This weekend I took a nice vacation to the beach and was looking forward to reading an unexpected graphic novel that landed on my doorstep Thursday afternoon.  I decided to see what was in store for me that night and by Friday I had tore through the entire graphic novel.  A God Somewhere is good.  Actually it’s great.  It a must read, highly recommended purchase and top contender for graphic novel of the year.

Written by John Arcudi, illustrated by Peter Snejbjerg, colored by Bjarne Hansen, and published by Wildstorm, the graphic novel asks what happens to an average person who is given god like powers.  It’s not a new concept, in fact it’s been explored numerous times, however this graphic novel’s take, dialogue, plot are entertaining, at times tragic and most important overall, thought provoking.

The story is of two brothers Eric and Hugh and their best friend Sam.  Eric, the older protective brother is surpassed by his younger brother who has an excellent job and a beautiful wife.  Eric is bestowed with extraordinary powers through a tragic event and his life is immediately turned upside down placing him again in the role of protector.

After a mysterious disaster, a young man named Eric finds that he has just as mysteriously developed extraordinary abilities.  He sets out to be mankind’s first true superhero, but his solitary position in the world isolates him in ways no ordinary human could understand.  A God Somewhere charts the arc of Eric’s evolution from man to something more, as seen through the eyes of his family and best friend.

We’re taken through events that see Eric deal with his new found power, how it affects his family relationships and how their friend Sam now has to deal with his best friend’s new found stardom and role.  It’s three perspectives and as the saying goes power corrupts each differently.

The story is excellently paced with fantastic art and unique perspective.  Yes, the story has been done before, but this is the rare comic that will haunt you for days, makes you want to discuss the deeper themes with someone else and best of all make you think.  It has something to say, a point to make.  It does that, and then some.

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