Comic Review: Golem #1

Golem #1

Creative Team:

Writers - Scott Barkman & Jeff Lee
Art by - Mark Louie Vuycankiat
Colors by - Luis Santiago
Letters by - Michael Hanfling

Published by - Studio 407

When the Balkan conflict tears Sarajevo apart, Srdjan Zivojin, a professor of occult studies, creates a golem of immeasurable power to protect the city's inhabitants from persecution. But the novice magician soon discovers that creating a golem is one thing, but controlling one is another thing altogether! The creature not only has a mind of its own, it intends to 'crush' evil, no matter the consequences... or the collateral damage that results. Armed with a hair trigger temper, and ready to blaze a path of retribution and destruction, Golem introduces an all-new kind of anti-hero, where magic and might combine into an unstoppable force. Evildoers be warned!

Characters

Srdjan Zivojin
Golem
Maja
Kizzy

Admittedly, I was a bit disappointed when I started reading Golem #1 with the Sarajevan characters and setting. My initial disinterest is something I try to combat and based on an age old tenet that you have to connect with a reader and the other age old tenet that human beings are prejudicial bastards. I just couldn't relate to the conflict in Sarajevo in 1992, where the story starts. But it's our humanity that gets us past that prejudice to see something for what it really is, not just what it looks like, and the character of Golem led the way.

That big, gray, toothy scowl is the face of a fascinatingly fresh take of the Jewish Golem mythos. Unlike the usual golem characterization of tall, somber, and quiet, Studio 407's Golem has 'tude! He's sarcastic and funny and all too entertaining. After Srdjan Zivojin performs the spell which is supposed to animate the golem and nothing happens, in a scene reminisent of Frankenstein, Zivojin lashes out in anger and frustration that it didn't work. As he sulks off, Golem rises saying, "Relax maji. I live."

And like Frankenstein's monster, Golem proves to be uncontrollable, intent to crush evil his way, not his creator's more sensitive way.

Zivojin, though, is only interesting in as far as he attempts to control Golem. Otherwise, he's generally annoying.

Maja, about whom we know little, has the potential for interest, but too much is kept quiet about her.

Zivojin's friend Kizzy was an engaging character, but she's the one that dies and spurrs Zivojin to make the Golem, so we probably won't see her again. But anything's possible in comics.

Character Rating: 1 Worm, carried entirely by Golem himself.

Plot

As Serb forces slaughter innocent civilians, Srdjan Zivojin constructs a Golem following the death of friend Kizzy. His intention is for the Golem to defend innocents from the brutal war, but Zivojin quickly learns that his Golem has a mind of his own. Zivojin debates with Golem arguing, "Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean every problem is a nail," to which Golem replies, "Who told you to bring a W.M.D. to a gunfight?"

Golem wupps tail on both Serb forces and UN forces not entirely on the up and up. Goelm proves himself to be a maverick with his own idea of what justice means and heads off into the shadows alone.

Plot Rating: 1 1/2 Worms...Loss of 1.2 worm for lack of real challenge for Golem. But the focus was on the character of Golem, not the action.

Art

Speaking of prejudice, I've got a problem with manga. I don't like it. As far as Golem's appearance, it works fine, but the human characters annoy me visually. The cover is eye catching and the main reason I picked it up, with Golem standing there daring us to pick up the book to read.

Art Rating: 1 Worm...Loss of 1 Worm for manga style.



Overall Rating: 3 1/2 Worms...fascinating character with limited plot and manga art. This was a one-shot, but I'd be willing to pick up an on-going series with a different artist.




Other golems in comics...

Golem - creature made @ sixteenth century by Judah Loew Ben Bezalel
First Appearance: Incredible Hulk #134



Golem - Jacob Goldstein constructed a clay golem, was struck by lightning, and gained the ability to transform into the golem. Fought during World War II.
First Appearance: Invaders #12-13



Monolith - A golem created in the 1930's by Alice Cohen after the death of her husband.
First Appearance: Monolith #1