DC Comics - Wildstorm
200 pages
$24.99 (2010) Graphic Novel
ISBN 9781401226831
Contributors: John Arcudi, Peter Snejberg, Bjarne Hansen, and Wes Abbott
Synopsis: This is the story of three friends who grew up together and would be torn apart when one of them became a god. Eric and Hugh are brothers, but complete opposites. Hugh was good with studying and ended up mildly affluent while Eric was always a trouble-maker. Both of them had good hearts and befriended Sam when they were kids. More like saved Sam from getting beaten up for being the only black kid in school and an easy target. They've been close friends ever since.
Now they're older and Hugh has a beautiful wife named Alma. He lives in a nice house and has a high-paying job while Sam and Eric work at UPS. Eric is happy, but Sam feels like he's missed his potential in life. Hugh starts to feel like an outsider because of his higher social status. The three plan to buy a boat together so they can reconnect.
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| Eric exhibits some extraordinary abilities |
A gap forms between Eric and Hugh which causes them both irreparable harm. Sam ends up as a kind of sidekick to Eric and rides his coattails to fame. What happens when a normal man becomes something beyond humanity? Eric begins to change as his newly gifted powers set him apart from normal society. What human authority can stop him when he's no longer human? Is the world organized by God or by chance? All that is certain is nothing will ever be the same.
Pros: An interesting take on the 'superbeing', good characters, competent art, suitably dark and shocking, definitely makes you think, Snejberg nails the emotional expressions of the characters
Cons: Snejberg's art is not particularly realistic, a few events were a little corny (like the LA showdown between a militia group and the police), probably offensive to people who are serious about believing in God
Mike Tells It Straight: John Arcudi writes a lengthy graphic novel to explore the moral crisis and resulting destruction a normal person would produce if randomly given superpowers. This book reminded me of Arcudi's cult classic series Major Bummer where a slacker gains superpowers. That series was funny while this story is grim and philosophical. I enjoyed both and you know I love a good deconstructed superhero story!
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| Eric becomes a god-like figure |
Arcudi focuses on the relationship between the three friends and its eventual breakdown once Eric becomes a demigod. We see Eric, an essentially good man and a Christian, imbued with power that sets him apart from humanity. He slowly questions why he needs to conform to human rules and society any longer. The rift between brothers is particularly difficult to witness.
I really liked Arcudi's possible explanation for Eric's powers and the name of the book. I won't give it away, but it's an interesting take on God and could be highly offensive to religious types. Snejberg's art is pretty good. He's done work on The Sandman with Neil Gaiman and is highly competent. His art is fairly simple and I almost would have liked a more realistic artist, but he really draws great expressions on the characters' faces.
I suggest A God Somewhere as a mature alternative to superhero comics which gives a unique take on what happens when a regular person receives great power. It's not pretty and I have to say it's more believable than someone putting on a costume to fight crime. Despite being 200 pages the book is actually a fast read. Check it out!
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