Prophet

Last week, I read The Bulletproof Coffin, which was an outstanding story about superheroes published by Image Comics. I had such good luck with that book I decided to try another book from Image, which seems to be getting some buzz. This week, I read PROPHET VOL. 1: REMISSION TP, written by Brandon Graham and Simon Roy and illustrated by Brandon Graham, Simon Roy, Farel Dalrymple and Giannis Milogiannis, published by Image.

Everyone remembers WildCats, Savage Dragon and Youngblood as the series that launched Image Comics. Most people don’t remember the second tier books that came after them like Prophet and Glory. And to be fair, they really were some of the worst characters ever created by Rob Liefeld… and that says a lot. So why would I recommend a book about retread characters like these? Because Brandon Graham has taken a worn-out idea, twisted it up, turned it on its head and created one incredible comic.

In Prophet the story starts when our hero, John Prophet, wakes from suspended animation with a mission to go to a mountain, jump on a passing satellite, and… do something that I don’t understand. Then there’s another story in which Prophet (but not the same Prophet) has to journey through a space ship that is actually a man… doing something that I don’t understand. Finally there’s a robot that has to travel through time to send a message to one of the Prophets so that… he can do something that I don’t understand. A whole lot of crazy stuff happened that I’m not sure I can explain.

After reading the description of the book you probably think I am crazy for recommending it. And I just might be crazy after Prophet because it is insane.  Graham rolls out Kirby-esque idea after idea that make you want to shout, “Stop! Go back and explore that idea.” But as soon as you turn the page there’s another equally insane idea that’s better than the previous one. And this goes on for 100+ pages!  There are alien creatures and robots and an earth that isn’t really an earth and people eating people and poison and pollution and Prophets fighting Prophets and that just scratches the surface of it all.

So where is the story going after reading six issues? I haven’t a clue, but I had such a good time getting there I can’t wait to see where it is going. The stories are loosely connected so I can tell there is some grand scheme, but I sure can’t figure it out. The ideas are just so great issue after issue that I need to see what Graham is going to think up next.

Prophet is one of those rare stories that actually keeps you guessing. There were multiple times when I thought, “Well, book over because there is nowhere left to go,” only to have Graham launch into a whole new, equally interesting direction. And I can’t even begin to describe all ideas that Graham just throws out there that make your mind go numb. This collection is six of the most insane issues I have ever read for $10. Prophet is one of those rare books that really defies description, but if you want a book that will entertain and mystify you at the same time, then this is the book for you.

- David Lee