Authors: Jonathan Pageau, Matthieu Pageau, Cord Nielson, Felipe Cartin
Published: 2021
Tags: fantasy, historical, textual, visual
Length: 117 pages
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GodsDog: Monster is the first volume in a graphic novel series. It begins the legendary retelling of the story of the dog-headed Saint Christopher woven into an epic legendary world, where angels, giants, dragons as well as warrior saints and mysterious monks deal with the consequences of the world's very first relic.
Note: This pitch was written after reading the first volume of GodsDog.
There is no question that contemporary adaptations of religious stories often fall victim to numerous pitfalls. GodsDog thankfully avoids these pitfalls to create a gripping retelling of Saint Christopher's story.
In the first issue, the Pageau brothers bring the world of antiquity to life with ominous prose and accessible dialogue which quickly sets the stage without feeling modern or cliche. Cord Nielson and Felipe Cartin bring heavy linework and moody colors to the page respectively, casting a tense and mysterious atmosphere. I particularly enjoy the depiction of the giants and their chaotic, jumbled kingdom of misplaced relics and broken statues, as well as the design of Reprobus, gentle and threatening in equal measure.
GodsDog is crafted with artistry an adult can appreciate, while remaining tasteful enough in its depiction of violence to be suitible for older children. It is an easy read, but it opens the door for a wide audience to research the life of the real Saint Christopher.
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