2016 Reading Challenge "A book that takes place on an island"

The Sculptor by Scott McCloud

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This started out as the book for "a graphic novel" but then I got the Sandman Overture. But since this takes place in Manhattan, I figured it worked for this category as well.

I really wanted to like this book. George RR Martin raved about it and said it should be nominated for a Hugo. Will Wheaton loved it. So I picked it up and started. I actually had to force myself to finish it.

I liked the concept. A struggling artist who makes a deal... the ultimate artistic gift in exchange for a shortened lifespan. But then he falls in love and tried to get the deal reversed.

In reality, I found David Smith (the protagonist) annoying and the ultimate emo whoa-is-me character. Even after he got the gift he was then "but no one is paying attention, this is my time". I felt he was more of a hormonal teenager than a grown adult.

And then there is Meg, the love interest. Her depth was that she was manic-depressive and refused to take her meds. She was just a pretty face who just crossed David's path in a moment where he needed to have someone notice him and then he latched on like a new born chick onto the first creature he saw and imprinted on.

The only character I even remotely liked was Harry/Death and I think that was mostly because he was drawn to look a lot like Stan Lee. I even heard Stan's voice as I read his scenes.

The artwork was ok. I'm not a big fan of 2 color artwork, but that's my thing.

I guess I can see why other people liked this book. But for me... I just felt flat.



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