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Chosen TPB
Book Released: 2005
Posted 27 Jun 2007
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Peter Gross
Publisher: Dark Horse
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by Hueso Taveras
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Faith resurged in the wake of 9/11. Since then it’s posited as a
ubiquitous aspect of American life, turning laymen to legends. Mark
Millar and Peter Gross explore this theme with skill and intelligence
in Chosen, by turning a legend into an everyman.
While preparing for a fateful trip to Israel, 33 year-old Jodie
Christianson retells his coming of age to a group of adoring
followers. Like countless 12 year-old boys, Jodie enjoys video games,
smokes weed, and easily drops curses. But it isn’t until he emerges
unscathed from a truck accident that his destiny begins to
materialize. With a hint from a hospital attendant, Christianson
reenters his suburban American world dimly aware of his awesome
powers, sparking the town’s curiosity.
“Gross’ simple
compositions and camera angles invite us to find ourselves in the
characters and situations.”
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Before long, Jodie’s miraculous cures and exploits catch the attention
of skeptical adults and a faithless priest. His distant mother points
to the book of Revelations as a blueprint of his destiny as the
residents of Peoria, Illinois rush to embrace their Lord’s second
coming. He accepts his new role with only a vague notion of what lies
ahead. Millar and Gross offer a wholly different vision from the
sleek, leather-clad, Wachowskian messiah.
Although their premise is novel, the story is anything but. Smart,
funny and anchored in fully developed characters, Chosen is a radical
and unflinching look at people’s reliance on faith. Gross’ simple
compositions and camera angles invite us to find ourselves in the
characters and situations. His detailed yet reserved illustrations are
a needed change from the zealous imagery that’s dominated American
culture since the terrorist attacks. Forfeiting digital coloring,
Jeanne McGee’s watercolors give the town a soft vitality that
illuminates and humanizes its residents.
Millar and Gross’ Chosen stands up to its comparison
with Garth Ennis’ acclaimed and controversial series
Preacher. Published by Dark Horse Comics — one of the
biggest independent comic publishers — Chosen reaffirms
the belief that just about anything can be done with comics.
—CCdC—
Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
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