Genre
Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction
Audience
Ages 13 and Up (contains some gore & war related violence)
Author’s Worldview
Catholic
Year Published
2019
Themes
Joan of Arc, medieval history, heroism, saints, apparitions, French history

Reviewed by

Courtney Guest Kim
The Mission of Joan of Arc opens in the middle of the action at the crisis point of 15th century French history, with the siege of Orléans. Visually, the vantage point is that of the French soldiers defending the medieval city from the top of its ramparts. They can’t hold out much longer against the English troops. We learn from these French defenders of a prophecy about a Maid of Lorraine, who will save France. Then the illustrations cut to young Joan, receiving a vision of Michael the Archangel. At first, she refuses the strange commission to put the French crown prince on his rightful throne. She prays to St. Catherine for advice. And the rest is history….

Part one of this graphic novel goes on to tell how Joan overcomes the skepticism of the French leaders. She cuts her hair and dresses like a soldier—a decision that will have fateful results. A revelation shows her the location of an ancient sword buried at the church of St. Catherine. She claims this sword as her own, although she herself does not kill anyone in battle, despite being on the front lines, leading the French troops. At the height of success, she receives a supernatural warning of her own future suffering and personal defeat, which will however contribute to the success of her mission.

Part two takes us back to the city of Orléans after it has been captured by the English. Now the roles are reversed, and Joan is leading the French troops in the assault to take back the city. She is victorious, and as a result, the French prince is crowned Charles VII. He himself is no saint, and the political intrigues of the day result in the betrayal of Joan, who is captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English. Imprisoned in Rouen, she is charged by her captors as a heretic and interrogated for weeks. Condemned to death, she is burned at the stake on 29 May 1431. The final image is of Joan both burning and beholding St. Michael in heaven, calling to Jesus.

Voyage Comics’ interpretation of the Life of Joan of Arc is based on the play written by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and an afterword gives some background about that source material, as well as filling in some historical details. (Declared innocent by the Church in 1456, St. Joan of Arc was canonized in 1920.) The dynamic, vivid illustrations capture the sheer energy of the life and times of the peasant girl who would become a saint. The medium of the graphic novel makes it possible to apprehend the brutality of her environment and the mysterious quality of her calling, without such shocking images as to make the narrative unsuitable for young readers. It is an excellent rendition in its faithfulness to source material. Both the knowledgeable adult reader already familiar with Joan’s story and the young comic book fan with no prior information can enjoy and learn from this fantastic resource: a saint’s life truly brought to life by the intertwined narrative and visual art of the graphic novel.

Someday by Corinna Turner

Ordinary schoolgirls face a terrible fate: abuse, forced marriages, and even death at the hands of Islamic extremists.

Best Books of 2022

Our favorite book finds of the year!

Best of 2020

Yes some good things DID happen this year- Catholic creators have not let turmoil stop their mission.

Finding God Anew by Barbara Kudwa

After multiple divorces, a suicide, and a murder, Barbara Kudwa shares how she found peace through her faith in God.

How Can You Still Be Catholic? By Christopher Sparks

There are many good apologetics books out there but this book teaches you how to speak to the heart as much as the head.

North Pacific: A Story of Life, Love, Suffering, and Grace by Michael Steffan

Joseph & Miku’s love was already illegal. Then WWII began. Now home, disabled, and questioning God’s love, he still searches for her.

The Saving Power of Suffering By Father Jacob Powell

A Catholic guide to taking up our cross and following Jesus.

Unlikely Witnesses by Leslea Wahl

When four boys glimpse a crime in their Colorado town they end up in an interrogation cell of the FBI.

Through the Ashes by Jacqueline Brown

Fans of The 100 and Runaway’s and The Gifted will find this YA story riveting.

Desperate Forest: The Forest Tales Series, Book 1 By Cece Louise

This RomCom fantasy adventure explores a princess discovering the realities of life outside of her kingdom and what true love is really made of.

The Silence of Bones by June Hur

A young slave girl in ancient Korea investigates a murder & meets real life Korean Catholic saints

The Poppy and The Rose by Ashlee Cowles

While abroad in England, Taylor discovers a mystery linking her to an heiress and passenger aboard The Titanic.

Books for Lent

Deepen your Lenten reflection with these stories of repentance and forgiveness

PANIC! (unSPARKed #3) by Corinna Turner

It’s a three hour drive unSPARKed, and for city-folk, anything might cause PANIC!

By Violence Unavenged by Annette Young

A Catholic Historical Epic to Rival The Sound of Music.

Finnian and the Seven Mountains (Vol.2) By, Philip Kosloski and Michael Lavoy

Can one map be the key to stopping the Viking Invasion?

Hussar by Declan Finn (St. Tommy NYPD Book 8)

It’s been a few years since St. Tommy saved the world. Now his son Jeremy and ward Lena have joined the fight.

Live and Let Bite Review by Declan Finn

The battle with the demons of San Francisco left Marco broken and now Amanda isn’t answering his messages.

Ascend to Your Father by John Hammes ph.d

This book brings us to a unity with the Triune God who loves us so much that he sent his Son to redeem the world and sanctify us through the Holy Spirit.