Overview: Taneja. Krishna.

Author: Shweta Taneja
Artist: Rajesh Nagulakonda
Title: Krishna: Defender of Dharma
Year: 2013

Comments: This is a graphic novel version of the exploits of Krishna, Vishnu's avatar. You can see a video interview with the author at YouTube, and there is an article about her at Wikipedia. She also has her own website: Shweta Taneja.

Bizzell Reserves: The book is available on Reserve in Bizzell Library: PN 6790 .I43 T36 2012.

Length: two weeks. I've divided the reading into four parts: Part A - Part B (one week of reading), and then Part C - Part D (another week of reading).

Reading Part A:
pp. 1-36: up to the move from Gokul to Vrinadavan
Reading Part B:
pp. 37-68: as the Dwarka episodes are about to begin
Reading Part C:
pp. 69-101: up to the battle of Kurukshetra
Reading Part D:
pp. 102-151: the end

Here is the video trailer from the publisher:

Overview: Prakash. Sundarkaand.

Author: Shyam Prakash
Artist: Sachin Nagar
Title: Sundarkaand: Triumph of Hanuman
Year: 2013

Comments: This is a graphic novel version of Hanuman's story, and it is based on the version of the Ramayana by Tulsidas. You can find out more about Tulsidas in this comic book about him: Tulsidas: The Poet Who Wrote Ram-Charit-Manas.

Location: Go to the Bizzell Reserve Desk to check out this book. Call number: BL 1225 .H3 P73 2012.

Length: one week. I've divided the reading into two parts: Part A - Part B.

Reading Part A:
pp. 1-34: through Hanuman's arrival in Ravana's court

Reading Part B:
pp. 35-69: the end (and be sure to read the notes about Hanuman too; there is some good stuff there about Hanuman as he is worshiped today in India)

Overview: Nagpal. Sita.

Author: Saraswati Nagpal
Artist: Manikandan
Title: Sita: Daughter of the Earth
Year: 2011

Comments. This is a graphic novel version of the Ramayana, focusing on Sita. If you like this graphic novel, you might also want to read Draupadi by the same author later. You can find out more about the author here: Saraswati Nagpal.

Location: Go to the Bizzell Reserve Desk to check out this book. Call number: BL 1225 .S57 N34 2011.

Length: one week. I've divided the reading into two parts: Part A - Part B.

Reading Part A:
pp. 1-45: up through the meeting with Maharishi Agastya in the forest.

Reading Part B:
pp. 46-91: the end

Overview: Sisodia. Ravana.

Author: Abhimanyu Singh Sisodia
Artist: Sachin Nagar
Title: Ravana: Roar of the Demon King
Year: 2011

Comments. This is a graphic novel version of the Ramayana, focusing on Ravana.

Location. Go to the Bizzell Reserve Desk to check out this book. Call number: PN 6790 .I43 S577 2011.

Length: one week. I've divided the reading into two parts: Part A - Part B.

Reading Part A:
pp. 1-49: through "for tomorrow we become GODS"

Reading Part B:
pp. 50-100: the end (and be sure to read the notes on pp. 102-103, especially if you are interested in Ravana the musician).

Overview: Pathak. Ekalavya And Dronacharya.

Author: Hansa Pathak
Artist: Naresh Kumar
Title: Offering: The Story Of Ekalavya And Dronacharya
Year: 2011

Comments. This is a graphic novel version of the intense episode of the Mahabharata when Ekalavya seeks to become a pupil of Drona, together with the princes of Hastinapura.

Bizzell Reserves. Go to the Bizzell Reserve Desk to check out this book. Call number: BL 1138.4 .E53 P38. 


Length: one week. I've divided the reading into two parts: Part A - Part B.

Reading Part A:
pp. 1-37: through Ekalavya using the clay to make a statue

Reading Part B:
pp. 38-68: the end

Overview: Nagpal. Draupadi.

Author: Saraswati Nagpal
Artist: Manu
Title: Draupadi: Fire-Born Princess
Year: 2013

Comment. This is a graphic novel version of the Mahabharata, focusing on Draupadi. If you like this graphic novel, you might also want to read Sita by the same author!

Bizzell Reserve. Go to the Bizzell Reserve Desk to check out this book. Call number: BL 1138.4 .D72 N34 2012. 

Length: two weeks. I've divided the reading into four parts: Part A - Part B (one week of reading), and then Part C - Part D (another week of reading).

WEEK ONE:
Reading A:
pp. 1-31: through Draupadi being born from the fire
Reading B:
pp. 32-59: through Arjuna being commanded to go seek weapons

WEEK TWO:
Reading C:
pp. 60-87: Krishna answers Draupadi's prayer
Reading D:
pp. 88-115: the end (and make sure you read the additional notes about Draupadi on the final pages; there is some good stuff there!)

Overview: Quinn. Abhimanyu and the Conquest of the Chakravyuha

Author: Jason Quinn
Artist: Sachin Nagar
Title: Kaurava Empire Vol. 1: Abhimanyu and the Conquest of the Chakravyuha
Year: 2014

Comments: This graphic novel focuses on the character of Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna, and it also brings forward a contrasting character from the Kaurava side: Durmashana, the son of Duhshasana, who is Duryodhana's favorite among his brothers. (There is a second graphic novel by this same author which focuses on Ashwatthaman.)

Bizzell Reserves. Go to the Bizzell Reserve Desk to check out this book. Call number: PN 6737 .Q56 K38 2014. Note that both volumes have the same call number.

Length: one week. I've divided the reading into two parts: Part A - Part B.

Reading Part A:
Start by going to the back and reading a note by the author (p. 67-71). That will help you get oriented! Then read pp. 1-32: ending with Duhshasana speaking to his son, Durmashana, who says afterwards, "No one has faith in me. Why should they when I have none in myself?"

Reading Part B:
pp. 33-66: the end

Overview: Quinn. Vengeance of Ashwatthama

Author: Jason Quinn
Artist: Sachin Nagar
Title: Kaurava Empire Vol. 2: The Vengeance of Ashwatthama
Year: 2015

Comments: This is a graphic novel version of the Mahabharata, following up on Volume 1: Abhimanyu and the Conquest of the Chakravyuha. Make sure you read that volume first to get acquainted with this way of retelling the Mahabharata and its take on the characters and events.

Bizzell Reserves:  Go to the Bizzell Reserve Desk to check out this book. Call number: PN 6737 .Q56 K38 2014. Note that both volumes have the same call number.

Length: one week. I've divided the reading into two parts: Part A - Part B.

Reading Part A:
Start by going to the back and reading a note by the author (p. 88). That will help you get oriented! Then read pp. 1-45: up to "that only left one alternative: WAR!"

Reading Part B:
pp. 46-87: the end