Last month Clive Barker introduced a new comic book series about a man who unearths God. He was a prisoner and it looks like for good reason. Can the horror maestro continue to enthrall us and more importantly, is it good?
Clive Barker’s Next Testament #2 (of 12) (Boom! Studios)
Check out our review of Next Testament #1 if you missed it.
For a 12 issue series there’s certainly a lot to enjoy in this single issue installment. So often these days comics are so decompressed, a six issue series contains one measly fight scene and some boring exposition. Not so here, as God, who calls himself Wick, has a hell of a lot to say. Last issue an old man uncovered a prison made of carved stone in the shape of a pryamid. God came forth and he’s dabbled in colors and evil as hell.
Interesting take on some biblical stories.
This issue opens with Wick skimming through the Holy Bible, reviewing some of the things written after he was imprisoned. Anyone religious should probably steer clear of this comic, because he says some things that could easily offend about religious lies and real truths behind the stories. Just imagine the stories about God enacting justice and twist it so that he was enacting evil and you get the idea. It’s incredibly interesting to get a slanted take on the stories you’ve heard before and it’s clear Barker and cowriter Mark Miller are having a lot of fun.
That’s scary as hell.
Getting back to the decompression idea, this comic gets right into things, as the man who discovered God invites him to a dinner party. He peruses the elite class and judges them all with pleasure. It’s all a way for Barker and Miller to comment on society, but also let Wick deviously gossip about the patrons. The issue ends with the dinner party and a long, yet interesting speech from Wick about the state of society today.
Daddy issues…they’re everywhere.
The son/father storyline takes a bit of a backseat this issue, but there’s still development to be had. Obviously this is second in importance as far as entertainment goes so far, but that’s mostly because Wick doesn’t need a hero to stop him…yet.
Once again artist Haemi Jang does a great job. Lots of dark ink work to compliment the evil taking place on the page. His facial expressions are incredibly important too as there’s mostly talking going on, but nothing feels stifled or boring. So often dialogue-heavy comics can feel stuffy, but not so here.
We’re smart like that.
9.0
- Interesting concepts at work
- The premise is incredible
- The father/son story isn’t very strong…yet
There’s a moment in this issue where a character suggests God isn’t God, but an actor and this is all a movie pitch. A character replies, “personally I love it, but it could never be made into a movie. A book sure, but not a movie.” One wonders if that was the goal, but was instead made into this very comic. A nice balance if you think about it, because comics tend to be a format between books and movies. Go read this great comic!
Is It Good?
Yes. If you’re interested in theology, sociology and an interesting unique premise at work…don’t hesitate. Buy this comic!
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