Brik - Softcover

Glass, Adam

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1620103923 ISBN 13: 9781620103920

Publisher: Oni Press, 2017

Synopsis

When Drew, a 12-year-old Jewish boy from Yonkers, loses his beloved grandfather to antisemitic gang violence, he turns to tradition, anger, and Kabbalah to serve vengeance. Conjuring a supernatural defender to protect his city brings Drew unimaginable power—power he may not be able to control. As the gangsters grow closer to discovering the identity of Yonkers' new vigilante and the soul within the golem begins to take permanent hold of the creature, Drew must decide what's more dangerous, the devil you know or the savior you don't. From writers Adam Glass (SUICIDE SQUAD, TV's SUPERNATURAL) & Mike Benson (DEADPOOL, MOON KNIGHT), amazing debut illustrator Harwinder Singh, and colorist Gonzalo Duarte (THE BUNKER, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA).

About this title

Review:

KIRKUS-Early in this graphic novel, a character says, “Then I saw it...a monster. And I was happy.”

A golem isn't the easiest monster to love. It's built from ugly clay and mud, and it has an uncontrollable temper. Readers who are familiar with the old, Jewish golem legends will find the story relatively familiar, though there are a few surprises. Brik the golem has his name graffiti-tagged on his chest, and he fights off bullies and Russian gangsters. The story is full of surprises, and there's a genuinely shocking plot twist toward the end of the book. Unfortunately, the impact of the moment is reduced by the pacing, as Singh's panel-to-panel transitions are often confusing. His use of texture, however, is very skillful and makes Brik a visually compelling monster. Other characters are just as memorable, especially Drew, a lanky, redheaded Jewish boy. Most of the major characters are Jewish and white, though a brown-skinned woman named Sera works for the Jewish funeral home. She's an expert on cabala, and she teaches the put-upon Drew how to create a golem. She's one of the most appealing characters in the book, but then, every character is engaging-particularly the villains-because of the sharp, fast-paced dialogue.

Not everyone loves a golem, but monster fans will speed through the pages, trying to guess the next surprise. (Graphic adventure. 13-19)


PUBLISHERS WEEKLY-For the most part, 12-year-old Drew enjoys life in the town of Yonkers, despite its decline and its bullies. He relishes the stories his grandfather tells, and then there's Chase Hirsch, the crush Drew wants to impress. When the Russian mafia kills his grandfather, Drew calls on his Jewish heritage to create a golem to protect the neighborhood from a mysterious and deadly figure known as Little Stalin. Glass and Benson craft a compelling tale of vigilante justice whose many violent moments come alive in debut illustrator Singh's shadowy artwork (when Drew first discovers that his golem, which he names Brik, is alive, the creature is busy mutilating small animals in the woods). Singh lacks some consistency in reproducing the characters, particularly Drew, yet these variations manage to capture an essential aspect of Drew's life, caught between being the child he was and the man he's to become. With steady pacing and a story arc that both resembles and deviates from traditional superhero norms, the creators have delivered a strong graphic novel. Ages 13-up. (July)

About this edition

• Publisher: Oni Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1620103923
• ISBN 13: 9781620103920
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152
• Illustrator: Benson Micheal, Singh Harwinder