NEIL
GAIMAN’S American Gods is one of my favourite novels of recent years and
I look forward to seeing the TV show based on it. However, I have to say the first
issue of this comic version left me A BIT COLD.
P. Craig
Russell’s adaptation of Gaiman’s tale of ancient and modern gods clashing in
the United States felt…CLUNKY. There’s a lot of Gaiman’s text that’s been
jammed into every panel, making the comic feel very word-heavy with the
pictures thrown in as an afterthought.
Speaking of
the art, the main story features Hampton’s art over Russell’s layouts and
it’s…well, not the BEST work I’ve ever seen those two do. The back-up story by
Russell and Lovern Kindzierski is much better, as Russell is more hands-on with
the pencils.
Don’t get
me wrong: any comic with Neil Gaiman as the source material is going to be a
joy to read. I don’t know…I guess I expected SO MUCH MORE from this comic –
high expectations will do that to you.
Maybe the
series will pick up with issue two – I’ll certainly pick it up. With that said,
for those who haven’t read American Gods
the novel, then this comic version could entice them to check it out.
American
Gods #1
is published by Dark Horse and retails for US$3.99. It goes on sale March 15.
Writers:
Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell/Artists: P. Craig Russell and Scott Hampton,
P. Craig Russell and Lovern Kindzierski (interior); Glenn Fabry (cover)
RATING:
6.5 out of 10
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