Divinity III: Escape From Gulag 396 #1
Story By: Eliot Rahal
Art By: Francis Portela
Eliot Rahal has given us an interesting take on some classic Valiant characters. Divinity III: Escape From Gulag 396 #1 is a nose dive into an alternative world where Soviet Russia is the dominate super power.
Whenever I see certain issues like religion being portrayed in comic books, I get a little apprehensive. When I read comic books, I’m fully aware of the fact that it serves as a vehicle of expression. Comic book writers are well within their rights, to express themselves through exaggerated caricatures. Comic books are the fun house mirrors of our reality. With that said, I think Divinity III: Escape From Gulag 396 #1 uses religion as a spring board to tell an interesting story.
Rahal has my curiosity with this first issue. I’m interested to see how Americans would react to being under Soviet control. Obadiah Archer, one of the two major characters in Divinity III: Escape pr From Gulag 396 #1, is an the son of an underground Christian pastor. I’m not exactly sure what denomination or branch he belongs to however. The only clue is the painting of Mary praying in the background of the church, that Archer belongs to. But this isn’t too important going forward in the story. Archer is written as an idealist who has strong convictions. In the first book we don’t see Archer talking theology or mention Jesus, just god generically.
Dialogue between characters is hyperbolic, but it works. Eliot is writing a stylized world where everything is either extreme right or left. But smack dab in the middle is Armstrong, a centuries old brute and poet. Imagine of Ernest Hemingway was immortal, thats kind of like Armstrong. I like the dynamic of these two.
Francis Portela brings Divinity III: Escape From Gulag 396 #1 to life. Artist are the second writer in every comic book. Portela breathes life into a bleak Soviet America.
You can check out my other reviews here.
- Story - 8/108/10
- Art - 9/109/10
Summary
In the end I recommend this for your pull list. You don’t have to have read any Archer & Armstrong comics in the past, to enjoy this.