Dark Horse Comics 2017
Story & Words by Neil Gaiman
Script & Layouts by P. Craig Russell
Illustrated by Scott Hampton
“Coming to America”
Be Walter Simonson & Laura Martin
Lettered by Rick Parker
So there’s something great about the novel the television series and the comic book all having the same storyline going at the same time. Each one has that subtle difference for the medium that’s required to make it work as well as it does. Just that we are getting the same story told slightly differently makes for fascinating reading. Now if you don’t have Starz and can’t watch the show right now this is perfect because it’s the same story. For those that are watching it this is perfect to see what those little subtle differences are that. Almost like a game to see if you can spot the differences.
The artwork here goes back and forth when we see Shadow’s dreams they are exquisite in their nature and when it’s reality there is so few backgrounds to seem almost drab. Then add into the mix the flashback of Coming to America (yes I sang Neil Diamond when I wrote that) and all three segments have a completely different style and look to them. Considering that Walter and Laura do the America part that’s no shocker but I’ll admit there’s a nice consistency to it that helps identify each part and where it belongs in the story.
Also the character designs are interesting to me. I get that they are more closely taken from their description in the book and yet at the same time I cannot help but transfer that to the actors who portray them. Still they have their signature look, style and feel about them that make them who they are. As for the page layouts they are utilised beautifully through their angles and perspective.
So this issue takes place after the funeral as Shadow is in his room sleeping in a bed for the first time as a free man. It takes us through to the beginning of the game of checkers with Czernobog. It’s a crazy trip that this takes us on and we see the kind of stuff that Shadow is made of and it doesn’t take a genius to understand why Mr. Wednesday, Grimnir, took an interest in him straight away. If you put an average man through the things that Shadow has experienced and he’d crack into turn into a pile of gooey flesh, bubbling, gurgling and unable to function.
Actually I love the characterisation throughout the entire book. I know that Neil is extremely good at what he does and this book was/is a phenomenal read but it’s equally as impressive that Russell is able to translate the novel into comic form as eloquently and surely as he does. The pacing here is superb and as far as adaptations go you are hard pressed to find something that is as close to the original source material than this is.
Maybe it’s all been planned out that Neil wouldn’t let this adaptation commence until his show aired? It would make sense but then again who am I to know such things? Regardless i’ve been waiting years for this to make the transition and I couldn’t be any happier with the creative team and how they manage to bring this to life in this medium.