With this first issue of The Odyssey, creator Bruno Catarino places Odysseus, his family, friends and enemies in the midst of an intergalactic war.

Of course, as it’s adapting one of the oldest surviving (not to mention most famous) works of literature in the world, there are plenty of familiar elements here. Except that they’re presented in a beautifully designed sci-fi universe instead of the original ancient Greek setting.

In issue 1, we begin with Telemachus searching for his father, and we’re treated to some action with the famous deception of the Trojan Horse (of course, it becomes a starship in this version) being covered here too.

Catarino keeps certain terminology and aspects intact in the time-and-space shifted adaptation; the Greeks and Spartans are still Greeks and Spartans, as one big example. Names may remain, but other elements are different; Troy is a planet, rather than a city.

The artwork, by Erwin J. Arroza, is phenomenal, and helps to truly make this version of the famous story feel (please forgive the pun) out of this world. The gorgeous, painted ambience and visual design is evocative of the biggest space opera epics.

I also loved how the various armoured troops in different colours evoked the feel of video game series Halo; very appropriate seeing as even Halo itself references ancient history with its Spartans.

I also spotted a few sly references to other media in The Odyssey (though I’m sure Catarino will correct me if I’m wrong here!). One clumsy turn of phrase didn’t seem accidental to me; rather, I saw it as a nod to the brilliant animated series, Regular Show. There may well have been a little Doctor Who joke snuck in there too. Perhaps there were even more to discover?

In any case, these winks and nods don’t detract from a cleverly adapted, very well presented story with great writing and incredible art. There’s a real depth, texture and tactile quality to the universe that Catarino and Arroza have created, to tell a familiar story in a unique way.

Though it’s not the first time that elements of The Odyssey have been transplanted to space in the far future (there’s 80s French-Japanese animation, Ulysses 31, as one example), this still feels like the beginning of an adaptation that feels fresh and new, and I look forward to reading the read of the story as the next issues emerge.

The Odyssey #1 is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. You can pledge for it at various levels, some including other comics by Catarino, here. Many thanks to Bruno Catarino for providing me with a digital copy of The Odyssey #1 for review purposes.

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