DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton; Colleen Doran
COLORS: Scott Hampton
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2017)
Written by Neil Gaiman and first published in 2001, American Gods is an award-winning, fantasy novel. It is currently being adapted into a comic book series, published by Dark Horse Comics. The novel won several fantasy-literary awards, and there is currently a hit television series adapted from the novel and televised on the cable network, Starz Media. American Gods blends Americana and also ancient and modern mythology to tell the story of a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.
Frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell, is the guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book. Russell wrote the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provided the layouts for the art. American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.
American Gods #4 finds the protagonist, Shadow Moon, and his mysterious employer, Mr. Wednesday in Chicago. There, they meet an eccentric family tied to Wednesday's plans. One of them, an elderly man named Czernobog, wants to play chess with Shadow, although the consequences for a loss by Shadow are dire. There are also three sisters in the apartment, and one of them, Zorya Polunochnaya, has a gift for Shadow. Plus, Mr. Ibis tells the “coming-to-America” story of Essie Tregowan – from the shores of Cornwall and the streets of London to early 18th century colonial Virginia.
Once again, dear reader, a reminder: I am a big fan of American Gods, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001. I read the tenth anniversary edition which featured a longer text – the author's preferred edition. I also feel that I must admit that I loved that book, and that “love” is not a strong enough word in this case. American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading that edition of American Gods to be life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer. True stuff, swear to an American god.
The main story by Russell and Hampton is, as usual, quite good, capturing the magic of Gaiman's book. This time, however, the main feature is outshone by the back-up feature, the story of Essie Tregowan. Drawn and colored by the incomparable Colleen Doran (who has previously collaborated with Neil Gaiman), the story reads like a fairy tale, the kind with the melancholy ending.
Doran is a respected comic book artist, but is perhaps under-appreciated as a comic book creator and publisher. This story reminds us of her skills as a storyteller and perhaps, reveals to some and reminds others of the remarkable beauty of her comic book art and illustrations. In the world of American comic books, Colleen Doran should be an American god.
So for the fourth time, I implore you to set aside your four dollars each month so that you can buy this lovely comic book, dear reader. American Gods may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.
10 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You'
The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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