Title: 300

Author: Frank Miller and Lynn Varley

Publisher: Dark Horse 1999

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 88

Rating:  3/5 stars     Movie  5/5

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Ebook; Book to Movie

How I Got It: I own it

300 is a story of war and defiance as only Frank Miller can tell. Featuring the watercolor talents of painter Lynn Varley, 300 marks the first collaboration for these two creators since 1990's Elektra Lives Again.

The paintings are just absolutely gorgeous.  I love the play of shadows and the use of a limited color palette.  In many ways the characters are not clear, but rather an approximation of themselves.  It's just so nice to look at.  As to the storyline, I'm a bit torn.  I like the historical angle, but the characters aren't very developed.

Movie

This movie is just absolutely gorgeous.  I love the play of shadows and the use of the a limited color palette.  Oh wait...  I already said that.  But it's the same for the movie as the graphic novel.  I love the look of this movie, the slightly dream-like quality.  The colors are to die for and the costumes have this fairy tale quality to them.  I was in awe of the cinematography.  I'm glad Snyder expanded the storyline to include a bit more backstory and scenes back in Sparta.  The rape scene almost made me take off a star, but it's such a short scene.  I could definitely have down without it...  But overall, I really enjoyed this movie.