Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Jonas Goonface
Colourist: Jonas Goonface
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

Think Casper the Friendly Ghost meets Chuck Berry in a kind of dystopian Frank Capra movie and you’re in the right ballpark to enjoy Godshaper #1. You see, in Godshaper #1 religion is a very personal thing. Literally. Everyone has their own personal God who follows them around all the time. The Gods have weird powers and can be used as literal guardian angels or devils, depending on your personality.

Sounds cool, doesn’t it? But, as usual, what works for most, doesn’t work for all and Godshaper #1 introduces Ennay, an itinerant musician and Godshaper; someone without a God of his own but the power to mould the ectoplasmic form of other people’s Gods into whatever shape they want. This makes him useful but not very popular. Part of the Cantik counter-culture movement, Ennay moves from town to town, gig to gig, accompanied by Bud, a little blob shaped God with a thing for hats who doesn’t have a human of his own. When Ennay does his Godshaping thing, Bud sneaks in the back door and does a little light pilfering to make ends meet and then they’re off on their way before anyone is any the wiser.

All goes well in Godshaper #1 until they’re rumbled by Clara Smith, aka Smudge, former military, now court-marshalled for being a black marketer. Of course, it was a bum rap and Smudge wants Ennay and Bud to help her get justice. Not a cool option as far as Ennay is concerned, but Bud guilts him into giving it a go anyway and let the chips fall where they may.

To say that Godshaper #1 is “different” is the understatement of the year, but what else would you expect from Eisner Award nominated writer Simon Spurrier. If Godshaper #1 doesn’t see him move up the rankings from ‘nominated’ to ‘winner’, nothing will. The art, by breakout talent Jonas Goonface (is that really his name?) is eclectic and electrifying and any other words beginning with “e” that you can think of and just so darn perfect for a tale that defies genre and any, and all, expectations. Wherever it leads, you’d be well advised to sign up for the trip and may your Gods go with you.

 

 

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker