand. See our Thor guide linked above.
- ODY-C — Homer's Odyssey as gender-flipped psychedelic space opera, covered in our best space opera comics.
Picks at a glance
| Book | Tradition | Best for | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norse Mythology | Norse | Faithful retelling | Older kids and up |
| Olympians | Greek | Kids and classrooms | All ages |
| Age of Bronze | Greek / Trojan War | History readers | Older teens and up |
| The Wicked + The Divine | World myth | Modern reinvention | Adults |
| Lore Olympus | Greek | Romance readers | Older teens and up |
| The Iliad (Hinds) | Greek | Students | Teens |
| Record of Ragnarok | World myth | Action fans | Older teens and up |
| Noragami | Japanese Shinto | Manga readers | Teens and up |
How to choose
- New to myth and want the real stories? Norse Mythology for Norse, Olympians or Hinds' Iliad for Greek.
- Want something ambitious and adult? The Wicked + The Divine.
- Love history? Age of Bronze is unmatched for research.
- Prefer manga? Record of Ragnarok for spectacle, Noragami for heart.
- Like darker folklore? Our best fairy-tale comics guide is the natural neighbor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best mythology comic for kids?
George O'Connor's Olympians series. It's accurate, exciting and suitable for all ages, with helpful notes and family trees. For Norse myth, Gaiman and Russell's Norse Mythology works for older children.
Which mythology comic is best for adults?
The Wicked + The Divine is the essential adult reinvention, and Age of Bronze is the pick for serious history readers. The Sandman is the other must-read, covered in our fantasy guide.
Do I need to know the myths before reading?
No. Every book here explains what you need as you go, and Olympians, Norse Mythology and Hinds' Iliad are good ways to learn the myths in the first place.
Are there good mythology manga?
Yes. Record of Ragnarok pits humanity against gods from many traditions in tournament duels, and Noragami explores Japanese Shinto belief through a struggling minor god.
Is Lore Olympus suitable for teens?
For older teens, generally yes, but it addresses sexual assault and abusive relationships directly. Parents may want to read the first volume first.
Is Norse Mythology the same as Marvel's Thor comics?
Norse Mythology is a faithful retelling of the old Norse myths, while Marvel's Thor comics turn the same gods into superheroes with their own continuity. Gaiman and Russell's adaptation keeps Thor as the strong, not-very-bright thunder god of the sagas. If you want the Marvel version, with Asgard as a sci-fi kingdom, our best Thor comics guide covers where to start.
Is The Wicked + The Divine finished?
The Wicked + The Divine is finished: Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie wrapped up the series in 2019 with a planned ending. That makes it easy to recommend, because the mysteries about the reincarnated gods all pay off. You can start with Vol. 1: The Faust Act and continue through the trades, or buy the single paperback compendium that gathers the whole story.
Is Record of Ragnarok accurate to mythology?
Record of Ragnarok is not trying to be accurate to mythology. The manga sets gods from many pantheons, including Norse, Greek, Hindu and Japanese, against famous humans from history in a tournament that decides whether humanity survives. It borrows names and a few signature traits, then exaggerates everything for spectacle. Read it for the fights, and pick up a faithful retelling like Norse Mythology if you want the actual myths.
Is Age of Bronze historically accurate?
Age of Bronze is one of the most carefully researched mythology comics there is. Eric Shanower retells the Trojan War by weaving together Homer, later versions of the legend and archaeological research into the Bronze Age, so the armor, ships and buildings are grounded in what historians know. The gods stay offstage, which makes it feel like history. It's a slow, dense read that rewards readers who love the period.
