I Kill Giants

Publication Date: May 26, 2009

Publisher: Image Comics

Pages: 184

Summary:

Fear is a predator. It hunts upon its victims and demolishes their audacity. But some victims prove to be more formidable than others. Fear has preyed upon Barbara Thornson throughout her whole life, relishing on the troublesome experiences she has had to encounter. Barbara's only escape is through the world of Dungeons and Dragons, where she can ignore her worrying thoughts. But Barbara can't stay hidden in her fantasy world forever. Soon, her life becomes intertwined with two different worlds, forcing her to question the imaginary from reality. In order for her to face the fear that has plagued her for so long, she must rely on both dimensions of reality to salvage both herself and her ideal fantasies.

Plot:

Graphic novels are unique in their complexity. Few other stories are able to coincide images and text into the same tale. But even rarer is a story that is both distinct and engaging. I Kill Giants achieves both ends, serving to engage the reader in a world constructed by inked words and graphic illustrations. I found the story's plot to be engrossing in dynamic; it intrigues the reader with its fusion of two disparate worlds. However, I did feel that the story's development could have progressed more effectively throughout the story. I Kill Giants often grounds itself in sheer ambiguity, driving the reader to guess the story's intended implication. I feel that I would have enjoyed this book a bit more if its plot was a little more straightforward.

Characters:

Barbara Thornson is a cynical, determined, and quick-witted young girl. Her astute nature captivates the reader into her complex world of fantasy and reality. But I did feel that the character consisted of unfulfilled potential. I found it difficult to connect with Barbara while reading, an aspect that slightly diminished the story's enjoyment. I feel that Barbara's character could have benefitted from a more inclusive complexion.

Setting:

I found that melding Barbara's fantasy world with actual reality enhanced the story's indulgence. Both worlds rely on the other to construct the story's narrative, an aspect that cements the creation of the story's diverse setting. I found the setting of I Kill Giants to be a creative and amusing concept to read about, one that enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Review:

My review for I Kill Giants is three and a half stars out of five. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to those who enjoyed The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger or who are comic book enthusiasts. Thanks for reading :)