Connect with us
American Gods #1 Review

Comic Books

American Gods #1 Review

On June 19th, 2001, a book was released. Neil Gaiman had been a prolific writer for years, with a multi-year run on The Sandman, his adaptation of his television show, Neverwhere, and his classic collaboration with Terry Pratchett, Good Omens. This was something different though. Neil had blogged throughout the creative process, allowing his readers to see what really makes up the sausage of a creative act, and the result was something that many of us Gaiman fans took some ownership of and felt a deeper connection to when we finally dove into the pages of American Gods.

Now, 16 years later, Gods is becoming two new properties: a comic book adaptation and a television series. I was lucky enough to claim issue #1 for this week’s review, and while I’m a bit torn about any adaptations of this novel, I know that what we have is a solid telling. Let’s discuss.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

American Gods #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

Screen Shot 2017-03-13 at 10.01.18 PM

American Gods is the story of three people: Shadow, his wife Laura, and his employer Mr. Wednesday. I’m going to intentionally keep this light on plot, so let’s just say Shadow was in jail, now he’s out, and Mr. Wednesday has employed him to do some very interesting things.

Screen Shot 2017-03-13 at 9.50.09 PM

Those things involve the Gods. Yes, those gods. They are real, and they’re in America because at some point in the past, someone who worshipped various gods and goddesses did so from this continent, connecting them to this land. They are now stuck here–splintered from their original forms and homelands, and desperate to survive by any means necessary. Their sustenance?

Worship.

How does a down on their luck god gain worship?

Through whatever means necessary.

Now, the comic is pretty much a word for word remake of the book–with some editing for time, as I assume this isn’t going to be a 700 issue series–but it stays very faithful to the original.

The artwork? This is where I’m torn to pieces like a dude at a Dionysius party.

Screen Shot 2017-03-13 at 9.51.18 PM

Firstly: the artwork is great. Scott Hampton is telling a story with his image choices just like the book does with words, and his rough style and light background additions make the focus stay on the characters at hand.

Having said that, these are not my Shadow and Wednesday. When you’ve read and re-read a book this much, your own slightly baked images of the characters stand out tall. In my mind Shadow is a dark-skinned, long-haired, VERY BIG character, who trouble knows to stay the hell away from. My Wednesday was older and wiser, and more cunning, and far more attractive to all.

Screen Shot 2017-03-13 at 10.02.16 PM

Reading a book and then reading the comic forces you to step inside someone else’s mental image of your characters that you’ve read with for so long, and it’s always a disconnect.

I can look past it, because there are scenes that I want to see another adaptation of to confirm or deny my own suspicions and thoughts. The Forgotten God, for instance, is something I’m so god damn curious about, I asked Gaiman himself (he dodged the question) when I met him.

So, this is a solid book. I can’t tell if the comic is going to be worthy of the source material, but if it’s even half as good as the novel, this is well worth picking up.

American Gods #1 Review
American Gods #1
Is It Good?
A great adaptation of a book that many have read and lauded - but, will the images the artists creates match your own head-canon?
A word for word adaptation of a beloved novel--don't fix what ain't broken.
The Bilquis scene? In full gory detail? Damn, this comic isn't pulling punches.
I am SO GOD DAMN excited to see some of these scenes unfold in full color, no matter how much they differ from my own version.
When you've read a novel 10 times, your version of the characters is not the version in someone else's head.
9
Great
Buy Now

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024 'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024

‘My Adventures with Superman’ gets new comics series starting June 2024

Comic Books

'X-Men' #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age 'X-Men' #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age

‘X-Men’ #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age

Comic Books

New DC Black Label 'Zatanna: Bring Down the House' out June 25th New DC Black Label 'Zatanna: Bring Down the House' out June 25th

New DC Black Label ‘Zatanna: Bring Down the House’ out June 25th

Comic Books

DC Preview: Action Comics #1063 DC Preview: Action Comics #1063

DC Preview: Action Comics #1063

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup