Comics
Review: “The Wicked + The Divine” #2
Laura is on the hunt for Ananke, the mysterious and unknown god-of-gods who sires each new incarnation and who Luci believes can help, in exchange Luci has promised to make Laura a god. She gets some help from an unlikely expert and is tasked with contacting the underground god known as “The Morrigan”. That’s what happens in “The Wicked + The Divine” #2, but that isn’t at all what its about. If you are looking for something especially high concept this book will delightfully perplex you.
WRITTEN BY: Kieron Gillen
ART BY: Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: July 16, 2014
Reviewed By Epic Switzer
First I want to start off by saying that I am not qualified to critique this series. This book consistently goes way over my head and I perpetually feel that I am missing the big picture, not catching on to the themes, and totally ignoring the cultural significance and substance. I am not ashamed to admit this because after years of studying the work of Alan Moore and Grant Morrison I believe that british writers are smarter than us, more studied than us, and tailor their work for a high minded audience. Simply put, I’m too dumb for “The Wicked + The Divine”.
That is not to say I don’t enjoy reading it, quite the contrary. What is on the surface is profoundly engaging, and wrapping my mind around the established mythology of popstar gods and how humans respond to their existence is really something novel. I’m just saying that this series has a great deal of depth that I haven’t quite been able to discern or articulate yet, but my ignorance only further intrigues me. The more I feel I am missing something the more I am consumed by this book. I think about each issue for a long time after reading it and, for me, that has a great deal of value. This isn’t a book you read absently, its a book that rewards attentive reading and critical thinking. There isn’t enough of these kinds of series being produced right now, so I welcome the confusion.
What I can speak to with authority is the wonderful art and interesting layouts in this book. In an issue containing mostly conversations between two people, the character work is really fantastic. They are expressive, natural looking, and use body language authentically. It makes a big difference when the characters are as physically interesting as they are psychologically. As removed as a feel from these people I don’t yet understand, they are as vulnerable and relatable on the page as you’d like them to be.
I think it is really important to read outside your comfort zone. I don’t really “get” this book, yet, and that’s ok. In fact its a really good thing because it will motivate me to examine, re-read, think harder, and possibly even research. We should all try to read things over our heads from time to time and not dismiss them for being frustrating. Getting to know writers through their work is one of the best things about reading, and it is clear that Gillen writes from a very personal place. I think that’s really cool, and I’ll continue reading “The Wicked + The Divine” every month and revelling in how much smarter it is than me.
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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