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Fragile Prophet

By Jason Mott
September 2, 2007 - 00:44

Sure, the indie presses can be a little hard to come across but, like a locally-owned favorite restaurant, stumbling across them can make discovery all the sweeter. Fragile Prophet is a powerful, unique story that promises to do big things for the young upstart, Lost in the Dark Press. FP is the story of Esau and his younger brother, Jake—a child possessed with Fragile X syndrome (a syndrome linked to mental retardation). However, Jake’s Fragile X syndrome not only produces random verbal outburst, it allows him a precognitive ability. When we meet up with Esau and Jake, Jake’s clairvoyant ability is in the process of launching the pair into the fame and fortune spotlight, but success comes with a price as Jake’s predictions take a turn for the worse when he sees his own death. From that point on Esau and others strive to prevent the death of the young prophet.

FP is Jeff Davidson’s first graphic novel and, as far as first books go, it’s filled with promise. Davidson does a terrific job of making this story less about the abilities of a young clairvoyant and more about a protective older brother attempting to hang on to the remnants of a nearly extinct family. Davidson’s storytelling is poignant, poetic and filled with both vibrancy and tenderness. Fragile Prophet dances at times. If FP has to have any weaknesses they come from what might be seen as an attempt to be too different. As much as I love a writer willing to use the “empty page” as a device for controlling pacing and emotional gravitas, Davidson may have relied on that tool one time too many. But I’m not one to squabble over whether or not trying to be unique in your writing is a good or bad thing. The simple fact is: it’s not only a good thing, it’s a necessary thing. Cheers to Davidson.

On pencils for FP is Stephen Buell. Buell’s artistic style is a very unique mixture of styles and intentions. Buell tends to favor long, sweeping lines and oddly elongated faces that evoke a strange intimacy and sympathy for the characters. There is a distancing from reality with the distorted faces and, poetically, this distancing allows a greater connection with reality. It reminds me of a wooded horizon just after a strong, angry hurricane—finally being able to see the forest now that the trees are all bent at a forty-five degree angle. Sometimes it works wonderfully. And, at other times, not so wonderfully. But, without a doubt, Buell’s portrayal of Jake is bizarre, magical and beautiful. Everything one could want from an autistic child prophet.

Overall: 4 out of 5. Keep your eye on Lost in the Dark Press. 

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12