Chosen #1
By Nathan Patton
February 12, 2004 - 13:36
Dark Horse Comics
Writer(s): Mark Millar
Penciller(s): Peter Gross
Cover Artist(s): Peter Gross
Things like these are both the strength and the weaknesses of this book. Millar crafts an interesting tale, as he often does, but it gets a little too convenient. From the main character’s last name being Christianson to frequent use of “Jesus Christ” as a swear word, it all starts to feel like Millar is winking at the reader. Not to mention how everyone just seems to know whom the child is without a second thought. That aside it has definitely interested me enough to want to pick up the rest of the mini-series. I just hope it delves a little more into how heavy this must weigh on the main character’s mind.
When this series was announced, I immediately went and found some of Peter Gross’s past works to see if he could live up to the hype that Millar is so famous for spewing. To be honest, I didn’t much care for it. But I’m certainly glad that didn’t deter me from picking this up, as I have not one bad thing to say about the art. It sets the mood quite well and more importantly has a fresh look to it that sets it apart from most things out there. I hope this book leads to more mainstream work for Gross, as he’s been a well-kept secret for too long.
Best Features: The art and the no apologies approach to such a controversial tale.
Worst Flaws: The ever-present humor sometimes gets in the way of the darkness.
The Flub: The cover—not the art, the idea.
Rating: 7/10
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Chosen #1