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Posted in: Ablaze Publishing, Comics, Comics Publishers | Tagged: ABLAZE Publishing, fantasy fiction, graphic novel, jrr tolkien, Kalevala the graphic novel, lord of the rings, Sami Makkonen
Kalevala: The Graphic Novel: ABLAZE to Publish Finnish Epic Saga
The Kalevala, the Finnish epic that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write The Lord of the Rings, gets a graphic novel adaptation by Sami Makkonen
Article Summary
- ABLAZE to publish a graphic novel adaptation of Finnish epic Kalevala by Sami Makkonen.
- Kalevala heavily influenced J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and modern fantasy fiction.
- Artist Sami Makkonen highlights horror elements often overlooked in the Kalevala saga.
- Available Sept 2024, this mature readers' graphic novel spans 312 pages and costs $29.99.
The Kalevala, the original Finnish epic that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write The Lord of the Rings and is considered a foundational epic of the fantasy genre, is getting a graphic novel adaptation by Sami Makkonen from ABLAZE. The saga's influence on Tolkien is immense, the lodestone of modern fantasy fiction.
"…my attempt to write legends of my own to fit my private languages was the tragic tale of the hapless Kullerva in the Finnish Kalevala. It remains a major matter in the legends of the First age…" –J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 257, 1964
Creator Sami Makkonen brings the Kalevala adaptation to a whole new level, emphasizing the elements of horror in the story, which are often left in the background when the main events of the Kalevala are discussed.
"The colours, the deeds, the marvels, the figures of the heroes are all splashed onto a clean bare canvas by sudden hand; even the legends concerning the origin of the most ancient things in the world seem to come fresh from the singer's hot imagination of the moment." –J.R.R. Tolkien
(Kalevala: The Graphic Novel interior pages courtesy of ABLAZE Publishing)
KALEVALA: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL
Story and Art by Sami Makkonen
SRP: $29.99 · 312 Pages · ISBN: 978-1-68497-228-9 · For Mature Readers · Available Sept 24, 2024
A stunning comic adaptation of the epic The Kalevala, which inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write The Lord of the Rings. It's the foundational epic of the fantasy genre.
The story tells of the adventures and fates of wizard Väinämöinen, warrior Lemminkäinen, blacksmith Ilmarinen, and other larger-than-life characters seeking love, riches, and magic in the faraway lands of the ancient North.
This is a bold approach to The Kalevala by an established talent — visually powerful and accessible.
Sami Makkonen is internationally renowned and is a recipient of the Sarjas Award for Best Fantasy Fiction. He also has been nominated for the Ghastly Awards for his horror work. His other awards include:
- Sarjakuvantekijät RY award 2007 (Sarjas Award for Best Fantasy Comic)
- Independent Publisher Book Awards Graphic Novel/Drawn Book – Drama/Documentary 2010
- Independent Publisher Book Awards Graphic Novel/Drawn Book – Drama/Documentary 2011
- USA Best Book Award Comics: Graphic Novels 2013
Makkonen is best known for his four volumes of the Eisner Award-nominated Hatter M series, which has made the NY Times best-selling list.
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