Comic Book / Erotocritos

Romeo and Juliet, but with a Happy Ending.

"Black is the colour
Of my true love's hair
Her lips are like some roses fair
She's the sweetest smile
And the gentlest hands
I love the ground whereon she stands
I love my love and well she knows
I love the ground whereon she goes
I wish the day it soon would come
When she and I could be as one"

— "Erotocritos' ballad to Aretousa"

Released in 2016, Erotocritos is a Comic-Book Adaptation of Vintzentzos Kornaros' novel of the same name, written by Dimosthenes Papamarkos, Yiannis Ragos and Giorgos Goussis and illustrated by Giorgos Goussis and Panayiotis Pantazis.

Most people (or at least, the Greeks) know what happens, even though they've never read it, as it's an example of a greek masterpiece of the European Renaissance.

The story focuses on Erotocritos and Aretousa, two lovers whose difference in rank makes it difficult for them to be together. Their love seems doomed, but their determination and self-sacrifice will help them surmount every barrier they meet along the way.

Despite being set in an imaginary Pre-Christian Athens, the author mixed many elements from the Byzantine Empire and from The Renaissance, creating an epic full of knightly chilvary, fantasy settings and wars.

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Erotocritos provides examples of:

• Above the Influence: When Erotocritos learns that Aretousa is imprisoned for refusing to marry the suitor that her father proposed to her, he visits her transformed and asks for her hand. Aretousa rejects him. Then, Erotocritos shows to her the ring that she'd given to him before they depart and tells her that he'd found a dying man who gave it to him, while whispering "I've lost you, Aretousa". When Aretousa hears that story, she blacks out. Erotocritos turns into his true self and reunites with his love for once and for all.
• The Ace: Erotocritos is regarded as the best soldier Athens ever had. Polydoros even says that no one can match him in hands. He also happens to be a Gorgeous Greek with a good singing voice.
• Adapted Out: In order for the story to fit into 90 pages, some elements must be removed:
  • Aretousa's birth, as well as the fact that Erotocritos already knew Aretousa, because his father was one of King's counselors. He falls in love with her and confesses his love for her to his friend, Polydoros. Polydoros disapproves, but still accompanies his friend every night, when he sings ballads to the Princess. The comic skips all these and starts with one of those nights.
  • Erotocritos' days at the palace, after his love for Aretousa has been revealed.
• Ambition Is Evil: Vlandistratos, King of the Vlachs, who wants to take over Athens. Though, the real reason was because relations between these kingdoms were going terrible.
• An Aesop: Don't give up for your love, no matter how many obstacles you meet along the way.
• Anachronism Stew: The story takes place in Ancient Athens, but it isn't quite obvious, as it to mixes elements from the Byzantine Empire and The Renaissance, like byzantine clothes and knightly chilvaries.
• The Atoner: King Heracles doesn't react calmly when his daughter tells him she doesn't want to marry anyone. He hits her, cuts her braid and sends her to the dungeon, where she shall stay untill she learns to be a respectful daughter. He regrets the decision immediately and apologizes when he sees Aretousa marrying Erotocritos.
• Comic-Book Adaptation: Of Vintzentzos Kornaros' novel of the same name.
• Determinator: Erotocritos and Aretousa won't stop until they end up together.
• The Dreaded:
  • King Vlandistratos, the Big Bad in the last third of the comic book, who wants to subdue Athens with his merciless army.
  • His nephew also counts, as he's considered the finest Warrior of the country.
• Gorgeous Greek: Both Erotocritos and Aretousa. Two Athenians who have appealing facial features. Aretousa, especially, since her beauty and status attracts many suitors, though her heart belongs only to Erotocritos.
• Heterosexual Life-Partners: Erotocritos and Polydoros.
• Scenery Porn: Goussis and Pantazis tried their best (and succeeded) into creating a pre-christian Athens, mixed with ancient and byzantine elements. The dark colors helped highlight the scenery and put the reader into that world.
• Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Even when King Heracles has Erotocritos exiled for being his daughter's sweetheart, he still returns in the end to to save his homeland from foreign invaders and make a last effort to marry Aretousa.
• Star-Crossed Lovers: Erotocritos and Aretousa. Their difference in rank (Aretousa is princess of Athens, while Erotocritos is a mere peasant) makes it impossible for them to be together. Still, they don't let this stop them at all!
• You Are Worth Hell: The reason why Kritidis/ Erotokritos was willing to fight Aristos and risk his life was in hopes that, by winning the match, King Heracles would marry him to Aretousa, his one and true love.

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