300 is a 1998 comic book limited series written and illustrated by Frank Miller, with painted colors by Lynn Varley. It is a fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae, as recounted through the perspective of Leonidas, the King of Sparta. Inspired by the 1962 film The 300 Spartans, Miller crafted a highly stylized narrative blending historical elements with creative liberties. The series was later adapted into a 2007 film directed by Zack Snyder, which brought widespread attention to the comic.
Plot Summary
Set in 480 BC, the story chronicles King Leonidas and his 300 Spartan warriors as they prepare to confront the massive Persian army led by King Xerxes at the narrow pass of Thermopylae, also known as the "Hot Gates." The Spartans, vastly outnumbered, employ the terrain to their advantage in a tactical stand against the invaders.
- Ephialtes' Betrayal: Ephialtes, a deformed Spartan who wishes to fight alongside Leonidas, is rejected due to his inability to maintain the phalanx formation. Overcome with despair, he betrays the Spartans, revealing a hidden pass to the Persians.
- Defiance and Sacrifice: Despite knowing the betrayal spells certain doom, Leonidas and his men resolve to fight to the end, demonstrating extraordinary courage and defiance. Leonidas refuses Xerxes' offers of wealth and power in exchange for submission. Before the final stand, Leonidas sends one Spartan, Dilios, back to Greece to recount their heroic tale.
- Climactic Battle: The Spartans are surrounded on the third day of battle. Leonidas tricks Xerxes into believing he is surrendering but instead launches a surprise attack that wounds the "God-King." The Spartans ultimately perish under a storm of Persian arrows, their sacrifice inspiring Greek unity.
- Legacy: The story ends with Dilios narrating the Spartans’ sacrifice to Greek troops, rallying them before the Battle of Plataea, which marks a decisive victory against the Persian invasion.
Art and Style
Each page of 300 is presented as a double-page spread, making the series visually distinctive. When collected in hardcover form, the pages were twice as wide as standard comic pages. Miller’s art style, influenced by his work on Sin City, combines stark lines with dramatic composition, while Lynn Varley’s painted colors add depth and intensity. The red-and-gold palette evokes the blood and valor central to the narrative.
Publication and Reception
- 300 was originally published as a five-issue limited series by Dark Horse Comics between May and September 1998. The issues were titled Honor, Duty, Glory, Combat, and Victory.
- The series won three Eisner Awards in 1999:
- Best Limited Series
- Best Writer/Artist for Frank Miller
- Best Colorist for Lynn Varley
- The hardcover collected edition was released in 1999, and subsequent printings saw significant sales, particularly after the success of the film adaptation. By its 11th printing, over 88,000 copies had been sold.
Historical Accuracy and Criticism
300 has faced criticism for its historical inaccuracies and portrayal of Spartans and Persians:
- Homophobia and Spartan Values: Alan Moore and others have criticized the series for its homophobic undertones, particularly through its derogatory references to Athenians as "boy-lovers," despite historical evidence of homosexuality within Spartan society itself.
- Depiction of Non-Spartans: Writer David Brin challenged the portrayal of non-Spartan Greeks as ineffective, highlighting the crucial contributions of allies like the Athenians in battles such as Marathon and Salamis.
- Ephialtes' Characterization: Ephialtes’ physical deformity and betrayal have been viewed as a departure from historical accounts, where he was a local seeking Persian favor.
- Exaggerated Heroism: Critics like Kieron Gillen responded to 300 with works like Three, which emphasized the role of the helots (Spartan slaves) and questioned the moral heroism attributed to the Spartans.
Influence and Legacy
Cultural References
- 300 influenced several of Miller’s other works, such as Sin City: The Big Fat Kill, where tactical parallels are drawn to Thermopylae.
- The series inspired the "Jack and the Spartans" episode of Samurai Jack, which reimagined the story in a fantastical setting.
Film Adaptation
The 2007 film 300, directed by Zack Snyder with Miller as executive producer, used greenscreen technology to faithfully recreate the comic’s visual style. It became a box office success and brought global recognition to the original comic. A sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire (2014), was based on Miller’s follow-up series Xerxes: The Fall of the House of Darius and the Rise of Alexander.
Video Game
A video game adaptation of 300, based on both the comic and the film, was released in 2007.
Legacy and Sales
The popularity of 300 has cemented its place as a cultural phenomenon. It remains a defining work in Miller’s career and a significant influence in the comic and film industries. While its historical and thematic choices remain subjects of debate, its impact on popular culture and visual storytelling is undeniable.
External links
- Dark Horse Product Page
- Sparta Pages: 300 Review
- Frank Miller`s Sin city & 300 & Spirit – Database articles, images and other files about Frank Miller and his comics.
- 300 at FactBehindFiction.com