I didn’t want to review 300. Unlike The Watchmen, which I went into not truly knowing what to expect, I knew the story of 300 from the historical standpoint. An epic tale in itself of triumph against an undefeated army that had managed under two different kings, in two different wars to conquer most of the world, as it was known then.  Granted, that from the historical standpoint the story of 300 is fictionalized.  But it is fictionalized just enough to keep the story alive in a time when we’ve lost our long-term memories. We have forgotten and Frank Miller has been kind enough to remind us.

My professor of ancient history at Fresno State University gave me a well-worn copy of 300 after a paper I had written on the Greek ideal of arête.  I think there are few gifts I’ve received in my life in which I’ve been more thankful.  I stayed up overnight after completing my homework in order to read it before the movie opened the next day.  I skipped that history class much to the chagrin of my professor to go watch the movie at IMAX and I was just as impressed.

The 300 comics is written and illustrated in a style reminiscent of the tale of all past Greek tragedies. Stoic lines written to stand-alone and burn into your mind grace every page despite the sometimes incredible lines of text. And this statement goes without pointing out that every expression, every action coalesces with these words.  When Leonidas goes up to visit the Ephors we have in our un-movie-diluted minds a picture of these leper-ridden creatures.  Now, I personally imagined more of the leper ridden child molester leaning out the window of a 1984 Chevy van but I’m a slightly insane woman.

The story is brutal as is the artwork. As it should be considering the content.  Let us consider the origins of Leonides and the Battle of Thermopylae. The only reason we know of this battle was the original historian, Herodotus. 300 Spartans, 700 Thespian, 400 Thebans and a few hundred mercenaries and such fought the battle of on the shores of Theroplyae against a massive Persian invasion force. While Leonidas stood up against the Persians he also stood up against the Greeks who didn’t agree nor condone the Spartan culture. 

Many of these facts will be replaced by the fiction that 300 embraced.  But it will not change the history of how Sparta was remembered.  In the first issues of 300 we are told the beginnings of King Leonidas as a child fighting a wolf to prove himself as a man and as a Spartan.  It’s a common tale from the Greek polis as all young boys were put in a position such as that in order to prove themselves. Every Spartan man was a warrior and they accepted no imperfections of body and mind. 

Frank Miller and colorist Lynn Varley tackle this incredible piece of history with a gentle brutality and respect.  It is one of the rare quotable comics, conjuring images as powerful as the lines delivered.  Though the greatest feat of 300 is keeping the history alive for future generations.