Genesis #1 Review
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Nathan Edmondson
Art: Alison Sampson
Colors: Jason Wordie
Letters: Jonathan Babcock
Cover Colors: Joseph Bergin III
Review By Jason Stagner
If you could manifest anything by thinking of it, what would you do? Would you try to fix the problems of the world such as hunger, poverty, and homelessness? How would you react when it all went sideways because you couldn’t control your power?
This is the basis for Nathan Edmondson and Alison Sampson’s Genesis. A thought provoking story that takes imagination and creativity to the next level. This 56 page TPB will have fans of Neil Gaimans’ Sandman series clamoring for a copy of their own.
We are introduced to Adam, a child creating a make-believe world with his blocks. Just as most parents, his parents are raising him to believe that he can do anything; change the world for better or worse. In his adult years, Adam attempts to make good on this and becomes a minister. After a few years, he begins to notice that he is seemingly having little effect and falls into depression; eventually throwing himself off the roof of his church. We next see Adam lying in a coma in the hospital.
A beautifully written journey into self-realization takes place in a surreal, dreamlike world which is superbly drawn by Alison Sampson. Her art has a European style that is seldom seen in American comics. Fluid panel layouts and a blending of the natural world with the synthetic help convey the myriad twists and turns of the psyche. Jason Wordie uses a somewhat muted pastel pallet to beautifully color Sampson’s art. His colors set the mood of the story even without exquisite work of Jonathan Babcock’s letters.
Edmondson’s writing is well paced throughout this book. The story seems to flow effortlessly, and the dialogue between Adam and his wife is done so well that the reader can’t help but be drawn into making a connection with them. Without spoiling too much of the story, Edmondson introduces a couple of interesting characters to deal with the inner struggle taking place in Adams head, most notably, a grizzly bear. Kind of a spirit animal that Adam’s subconscious creates to argue with itself, and shed a little bit of light on what is happening.
Genesis is a gorgeous, well written book that is going to leave you thinking in a new light.
Story: 5/5
Art: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Jason is a contributing writer for Drunk On Comics. You can follow him on Twitter at @jstagner1.