Friday 8 August 2014

Comic Review - The Wicked + The Divine



The Wicked + The Divine is an ongoing creator owned comic. It is written by  Kieron Gillen with art by Jamie McKelvie. Currently 2 issues have been published. It's published by Image. This is a spoiler free review.

The Wicked + The Divine #1 cover by Jamie McKelvie
I've spoken before about how absolutely brilliant Gillen & McKelvie's Phonogra; it should come as no surprise that I rate this highly too. And I do rate it very highly. With only two issues out it is one of three comics that vie for the title of my favourite, (The others are Alex + Ada, reviewed here, and Sex Criminals, to be reviewed soon).

One of the reasons I like it so much after two issues is the lack of wasted space. It's common in comics that the first issue is all set-up with a final page reveal that gets the main story started. Partly because it's serialised story telling and you want people to buy the next issue but partly because creators want to set up the world they are telling their story in. The Wicked + The Divine creates the world as it tells the story.It's set on a world that is basically our own. The concept is that every 90 years 12 gods become incarnate in already living people. Within 2 years they're all dead.

The current incarnations of the gods have all become pop stars. The story is told through the filter of Laura, a fan of the gods/popstars who wants to become one of them. The secondary main character, (so far anyway, i guess she'll become as prominent as Laura soon), is Cassandra; a critic and journalist who is sceptical that these people are gods.The comic deals with how people are idolised and elevated by society as a whole. Laura & Cassandra represent the two extremes of this. One totally buying in to the idea and the other not just dismissing it but hating that people buy in to it. Nonetheless, they are both obsessed with the truth behind the story; they're both obsessed with the gods.

Art by Jamie McKelvie
As I said before, Laura wants to become one of the gods. She wants what they have. Of course a journey towards becoming that means leaving behind everything else, friends, family, college. She wants what they have but if she achieves it and becomes famous, will there be anything left of her. Will she still be Laura or another, ultimately disposable, celebrity. After all, these people are gods. But only for two years.

I mentioned this will be spoiler free so rather than talk any more about the plot I'm going to talk about what makes the book great. Firstly, the art is gorgeous. McKelvie has the knack of drawing images that even when full of movement and action are never confused or muddled. They lead the reader exactly where they need to go. Matt Wilson's colours deserve special praise too. the palette fits perfectly with the art; it's bright without ever being garish. Gillen's writing is clever but not subtle. That's not to say there's nothing to be found be re-reading or digging deeper into the story, there is, but it's a book about pop culture and how that leads to a transient immortality. It is frequently on the nose but never overbearingly asking you if you get the points it's making.

 Art by Jamie McKelvie 
Gillen & McKelvie are two talented creators and their work is always worth checking out. When they're collaborating it becomes a must buy for me. The Wicked + The Divine is shaping up to be their masterpiece. You should grab the first two issues and join in.

One last thing. Being that it's a book based around popstars, and Gillen is an ex-music journalist, he's created a spotify playlist for the series here.

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