In The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 1, gods come to earth, reincarnated as pop stars, and Lucifer creates quite a stir. In The Woods Vol. 1, an entire high school is transported to a faraway planet with dangerous monsters, but it turns out the monsters aren’t the only danger when the people start turning on each other. In Y: The Last Man Vol. 1, a strange plague suddenly kills every living creature with a Y chromosome… except one man and one monkey. Enjoy my mini reviews for these three graphic novels!
The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 1 by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson, Clayton Cowles
Well that was... confusing. I understood the plot, but not the characters or why they were acting how they were acting or what their motivations were or what their rules were as reincarnated gods. And Luci was kind of interesting but written in a way that was like they were trying too hard to make her edgy, and I didn't really like any of the characters. Not for me, I guess. It did have beautiful artwork though. And I think people who are really into different mythologies may like this.
The Woods Vol. 1 by James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas
This was quite disturbing. I don't mean that as an insult though. There were monsters killing people in bloody deaths, there were bugs laying eggs in people, there were corrupt humans hurting their own fellow humans... But that was one of the more interesting things about this graphic novel, seeing the way the characters reacted to their situation, how some of them took advantage of it in order to gain power and let their dark nature free once there were no more rules, how others still tried to do what was right and help each other. It was also a really unique idea for a story. I don't think the story or the artwork were quite for me, but it was a good story (or a good start to one) that other people might enjoy.
Y: The Last Man Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, Jose Marzan Jr.
I might've tried this sooner if the art on the cover weren't such a turn-off to me, but it turns out the art on the inside is completely different, and I liked it. I also found the main character endearing, albeit not the brightest with his rash decisions. I also really liked the premise about what would happen if everything with a Y chromosome suddenly died... except for one man and one monkey. I always enjoy seeing how people react when they're pushed into extreme situations like that. There weren't any answers given for anything, but I imagine there will be eventually in the series. I don't think I'll be continuing (I had planned to, but I guess I just never felt interested enough to pick up the next one), but I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with this comic, and other readers may enjoy it more than I did.
I think out of all of these, I’d be most interested in The Woods. It sounds pretty gruesome, which works for me if I’m in the mood.
I think it’s a book that people who like disturbing or gruesome stuff might really like!
They all sound interesting in their own ways. I’ll have to see if my library has any of them
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
If you have Hoopla, they should all be available there 🙂
The Last Man sounds really interesting. I agree about the cover art though. Definitely not very enticing, lol.
Seriously, I don’t understand why they made that the cover art lol.
The woods does sound pretty disturbing Xd I think I myself would have a hard time getting through that one
I don’t blame you!
I don’t necessarily seek out dark/disturbing graphic novels, but I don’t mind them. I’ve read the first two volumes of The Wicked and the Divine, and I really enjoy them. They can be a bit confusing though, I get that. Thanks for sharing.
-Lauren
I can definitely see how people would enjoy them, but without knowing all the mythology, I just couldn’t get into it.
The Woods sounds kind of interesting although I feel like I’ve read (or maybe seen is more accurate) a lot of stories like that lately, where people go somewhere ELSE haha and everyone’s gone or whatever. Maybe I’m just thinking this because I watched The Society recently on Netflix lol. Anyway sorry it wasn’t quite for you! Y The Last Man has an interesting premise too, but I'[m with you- that cover art is not inspiring. Glad it’s better inside.
It’s an interesting concept to explore, so I guess more people are using it. Ugh, seriously, why did they put that cover art??
The concept of Y sounds really interesting to me. I agree about the cover art. Now I’ll have to see if I can find some pics of what the rest of the art is like.
It was a cool idea. Definitely don’t judge it by that cover art lol.
Oh no :/ I was actually looking forward to reading The Wicked and The Divine because the premise is so interesting but I have no time for confusing graphic novels anymore. I have been reading more graphic novels lately and just… we need explanations from THE BEGINNING. NOT 4 VOLUMES IN. And that’s all I have to say about that >.>
I mean, maybe you’ll like it? I was confused though lol.
I haven’t seen The Wicked and the Divine about for a while I’ve got the first volume and never felt enough motivation to get the next one. It was kind of interesting but yeah, I totally didn’t get the character motivation.
Not for us, I guess.
Aw I’m sad you didn’t like the wicked! I’ve been wanting to read that one for a while.
Maybe you’ll like it more than I did!