Graphic Novel Reviews

I will be reviewing several graphic novels that have read and would endeavor to give an ,as best as I can, honest review.


Life Eaters

I will start off with one my favourite Graphic Novel of all time - Life Eaters. You might be unfamiliar with the writer and may not have even heard about him. It's alright, you can read up a little on him here. The outline of the story on the back of the book goes like this :

"Roused by sorcery and a stench of holocaust, Norse gods have returned to the mortal plane, tilting the scales of World War II and cheating the Allies of victory. Near a generation later the war still rages, this time in the jungles of Southeast Asia. The tide has been set for a final battle as a few heroes gather their courage -  and their most advanced technology - for a final stand against the Nazis and their Aesir partners. In the end, it will be an epic struggle to reclaim the sovereignty of the human race, one that will pit our basest instincts against...our own humanity."

Life Eaters was THE first Graphic Novel I picked up and the one which got me started into reading them. I was greatly pleased when I got this book, this has all the elements of a blockbuster - exciting storyline, unexpected twists and turns, explosive action, great characters and ,of course, a climax to boot. It also incorporates science fiction and mysticism into this war based novel and does a brilliant job at that. It is also very much a 'human' story.

Many questions will be posed that will set you in a thinking trance about World Wars. What if Gods fought along men in war? What if they took sides? Which would emerge victorious - Sophisticated and highly advanced technology or million years old voodoo and mysticism? What if the holocaust happened because of something else Hitler was planning? Something much much more sinister...

This book is really quite something, it challenges and throws up some fantastic fanatical scenarios of 'what ifs?' during the warring periods. The artwork is nothing short of superb and is brought to life by Scott Hampton. One of the best in his field may I add. Some readers might not like the way or the style he portrayed certain religions but I for one, thoroughly enjoyed his book.

Preacher - Gone To Texas

This book is definitely not everyone's cup of tea! It certainly proved hard to swallow. Sex, violence, drugs and gore. Name any vice or evils they probably got it.

Entertainment Weekly says:

"Features more blood and blasphemy than any mainstream comic in memory"

It shocks and probably to some readers would disgust them. The plot and story itself seems twisted enough. Here is the actual intro taken from the back of the book

The story is written by Garth Ennis and 'arted' by Steve Dillon.

"At first glance, the Reverend Jesse Custer doesn't look like anyone special -  just another small-town minister slowly losing his flock and his faith. But he's about to come face-to-face that God does indeed exist - and that He's one mean son of a bitch. In one explosive instant. Jesse's life is changed forever - and he aims to find out why....But these answers are going to be hard won - especially considering what Heaven has sent to stop them."

Other characters here include a gun-toting ex lover Tulip and a hard working Irish vampire called Cassidy. There is a lot of strange shit in this book and some of the stuff are bordering on tasteless, probably offensive. Somewhat not surprisingly, it has quite a huge following in the US. Its artwork isn't too shabby and its characters have well, character. Its plot is not too bad BUT having said that, I am definitely not going to get its 2nd volume. I unfortunately, (or fortunately) below to the more conservative band of readers.

Y The Last Man - Unmanned

I first got my attention drawn to this book when I surfing around Vertigo's website. Its very unique storyline piqued my curiosity. What would really happen to the last man on Earth? (Assuming all MAN have died) It could be someone's worst nightmare OR someone fantasy come to true :)

The story goes like this : "In the summer of 2002, a plague of unknown origin destroyed every last sperm, fetus, and fully developed mammal with a Y chromosome - with the apparent exception of one young man and his male pet. This "gendercide" instantaneously exterminated 48% of the global population, or approximately 2.9 billion men. 495 of Fortune 500 CEOs are dead, as are 99% of all land owners.

In the United States alone, more than 95% of all commercial pilots, truck drivers and ship captains died...as did 92% of violent felons. Internationally, 99% of all mechanics, electricians and construction workers are now deceased...though 51% of the world's agricultural force is still alive.

14 nations including Spain and Germany, have women soldiers who have served in ground combat units. None of the United States nearly 200,000 female troops have participated in ground combat. (barring Iraq & Afghanistan) Australia, Norway and Sweden are the only countries with women serving on board submarines

Worldwide 85% of all government representatives are now dead...as are 100% of all Catholic priests, Muslim imams and Orthodox Jewish rabbis

Now aided by the mysterious Agent 355, the last human male Yorick Brown must contend with dangerous extremists, a hoped-for reunion with a girlfriend on the other side of the glode, and the search for exactly why he's the only man to survive."

I enjoyed this first installment tremendously and would definitely go get the second. I am so looking forward to it. Probably will do a mini section just for this series.

"A terrific debut to a fascinating new series" -  Comics Worth Reading

"This book blew us away" - Wizard

"Complete and utter comic gold" - Publishers Weekly

"Has steadily proved to be one of the best examples of its art form...Fascinating" - The Chicago Tribune

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