A parent might reach for this book when their child, already a fan of superheroes and fantasy, is ready for the complex and sometimes grim origins of myth. It's perfect for the reader curious about where figures like Thor and Loki come from. This graphic novel powerfully illustrates the major stories of Odin, the All-Father of the Norse gods: his quest for wisdom at any cost, his creation of the world, and his relentless preparation for the prophesied doom of Ragnarok. The book explores mature themes of sacrifice, the weight of leadership, and moral ambiguity. While there is mythic violence, it's handled in a stylized way appropriate for the 9-14 age range, making it an excellent, visually stunning introduction to the authentic, darker side of Norse mythology.
Includes depictions of giants and monsters, and a pervasive sense of impending doom (Ragnarok).
Moral AmbiguityModerate
The protagonist is driven and makes ethically questionable choices in his pursuit of power.
Sensitive Topics
Violence and self-sacrifice are central themes. Odin's removal of his own eye and his ritualistic hanging are depicted visually. The approach is mythological, framing these acts as necessary, painful steps toward gaining power and knowledge, not as literal self-harm to be emulated. The context is secular, presenting Norse myths as foundational stories. The resolution is deeply ambiguous and fatalistic, as the entire story builds toward the inevitable doom of Ragnarok, which is a core tenet of the mythology. The tone is somber and epic, not gory or gratuitous.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 10-13 year old who has graduated from Rick Riordan or the Marvel cinematic universe and is hungry for the authentic source material. This child appreciates complex anti-heroes and is not looking for a simple good vs. evil narrative. They are a visual learner who will spend time poring over the detailed, dynamic art and appreciate the extensive back matter, including notes and bibliographies.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the two main scenes of Odin's sacrifice. The panel showing his empty eye socket and the sequence of him hanging from Yggdrasil are powerful and potentially disturbing without context. A brief conversation about metaphor and the different values in ancient myths (where suffering often equals wisdom) would be beneficial before reading. A parent notices their child is fascinated by Vikings, Thor, or Loki from video games (like God of War) or movies, and they are looking for a more substantive and authentic source. The child might be asking big questions about fate, destiny, and why someone would do something difficult or painful to achieve a goal.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will be captivated by the epic action, the monsters, and the powerful art, seeing it as a dark superhero origin story. An older reader (11-14) will better appreciate the psychological depth of Odin's character, the themes of fatalism, the moral ambiguity of his actions, and the rich, well-researched mythological detail that O'Connor provides.
What Makes It Special
Unlike most youth-oriented mythology books that sanitize the content, O'Connor's "Odin" leans into the darkness and complexity of the original sagas. Its graphic novel format makes these weighty, ancient stories accessible and immediate. The combination of scholarly accuracy (including extensive endnotes) with visceral, compelling artwork is unique in this space. It treats its young readers as intelligent enough to handle moral grayness and a fatalistic worldview.
Read plot summary
This graphic novel serves as a mythological biography of the Norse god Odin. It covers several key sagas: the creation of the cosmos and humankind from the body of the giant Ymir; Odin's sacrifice of his eye at Mimir's well to gain ultimate wisdom; his nine-day ordeal hanging from the World Tree, Yggdrasil, pierced by his own spear, to discover the runes; and his ongoing efforts to gather knowledge and warriors in preparation for the foretold apocalyptic battle, Ragnarok. The narrative is framed by Odin's relentless pursuit of knowledge to forestall a fate he knows is inescapable.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Odin gives up one of his eyes in exchange for a drink from the Well of Wisdom. Do you think this was a worthwhile sacrifice? Why or why not?
2
Throughout the book, Odin knows that Ragnarok, the end of the world, is coming and that he is fated to die. Why do you think he works so hard to prepare for a battle he knows he can't ultimately win?
3
Loki is presented as a complicated character who both helps and hinders Odin. Do you think Odin is right to keep Loki around? What role do you think tricksters play in stories?
4
The book shows Odin hanging from the World Tree for nine days to discover the runes. What does this intense act tell you about what the ancient Norse people valued in their gods and leaders?
