Discover the captivating story of literary titans C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as told by New York Times bestselling author and award-winning creator John Hendrix in The Mythmakers, a must-read graphic novel chronicling their enduring friendship and shared creative inspiration. Uncover the origins behind their iconic masterpieces.

Hendrix uses narration and illustrations to portray the idyllic beginnings of Lewis and Tolkien, followed by their harrowing experiences in World War I and meeting at Oxford in 1929. The novel delves into their enduring friendship, which gave them the courage to explore beyond academic boundaries and challenge societal norms about fantasy being exclusively for children. The impact of this friendship on their major story and theme ideas, as well as their perspectives on mythology and faith, is also explored.

The Mythmakers also shows the camaraderie and the importance of the social/literary circle of friends called the Inklings, and how the friendship of these two great men fell apart and came together again. Hendrix concludes describing how the writings of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien had re-enchanted the 20th century, after two World Wars. In writing aimed at scholars, adults, and young people, these two tweedy academics altered the course of storytelling and embraced the concept that fantasy writing for an adult audience was an accepted form of literature.

• 224 pages
• Hardback
• Published 26/09/24
• ISBN: 9781419746345