I’m not the first to run to a tome about some bible story, admittedly, and seeing previews initially for the upcoming Noah starring Russell Crowe made me a bit skeptical.
Do we need a Darren Aronofsky’s reimagining of this biblical story, like oh-so-much Battlestar Galactica?
Thankfully, there is more to this beautifully illustrated graphic novel than a chromed out Old Testament boat. Based on the first draft of the movie’s script, this 256 page hardcover or digital graphic novel is worth the high price tag for fans of the medium and comics that exist outside of the vacuum that is mainstream superhero comics. This book could exist comfortably at Vertigo as a mini-series.
Noah
Story By: Darren Aronofsky
Story By: Ari Handel
Art By: Niko Henrichon
Price: $29.99
Diamond ID: JAN140537
Published: March 19, 2014
There is plenty of controversy surrounding the movie of course, with religious peoples of all faiths protesting the portrayal of our first animal and environmental activist.
Most of the controversy is based on how Aronofsky is attempting to comment on our environmental issues of the day, and I’d be hard pressed to prove those critics wrong.
And we thought comic fans were bad! Superman in shorts vs. no shorts is no comparison to the debate waging on about how Noah’s Ark is to be portrayed on film!
Getting into the book in front of us today, yes, your cursory knowledge of the Noah’s Ark story will do you just fine.
God is angry with man, He wipes out the world with a flood, but only after asking Noah to take all creatures 2 x 2 onto the Ark.
The tension in the novel’s story is more complex than that, with the creation myth from Adam and Eve thrown in, fallen angels as six-armed giants decorated more elaborately than Xerxes in the recent 300: Rise of an Empire as well as a romantic entanglement to move the story along.
Hordes of Noah’s enemies led by Tubal-Cain fear the creator’s wrath as well and with some reconciliation help with the building, in promise of having 10 men’s lives spared.
Noah’s sons, Ham and Shem and Japeth fill the roles of a rebel, loyalist, and younger brother respectively, as the days wear on toward the Great Flood. Faithful Og the giant is a gentle creature, providing strength to the family on the journey. Nameeh is Noah’s wife and one that provides him the most support in his difficult decisions. The sons are married as well, Na’el to Ham, and Ila to Shem. Noah’s father Lamech serves as a shaman to the family, and has healing powers as well.
Thankfully, the book and the movie are not direct adaptations of one another, and I believe that gives the Noah graphic novel room to breathe. Since casting was not completed when the novel was started, each main character is not a photo reference of the actors playing the roles. While that may seem like a minor detail, reading this book in advance of the movie will be advantageous to show the core of Noah’s motivations and his story.
I liken this book to the Tezuka manga Buddha because of the way in which these old religious characters are given a personality of their own. While the movie may portray Superman’s dad as an angsty martyr, we can look at this Noah as an otherworldly hero making his way through the world and saving it at the same time.
The star of this book isn’t the reimagining of the tale of the Ark, it is decidedly the hand painted artwork of Canadian artist Niko Henrichon (Pride of Baghdad, Sandman). From double page spreads of epic battle scenes, to avian and reptilian creatures boarding the ship and the lush earth tones of every background scenes are truly wonderful. There are definitely Sandman moments here as well, with mysticism, powder and smoke healing wounds that have been illustrated with such beauty that one can smell the essence of tree bark burning off of the page. Henrichon’s expressions and action scenes are some of the best we’ve seen lately, as Image continues to crush the market with talent.
As an aside, would this be considered a licensed property?
The tie in to the movie is obvious, but it seems as if Image president Eric Stephenson has problems with how IDW and Boom! Studios are doing their business. And you know from visiting the Cosmic Treadmill it is these kind of debates that are more interesting to me than whether or not Aronofsky is making a faithful Noah’s Ark interpretation! This may fall under the separation of Comic Industry and State!
For fans of mystic comics steeped in somewhat of a history, this is a great book. Especially if you remove yourself from what is Noah’s Ark in your mind.
Kick back and have 2 beverages over a couple of nights to make your way through the gorgeous artwork for Image Comic’s Noah.
