Hi everyone, my name is Alexis Fajardo and I’m a cartoonist and creator of the graphic novel series Kid Beowulf. Like you I’m a fan of comics and the Classics and fellow cartoonist and Greek Myth Comix creator, LE Jenkinson-Brown has graciously let me chat up about my newest comics project newly launched on kickstarter. It’s book four, Kid Beowulf: The Tarpeian Rock and inspired by the foundation myths of Rome.

About Kid Beowulf:

Inspired by the epic poem Beowulf, Kid Beowulf is an action-adventure graphic novel series that follows the adventures of twin brothers Beowulf and Grendel as they travel the world and meet fellow epic heroes therein. Book one “The Blood-Bound Oath” is the origin story, followed by books two and three “The Song of Roland” and “The Rise of El Cid” – each book lovingly adapts the original source material for contemporary audiences. Book four, “The Tarpeian Rock” takes Beowulf and Grendel into ancient Italy and the foundational stories of Rome…

Twin brothers Beowulf and Grendel are lost in ancient Italy, trapped as slaves who must fight for their freedom in the gladiatorial games. There in the arena the brothers will discover a part of themselves neither knew existed and the fighter and the monster will emerge. Meanwhile, in the Tiber River Valley among the seven hills of Italia, two tribes are at odds: the high-born Sabines who have made the land their own and the poor Latin farmers who are forced to till it. Compelled toward change, a young Latin girl named Tarpeia incites a revolution no one is ready for, particularly the pair chosen to lead it: twin brothers, Romulus and Remus

I hope you enjoy this special preview of the book, for more more information please find me on twitter and instagram @lexfajardoart and visit www.newkidbbook.com on Kickstarter!

Alexis E. Fajardo is an Eisner award-winning editor and cartoonist and the creator of the graphic novel series, Kid Beowulf. When he’s not drawing comics, Lex works for them as Editorial Director at the Charles M. Schulz Studio. He lives in Santa Rosa, California, with his wife, and their big dog, Oso.

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Jenks says: I really enjoyed reading Kid Beowulf: The Tarpeian Rock, so much so that I recommended it to my class. Lex’ characters explore the gaps in the known mythology with an exciting ‘what if’ element, and they grow throughout the story into the well-known characters of the mythology and literature. Also, at the end of each chapter, Lex explains the mythological and historical inspiration in an afterword essay that answers any questions the more puritanical reader (like me!) might have. Do yourself a favour and find the previous issues and back this latest instalment on Kickstarter!