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geekwayne's review
2.0
'The Bigger Bang' sets out to tell a big cosmic story and mostly succeeds, but it gets bogged down by a messy, sometimes confusing art style.
Cosmos, our protagonist, was created when a catastrophe occurred. He's nigh indestructible, and feels badly about the event that caused his creation. Because of that, he spends his time flying around in space trying to save folks and redeem himself. When an evil ruler named King Thulu has his plans accidentally thwarted by Cosmos, he sets out to destroy him or recruit him. Cosmos seems oblivious that someone might cause him harm since he spends his time feeling mopey about his origin.
I liked the story in it's bold approach. It doesn't take itself that seriously and I think that works in it's favor. What doesn't work is the sort of bashed together looking art. It seems rushed and sketchy and unfinished. Maybe others will like it better than I did. I did like the designs of the many different alien races, and it was an interesting approach to the all powerful superhero story, but I can't recommend it based on the art choices.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Cosmos, our protagonist, was created when a catastrophe occurred. He's nigh indestructible, and feels badly about the event that caused his creation. Because of that, he spends his time flying around in space trying to save folks and redeem himself. When an evil ruler named King Thulu has his plans accidentally thwarted by Cosmos, he sets out to destroy him or recruit him. Cosmos seems oblivious that someone might cause him harm since he spends his time feeling mopey about his origin.
I liked the story in it's bold approach. It doesn't take itself that seriously and I think that works in it's favor. What doesn't work is the sort of bashed together looking art. It seems rushed and sketchy and unfinished. Maybe others will like it better than I did. I did like the designs of the many different alien races, and it was an interesting approach to the all powerful superhero story, but I can't recommend it based on the art choices.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
rick_k's review
3.0
The Bigger Bang is as absurd as its title, but also endearing. The protagonist is a man named Cosmos. Forged in a singularity from what had been our solar system.
His impossibly proportioned bulk soars through the vacuum of space. To atone for the tremendous cost of his creation he protects all living things throughout the universe. His primary ability is to absorb energy. The first action we witness is his diffusing of a mega-volcano encompassing one-eighth of an planet. Despite his heroism he is feared. Across the universe he is misunderstood. To others he is known as The Destroyer.
King Thulu (who is a combination of Cthulhu, Thanos, and Zapp Brannigan) rules many galaxies through violence and fear. He is ever attended by his faithful assistant (essentially Kif Kroker), and his will is enforced by Captain Wyan (basically a three-eyed version of Gamora). Captain Wyan has known nothing of compassion until she is sent to kill Cosmos and sees his kindness towards all creatures (then promptly destroys the planet he just saved, because orders are orders).
D.J. Kirkbride’s story follows all the familiar beats you would expect, but is peppered with silliness and comic timing. No one describes the “taste and mouth feel” of exotic fruits unless they are in on the joke. This bizarre satire is paired with some of the loosest surreal artwork I have seen in a comic. Vassilis Gogtzilas’ fascination with tentacles rivals Ben Templesmiths’ The Squidder, but also has frames where rows of eyes and teeth just repeat off into the distance. Its whimsical and disturbing. The style lends to very kinetic tableaus peppered with dirty particle effects, and scribbled shading, but it grew on me. There is a sweetness in the insanity. In each vignette Gogtzilas manages to incorporate a self-aware character who responds with a clarity and surprise which pierces through the chaos.
I received access to a digital copy of The Bigger Bang from NetGalley. The collected trade paperback will be released by IDW Publishing on Tuesday, May 26th, 2015.
...It’s a shame about all good things.
The end came without suffering at least. Just a flash and then…
...over.
Well…
...over for life on Earth. Over for life in the pocket of the multiverse the Earthlings had barely begun to perceive. So, while Earth and it’s inhabitants were created in The Big Bang…
...a being named Cosmos was created in…
The Bigger Bang.
His impossibly proportioned bulk soars through the vacuum of space. To atone for the tremendous cost of his creation he protects all living things throughout the universe. His primary ability is to absorb energy. The first action we witness is his diffusing of a mega-volcano encompassing one-eighth of an planet. Despite his heroism he is feared. Across the universe he is misunderstood. To others he is known as The Destroyer.
King Thulu (who is a combination of Cthulhu, Thanos, and Zapp Brannigan) rules many galaxies through violence and fear. He is ever attended by his faithful assistant (essentially Kif Kroker), and his will is enforced by Captain Wyan (basically a three-eyed version of Gamora). Captain Wyan has known nothing of compassion until she is sent to kill Cosmos and sees his kindness towards all creatures (then promptly destroys the planet he just saved, because orders are orders).
D.J. Kirkbride’s story follows all the familiar beats you would expect, but is peppered with silliness and comic timing. No one describes the “taste and mouth feel” of exotic fruits unless they are in on the joke. This bizarre satire is paired with some of the loosest surreal artwork I have seen in a comic. Vassilis Gogtzilas’ fascination with tentacles rivals Ben Templesmiths’ The Squidder, but also has frames where rows of eyes and teeth just repeat off into the distance. Its whimsical and disturbing. The style lends to very kinetic tableaus peppered with dirty particle effects, and scribbled shading, but it grew on me. There is a sweetness in the insanity. In each vignette Gogtzilas manages to incorporate a self-aware character who responds with a clarity and surprise which pierces through the chaos.
I received access to a digital copy of The Bigger Bang from NetGalley. The collected trade paperback will be released by IDW Publishing on Tuesday, May 26th, 2015.
iffer's review
2.0
Obtained as an eARC through NetGalley
The Bigger Bang, contrary to its name (which I think sounds silly), is more of a low drone. There's nothing new here, and even the tried-and-true trope of angsty hero seeking redemption isn't executed particularly well. The script is clunky, with obviously spelled out messages: "Free will!"; "Maybe the best use of power is helping innocents"; etc. Aside from a few high points, the art is chaotic and scratchy, reminiscent of untouched doodling during class, and the color palette is cool colors and frequently dark, which actually sometimes makes it difficult to discern action. For a short four-issue miniseries, I found myself checking how many pages that I had left to read several times ><
The Bigger Bang, contrary to its name (which I think sounds silly), is more of a low drone. There's nothing new here, and even the tried-and-true trope of angsty hero seeking redemption isn't executed particularly well. The script is clunky, with obviously spelled out messages: "Free will!"; "Maybe the best use of power is helping innocents"; etc. Aside from a few high points, the art is chaotic and scratchy, reminiscent of untouched doodling during class, and the color palette is cool colors and frequently dark, which actually sometimes makes it difficult to discern action. For a short four-issue miniseries, I found myself checking how many pages that I had left to read several times ><
noveladdiction's review
3.0
This just felt like it tried too hard. If that makes sense. Oh well.
Full/actual review will posted on Novel Addiction March 20th, 2015.
Thanks netgalley for the chance to read this.
Full/actual review will posted on Novel Addiction March 20th, 2015.
Thanks netgalley for the chance to read this.
joelmeador's review
4.0
Pulp-ey w/ good and unique art. The structure of the story is not modern and felt like reading like a John Carter book.
nightxade's review
3.0
The earth was created in a big bang and destroyed in a bigger one. The being that was born in the latter lives with the guilt of our destruction, and uses his vast powers to save other planets from such a fate, but no matter what Cosmos does, the people fear him. Meanwhile, a despotic, tentacled king wants to rule the universe and believes Cosmos to be the key to his undoing or his success, depending on how he can sway the PR campaign.
There is some cute, snarky humour in this story, and a bittersweet exploration of acceptance, as told mainly through an unexpected friendship between Cosmos and the king's number one enforcer. There is so much potential in this, but unfortunately, things start to fall apart half way through the book when the story goes exactly where you expect it to.
The artistic style is kind of chaotic in its sketchiness, which is something I appreciate, however, at times, it becomes too "messy," making it difficult to follow along with the story it is trying to tell.
With thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
www.BiblioSanctum.com
There is some cute, snarky humour in this story, and a bittersweet exploration of acceptance, as told mainly through an unexpected friendship between Cosmos and the king's number one enforcer. There is so much potential in this, but unfortunately, things start to fall apart half way through the book when the story goes exactly where you expect it to.
The artistic style is kind of chaotic in its sketchiness, which is something I appreciate, however, at times, it becomes too "messy," making it difficult to follow along with the story it is trying to tell.
With thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
www.BiblioSanctum.com
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