Drew is a bullied kid in the Yonkers neighborhood of New York City whose family faces encroaching violence from Russian gangsters. Before his beloved grandfather is killed in an attempt to muscle the family out of the neighborhood, he’s able to pass down to Drew the story of a mysterious but dangerous protector who helped their people during other troubled times. When Drew finds his grandfather kept the secret to creating a golem, is it worth the risk to summon this supernatural avenger to take on the all-too-human darkness swallowing his world?

Brik is an urban fantasy tale of power and morality from writers Adam Glass & Mike Benson, amazing new illustrator Harwinder Singh, and colorist Gonzalo Duarte!

Brik is part modern fairy-tale, part coming of age, with a touch of ancient mysticism. The first issue also creates a sense of history, as Drew’s grandfather tells him how he learned of the Golem’s existence along with the secret of its creation. I’m curious to see how this story continues given the moral dilemma Drew has facing him. Does he bring about a dangerous weapon or let the Russian gangsters violence take over his home? Thus the morality tale of the Golem plays out with this new spin on the classic myth.

The artwork is realistic without managing to be overdone. It manages to capture the urban strife and the historical aspects of the story.

The comic focuses a lot more on the present than the past that does leave one wondering how much Drew’s grandfather actually knew. I’m curious to see if more of the grandfather’s past is brought about as the series continues.

Story: Mike Benson, Adam Glass Art: Harwinder Singh
Story: 8.5  Art: 9 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review