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Gospel #1
- Writer:
- Will Morris
- Artist:
- Will Morris
- Letterer:
- Will Morris
- Cover Artist:
- Ver
- Publisher:
- Image Comics
- Price:
- $3.99
- Release Date:
- 2022-11-09
- Colorist:
- Will Morris
Many comics and graphic novels have celebrated the importance and power of storytelling, as seen in stories like The Magic Fish and Briar. Now, Image Comics' Gospel #1 -- with art and story by Will Morris and colors by Holley McKend -- focuses on how fiction can get out of hand when applied to the real world. Set in 1539 England, Gospel #1 follows the warrior Matilde, who wants to make a name for herself with the help of her friend Pitt's stories; however, truth is stranger than fiction when true danger rears its ugly head.
Gospel #1 has an interesting premise in regard to how the stories that sound ideal in theory can become nightmares in reality. To emphasize how different fiction and reality can be, the first issue bounces between a story about Matilde and what actually is happening to her. However, the jumping between fiction and reality makes the storytelling feel muddled and confusing. While it is possible this will read better once all the issues are collected, there is too much bouncing around for one issue.
Gospel #1 commits fully to its primary setting. While there are some fantastical elements, this first issue reads more like historical fiction. Fans of Shakespearean dialogue and issues related to religion will get a lot out of this series. At its core, this comic embraces the style of the past, but the old-fashioned dialogue may be tiresome to some readers.
Dialogue aside, the art is the stand-out of Gospel #1. There is a folkloric quality to Morris' art, especially when it comes to the big bad, as well as the monstrous pig seen on the comic's primary cover. This further helps cement the vibe, as well as the time period, for this story. Along with that, when there is action, it is dynamic and makes one excited about the dangers that lie ahead.
Accompanying Morris' art are McKend's colors, which exude warmth. Yellow hues have often been used to allude to nostalgia and the past. McKend uses this to the best of their ability, cementing a historic feel to Gospel #1. Along with that, there are bursts of blue integrated into the character designs that provide a compelling contrast between the setting and the characters. While their faces are often simple, there is a charming quality to them, especially in the more mundane and sentimental moments.
Image Comics' Gospel has the potential to be a solid series, but at the moment, the first issue seems to take on too much at once. Along with establishing the historical context and setting of Gospel #1, the themes of storytelling are approached in a way that can be overwhelming. This first issue is weighed down by the sheer volume of ideas it attempts to explore. The first and last pages promise something major is in the works, so hopefully, the follow-up issues can deliver.