Comic Book Journal

Way back in August I wrote a brief blog on my favorite writer Steve Segal. If you want to walk down memory lane to see why I picked him, see http://www.comicbookjournal.net/whos-your-favorite-writer/.
This issue marks the last issue of American Virgin, the story of Adam Chamberlain as he lives an abnormal life as a young adult who can hear God and strives to “save himself,” both literally and figuratively.

For those who had been aboard this title from the very beginning, there was only one way the story could end and Segal ties up the loose ends very nicely, by giving Adam a requiem and killing off the title character as he comes home pure. Stylistically this final issue had a nice touch, with very subtle backgrounds and the characters are, as always, nicely rendered. Becky Cloonan had a very successful run with this series, and proves that while her style, artistically speaking, is not fit for a lot of titles, she proves she is consistent and has been so throughout the series. The colors are as always appropriate and subdued and especially with the scenes with Satan, serve to contrast the duality in good and evil; right and wrong effortlessly.

As far as plotting goes, Segal, ends the series on a high point, but on the flip side, it seems rushed somewhat. With only twenty-three issues, I am left wondering if the series was prematurely canceled or it was a deliberate choice to leave the series at this point. This issues is definitely not a great jumping on point for new readers, but does justice to the series if a reader wanted to try something different then prehaps read the series in its entire run.

I will attempt now to put aside my fondness for Segal and company to give this book a rating. As a single issue I’d give the book a solid seven out of ten. What is it missing? Well not everyone will jump on board with a main character who is a young adult with no outwardly special powers or great plight. So characterization is a little off sometimes, also at times the series is not as readable as it should be, meaning transitions are off between the reality of Adam being with God and the previous events, which are told through flashbacks and memory. Also there are times when the art is a little loose and some characters are sketchy and not well refined.

On a whole the series is brilliant while read in over a few sittings. This is definitely a series that should be complied into a complete graphic novel. For the series, I’d give it a nine out of ten for originality, and overall readability. Check it out you will not be disappointed. I recommend it for mature readers looking for something more than typical superhero fare.