Ordinary Gods #1
- WRITER
- Kyle Higgins
- Artist
- Felipe Watanabe
- Letterer
- Clayton Cowles
- Cover Artist
- Rod Reis, Dave Johnson, Declan Shalvey, Felipe Watanabe, Tula Lotay, Dan Panosian, Nicola Scott
- Publisher
- Image Comics
- Price
- 3.99 (USD)
- Release Date
- 2021-07-07
- Colorist
- Frank William
Come for the god war, stay for humanity. Image Comics' new series Ordinary Gods kicks off an epic tale of warring immortal gods, caught in a cycle of death and rebirth that stretches across human history. With writer Kyle Higgins' compelling characters, Felipe Watanabe's intricate artwork, Frank William's wondrous colors and lettering by Clayton Cowles, Ordinary Gods #1 shows promise for comic fans looking for a series featuring immortal warriors.
Ordinary Gods #1 begins on Earth, centering on a man named Christopher who feels useless and average. He works at a paint shop, goes to therapy and appreciates the time he spends with family. However, Christopher's monotonous life is upturned when a man named Dominic approaches him and claims he's a reincarnation of one of The Five -- Gods trapped in a countless cycle of rebirth and death within the history of planet Earth. In a distant realm beyond Earth, thirteen immortal beings govern thirteen territories. These territories fall under the rule of the One King, the supreme leader of these immortals, known only by their subjects as Gods. Five of these Gods sparked a rebellion, in the hopes of liberating the people from the brutal tyranny of the One King and the other Gods. Thus, a never-ending conflict emerged between these immortals who are constantly reborn despite countless deaths.
Ordinary Gods shoots for the stars by incorporating an epic space opera with its themes of immortality, reminiscent of Jack Kirby's New Gods or Eternals. The entire premise of Ordinary Gods makes it a quintessential study of classic comic book themes -- powerful space gods, immortal warriors and an unassuming young person destined for great power. Many of the concepts in the backstory are fascinating, especially with each of the 13 immortals being connected to an emotion, allowing the narrative to potentially explore the relationship these emotions have with each other, especially when personified by a God. Regardless, much of this first issue is a preamble, which sets up the grander arc for the protagonist Christopher to discover in later issues.
Higgins draws readers in with his portrayal of Christopher as the emotional core of the narrative. Christopher's introduction in his therapist's office feels authentic to the experiences of a modern young adult. He expresses dissatisfaction with his life direction and a looming fear of insignificance in the face of mediocrity. Even an explicit callout of Christopher's depression and hints of a previous mental health crisis gives the character an authenticity that offers great potential for further emotional exploration. Additionally, Christopher's interactions with his family are written with sincerity, particularly when the narrative explores his relationship with his younger sister, Brianna. He wants to protect his sister from the harsh realities of adult life, letting her be a kid who enjoys reading and is unaware of her brother's struggles with mental health. These genuine moments shine bright when starkly contrasted with the issue's fantastical backstory, making the narrative all the more compelling when the two collide and thrust Christopher into the epic plot.
The art of Ordinary Gods #1 is exemplary. Featuring seven artists, the cover alone shows the promise that the series has -- teasing an epic adventure across human history with iconic historical figures behind the protagonist. Felipe Watanabe's detailed linework shines in every panel and with each character. Watanabe's detailed expressions complement Higgins' writing, showcasing the emotions of each character throughout the issue. Readers are able to understand a character's thoughts and desires, not just from dialogue, but also from body language. Subtle facial ticks and expressive eyes sell how grand the scale of the narrative is and how believable these characters feel. The juxtaposition of our grounded reality with the fantastical reality of the Gods seamlessly blends with each other due to the immense detail in each panel.
William's vibrant colors complement scenes across a collection of settings, with the biggest highlight being William's depiction of lighting. The action is also stellar, with the first scene featuring a frenetic gun fight enhanced by Cowles' lettering. Across the board, the art of Ordinary Gods #1 is a visual feast, making it simultaneously challenging to look away and a pleasure to read.
With a recent spotlight on stories featuring immortals living throughout history (i.e. Old Guard and BRZRKR), fans of these books will be pleased to know that Ordinary Gods is a stellar addition to the genre. Its compelling characters and epic scale makes reading it a refreshing experience. Ordinary Gods #1 is a great first step into a potentially immortal series.