Laura and Luci were my favourite characters. Laura was obsessed, devoted and loyal; Luci was fierce, reckless and determined to break the rules. These rules are part of the Pantheon, looked over by Ananke, the one who brings the Gods back to life and also watches over them to make sure they follow the rules placed upon them, she also makes sure that they return to the dead after their two years are over. These rules seem to cage the Gods in, to keep them from being their true selves, to enslave them in a life of pop adoration; although, Ananke tries to assure that all the Gods want is adulation and devotion. The storyline kept me glued to the page, soaking up all of the history and information about these Gods. While they were otherwordly, they also displayed many human traits. They were easy to both love and hate; their lack of humility, their need for adoration, their anger, and their need for the other Gods (stemming from a need to fend off loneliness and isolation). There are several strong female characters in this book, which you know is a winner for me, in fact most of the main characters are women. They are resilient, they are strong, they are not easily overpowered by others. They also rely on one another, push each other to be stronger, to have faith, to have courage, to let go of the rage and rely on others. It is a strong message about the power of humanity, and the power of a single female fan willing to do what she can to help her idols; even if it means dying in the process. The graphic novel also went about shocking the audience, stripping away what you know about graphic novel tropes and characterization. Not all the characters will live, remember that you begin the novel knowing they are slotted to die. This means that any character you begin to like is very likely to be destroyed before your very eyes. While I was sad an disappointed to lose an amazing character, in this first book, it was a pivotal moment for the direction the series was going and the next steps that needed to be taken. A necessary evil, as the saying goes. This one event sets in motion what is sure to be an awe-inspiring series, which I have already requested the entire set of from my local library...oops. Before signing off on this one, I have to mention the incredible pop references that were at play. I especially loved that Luci(fer) was fashioned, once again, after David Bowie (be still my heart) similar to Neil Gaiman's game changing Lucifer Samael Morningstar, first introduced in The Sandman. Props also to the child God Minerva sporting a Freddy Mercury/Michael Jacksonesque coat during the scene in Woden's Valhalla. Valhalla reminded me of a Daft Punk album, as did Woden with his helmet hiding his face; his place was full of electric colours and a computerized ambiance, futuristic intentions. The colouring was divine, pun intended, and they even brought in a second colourist to do the portrait of Baal (genius), which looked so similar, yet so charactersitically different in the colouring approach, much more like a painting. Wow! I loved every dark to radient panel, the blackness and fire of the underground (underworld, featuring The Morrigan and Baphomet). The clear hate from both humans and Gods alike for the installation artist Tara, adding that little bit of humour to an otherwise dramatic graphic novel. Load me up with more, I am jonesing for some Godsong. The images below mostly feature the stunning chapter separators. I mean, look at these, swoon!
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