Pick of the Week
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Size: pages
Price: 3.99
For the past year, we’ve been watching as Image Comics has slowly continued to carve out a niche in the comics world, one that is difficult to describe. Sure, they’ve got Spawn and Savage Dragon and Witchblade and those type of books that you think of immediately when you hear “Image Comics.” But over the past few years they’ve been quietly putting out other books that defy categorization, leaving me simply to describe them as “good comics.” In 2008 it seems as if they stepped up that part of the house, and I Kill Giants was one of the books that had us talking.
Joe Kelly (who has had a long career working for both of the big 2 publishers doing superhero type comics) teamed up with JM Ken Nimura (someone who I’d never heard of before) and created a comic that even as I read this last issue and try and review, I cannot put my finger on what it is exactly. Usually that’s a bad thing, but in this case its actually quite a good thing.
Warning: I’m going to discuss what specifically happens in this issue, some call that a “spoiler” but this is definitely the kind of book where what happens is almost irrelevant, it’s the way it happens. But if you’re worried about that sort of thing, take caution as you continue reading.
I Kill Giants was a 7 issue mini-series, done in black and white, telling the story of Barbara Thorson, a young girl who claims to be a giant killer. Obviously she has issues relating to her classmates and finds herself alone most of the time, no one being able to get beyond her facade. When I started reading this series, I could never put my finger on whether or not Barbara was crazy, or that she was sane and the rest of the world was the crazy ones. Kelly crafted her story throughout the 7 issues in a masterful way, balancing the moments where it’s obvious that all this giant killing business is in her head with moments where you absolutely believe there are giants in the world and only Barbara can save us. The last issue, #6, delivered what was the ultimate climax action of the story, as a storm hits Barbara’s Long Island town and she is the lone line of defense against the giant that threatened the safety of the one who Barbara loved, her mother. But it’s here in issue #7, with the epilogue of sorts that we learn that the giant wasn’t here for Barbara’s mother, rather it was here for her and not to harm her, but to help her. To instill the confidence in Barbara that she is strong. Strong enough to deal with anything, specifically her dying mother.
I can’t say that I didn’t get a bit choked up as I turned the pages of this issue, after seeing the revealing flashback of what happened to Barbara during the storm and her run in with the giant leading to Barbara facing her own fears and climbing the long stairs to her mother’s bedroom, filled with medical equipment as she lays dying. It’s Barbara’s embracing of life and death and the lesson to cherish the time we have that was the ultimate climax of the story. If you didn’t feel a little bit while continuing to read this issue, watching as life goes on and her mother passes, then you’ve got a cold, dead heart.
When this series began, I thought it was going to be a kids fantasy book. A pre-teen heroine, giants, a big hammer, it had all the makings of that kind of book. But that’s not what it turned out to be. I Kill Giants is a heartfelt, emotional story about life, death and growth and one that I absolutely cannot wait to see collected in a nice hardcover and be able to recommend to people as an example of how comics can be the perfect vehicle to deliver complex and touching stories like this.
As usual when reviewing a book, I’ve talked about the story and how delightful it has been. But the other great thing about comic books is that they’re a visual medium, where an artist works his butt off to deliver the vision of the writer. I don’t know where JM Ken Nimura came from, but man, what an artist! The black and white art of I Kill Giants is just as deceiving as the story. At first glance, it seems quite simple and cartoony. But Nimura is able to draw engaging action scenes, touching emotional discussions and tell a fluid, well-paced story. His manner of facial expressions, body language and figure drawing comes off as seeming effortless, but it’s clear that after this issue, it’s quite masterful. I can’t imagine the delicateness of moments of this story drawn by anyone else. The big eyes and thin lines compliment the heaviness of the story perfectly, giving a balance and amazing comic book.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the items beyond the story and art that make this comic special. The cover treatments are an example of how you can break the mold of the typical comic book. When the first issue came out, it was the cover that grabbed me. This book didn’t look like anything else on the rack, and that’s a great way to get noticed. Additionally, the back matter, specifically the humorous back cover cartoons depicting Kelly and Nimura’s creative process was both amusing but also provided a face to the creators. With such emotion being poured out in the pages of the story, these little breaks cut the tension perfectly and gave us insight to the storytellers. A fun and subtle touch that made the whole series that much more fun to enjoy.
After writing about I Kill Giants, I’m still at a loss as to how to describe it beyond “Good”. But maybe after some thought I don’t think “good” does it the proper justice. I Kill Giants is a great comic book with an enthralling story of love, life, loss and courage. This would be a title that I would gladly recommend to anyone, young or old, and encourage them to give a try and see just how comics can be a serious and touching medium of storytelling.
Ron Richards
We are stronger than we think.
ron@ifanboy.com
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nice review Ron
Great review.
I actually read the first issue for free on another website. I enjoyed it, I’ll get my hands on the trade when it comes out for sure.
Is the trade solicited yet?
Based on this review I’m going to be picking up the trade. Nicely done.
I have enjoyed this series so far and look forward to the conclusion. I like the overall "look" of this book. My only complaint about the series is one that I have mixed feelings about: the artwork! I loved it, yet hated it as well. Many times it was very hard for me to figure out exactly what was happening in the artwork…yet I liked this style, the muted colors, and the design in general. It made me really focus and pay more attention and that is not necessarily a bad thing! It will be a most excellent trade read…
great review ron, ill probably pick up the trade when this comes out. im not a trade waiter or anything, but your words in this very review have finally convinved me that i should be reading this. while id prefer single issues, the trade will have to do since i came late to this picnic.
I am glad this book is over so I can pick up the trade. Normally I would pick up the issues, but I missed the boat on the first 3 issues and could not find them anywhere.
Count me in for the trade as well. I read the first issue, and while it was good, it wasn’t what I was looking for at the time – a comic for tweens about a girl who may or may not kill dragons. Ron’s review of the final issue however has convinced me otherwise.
did not read the review cuz havent gotten the books yet this week but this is SUCH a good series i cant wait to read the newest one
Not final crisis? Fuck you, Ron Richards. Fuck you.
THEY F–KING KILLED BATMAN, DUDE!
@Ripvan: You win!
This was a great ending to a beautiful series. I hopped onto issue 1 because of (iirc) the San Diego podcast. The idea just looked really interesting. Thank you so much for exposing it to me. It’s been one of the best things I’ve read this year.
It made me cry…on the bus.
OMG WHY R U SUCH A MARVAL ZOMBY?
Just kidding.
I feel like Batman shouldn’t even be present at a fight where magic space rays are in use. I’m no Batmanologist, but "hit by Omega beams from a space god" sounds like the least Batman thing I have ever heard, much less a pivotal component of future Batman lore. I mean, I’m glad Grant Morrison is having a good time, but this sounds like having Aquaman die in a gunfight in the Sahara.
Batman has different rules for the JLA canon than he does in the solo books and this was a JLA story. You have the obligation to make Batman street-level in Gotham but if it’s JLA, Batman can use all sorts of sci-fi devices to whip a whole mass of White Martians and it’s cool. So, if he’s using a space pistol against Darkseid, it’s all good.
Tork is correst, there is a long, excellent history of Batman in the JLA going up against Darkseid and other cosmic threats.
I’ve spent too many nights with Movie Batman lately.
I have a feeling ‘Omega Sanctions’ were not on Christopher Nolan’s mind.
Have heard good things about this series, so this review makes me definitely want to pick up the trades.
James Earl Jones is Darkseid in the next Christopher Nolan movie. Pass it on.
No… he was chosen to play the part of Batman’s voice since people complained too much about it. He’ll dub it.
I came into this series a little late, at issue number 4. And while I wasn’t able to find all the back-issues, what I did find and what I have read since has completely blown me away. This is probably one of my favourite stories of 2008. Simply an amazing comic.
Should have been Final Crisis!!!
Excellent pick. A great series. And one other comment, Batman using a gun, come on!!!!
final crisis #6 did not have the emotional impact that this mini-series or this issue present. good pick, Ron!
Just got around to reading I Kill Giants #7. Question, for someone: so, was the giant real, or in her head? Call me dumb (plenty do), but I still don’t know.
Nice review Ron – Definitely picking up the trade. Thanks