There are parts of Paradise Lost that read like science fiction, like Satan's ascent through Hell (as yet uninhabited, because no one yet has sinned!), and through a Ptolmaic (which, yes, was an intentional anachronism) cosmos to sneak his way into Earth.
Other bits read like a super-hero story. The fight between Satan and the archangel Michael is fabulous: they tear whole trees out of the ground to use as spears!
Gustov Dore's engraved illustrations are moody and epic and magnificent. I'd love to see what Frank Miller could do with some of those scenes.
Just to clarify your statement, Milton visited Galileo whilst Galileo was under house arrest. When he was a young man Milton made a "Grand Tour" (though it probably wasn't called that for another century or so) through Italy, and (naturally) impressed everyone important with his erudition.
Milton's encounter with Galileo left an impression, as his case is given as an important example of the importance of free (even "heretical") speech in Aeropagetica.
Other bits read like a super-hero story. The fight between Satan and the archangel Michael is fabulous: they tear whole trees out of the ground to use as spears!
Gustov Dore's engraved illustrations are moody and epic and magnificent. I'd love to see what Frank Miller could do with some of those scenes.