Graphic SF Reader ^ In Book 4, too many Prometheas spoil the something or other.
Our first Promethea is off doing the Promethea mythology thing with all the Prometheas gone before, even if they are dead.
Fill in friend Promethea is doing the hero thing, to some degree or other, back in normalish Wildstorm type places.
When the 'original' returns, what's a girl who likes kicking arse as a superhuman to do?
The theory of Life, the Universe and Everything..... ^ Promethea book 4 continues the quest of Promethea (Sophie) and Barbara to search for Barbara's lost husband Steve in the Immateria. The story is more of a platform for Alan Moore to share his learnings of magic (I remember reading he had studied magic or even practised it). However, it is full of interesting observations and connections, that tie together science, different religions and the origin of the universe. He uses Aleister Crowley as a character throughout the plot, and I suspect Moore must have used Crowley's material for much of his research. I'm curious how much of these connections were drawn from Moore's own insights and how much from his readings - not sure.
The layout of each page are creative and experimental. Sometimes, I found myself reading the panels in the wrong sequence, but quickly adjusted. The artwork and styles are a feast for the eyes. When I compare Promethea to some of my early comics from the 70's and 80's, it is amazing how finely-crafted the art, creative the stories, and experimental the compositions are these days. Amazing. All standards are being raised and broken.
The best story in my opinion was the nicely written gem about two Prometheas, from both sides of the Crusades and its juxtaposition with a modern conflict between two Prometheas. I thought the story ended poignantly, with a light-hearted epilogue. This story really reinforces the myth of Promethea and is a tribute to how deeply Alan has explored this character and the potentials of the myth.
The last part of the book refocuses back to the material plane and sets up a new plotline that leaves me eagerly waiting for the 5th book.
It's all about the art this time.. ^ I have to admit, I'm less and less impressed with the magic/kabbalistic mysticism that's become almost the entirety of the plot. I was actually offended by some of the content this time around. The art however, is worth the wade into the weird. Each of the issues collected here has a different visual scope and color scheme in keeping with the journey motif going on; Very blue and Van Gogh circa "Starry Night" at the beginning, a stylized monochromatic stone garden for Arcadia, flat red-dominated iconographic murals for Babylon, and by the time Promethea reaches 'Heaven' everything is given over to bright whites and muted golds. The lovliest is the split story from chapter six that shows Christian and Muslim versions of Promethea, both existant at the time of the Crusades - each panel has half a woman rendered with the appropriate geometric or iconographic motifs, fitting seamlessly together.
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