Midnight Nation

Graphic Novel Book Club January 2016

A reread, but another title I brought to the group. I have an outstanding and long-lived love for anything that JMS touches, and I remember when he came back to comics, originally, while I was managing a comic store at the end of my teenage years. I loved it overwhelmingly, and voraciously ate up everything he wrote, and I'm pleased to get to introduce it to others now.

I love this series. I love the mythology of it, and the way it handles homelessness, falling through the cracks and starting not to see people (which has stayed with me and how I try to look at the world, especially the homeless people in it, since reading it the first time). I love the ending, with how painful and beautiful and flawed show more the main character still is. show less

This book is both haunting and intriguing. Frank’s artwork compliments Straczynski’s story well and the story is haunting. Straczynski says the “road to the midnight nation can be erased only through compassion” and belies a story that is at once a good vs. evil tale as well as a theological understanding of the universe. Straczynski offers a dualism that I don’t embrace in my theological understandings, but does reject a Calvinist outlook which I do agree with. He suggests, and I agree, that ultimately evil is not rooted in some being but in the choices we make. There is good and evil at work in the world and we participate by choosing which we will embrace. The story is well plotted and supported by strong artwork. show more Straczynski keeps you turning the pages by building mystery around Laurel and her role in David’s journey. And ultimately the resolution of the conflict comes down to a choice between selflessness and selfishness. An interesting read, especially for those who think they are just comic books, this one could surprise and inform and cause you to think deeply. show less

I remember reading this in individual comics and seeing right where JMS said what would happen and being nervous. As usual with JMS, it did happen, just in a more horrible and sad way than I ever expected. A great graphic novel, one I reread.

This was kind of long for no pay off or explanation. It kinda made sense but I just didn't get it it in the end. I actually liked issue "1/2" the best even though it was just kinda "extra". It was a cool setup and the author's afterword was really kind of shocking and interesting, how it linked in with the story.

This is a tough one. The artwork is gorgeous throughout and definitely the best part of the book. The story is strong in some parts, particularly the beginning, but gets worse as it continues and becomes more of a convoluted treatise on religion. It seems to meander at times and doesn't really fall into place at the end, with too many important questions left unanswered.

I thought I might have read some of these original issues but this was all new to me. As usual with these kinds of theological romps, the devil gets all the best lines. There’s some good stuff about hope and the ending is kinda moving. Gary Frank’s pencil work is gorgeous, but I think this is still a lesser Straczynski work than Rising Stars or even Babylon 5.

Rereading this one (can't believe I've never reviewed it here). Great story about the forgotten of our world. His afterword is also incredibly potent. I'm only taking off a star because the art is a little too cheesecake as was popular in comics at the time.