When best-selling comics creator Frank Miller announced his plans to re-create the legendary battle at Thermopylae in comic-book form, very few people knew what to think of the project. After all, the direct-sales comic book market is fairly driven by superhero comics, and not every creator would think of tackling an ancient historic event on the pages of a comic -- much less one that almost nobody has ever heard of. Then again, not every creator is Frank Miller.

Frank Miller's long-anticipated adventure series 300 has debuted to overwhelming enthusiasm from retailers, reviewers, and almost everyone who's seen the previews of this powerful series.

"300 is simply extraordinary storytelling, a genuine genius at the height of his powers," said S.A. Bennett, retailer reviewer for Comics Buyer's Guide. Said fellow reviewer Phil Mateer, "This is a comics event." CBG Editor Maggie Thompson labeled the series "brilliant" and added "Lynn Varley's coloring makes it better yet." And retailer panelist Mike Keeney declared, "300 has great potential for introducing non-comic readers to what comics can do. The insight into human nature shown in this retelling of a vital turning point in history makes this one of the year's best comics."

300 is a five-issue, full color series by Frank Miller, painted entirely in watercolors by Lynn Varley (Elektra Lives Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns). Issue one goes on sale May 27, and issue two, released June 24, includes an all-star letters column featuring commentary from Walt Simonson, Mike Mignola, Dave Gibbons, Maggie Thompson, and others.