Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

The most mischievous of the gods presents some of his most outrageous pranks and exploits.Seeking shelter for himself and his dog, a seemingly ordinary, dark-skinned traveler regales a many-eyed watchman with tales of the trickster god's infancy ("Hermes was not a good little baby"), introduction to Olympus ("Where is that miserable, thieving, lying, little @#&?!?!"), and such unusual (even for gods) offspring as Hermaphrodite and Pan. Though it all leads up to an awesome climactic battle between Zeus and the humongous, ravening monster Typhon, readers are likely to find even more memorable a hilarious earlier episode involving doggy petitioners who repeatedly fail to complete their mission on behalf of all canine kind because every time they lay eyes on Zeus they "void their bowels." In any case the storyteller turns out to be Aesop, his dog the great trickster in disguise, his listener Argus the All-Seeing, and the whole frame story another mythological episode that will lead in to another volume in this exemplary series. As usual, in O'Connor's neatly framed panels the Olympians are ripped if male, poised and graceful if female, individual in features and skin color. Also as usual, he enhances his richly entertaining retellings with a massive family tree at the beginning, summary profiles of his main characters, notes, and discussion questions at the end.Another crowd-pleasing, compulsively readable entry in this divine series. (bibliography) (Graphic mythology. 10-14)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

POPGr 4-8 Hermes, Greek god of thieves and liars (and much more), gets his due in the latest installment of the "Olympians" series. A wandering traveler, accompanied by a dog, relates tales of the roguish yet charismatic deity to entertain the watchman Argus, a giant covered in eyes. As a newborn, Hermes steals a herd of his half brother Apollo's cows, then cleverly covers his tracks. Though the impish youngster provokes his older sibling's rage, he charms his way into his father Zeus's good graces and a throne on Mount Olympus. Readers, and Argus, learn of Hermes's other talents and his offspring, including the mischievous half-goat, half-human Pan. The playful tone soon turns ominous as Hermes plays a pivotal role in the epic showdown between the Olympians and the monstrous Typhon. O'Connor retells well-known legends with panache, crafting an affectionate portrait of a complex figure and presenting the Olympians as a surprisingly tight-knit and loving family. The book ends with an appropriately witty twist that's bound to have readers seeking out more information on the tale of Argus and Io. Vibrant, energetic illustrations portray athletic gods and goddesses, grotesque beasts, and frenzied battles, veering between cartoonish humor and intense drama. As always, O'Connor's copious research is evident and his love of all things Greek is contagious. VERDICT Another stellar addition to graphic novel shelves, especially where previous titles in the series are popular. Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

ALA Booklist (Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Now in its tenth volume, O'Connor's Olympians series turns its attention to Hermes, god of lies, language, and trickery (among many others). Fittingly, the plot centers around a series of tales about Hermes' roguish exploits, told by a mysterious traveler who is trading stories for hospitality. Beginning with Hermes' birth and childhood, O'Connor illustrates the speedy god's mischievousness with cartoon slapstick flair, playing up his witty repartee and sly, impish appeal. O'Connor's artwork is as solid as ever, with muscle-bound deities and grotesque monsters aplenty (Typhon, in particular, is quite impressive). Fans of the series will appreciate this comical yet informative installment.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

O'Connor's tenth Olympians book focuses on the mischievous Hermes. This volume emphasizes the inherently comical nature of the god's myths, making it more lighthearted than previous entries. The graphic-novel format is well suited to retelling these stories, with the artist drawing influence from both classical art and old-school comic-book styles. Author's note, "G(r)eek Notes," and character bios provide additional insight. Reading list. Bib.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

The most mischievous of the gods presents some of his most outrageous pranks and exploits.Seeking shelter for himself and his dog, a seemingly ordinary, dark-skinned traveler regales a many-eyed watchman with tales of the trickster god's infancy ("Hermes was not a good little baby"), introduction to Olympus ("Where is that miserable, thieving, lying, little @#&?!?!"), and such unusual (even for gods) offspring as Hermaphrodite and Pan. Though it all leads up to an awesome climactic battle between Zeus and the humongous, ravening monster Typhon, readers are likely to find even more memorable a hilarious earlier episode involving doggy petitioners who repeatedly fail to complete their mission on behalf of all canine kind because every time they lay eyes on Zeus they "void their bowels." In any case the storyteller turns out to be Aesop, his dog the great trickster in disguise, his listener Argus the All-Seeing, and the whole frame story another mythological episode that will lead in to another volume in this exemplary series. As usual, in O'Connor's neatly framed panels the Olympians are ripped if male, poised and graceful if female, individual in features and skin color. Also as usual, he enhances his richly entertaining retellings with a massive family tree at the beginning, summary profiles of his main characters, notes, and discussion questions at the end.Another crowd-pleasing, compulsively readable entry in this divine series. (bibliography) (Graphic mythology. 10-14)