The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien (A Graphic Novel) – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien (A Graphic Novel)

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2024

94%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Two pipe-smoking professors, a talking lion, and a wizard walk into a graphic novel to show how Middle-earth and Narnia actually happened.

The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien (A Graphic Novel)

book

2024

94%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Two pipe-smoking professors, a talking lion, and a wizard walk into a graphic novel to show how Middle-earth and Narnia actually happened.

4.6

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Screenwise Verdict

This isn't your average 'educational' comic that kids ignore on the library shelf. John Hendrix has created something that feels as alive as the books it's documenting.

It avoids the trap of being a dry biography by using the very elements Lewis and Tolkien loved—myth, magic, and visual metaphor—to tell their story.

If your kid is a fan of Percy Jackson, Wings of Fire, or obviously Narnia and Rings, this is a must-read. It’s smart, it’s beautiful, and it treats the reader like they’re capable of handling big, important ideas without being condescending.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10 to 99. While a 10-year-old can enjoy the art and the adventure, the 12+ crowd (and adults) will get way more out of the deep-dive discussions on myth and faith.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It centers on a deep, intellectual, and supportive friendship between two men who pushed each other to be better. It models how to disagree about big ideas while remaining close.

Imaginative

John Hendrix uses the graphic novel format to turn dry history into a visual feast. The framing device of a lion and wizard narrating the story is a brilliant nod to the authors' own worlds.

Safe

Very safe overall, though it doesn't shy away from the trauma of the World Wars. The depictions of the trenches are honest but age-appropriate for middle schoolers and up.

Enriching

This is a goldmine of literary history, theology, and the philosophy of storytelling. It explains complex concepts like 'sub-creation' and 'mythos' without feeling like a textbook.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It makes 'boring' literary history feel like an epic quest through incredible, kinetic artwork.
Shows kids that even the most famous authors in history had massive self-doubt and needed friends to keep them going.
The 'Gateways' system lets kids dive deep into the nerdier academic stuff or just stay with the main story if they want to keep moving.
It’s a masterclass in how to build a world, making it a perfect spark for kids who like to write or draw.

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What to Watch For

The WWI trench scenes are visually heavy—expect some talk about the reality of war and loss.
It gets into the weeds with theology and philosophy; some younger readers might find the 'Logos' talk a bit heady.
Tolkien and Lewis had their fallouts; it’s a real look at a complicated friendship, not a sanitized cartoon version.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Tolkien was so annoyed by Narnia, even though he and Lewis were best friends?"
"The book talks about 'sub-creation'—if you were going to build a world from scratch, what's the first rule you'd make?"
"How did their experience in the war change the way they wrote about heroes like Frodo or the Pevensies?"
"Who is the 'wizard' or 'lion' in your life who encourages you to do your best work?"

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