Greek Street: Cassandra Complex by Peter Milligan and Davide Gianfeelice

Title: Greek Street Vol. 2: Cassandra Complex

Author: Peter Milligan and Davide Gianfeelice

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating:  5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels

Boasting a "Greek Chorus" of sexy strippers, vengeful gangsters, a murderous youth and a disturbed clairvoyant teenaged girl, GREEK STREET is Peter Milligan's reimagining of the brutal and visceral tragedies of Ancient Greece played out on the mean streets of modern-day London. In this second volume, a shocking new drama unfolds on the blood, tear and fluid-stained stage of Greek Street as disturbed mother-killer Eddie and aristo visionary, Sandy, try to get to London where Dedalus investigates a suicide and an urban witch tries to get through to a monster. Don't miss this sexy blend of crime, supernatural surrealness and soap opera, all using characters and plots that are simultaneously familiar yet intesnely brand new.

Another Greek masterpiece.  I love this series.  It takes all the pain of the original Greek tragedies and turns them into something new and modern.  We can understand the underlying themes of all the Greek plays through a new lens.  If I continue, this review will just turn into gushing and more gushing.  Plus I don't want to spoil the storyline for you.  It's too good to miss.  Unfortunately the third volume won't be out for another few months. I will have to bid my time until then...

Greek Street: Blood Calls for Blood by Peter Milligan and Davide Gianfeelice

Title: Greek Street Vol. 1: Blood Calls for Blood

Author: Peter Milligan and Davide Gianfeelice

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels

Inspired by classical Greek dramas, the series constructs a crime epic following intertwined stories in modern London and most succeeds in channeling the shock value of the original works.

What would happen if we took the classic Greek dramas and set them in today's world?  Would they fundamentally change?  Milligan shows us that the answer is a resounding NO!  All the stories, the triumphs, the tragedies, the characters from ancient Greece are still with us.

I loved this gritty, definitely not for kids, graphic novel outlying the undying lessons.  All the remembered characters are here (Cassandra, Daedalus, Oedipus, Agamemnon, the Furies, the Fates, the Greek chorus) placed into modern bodies.  I love that this is set in the nasty parts of London, Greek Street, almost a world unto itself.  We feel for the tragedy of Eddie (Oedipus).  We sympathize with Sandy"s (Cassandra) plight.  We loathe Lord Menon's (Agamemnon) and the Furies' despicable behavior.  We hope for Detective Daedalus' future.  Will his blood be spilled while Jesus watches?

This first volume pushes the stories.  Retelling them, but adding new connecting bits.  I really want to read the second volume.  And the third coming out early next year.  Unfortunately, the series was cancelled after issue #16, so I must enjoy it while I can.  I like to think of it as a darker Fables series.  Definitely something perfect for me.