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Promethea
By Alan Moore, J.H. Williams III, and Mick Gray
DC Comics-America's Best Comics; $24.95
Book 1 ISBN 1563896672 (softcover; 2001)
Book 2 ISBN 1563899574 (softcover; 2003)
Individual issues published bimonthly
Promethea begins much as any other science-hero comic might, with a main character discovering that she has the ability to become the latest incarnation of a legendary heroine with powers granted her in antiquity by Thoth-Hermes.
And then, as a result of her early adventures, Promethea decides to learn about magic. She spends one issue learning about Cups and Wands, another issue going through the Major Arcana of the Tarot, and eleven issues traveling the spheres of the Tree Of Life. In these issues, plot takes a back seat and the comic becomes a treatise on the author's personal system of magical belief. The storytelling style becomes rudimentary: Dialogue consists of some characters explaining magical concepts while the other characters ask leading questions.
One of the two things holding the reader's interest through these issues is the information presented, its quantity and quality. Promethea is a dense work, the kind that demands multiple readings in order to absorb everything. It is so well-researched that it's a shame there is no bibliography.
The second point of interest is the captivating visual art. The cover of each issue is done in a different style, as are most of the scenes within, based on their locations. When Promethea is in Geburah, for example, the only colours used are heavy black and shades of red. Panel layouts innovatively break standard comic conventions, in ways that complement the words while bringing new layers of meaning to the material. Promethea is not only beautiful to look at; it literally illustrates its concepts in a manner beyond the abilities of any textbook. It's about magic, and it is magic.
As of the most recent issue, number 28, Promethea has returned to Malkuth to do as prophesied : End the world. Will she succeed? The story of Promethea will conclude with issue number 32.
(Reviewed May Day 2004)
Taras is a Montreal writer, teacher, and counsellor whose online column The Teddybear Sawdust Show! deals with art and creativity: http://trapdoor.cosmic-muse.com/thetsshow.html
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Book reviews © 2004. Permission to reprint, with full credit, must be
granted by the author. If you would like to reprint this review, please
email WynterGreene.
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