Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Wicked + The Divine, Volume 1


Authors: Kieron Gillan (author); Jamie McKelvie (illustrator)
Publisher: Image Comics (November 25, 2014)
Copy for review loaned to me by Net Galley and the Publisher
Recommended for: 8th grade or higher

In short: "Every ninety years twelve Gods return as young people. They are loved. They are hated. In two years, they are all dad. It's happening now. It's happening again."

My thoughts:
Some of us have been reading stories for a VERY long time. It is difficult, then, for me to be surprised and intrigued by a snippet. But the snippet above really drew me in. Not since the book Every Day by David Levithan, have I been so drawn to a story like this one. Then I opened up the book and the first scene: 1923, 9 skulls on the table, 4 young people sitting in the rest of the spaces, the old woman with the mask. "I love you" and she leaves crying, then au revoir, four clicks, Kaboom!
Next chapter 2014, a psychedelic rock show more like the acid days of the 60s and 70s than 2014 and the story begins again. 

What I like is exactly what is jarring about it. I know it says 2014 but it seems out of place. The clothes, the hair, the way they are drawn, the way when Luci snaps her fingers and the judge's head explodes it has a pop art quality that looks Andy Warhol-ish.

This is not for the young tweens. There is violence and swearing, but for the older middles, it is still a good read and the premise is great because you know it's going to end soon which makes the story that much more interesting.